Beginnings:  Journey into "Journey In Place"
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Beginnings: Journey into "Journey In Place"

The original meaning of the word “journey” is rooted in Old French journee, which meant “a day’s length; day’s work or travel.” Farther back in time, “journey” arose from the Latin diurnus “of one day.” Journey these days means going someplace. This can be an outer physical place, or an inner emotional place, or a spiritual place which can be a combination of the two, one or the other, or a realm that only you access. A journey can consist of all of these elements at once, each separately, or together in various combinations. I like to think of journey in the…

One Photo, One Short Story
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One Photo, One Short Story

Recently, I set myself the task to write a story about the accompanying photo in fifty words. Turns out, the story ended at forty-nine words (the title “Look” is included in the word count.) It is intriguing to give yourself a word limit for a piece, then stick with it. During the process, all becomes distilled; thoughts and words. Look November. Northern Plains of Montana. Winter’s stalk, damascus-sharp, and dismal edged penetrates the air. The scent, a raw mainline of dead leaves. I take a picture of skeleton trees, the gilt glow of grasses and sage against the amber light…

Learning to Write Landscape and My Primal Place
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Learning to Write Landscape and My Primal Place

On a recent August evening, my writing friend Carol and I hurried into Paulina Springs Books in Sisters, Oregon. We were there to attend a writing workshop by author and poet Joe Wilkins. Earlier that day I had looked through his website and noticed he had grown up in Montana. Then, I was even more eager to go to the workshop, just to be in proximity of a fellow Montanan. The workshop was titled “Layers of Landscape: Harnessing the Power of Place.” To say we were intrigued by the title was an understatement. I’ve been scribbling away about the landscape…

Six Word Story 1
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Six Word Story 1

Golden trumpet, serenade rays of sun. This is the first in what will become a series of six word stories. I will post a photo, video, image, sentence with blank spaces, etc and write a story about it in six words. Then, I look forward to reading your own six word story in the comments box at the bottom of the page. Wow me!

Here We Go!
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Here We Go!

I am back.  A long time away from this space, I know.  It seems like my blog follows the arc of the year; active in spring, summer and fall, then hibernates over the winter.  Now it is time to emerge and stretch upward in the ever-strengthening sunlight. My Lusitano, Evaristo, and I Even though the blog has been in hibernation for some months, it has been much in my thoughts.  I’ve been thinking and doing some work on its evolution, how to move it in a direction that feels sustainable for me. Too, I wish to make it a space…

Impressions ~ Walking I
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Impressions ~ Walking I

July 12, 2020 8:53AM. East side of Lone Pine Rd, Crook County, Oregon. On the sidehill of a butte, at the top of a favorite trail. My hair is loose today.  I feel witchy.  Witches were among the first of the wise women, connected directly to the land.  Men and fear turned the word into how it is perceived today. The last quarter of the moon floats high in the southwest sky.  A sky-blue and alabaster white translucent pearl. The moon, high in the upper right corner. Almost a forgotten cloud fragment. Above and behind me, the butte is a…