Dougald, this piece speaks to me most powerfully; how to best transport what is precious, be it your great grandfather's desk, your old piano, or how to move ourselves toward what is worth doing in these unravelling times. And all are conveyed to us, your reader-allies, from above a shoe shop where you, your family and your community are walking together with the question of 'what else is worth doing with the time we may have left'. I love this metaphor of how to move what is precious, so beautifully transported in your writing. Warmly, Val
It's beautiful to have the thread within this piece reflected back in the mirror of your reading. When I say that this Substack is made up of "letters and essays", I don't think I've spelt out the difference, but the way I think of it is that the essays are crafted structures of story (or thinking-with-story), while the letters are written straight at a sitting, the way one writes a letter to a friend. In that sense, this post was a letter, so I hadn't been conscious of that linking thread, but as soon as you name it, I can see it clearly. Thank you!
Dougald, I wrote briefly on the star-stories theory last Matariki (Matariki is our Māori New Year, signified by the rising of the Pleiades / Matariki in Midwinter)
Just finishing the audio version of At Work in the Ruins now! It's a stimulating if not always soothing listen when I go walking. I do find myself stopping more, often to frantically record some insight or revelation. I think this is a compliment. I'm hoping to reference some of those puzzle pieces you've articulated so well in an upcoming series.
Well, I'm glad to be accompanying your walks! Always best to take a notebook along when walking, I find, in any case. Look forward to seeing where those puzzle pieces lead you.
I am so grateful for your vision of leading young ones up into adulthood. Often I feel like I’m not “doing it right” when my children long for more stuff, more video games, pop culture--and I feel responsible for not leading them into higher things. But this image of blowing on the embers, long slow work that it is, is so life-giving and grace-filled.
It's me who thanks you, Dougald, for being open to the mirroring. The reciprocal relationship that you have with your readers means a lot; it is rare. Witnessing this thread of 'moving what is precious in the time that we have' is a theme for me, in this fourth quarter of my life. It's a theme that I also recognized in your beautiful book At Work in the Ruins. It's a beautiful thing when people can benefit and reflect one another in collapsing times. Perhaps we can help one another see the patterns that are emerging as they become visible, one precious piece at a time. Much gratitude, Dougald!
Dougald, this piece speaks to me most powerfully; how to best transport what is precious, be it your great grandfather's desk, your old piano, or how to move ourselves toward what is worth doing in these unravelling times. And all are conveyed to us, your reader-allies, from above a shoe shop where you, your family and your community are walking together with the question of 'what else is worth doing with the time we may have left'. I love this metaphor of how to move what is precious, so beautifully transported in your writing. Warmly, Val
It's beautiful to have the thread within this piece reflected back in the mirror of your reading. When I say that this Substack is made up of "letters and essays", I don't think I've spelt out the difference, but the way I think of it is that the essays are crafted structures of story (or thinking-with-story), while the letters are written straight at a sitting, the way one writes a letter to a friend. In that sense, this post was a letter, so I hadn't been conscious of that linking thread, but as soon as you name it, I can see it clearly. Thank you!
Dougald, I wrote briefly on the star-stories theory last Matariki (Matariki is our Māori New Year, signified by the rising of the Pleiades / Matariki in Midwinter)
https://rosiewhinray.substack.com/p/star-stories-and-oral-history
Thanks, Rosie!
Just finishing the audio version of At Work in the Ruins now! It's a stimulating if not always soothing listen when I go walking. I do find myself stopping more, often to frantically record some insight or revelation. I think this is a compliment. I'm hoping to reference some of those puzzle pieces you've articulated so well in an upcoming series.
Well, I'm glad to be accompanying your walks! Always best to take a notebook along when walking, I find, in any case. Look forward to seeing where those puzzle pieces lead you.
Deeply grateful for your writings
I am so grateful for your vision of leading young ones up into adulthood. Often I feel like I’m not “doing it right” when my children long for more stuff, more video games, pop culture--and I feel responsible for not leading them into higher things. But this image of blowing on the embers, long slow work that it is, is so life-giving and grace-filled.
It's me who thanks you, Dougald, for being open to the mirroring. The reciprocal relationship that you have with your readers means a lot; it is rare. Witnessing this thread of 'moving what is precious in the time that we have' is a theme for me, in this fourth quarter of my life. It's a theme that I also recognized in your beautiful book At Work in the Ruins. It's a beautiful thing when people can benefit and reflect one another in collapsing times. Perhaps we can help one another see the patterns that are emerging as they become visible, one precious piece at a time. Much gratitude, Dougald!
Thank you for the beautiful excerpt. The story of your son! Meteor showers! Ancestors! I can’t wait to read the rest. Thank you.