Kathleen Meyer
. . . longtime river guide, sea kayaker, draft horse teamster, and author of the international bestselling outdoor guide How to Shit in the Woods: An Environmentally Sound Approach to a Lost Art (with more than 3 million copies sold in 8 languages) and the Wild West memoir Barefoot Hearted: A Wild Life Among Wildlife.
4th Edition!!!
All tastefully-written illuminations, rants, and questions are welcome. (Tasteful, of course, is elastic in this case, but we’ll try to mind most of our manners.
Feel free to address prickly problems, toss out new ideas, comment with candor on products and locations, regale success stories, network with fervor, and—above all—dream up backcountry sanitation that achieves the ultimate in ecological and aesthetic preservation of those precious places in our shrinking wild.
Shooting the Shit will post in a relaxed fashion, leaving us all time for rivers, mountains, oceans, and that old thing “making a living.” I realize that anything snail-like these days is bucking the trend but the offbeat path, now and again, screams to be followed. How I know it!
Feel free to address prickly problems, toss out new ideas, comment with candor on products and locations, regale success stories, network with fervor, and—above all—dream up backcountry sanitation that achieves the ultimate in ecological and aesthetic preservation of those precious places in our shrinking wild.
Shooting the Shit will post in a relaxed fashion, leaving us all time for rivers, mountains, oceans, and that old thing “making a living.” I realize that anything snail-like these days is bucking the trend but the offbeat path, now and again, screams to be followed. How I know it!
Currently not available. I’m transferring to a new system. Please bear with!
Please bare with; I’m in the process of transferring the Archives and Comments to this new site, and finishing mobile compatibility.
Where Do I Go to Go?
By Kathleen Meyer, April 2021
Time to start thinking about it! We’re moving into the best seasons for outdoor adventures.
This photo is from Canyon REO’s website. No flushing racket here, no bowl cleaning, no plumbing disasters—nothing but utter tranquility and a spectacular view made for meditating on the worth of our Mother Earth. Canyon REO (River Equipment Outfitters)—www.canyonreo.com—is a great source for both rentals and purchases of river rafting gear. They specialize in private-trip rental equipment for Grand Canyon’s Colorado River parties and other southwestern rivers, including the San Juan and Salt. Shown above is their D-Can carry-out toilet system.
The following description of the D-Can is a combined excerpt from the 4th edition of How to Shit in the Woods (gathered from pages 50 and 53, and the intro paragraphs to washable-reusable carry-out systems):
This photo is from Canyon REO’s website. No flushing racket here, no bowl cleaning, no plumbing disasters—nothing but utter tranquility and a spectacular view made for meditating on the worth of our Mother Earth. Canyon REO (River Equipment Outfitters)—www.canyonreo.com—is a great source for both rentals and purchases of river rafting gear. They specialize in private-trip rental equipment for Grand Canyon’s Colorado River parties and other southwestern rivers, including the San Juan and Salt. Shown above is their D-Can carry-out toilet system.
The following description of the D-Can is a combined excerpt from the 4th edition of How to Shit in the Woods (gathered from pages 50 and 53, and the intro paragraphs to washable-reusable carry-out systems):
The D-Can system includes a 25 mm army surplus ammo can (17½ x 10 x 14½ inches tall), which is 2½ inches wider and more stable than the 20 mm and 1 inch wider than the 30 mm. Its toilet seat assembly has a flat-closing, no-air-gap lid (to keep from attracting flies), mounted on a slide-on aluminum top for use in camp. Dry weight is 23 pounds, with a capacity of 70 user-days (“hero use” up to 80). The term user-day is defined as 1 person’s deposits over the course of 1 day. In other words, 50 user-days can mean 1 person for 50 days, or 10 people for 5 days. Get it? Should you purchase this system, you will also need one 20 mm can in which to store the seat and potty supplies while on the river. The D-Can is compatible with the Scat Machine, which will dump and clean your ammo can and almost hand it back to you. Or buy an ordinary funnel for use at RV dumping stations and then plan to apply elbow grease to clean everything afterward.
But let’s talk about the D-Can rental! For $3.00 per day it includes the D-Can with seat assembly and the 20 mm can needed for storage while on the water and a “day toilet”—National Park Service required—consisting of a 50 caliber ammo can with kitty litter. A Wishy-Washy Hand Washer station rents for an additional $35 per trip. “But here’s the best: for a measly $30, at the end of your trip, you’re allowed to return a chock-full can to Canyon REO, twirl on your heel and waltz away.”
But let’s talk about the D-Can rental! For $3.00 per day it includes the D-Can with seat assembly and the 20 mm can needed for storage while on the water and a “day toilet”—National Park Service required—consisting of a 50 caliber ammo can with kitty litter. A Wishy-Washy Hand Washer station rents for an additional $35 per trip. “But here’s the best: for a measly $30, at the end of your trip, you’re allowed to return a chock-full can to Canyon REO, twirl on your heel and waltz away.”
With the arrival of Covid last year, hordes of virus-avoiders figured out where to find fresh air—visiting mountain trails, river banks, and ocean beaches. The streets and sidewalks downtown were empty, while trailhead parking lots here overflowed. Hiking into the mountains to seek serenity felt more like navigating LA freeways at rush hour. I don’t expect it to be any different this year. Every backcountry newcomer needs a copy of How to Shit in the Woods! Here is the newest praise . . .
“Kathleen Meyer is a treasure: In these days of disappearing wilderness and an unlivable hot earth, I can’t imagine a more trusted guide for the woods and the wild.”
—Doug Peacock, author of Walking It Off: A Veteran’s Chronicle of War and Wilderness, and so many more.
“As a philosophy of life built on the profound interconnection between self and nature, How to Shit in the Woods is clearly the definitive text on the subject.”
—Gail D. Storey, author of the award-winning outdoor memoir I Promise Not to Suffer: A Fool for Love Hikes the Pacific Crest Trail
“Read it as a guide but also as a metaphor . . . immensely practical, in deep and powerful ways.” [Taken from the foreword.]
—Bill McKibben, author and activist and founder of 350.0rg,
the international climate crisis organization. His latest
book is Falter: Has the Human Game Begun
to Play Itself Out?
Our wondrous wildlands—far from it all—are where we go to heal, regenerate, and find inspiration to keep on working to rescue our planet. Please join me, doing all that we can, together, to encourage others to respect and protect these sacred places.
Another way to help: Adopt the habit of purchasing books from your local Mom & Pop bookstore, or from mine—Chapter One Book Store, which is well stock with my guide. Amazon, for now, is what’s ruining the world.
Another way to help: Adopt the habit of purchasing books from your local Mom & Pop bookstore, or from mine—Chapter One Book Store, which is well stock with my guide. Amazon, for now, is what’s ruining the world.
Add a Comment! The auto comment system drove me nuts! So please email your thoughts to me or at Contact the Author. Do place quotes around the words of your comment, and I’ll happily hand-post them. Suggest a handle, if you prefer, instead of your name.
EMAILED COMMENTS
ComingUpRoses
Hey, Kathleen, wonderful praise, and so true!
Hey, Kathleen, wonderful praise, and so true!
Kathleen
I thought so, too! And I’m deeply, humbly grateful. Previous praise navigate to my page “Kathleen’s BOOKS,” and tap the book cover.
I thought so, too! And I’m deeply, humbly grateful. Previous praise navigate to my page “Kathleen’s BOOKS,” and tap the book cover.
Seedskeedee
Chicken Little was right—the sky is falling
One more insult—comes a virus with many a name
Old existing sores continue festering and galling
How to avoid, who to ignore, what to blame
Stupid and scared take over—try the elbow bump
Stock up, hunker down, bunker in—poor compensation
Physical distancing, social isolation, the ankle bump
Hie thee to the woods—bring the Fourth Edition
One more insult—comes a virus with many a name
Old existing sores continue festering and galling
How to avoid, who to ignore, what to blame
Stupid and scared take over—try the elbow bump
Stock up, hunker down, bunker in—poor compensation
Physical distancing, social isolation, the ankle bump
Hie thee to the woods—bring the Fourth Edition
Kathleen
Seeds, I’m honored. Keep cool and stay safe in your flapping around by the waters of the Green River.
Seeds, I’m honored. Keep cool and stay safe in your flapping around by the waters of the Green River.
Carol Newman
Thank you, dear Kathy, for this blog. I’m hoping you heard that triangle ring soon with several rolls of TP at your door. While these are stressful times I cannot wait to read the new edition. Stay healthy and safe.
Thank you, dear Kathy, for this blog. I’m hoping you heard that triangle ring soon with several rolls of TP at your door. While these are stressful times I cannot wait to read the new edition. Stay healthy and safe.
Kathleen
Good to hear you from way across the state. Montana, thank goodness, is doing well on numbers of Covid cases. Especially here in Ravalli Co. But I’d just as soon not open wide tomorrow. Or anywhere else in the country. Take care, lovey.
Good to hear you from way across the state. Montana, thank goodness, is doing well on numbers of Covid cases. Especially here in Ravalli Co. But I’d just as soon not open wide tomorrow. Or anywhere else in the country. Take care, lovey.
Bill LaCroix
Just to clarify, as one of the three people you mentioned who pointed out your book releases coincided with dramatic events: I didn’t say you should be banned from publishing, or at least I hope I didn’t! What I meant was that, given the empirical evidence that is inscrutable to us mortals but nevertheless undeniable, “they” (whoever's claiming to be the boss of us mortals) should seek you out and pay off all your debts and grant you a handsome stipend just to have you on “their” side. This, in my view, would not preclude publishing. Actually, I posited this same argument after I worked on several seasonal fire crews for the Forest Service. Every time I got on a fire crew, the Northern Rockies had a lousy fire year, which, to a fire crew member, meant that it was a wet summer with no fires and no overtime and hazard pay! I thought the FS and I would both make out ahead if they’d just go ahead and acknowledge the facts of the matter and pay me off! This is a corollary to my theory that our best chance for immortality is to let pregnant females (mosquitoes) fly away with our blood and fold our DNA into the biomass of the ecosystems we share, although I can’t say exactly how. Anyways, you know I’m full of shit and I love you guys! Congratulations on your latest!
Just to clarify, as one of the three people you mentioned who pointed out your book releases coincided with dramatic events: I didn’t say you should be banned from publishing, or at least I hope I didn’t! What I meant was that, given the empirical evidence that is inscrutable to us mortals but nevertheless undeniable, “they” (whoever's claiming to be the boss of us mortals) should seek you out and pay off all your debts and grant you a handsome stipend just to have you on “their” side. This, in my view, would not preclude publishing. Actually, I posited this same argument after I worked on several seasonal fire crews for the Forest Service. Every time I got on a fire crew, the Northern Rockies had a lousy fire year, which, to a fire crew member, meant that it was a wet summer with no fires and no overtime and hazard pay! I thought the FS and I would both make out ahead if they’d just go ahead and acknowledge the facts of the matter and pay me off! This is a corollary to my theory that our best chance for immortality is to let pregnant females (mosquitoes) fly away with our blood and fold our DNA into the biomass of the ecosystems we share, although I can’t say exactly how. Anyways, you know I’m full of shit and I love you guys! Congratulations on your latest!
Kathleen
Ooooh, Bill, I think you were #4 or 5. I did take some liberties with clustering, knowing it was silly banter, anyway. I don’t have debts (altho my sweetie has thousands in dental bills) but a handsome stipend sounds GREAT about now, as my wee advance has been snatched out of my spring royalty check—income on sales of the previous edition. And my German publisher has pirated my entire book. We’re living on love this summer! You and I part ways on female mosquitoes—I try hard to get them before they get me. Plus, they’re a weedy species. Now . . . I wanna know if you’re working with diligence on a book, cuz you seem to be flowing stupendously! ♥♥♥
Ooooh, Bill, I think you were #4 or 5. I did take some liberties with clustering, knowing it was silly banter, anyway. I don’t have debts (altho my sweetie has thousands in dental bills) but a handsome stipend sounds GREAT about now, as my wee advance has been snatched out of my spring royalty check—income on sales of the previous edition. And my German publisher has pirated my entire book. We’re living on love this summer! You and I part ways on female mosquitoes—I try hard to get them before they get me. Plus, they’re a weedy species. Now . . . I wanna know if you’re working with diligence on a book, cuz you seem to be flowing stupendously! ♥♥♥
Stephen Craig
Congratulations on the 4th. I like the bear on the cover. I ran up on a grizzly one night out jogging in B.C. My feet instantly ran away as fast as they could. Since I was attached to my feet . . .
Congratulations on the 4th. I like the bear on the cover. I ran up on a grizzly one night out jogging in B.C. My feet instantly ran away as fast as they could. Since I was attached to my feet . . .
Kathleen
E-yi! I’m glad you’re still with us. The rule in grizzly country is “don’t run”—or go with a chum who runs slower!
E-yi! I’m glad you’re still with us. The rule in grizzly country is “don’t run”—or go with a chum who runs slower!
Udigumgal
One must always remember, the right hand is sacred, left is, well, for “business” at hand. No pun intended!
Continue to ponder Helena come early Autumn, a book reading would be groovy!
Love to you Dear One . . .
One must always remember, the right hand is sacred, left is, well, for “business” at hand. No pun intended!
Continue to ponder Helena come early Autumn, a book reading would be groovy!
Love to you Dear One . . .
Kathleen
Sacred? Really? Not just reserved for eating? So as not to mix the two. Will hold Helena in the “make it happen” realm, hoping people won’t be idiots about getting this virus started again. Be super to see you!
Sacred? Really? Not just reserved for eating? So as not to mix the two. Will hold Helena in the “make it happen” realm, hoping people won’t be idiots about getting this virus started again. Be super to see you!
WilderStill
The new Poop cover is appropriate! “Does a bear . . .?” The “Foreword” by Bill McKibben (isn’t he in the press!) and your new “Afterword” are gems. I read Where the Crawdads Sing, a zinger infused with Nature, and by Delia from the long ago Cry of the Kalahari. I’ll work my way through that interesting row of four. Thanks! Our library is open again.
The new Poop cover is appropriate! “Does a bear . . .?” The “Foreword” by Bill McKibben (isn’t he in the press!) and your new “Afterword” are gems. I read Where the Crawdads Sing, a zinger infused with Nature, and by Delia from the long ago Cry of the Kalahari. I’ll work my way through that interesting row of four. Thanks! Our library is open again.
Kathleen
Hey, Roses! Glad you got something out of this post. Anyone watching Michael Moore’s latest movie MUST read McKibben’s response. What a nightmare. And indeed, people might remember Delia from the lion and elephant books written with her husband Mark. I found the elephant chronicles only lately—loved them. She says it took her 15 years to write Crawdads, her first novel. Utterly worth it!
Hey, Roses! Glad you got something out of this post. Anyone watching Michael Moore’s latest movie MUST read McKibben’s response. What a nightmare. And indeed, people might remember Delia from the lion and elephant books written with her husband Mark. I found the elephant chronicles only lately—loved them. She says it took her 15 years to write Crawdads, her first novel. Utterly worth it!
Lara Tomov
Great to see the new edition! I look forward to reading it, on many levels. Such appropriate timing with the TP craze, to offer insight on alternatives. Perhaps analyzing our toilet paper dependency will open up the wormhole of our modern septic systems, our flushing of drinkable water, and fertilizer for that matter, the unsanitary concept of toilet paper. I moved away from it and got some cheap bidet additions on my toilet years ago...once you go bidet, you do not go back. Thank you for your words, Kathleen! Great to have solidarity, humor, and gusto to move forward in these times.
Great to see the new edition! I look forward to reading it, on many levels. Such appropriate timing with the TP craze, to offer insight on alternatives. Perhaps analyzing our toilet paper dependency will open up the wormhole of our modern septic systems, our flushing of drinkable water, and fertilizer for that matter, the unsanitary concept of toilet paper. I moved away from it and got some cheap bidet additions on my toilet years ago...once you go bidet, you do not go back. Thank you for your words, Kathleen! Great to have solidarity, humor, and gusto to move forward in these times.
Kathleen
Lara, oh goodie, I want to hear about “cheap bidet additions!” Had no idea there was such a thing. My first experience with a bidet was staying in the Bordello Room at the Panama Hotel in San Rafael, CA. Grrrreat place! Patrick and I were all dressed for some evening out, when I leaned over the bidet to see how it worked and turn on the hot water. Smack in the face and bodice—scorched and drenched. But I had a good time with them and the deep tubs in Japan . . . at an international toilet symposium.
And have you read Joe Jenkins’ The Humanure Book? When the pandemic allows, let’s have lunch.
Lara, oh goodie, I want to hear about “cheap bidet additions!” Had no idea there was such a thing. My first experience with a bidet was staying in the Bordello Room at the Panama Hotel in San Rafael, CA. Grrrreat place! Patrick and I were all dressed for some evening out, when I leaned over the bidet to see how it worked and turn on the hot water. Smack in the face and bodice—scorched and drenched. But I had a good time with them and the deep tubs in Japan . . . at an international toilet symposium.
And have you read Joe Jenkins’ The Humanure Book? When the pandemic allows, let’s have lunch.
Liz Cain, author
Congratulations on the 4th edition of your environmentally sound and entertaining book. It will be great to read updates on sound practices for emergency situations. Can’t get TP these days anyway. And can’t go to the library so your treatise will be welcome in the home woods!
Congratulations on the 4th edition of your environmentally sound and entertaining book. It will be great to read updates on sound practices for emergency situations. Can’t get TP these days anyway. And can’t go to the library so your treatise will be welcome in the home woods!
Kathleen
Thank you, m’dear. And you have acres of woods! Here, the “home woods” is pretty much under our roof, except for night peeing in the yard, arcing it off the deck, or collecting in a pail for fertilizing plants (I think it’s 1 part pee to 8 parts water).
Thank you, m’dear. And you have acres of woods! Here, the “home woods” is pretty much under our roof, except for night peeing in the yard, arcing it off the deck, or collecting in a pail for fertilizing plants (I think it’s 1 part pee to 8 parts water).
Joy of Togetherness
By Kathleen Meyer, March 2021
Masaka Kids Africana
It’s been a year of Covid togetherness in Montana, and Patrick and I are ready to strangle each other. Or . . . strangle the situation. I think we’re doing it wrong! Needing a cornfield instead of a snow field, and to be able to roll back 65–70 years of body wear and tear. Watching this video once a week, keeps me from totally losing the struggle to go on. The orange mad man may be gone, sort of, but in his wake are an armed bunch of racist religious freaks willing to kill anyone who doesn’t believe as they do. God told them not to practice democracy. God also told them to starve people? God told them . . . . Really? Has that been the missing piece in our understanding of what’s been happening? It’s not a lack of sanity? Not a boiled noodle of a backbone? Not an evaporation of morals? It’s just some devil god? Well, that religion ain’t mine.
Meanwhile, we’re living here on cold air, love, black beans, cat food (to be clear, for the cat), and the very occasional pint of Haagen Dazs, because books don’t sell—except for political blockbusters—during national/international crises.
Meanwhile, we’re living here on cold air, love, black beans, cat food (to be clear, for the cat), and the very occasional pint of Haagen Dazs, because books don’t sell—except for political blockbusters—during national/international crises.
Bedtime story
Clare video
Fourth Edition! Pandemic Ideas!
Plus, My Favorite Recent Reads
Plus, My Favorite Recent Reads
By Kathleen Meyer, May 2020
The Fourth Edition of How to Shit in the Woods is now in stores!!! After thirty-one years in print, it sports a new cover—scary! And a thoughtful Foreword by Bill McKibben, for which I’m deeply honored, utterly grateful, and perfectly tickled [that ought to be enough “ly” adverbs for the next 10 years]. This thorough revision includes fun and useful new gear, especially in the women’s chapter. Buy a copy, in fact, give one to every friend and relative . . . for birthdays, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Fourth of July, Earth Day, and Halloween. Your purchases will keep me in the fight to rescue the planet—not to mention, in beans and tortillas. Thank you, in advance!
Three people have recently declared, with some facetiousness, “You ought to be barred from publishing!” The morning after my first reading of Barefoot Hearted, 9/11 occurred. Publication of How to Shit’s fourth edition now collides with a worldwide pandemic. It’s rotten on sales, for sure; although, I’m straight-out blaming someone else. Guess who?
Three people have recently declared, with some facetiousness, “You ought to be barred from publishing!” The morning after my first reading of Barefoot Hearted, 9/11 occurred. Publication of How to Shit’s fourth edition now collides with a worldwide pandemic. It’s rotten on sales, for sure; although, I’m straight-out blaming someone else. Guess who?
See PRAISE for How to Shit in the Woods
Who would have imagined that unusual, rampant hoarding disorders come with a pandemic? Why t.p.? I’ll never know; Coronavirus is not an intestinal disease. Nonetheless, store shelves are bare. Patrick and I have schlepped five times to different stores to meet shipments . . . so far, nothing. (Anyone local who’s just plain dear—or, a closet hoarder desiring relief from guilt—is encouraged to leave a roll by our front door, ring the bejeezus out of the old triangle dinner bell, and run! Social distancing, ya know. [We’re good now. I’ve become, of all things, a t.p. aficionado—checking the cardboard tubes, their lengths and diameters, make for huge differences in how much is on a roll.].) Meanwhile, I’m referring peeps all across the land to the last chapter of my new edition “What? No T.P.? Or Doing Without,” where you can find all sorts of suggestions for the purist headed into the backcountry, ideas that are transferable to the home bathroom. As long as you’re careful what you flush. Stones and pinecones will definitely plug up the plumbing.
In the women’s chapter, “For Women Only: How Not to Pee in Your Boots” is a lovely new item, the Kula Cloth, for peeing women. A washable, antimicrobial, silver-infused pee blotter, looking rather like a delicate, decorated potholder. One side keeps your wiping hand dry, and a small snap-strap attaches it to your backpack, or—my current suggestion—to your bathroom towel bar. Just rinse after use. See www.kulacloth.com. And save your tissue for #2.
If you’re a little more daring in being less discreet (just whom are we inviting inside, these days, anyway), there are bandanas, the ones you’re not fashioning into masks. Between the two of us, Patrick and I have a vast collection. Thus, I’m stationing two yogurt tubs near the biffy: one for clean, one for the wash. You can also employ socks (all those that lost their mates in the dryer), rags, washable whatevers. And note: there are at least two sides, maybe four corners!
We will get through this—although, I fear, we may lose the Republic and Earth in the process. We’ll address those another day. Soon. For now, stay home, stay cozy, keep safe. Take a walk, a paddle, a pedal. Should you get bored, my local book store Chapter One Book Store will send you a copy of my book. If you’d like it signed, I’ll pop down and give it a scribble!
In the women’s chapter, “For Women Only: How Not to Pee in Your Boots” is a lovely new item, the Kula Cloth, for peeing women. A washable, antimicrobial, silver-infused pee blotter, looking rather like a delicate, decorated potholder. One side keeps your wiping hand dry, and a small snap-strap attaches it to your backpack, or—my current suggestion—to your bathroom towel bar. Just rinse after use. See www.kulacloth.com. And save your tissue for #2.
If you’re a little more daring in being less discreet (just whom are we inviting inside, these days, anyway), there are bandanas, the ones you’re not fashioning into masks. Between the two of us, Patrick and I have a vast collection. Thus, I’m stationing two yogurt tubs near the biffy: one for clean, one for the wash. You can also employ socks (all those that lost their mates in the dryer), rags, washable whatevers. And note: there are at least two sides, maybe four corners!
We will get through this—although, I fear, we may lose the Republic and Earth in the process. We’ll address those another day. Soon. For now, stay home, stay cozy, keep safe. Take a walk, a paddle, a pedal. Should you get bored, my local book store Chapter One Book Store will send you a copy of my book. If you’d like it signed, I’ll pop down and give it a scribble!
My Favorite Recent Fiction
Where the Crawdads Sing
by Delia Owens
The Water Dancer
by Ta-Nehisi Coates
Puuuulease remain a loyal patron of your local mom and pop/independent book store. The world will become a better place! And authors might survive!
My Favorite Recent Biography & Memoir
A Woman of No Importance: The Untold Story of the
American Spy Who Helped Win World War II
by Sonia Purnell
Unbreakable: The Woman Who Defied the Nazis in the
World’s Most Dangerous Horse Race
by Richard Askwith
MamaSkatch: A Cree Coming of Age
by Darrel J. McLeod
Death Need Not Be Fatal
by Malachy McCourt
Must-Read Nonfiction for Saving the Planet
Falter: Has the Human Game
Begun to Play Itself Out?
by Bill McKibben
A Farewell to Ice: A Report from the Arctic
by Peter Wadhams
On Fire: The (Burning) Case for a Green New Deal
by Naomi Klein
Also, check out my on-going reading list by tapping on the icon above (just below the banner & navigation): Books Kathleen’s Reading. Turn those pages!
Add a Comment! The auto comment system doesn’t work well enough to struggle with it. So please email me your thoughts or use Contact the Author, and I’ll happily hand-post them. Suggest a handle, if you prefer, instead of your name.
Add a Comment! The auto comment system doesn’t work well enough to struggle with it. So please email me your thoughts, ideas, rants, or use the Contact the Author page, and I’ll happily hand-post them. Suggest a handle, if you prefer, instead of your name.
EMAILED COMMENTS
WilderStill
Congrats, Kathleen! You’ve produced a super metaphor for saving the earth. If we can’t do this, what can we do? Hope you’ll just be able to delay your press a little.
We appreciate the suggested reads. Dying without the library.
Congrats, Kathleen! You’ve produced a super metaphor for saving the earth. If we can’t do this, what can we do? Hope you’ll just be able to delay your press a little.
We appreciate the suggested reads. Dying without the library.
Kathleen
Thanks so much, Wild! Yes, our libraries are closed, too. Dreadful. And our stupid Prez is trying to eliminate the postal service. What a lousy world it would be without the basics of libraries and the USPS. Some days in Montana, I swear we still receive mail by pony express. And we do love horses, while we loathe private monsters.
Thanks so much, Wild! Yes, our libraries are closed, too. Dreadful. And our stupid Prez is trying to eliminate the postal service. What a lousy world it would be without the basics of libraries and the USPS. Some days in Montana, I swear we still receive mail by pony express. And we do love horses, while we loathe private monsters.
Seedskeedee
Chicken Little was right—the sky is falling
One more insult—comes a virus with many a name
Old existing sores continue festering and galling
How to avoid, who to ignore, what to blame
Stupid and scared take over—try the elbow bump
Stock up, hunker down, bunker in—poor compensation
Physical distancing, social isolation, the ankle bump
Hie thee to the woods—bring the Fourth Edition
One more insult—comes a virus with many a name
Old existing sores continue festering and galling
How to avoid, who to ignore, what to blame
Stupid and scared take over—try the elbow bump
Stock up, hunker down, bunker in—poor compensation
Physical distancing, social isolation, the ankle bump
Hie thee to the woods—bring the Fourth Edition
Kathleen
Seeds, I’m honored. Keep cool and stay safe in your flapping around by the waters of the Green River.
Seeds, I’m honored. Keep cool and stay safe in your flapping around by the waters of the Green River.
Carol Newman
Thank you, dear Kathy, for this blog. I’m hoping you heard that triangle ring soon with several rolls of TP at your door. While these are stressful times I cannot wait to read the new edition. Stay healthy and safe.
Thank you, dear Kathy, for this blog. I’m hoping you heard that triangle ring soon with several rolls of TP at your door. While these are stressful times I cannot wait to read the new edition. Stay healthy and safe.
Kathleen
Good to hear you from way across the state. Montana, thank goodness, is doing well on numbers of Covid cases. Especially here in Ravalli Co. But I’d just as soon not open wide tomorrow. Or anywhere else in the country. Take care, lovey.
Good to hear you from way across the state. Montana, thank goodness, is doing well on numbers of Covid cases. Especially here in Ravalli Co. But I’d just as soon not open wide tomorrow. Or anywhere else in the country. Take care, lovey.
Bill LaCroix
Just to clarify, as one of the three people you mentioned who pointed out your book releases coincided with dramatic events: I didn’t say you should be banned from publishing, or at least I hope I didn’t! What I meant was that, given the empirical evidence that is inscrutable to us mortals but nevertheless undeniable, “they” (whoever's claiming to be the boss of us mortals) should seek you out and pay off all your debts and grant you a handsome stipend just to have you on “their” side. This, in my view, would not preclude publishing. Actually, I posited this same argument after I worked on several seasonal fire crews for the Forest Service. Every time I got on a fire crew, the Northern Rockies had a lousy fire year, which, to a fire crew member, meant that it was a wet summer with no fires and no overtime and hazard pay! I thought the FS and I would both make out ahead if they’d just go ahead and acknowledge the facts of the matter and pay me off! This is a corollary to my theory that our best chance for immortality is to let pregnant females (mosquitoes) fly away with our blood and fold our DNA into the biomass of the ecosystems we share, although I can’t say exactly how. Anyways, you know I’m full of shit and I love you guys! Congratulations on your latest!
Just to clarify, as one of the three people you mentioned who pointed out your book releases coincided with dramatic events: I didn’t say you should be banned from publishing, or at least I hope I didn’t! What I meant was that, given the empirical evidence that is inscrutable to us mortals but nevertheless undeniable, “they” (whoever's claiming to be the boss of us mortals) should seek you out and pay off all your debts and grant you a handsome stipend just to have you on “their” side. This, in my view, would not preclude publishing. Actually, I posited this same argument after I worked on several seasonal fire crews for the Forest Service. Every time I got on a fire crew, the Northern Rockies had a lousy fire year, which, to a fire crew member, meant that it was a wet summer with no fires and no overtime and hazard pay! I thought the FS and I would both make out ahead if they’d just go ahead and acknowledge the facts of the matter and pay me off! This is a corollary to my theory that our best chance for immortality is to let pregnant females (mosquitoes) fly away with our blood and fold our DNA into the biomass of the ecosystems we share, although I can’t say exactly how. Anyways, you know I’m full of shit and I love you guys! Congratulations on your latest!
Kathleen
Ooooh, Bill, I think you were #4 or 5. I did take some liberties with clustering, knowing it was silly banter, anyway. I don’t have debts (altho my sweetie has thousands in dental bills) but a handsome stipend sounds GREAT about now, as my wee advance has been snatched out of my spring royalty check—income on sales of the previous edition. And my German publisher has pirated my entire book. We’re living on love this summer! You and I part ways on female mosquitoes—I try hard to get them before they get me. Plus, they’re a weedy species. Now . . . I wanna know if you’re working with diligence on a book, cuz you seem to be flowing stupendously! ♥♥♥
Ooooh, Bill, I think you were #4 or 5. I did take some liberties with clustering, knowing it was silly banter, anyway. I don’t have debts (altho my sweetie has thousands in dental bills) but a handsome stipend sounds GREAT about now, as my wee advance has been snatched out of my spring royalty check—income on sales of the previous edition. And my German publisher has pirated my entire book. We’re living on love this summer! You and I part ways on female mosquitoes—I try hard to get them before they get me. Plus, they’re a weedy species. Now . . . I wanna know if you’re working with diligence on a book, cuz you seem to be flowing stupendously! ♥♥♥
Stephen Craig
Congratulations on the 4th. I like the bear on the cover. I ran up on a grizzly one night out jogging in B.C. My feet instantly ran away as fast as they could. Since I was attached to my feet . . .
Congratulations on the 4th. I like the bear on the cover. I ran up on a grizzly one night out jogging in B.C. My feet instantly ran away as fast as they could. Since I was attached to my feet . . .
Kathleen
E-yi! I’m glad you’re still with us. The rule in grizzly country is “don’t run”—or go with a chum who runs slower!
E-yi! I’m glad you’re still with us. The rule in grizzly country is “don’t run”—or go with a chum who runs slower!
Udigumgal
One must always remember, the right hand is sacred, left is, well, for “business” at hand. No pun intended!
Continue to ponder Helena come early Autumn, a book reading would be groovy!
Love to you Dear One . . .
One must always remember, the right hand is sacred, left is, well, for “business” at hand. No pun intended!
Continue to ponder Helena come early Autumn, a book reading would be groovy!
Love to you Dear One . . .
Kathleen
Sacred? Really? Not just reserved for eating? So as not to mix the two. Will hold Helena in the “make it happen” realm, hoping people won’t be idiots about getting this virus started again. Be super to see you!
Sacred? Really? Not just reserved for eating? So as not to mix the two. Will hold Helena in the “make it happen” realm, hoping people won’t be idiots about getting this virus started again. Be super to see you!
ComingUpRoses
The new Poop cover is appropriate! “Does a bear . . .?” The “Foreword” by Bill McKibben (isn’t he in the press!) and your new “Afterword” are gems. I read Where the Crawdads Sing, a zinger infused with Nature, and by Delia from the long ago Cry of the Kalahari. I’ll work my way through that interesting row of four. Thanks! Our library is open again.
The new Poop cover is appropriate! “Does a bear . . .?” The “Foreword” by Bill McKibben (isn’t he in the press!) and your new “Afterword” are gems. I read Where the Crawdads Sing, a zinger infused with Nature, and by Delia from the long ago Cry of the Kalahari. I’ll work my way through that interesting row of four. Thanks! Our library is open again.
Kathleen
Hey, Roses! Glad you got something out of this post. Anyone watching Michael Moore’s latest movie MUST read McKibben’s response. What a nightmare. And indeed, people might remember Delia from the lion and elephant books written with her husband Mark. I found the elephant chronicles only lately—loved them. She says it took her 15 years to write Crawdads, her first novel. Utterly worth it!
Hey, Roses! Glad you got something out of this post. Anyone watching Michael Moore’s latest movie MUST read McKibben’s response. What a nightmare. And indeed, people might remember Delia from the lion and elephant books written with her husband Mark. I found the elephant chronicles only lately—loved them. She says it took her 15 years to write Crawdads, her first novel. Utterly worth it!
Lara Tomov
Great to see the new edition! I look forward to reading it, on many levels. Such appropriate timing with the TP craze, to offer insight on alternatives. Perhaps analyzing our toilet paper dependency will open up the wormhole of our modern septic systems, our flushing of drinkable water, and fertilizer for that matter, the unsanitary concept of toilet paper. I moved away from it and got some cheap bidet additions on my toilet years ago...once you go bidet, you do not go back. Thank you for your words, Kathleen! Great to have solidarity, humor, and gusto to move forward in these times.
Great to see the new edition! I look forward to reading it, on many levels. Such appropriate timing with the TP craze, to offer insight on alternatives. Perhaps analyzing our toilet paper dependency will open up the wormhole of our modern septic systems, our flushing of drinkable water, and fertilizer for that matter, the unsanitary concept of toilet paper. I moved away from it and got some cheap bidet additions on my toilet years ago...once you go bidet, you do not go back. Thank you for your words, Kathleen! Great to have solidarity, humor, and gusto to move forward in these times.
Kathleen
Lara, oh goodie, I want to hear about “cheap bidet additions!” Had no idea there was such a thing. My first experience with a bidet was staying in the Bordello Room at the Panama Hotel in San Rafael, CA. Grrrreat place! Patrick and I were all dressed for some evening out, when I leaned over the bidet to see how it worked and turn on the hot water. Smack in the face and bodice—scorched and drenched. But I had a good time with them and the deep tubs in Japan . . . at an international toilet symposium.
And have you read Joe Jenkins’ The Humanure Book? When the pandemic allows, let’s have lunch.
Lara, oh goodie, I want to hear about “cheap bidet additions!” Had no idea there was such a thing. My first experience with a bidet was staying in the Bordello Room at the Panama Hotel in San Rafael, CA. Grrrreat place! Patrick and I were all dressed for some evening out, when I leaned over the bidet to see how it worked and turn on the hot water. Smack in the face and bodice—scorched and drenched. But I had a good time with them and the deep tubs in Japan . . . at an international toilet symposium.
And have you read Joe Jenkins’ The Humanure Book? When the pandemic allows, let’s have lunch.
Liz Cain, author
Congratulations on the 4th edition of your environmentally sound and entertaining book. It will be great to read updates on sound practices for emergency situations. Can’t get TP these days anyway. And can’t go to the library so your treatise will be welcome in the home woods!
Congratulations on the 4th edition of your environmentally sound and entertaining book. It will be great to read updates on sound practices for emergency situations. Can’t get TP these days anyway. And can’t go to the library so your treatise will be welcome in the home woods!
Kathleen
Thank you, m’dear. And you have acres of woods! Here, the “home woods” is pretty much under our roof, except for night peeing in the yard, arcing it off the deck, or collecting in a pail for fertilizing plants (I think it’s 1 part pee to 8 parts water).
Thank you, m’dear. And you have acres of woods! Here, the “home woods” is pretty much under our roof, except for night peeing in the yard, arcing it off the deck, or collecting in a pail for fertilizing plants (I think it’s 1 part pee to 8 parts water).
Fourth Edition! Pandemic Ideas!
Plus, My Favorite Recent Reads
Plus, My Favorite Recent Reads
By Kathleen Meyer, May 2020
The Fourth Edition of How to Shit in the Woods is now in stores!!! After thirty-one years in print, it sports a new cover—scary! And a thoughtful Foreword by Bill McKibben, for which I’m deeply honored, utterly grateful, and perfectly tickled [that ought to be enough “ly” adverbs for the next 10 years]. This thorough revision includes fun and useful new gear, especially for women. Buy a copy, in fact, give one to every friend and relative . . . for birthdays, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Fourth of July, Earth Day, and Halloween. Your purchases will keep me in the fight to rescue the planet—not to mention, in beans and tortillas. Thank you, in advance!
Three people, with some facetiousness, have recently declared, “You ought to be barred from publishing!” The morning after my first reading of Barefoot Hearted came 9/11. Publication of How to Shit’s fourth edition now collides with a worldwide pandemic. It’s rotten on sales, for sure; although, I’m straight-out blaming someone else. Guess who?
Three people, with some facetiousness, have recently declared, “You ought to be barred from publishing!” The morning after my first reading of Barefoot Hearted came 9/11. Publication of How to Shit’s fourth edition now collides with a worldwide pandemic. It’s rotten on sales, for sure; although, I’m straight-out blaming someone else. Guess who?
See PRAISE for How to Shit in the Woods
Who would have imagined that rampant American hoarding disorders come with a pandemic? Why t.p.? I’ll never know; Coronavirus is not an intestinal disease. Nonetheless, store shelves are bare. We’ve schlepped five times to different stores to meet shipments . . . so far, nothing. (Anyone local who’s just plain dear—or, a closet hoarder desiring relief from guilt—is encouraged to leave a roll by our front door, ring the bejeezus out of the old triangle dinner bell, and run! Social distancing, ya know. [We’re good now. I’ve become, of all things, a t.p. aficionado—check the cardboard tubes, their lengths and diameters, huge differences.].) Meanwhile, I’m referring peeps all across the land to the last chapter of my new edition “What? No T.P.? Or Doing Without,” where you can find all sorts of suggestions for the purist headed into the backcountry, ideas that are transferable to the home bathroom. As long as you’re careful what you flush. Stones and pinecones will definitely plug up the plumbing.
In the women’s chapter, “For Women Only: How Not to Pee in Your Boots” is a lovely new item, the Kula Cloth, for peeing women. A washable, antimicrobial, silver-infused pee blotter, looking rather like a delicate, decorated potholder. One side keeps your wiping hand dry, and a small snap-strap attaches it to your backpack, or—my current suggestion—to your bathroom towel bar. Just rinse after use. See www.kulacloth.com. And save your tissue for #2.
If you’re a little more daring in being less discreet (just whom are we inviting inside, these days, anyway), there are bandanas, the ones you’re not fashioning into masks. Between the two of us, Patrick and I have a vast collection. Thus, I’m stationing two yogurt tubs near the biffy: one for clean, one for the wash. You can also employ socks (all those that lost their mates in the dryer), rags, washable whatevers. And note: there are at least two sides, maybe four corners!
We will get through this; although, I fear, we may lose the Republic and Earth in the process. We’ll address those another day. Soon. For now, stay home, stay cozy, keep safe. Take a walk, a paddle, a pedal. Should you get bored, my local book store Chapter One Book Store will send you a copy of my book. If you’d like it signed, I’ll pop down and give it a scribble.
In the women’s chapter, “For Women Only: How Not to Pee in Your Boots” is a lovely new item, the Kula Cloth, for peeing women. A washable, antimicrobial, silver-infused pee blotter, looking rather like a delicate, decorated potholder. One side keeps your wiping hand dry, and a small snap-strap attaches it to your backpack, or—my current suggestion—to your bathroom towel bar. Just rinse after use. See www.kulacloth.com. And save your tissue for #2.
If you’re a little more daring in being less discreet (just whom are we inviting inside, these days, anyway), there are bandanas, the ones you’re not fashioning into masks. Between the two of us, Patrick and I have a vast collection. Thus, I’m stationing two yogurt tubs near the biffy: one for clean, one for the wash. You can also employ socks (all those that lost their mates in the dryer), rags, washable whatevers. And note: there are at least two sides, maybe four corners!
We will get through this; although, I fear, we may lose the Republic and Earth in the process. We’ll address those another day. Soon. For now, stay home, stay cozy, keep safe. Take a walk, a paddle, a pedal. Should you get bored, my local book store Chapter One Book Store will send you a copy of my book. If you’d like it signed, I’ll pop down and give it a scribble.
My Favorite Recent Fiction
Where the Crawdads Sing
by Delia Owens
The Water Dancer
by Ta-Nehisi Coates
Puuuulease remain a loyal patron of your local mom and pop/independent book store. The world will become a better place! And authors might survive!
My Favorite Recent Biography & Memoir
A Woman of No Importance: The Untold Story of the
American Spy Who Helped Win World War II
by Sonia Purnell
Unbreakable: The Woman Who Defied the Nazis in the
World’s Most Dangerous Horse Race
by Richard Askwith
MamaSkatch: A Cree Coming of Age
by Darrel J. McLeod
Death Need Not Be Fatal
by Malachy McCourt
Must-Read Nonfiction for Saving the Planet
Falter: Has the Human Game
Begun to Play Itself Out?
by Bill McKibben
A Farewell to Ice: A Report from the Arctic
by Peter Wadhams
On Fire: The (Burning) Case for a Green New Deal
by Naomi Klein
Also, check out my on-going reading list by tapping on the icon above (just below the banner & navigation): Books Kathleen’s Reading. Turn those pages!
Add a Comment! The auto comment system doesn’t work well enough to struggle with. So please email me your thoughts or use Contact the Author, and I’ll happily hand-post them. Suggest a handle, if you prefer, instead of your name.
Add a Comment! The auto comment system doesn’t work well enough to struggle with it. So please email me your thoughts, ideas, rants, or use the Contact the Author page, and I’ll happily hand-post them. Suggest a handle, if you prefer, instead of your name.
EMAILED COMMENTS
WilderStill
Congrats, Kathleen! You’ve produced a perfect metaphor for saving the earth. If we can’t do this, what can we do? Hope you’ll just be able to delay your press a little.
Thanks for the suggested reads. Dying without the library.
Congrats, Kathleen! You’ve produced a perfect metaphor for saving the earth. If we can’t do this, what can we do? Hope you’ll just be able to delay your press a little.
Thanks for the suggested reads. Dying without the library.
Kathleen
Thanks so much, Wild! Yes, our libraries are closed, too. Dreadful. And our stupid Prez is trying to eliminate the postal service. What a lousy world it would be without the basics of libraries and the USPS. Some days in Montana, I swear we still receive mail by pony express. And we do love horses, while we loathe private monsters.
Thanks so much, Wild! Yes, our libraries are closed, too. Dreadful. And our stupid Prez is trying to eliminate the postal service. What a lousy world it would be without the basics of libraries and the USPS. Some days in Montana, I swear we still receive mail by pony express. And we do love horses, while we loathe private monsters.
Seedskeedee
Chicken Little was right—the sky is falling
One more insult—comes a virus with many a name
Old existing sores continue festering and galling
How to avoid, who to ignore, what to blame
Stupid and scared take over—try the elbow bump
Stock up, hunker down, bunker in—poor compensation
Physical distancing, social isolation, the ankle bump
Hie thee to the woods—bring the Fourth Edition
One more insult—comes a virus with many a name
Old existing sores continue festering and galling
How to avoid, who to ignore, what to blame
Stupid and scared take over—try the elbow bump
Stock up, hunker down, bunker in—poor compensation
Physical distancing, social isolation, the ankle bump
Hie thee to the woods—bring the Fourth Edition
Kathleen
Seeds, I’m honored. Keep cool and stay safe in your flapping around by the waters of the Green River.
Seeds, I’m honored. Keep cool and stay safe in your flapping around by the waters of the Green River.
Carol Newman
Thank you, dear Kathy, for this blog. I am hoping you hear that triangle ring soon with several rolls of TP at your door. While these are stressful times I cannot wait to read the new edition. Stay healthy and safe.
Thank you, dear Kathy, for this blog. I am hoping you hear that triangle ring soon with several rolls of TP at your door. While these are stressful times I cannot wait to read the new edition. Stay healthy and safe.
Kathleen
Good to hear you from way across the state. Montana is doing well on numbers of Covid cases. Especially here in Ravalli Co. But I’d just as soon not open wide tomorrow. Or anywhere else in the country. Take care, lovey!
Good to hear you from way across the state. Montana is doing well on numbers of Covid cases. Especially here in Ravalli Co. But I’d just as soon not open wide tomorrow. Or anywhere else in the country. Take care, lovey!
Bill LaCroix
Just to clarify, as one of the three people you mentioned who pointed out your book releases coincided with dramatic events: I didn’t say you should be banned from publishing, or at least I hope I didn’t! What I meant was that, given the empirical evidence that is inscrutable to us mortals but nevertheless undeniable, “they” (whoever's claiming to be the boss of us mortals) should seek you out and pay off all your debts and grant you a handsome stipend just to have you on “their” side. This, in my view, would not preclude publishing. Actually, I posited this same argument after I worked on several seasonal fire crews for the Forest Service. Every time I got on a fire crew, the Northern Rockies had a lousy fire year, which, to a fire crew member, meant that it was a wet summer with no fires and no overtime and hazard pay! I thought the FS and I would both make out ahead if they’d just go ahead and acknowledge the facts of the matter and pay me off! This is a corollary to my theory that our best chance for immortality is to let pregnant females (mosquitoes) fly away with our blood and fold our DNA into the biomass of the ecosystems we share, although I can’t say exactly how. Anyways, you know I’m full of shit and I love you guys! Congratulations on your latest!
Just to clarify, as one of the three people you mentioned who pointed out your book releases coincided with dramatic events: I didn’t say you should be banned from publishing, or at least I hope I didn’t! What I meant was that, given the empirical evidence that is inscrutable to us mortals but nevertheless undeniable, “they” (whoever's claiming to be the boss of us mortals) should seek you out and pay off all your debts and grant you a handsome stipend just to have you on “their” side. This, in my view, would not preclude publishing. Actually, I posited this same argument after I worked on several seasonal fire crews for the Forest Service. Every time I got on a fire crew, the Northern Rockies had a lousy fire year, which, to a fire crew member, meant that it was a wet summer with no fires and no overtime and hazard pay! I thought the FS and I would both make out ahead if they’d just go ahead and acknowledge the facts of the matter and pay me off! This is a corollary to my theory that our best chance for immortality is to let pregnant females (mosquitoes) fly away with our blood and fold our DNA into the biomass of the ecosystems we share, although I can’t say exactly how. Anyways, you know I’m full of shit and I love you guys! Congratulations on your latest!
Kathleen
Ooooh, Bill, I think you were #4 or 5. I did take some liberties with clustering, knowing it was silly banter, anyway. I don’t have debts (altho my sweetie has thousands in dental bills) but a handsome stipend sounds GREAT about now, as my wee advance has been snatched out of my spring royalty check—income on sales of the previous edition. And my German publisher has pirated my entire book. We’re living on love this summer! You and I part ways on female mosquitoes—I try hard to get them before they get me. Plus, they’re a weedy species. Now . . . I wanna know if you’re working with diligence on a book, cuz you seem to be flowing stupendously! ♥♥♥
Ooooh, Bill, I think you were #4 or 5. I did take some liberties with clustering, knowing it was silly banter, anyway. I don’t have debts (altho my sweetie has thousands in dental bills) but a handsome stipend sounds GREAT about now, as my wee advance has been snatched out of my spring royalty check—income on sales of the previous edition. And my German publisher has pirated my entire book. We’re living on love this summer! You and I part ways on female mosquitoes—I try hard to get them before they get me. Plus, they’re a weedy species. Now . . . I wanna know if you’re working with diligence on a book, cuz you seem to be flowing stupendously! ♥♥♥
Stephen Craig
Congratulations on the 4th. I like the bear on the cover. I ran up on a grizzly one night out jogging in B.C. My feet instantly ran away as fast as they could. Since I was attached to my feet . . .
Congratulations on the 4th. I like the bear on the cover. I ran up on a grizzly one night out jogging in B.C. My feet instantly ran away as fast as they could. Since I was attached to my feet . . .
Kathleen
E-yi! I’m glad you’re still with us. The rule in grizzly country is “don’t run”—or go with a chum who runs slower!
E-yi! I’m glad you’re still with us. The rule in grizzly country is “don’t run”—or go with a chum who runs slower!
Udigumgal
One must always remember, the right hand is sacred, left is, well, for “business” at hand. No pun intended!
Continue to ponder Helena come early Autumn, a book reading would be groovy!
Love to you Dear One . . .
One must always remember, the right hand is sacred, left is, well, for “business” at hand. No pun intended!
Continue to ponder Helena come early Autumn, a book reading would be groovy!
Love to you Dear One . . .
Kathleen
Sacred? Really? Not just reserved for eating? So as not to mix the two. Will hold Helena in the “make it happen” realm, hoping people won’t be idiots about getting this virus started again. Be super to see you!
Sacred? Really? Not just reserved for eating? So as not to mix the two. Will hold Helena in the “make it happen” realm, hoping people won’t be idiots about getting this virus started again. Be super to see you!
ComingUpRoses
The new Poop cover is appropriate! “Does a bear . . .?” The “Foreword” by Bill McKibben (isn’t he in the press!) and your new “Afterword” are gems. I read Where the Crawdads Sing, a zinger infused with Nature, and by Delia from the long ago Cry of the Kalahari. I’ll work my way through that interesting row of four. Thanks! Our library is open again.
The new Poop cover is appropriate! “Does a bear . . .?” The “Foreword” by Bill McKibben (isn’t he in the press!) and your new “Afterword” are gems. I read Where the Crawdads Sing, a zinger infused with Nature, and by Delia from the long ago Cry of the Kalahari. I’ll work my way through that interesting row of four. Thanks! Our library is open again.
Kathleen
Hey, Roses! Glad you got something out of this post. Anyone watching Michael Moore’s latest movie MUST read McKibben’s response. What a nightmare. And indeed, people might remember Delia from the lion and elephant books written with her husband Mark. I found the elephant chronicles only lately—loved them. She says it took her 15 years to write Crawdads, her first novel. Utterly worth it!
Hey, Roses! Glad you got something out of this post. Anyone watching Michael Moore’s latest movie MUST read McKibben’s response. What a nightmare. And indeed, people might remember Delia from the lion and elephant books written with her husband Mark. I found the elephant chronicles only lately—loved them. She says it took her 15 years to write Crawdads, her first novel. Utterly worth it!
Lara Tomov
Great to see the new edition! I look forward to reading it, on many levels. Such appropriate timing with the TP craze, to offer insight on alternatives. Perhaps analyzing our toilet paper dependency will open up the wormhole of our modern septic systems, our flushing of drinkable water, and fertilizer for that matter, the unsanitary concept of toilet paper. I moved away from it and got some cheap bidet additions on my toilet years ago...once you go bidet, you do not go back. Thank you for your words, Kathleen! Great to have solidarity, humor, and gusto to move forward in these times.
Great to see the new edition! I look forward to reading it, on many levels. Such appropriate timing with the TP craze, to offer insight on alternatives. Perhaps analyzing our toilet paper dependency will open up the wormhole of our modern septic systems, our flushing of drinkable water, and fertilizer for that matter, the unsanitary concept of toilet paper. I moved away from it and got some cheap bidet additions on my toilet years ago...once you go bidet, you do not go back. Thank you for your words, Kathleen! Great to have solidarity, humor, and gusto to move forward in these times.
Kathleen
Lara, oh goodie, I want to hear about “cheap bidet additions!” Had no idea there was such a thing. My first experience with a bidet was staying in the Bordello Room at the Panama Hotel in San Rafael, CA. Grrrreat place! Patrick and I were all dressed for some evening out, when I leaned over the bidet to see how it worked and turn on the hot water. Smack in the face and bodice—scorched and drenched. But I had a good time with them and the deep tubs in Japan . . . at an international toilet symposium.
And have you read Joe Jenkins’ The Humanure Book? When the pandemic allows, let’s have lunch.
Lara, oh goodie, I want to hear about “cheap bidet additions!” Had no idea there was such a thing. My first experience with a bidet was staying in the Bordello Room at the Panama Hotel in San Rafael, CA. Grrrreat place! Patrick and I were all dressed for some evening out, when I leaned over the bidet to see how it worked and turn on the hot water. Smack in the face and bodice—scorched and drenched. But I had a good time with them and the deep tubs in Japan . . . at an international toilet symposium.
And have you read Joe Jenkins’ The Humanure Book? When the pandemic allows, let’s have lunch.
Liz Cain, author
Congratulations on the 4th edition of your environmentally sound and entertaining book. It will be great to read updates on sound practices for emergency situations. Can’t get TP these days anyway. And can’t go to the library so your treatise will be welcome in the home woods!
Congratulations on the 4th edition of your environmentally sound and entertaining book. It will be great to read updates on sound practices for emergency situations. Can’t get TP these days anyway. And can’t go to the library so your treatise will be welcome in the home woods!
Kathleen
Thank you, m’dear. And you have acres of woods! Here, the “home woods” is pretty much under our roof, except for night peeing in the yard, arcing it off the deck, or collecting in a pail for fertilizing plants (I think it’s 1 part pee to 8 parts water).
Thank you, m’dear. And you have acres of woods! Here, the “home woods” is pretty much under our roof, except for night peeing in the yard, arcing it off the deck, or collecting in a pail for fertilizing plants (I think it’s 1 part pee to 8 parts water).
Kathleen Meyer
Are We Hanging In/On?
By Kathleen Meyer, February 2020
This is tough. I’ve been holding my breath for so long—through impeachment, the fricking Senate, the long campaign months, and now the primaries—that I’m blue or purple in the face, and entirely incapable of writing anything up-lifting. Sure there are good signs now and again (as in, who would have guessed the backbone of Mitt Romney). Still the brutal demolishment of our government hits me like an asteroidal cow pie almost daily. The mounting evidence of climate catastrophe joins with the jungle drums beating out a clear message that everything is happening far faster than anyone imagined, the feedback loops now galloping . . . yelling that we don’t have ten years remaining (predicted as 12, just 2 years ago), we don’t have even six or seven, we maybe have one to two years to get our global shit together and seize some immense control of the warming.
I’m old enough not to have to witness much of the boiling, and I don’t have children. But there are friends’ children and world children, generations of them, and there is the principle of it, and there is the idea of losing such a precious being as Mother Earth. Twenty-five years or so ago, I decided, with a sudden internal understanding, to quit (rather unsuccessfully) my debilitating worrying, yet to keep up the fight . . . how can we not keep up the fight? That “understanding” was that human beings would not survive—plainly serving us right, on the whole—but the planet would prevail, in some odd form or another, perhaps to reemerge as a fresh globe, eons and eons later.
Any leftover worrying has given way, these days, to tortuous stress and depression: at hearing regularly of starving polar bears (claimed by some, not me, as sick not starving), of dead or badly burned koalas (nothing fake about these), of sweeping humanitarian disasters, horrors visited on poor people, emigrants fleeing all manner of terror, wars set off by scrapping over the slim pickings or differing religions or power addictions; of watching from my porch wildfires tower into the welkin, fires raging worldwide across mountains, towns, provinces, all seeded by droughts, locusts, floods, super storms; of warming, acidifying, and rising oceans decimating fish, coral reefs, cultures. What will the next generation eat?
I’m old enough not to have to witness much of the boiling, and I don’t have children. But there are friends’ children and world children, generations of them, and there is the principle of it, and there is the idea of losing such a precious being as Mother Earth. Twenty-five years or so ago, I decided, with a sudden internal understanding, to quit (rather unsuccessfully) my debilitating worrying, yet to keep up the fight . . . how can we not keep up the fight? That “understanding” was that human beings would not survive—plainly serving us right, on the whole—but the planet would prevail, in some odd form or another, perhaps to reemerge as a fresh globe, eons and eons later.
Any leftover worrying has given way, these days, to tortuous stress and depression: at hearing regularly of starving polar bears (claimed by some, not me, as sick not starving), of dead or badly burned koalas (nothing fake about these), of sweeping humanitarian disasters, horrors visited on poor people, emigrants fleeing all manner of terror, wars set off by scrapping over the slim pickings or differing religions or power addictions; of watching from my porch wildfires tower into the welkin, fires raging worldwide across mountains, towns, provinces, all seeded by droughts, locusts, floods, super storms; of warming, acidifying, and rising oceans decimating fish, coral reefs, cultures. What will the next generation eat?
Burned Koalas of Australia
Still, I plod along—currently as a board member of one of the two organizations who are the lead plaintiffs (with an astoundingly dedicated attorney) in the suit to stop the Orange Mad Man’s reauthorization of the Keystone XL Pipeline, and TC Energy’s Corporation’s constant scurrying to clear land and start building man camps. I’m fearful OMM, who can do now whatever he damn pleases, will arrive here, in Montana, and climb on a bulldozer for a red-hatted photo op, a front page splash, wiping out all we’ve gained. I had hoped for impeachment and instantaneous removal. Does anyone realize that even should we roll forth powerful and potent to beat him in November, he will be around, wrecking his horrid style of havoc, for nearly another year?
And then, I send my quarters to Bernie. It’s not just any old Dem we need. There is only one candidate with enough knowledge, following, guts, heart, promise, and vision to try to save the planet.
As I post this: A ray of hope. NEVADA!
And then, I send my quarters to Bernie. It’s not just any old Dem we need. There is only one candidate with enough knowledge, following, guts, heart, promise, and vision to try to save the planet.
As I post this: A ray of hope. NEVADA!
Comments are welcome, except for this time “Calm down!” and “Get over it!” The auto comment system doesn’t work well enough to keep in use. So, please email your thoughts to me or at Contact the Author, and I’ll happily hand-post them. Suggest a handle, if you prefer, instead of your name.
EMAILED COMMENTS
Bill LaCroix
Well it’s a fine pickle we’ve allowed ourselves to get in and there are lots of putrid pundit-heads (and their pet politicians) to blame for it. But ultimately it comes down to us. Are we gonna let this continue? Are we gonna just count on a vote in November to fix it all? Are we gonna let the bastards divide us again? Are we gonna evolve? Right now? Or not? Everyone's so...docile...and resigned to the worst (or the best if you’re a criminal drug company exec. for instance). There are a few notable, bold ones, putting their asses on the line for the sake of the Land--the water protectors come to mind--but we’ve had 3 years since they routed Standing Rock. 9 years since they routed Occupy. Did we forget to ask for the memo? That it’s up to us? We still have as much chance to come out of this as not to, but where are we? Depending on Bernie? He’s done way more than all he could. His foundering campaign is really our fault. Have politicians really fortified themselves so much that we can't get close enough to them to, as iconic environmentalist Stewart M. Brandborg used to say, “pour the hot oil of public opinion down their necks” til they start listening up? Have we given up on democracy then? Sorry Kathleen, for seeing your “negative” and raising you one. I guess the proof that we’re both optimists at heart is that, given how we feel about the whole goddam, we can still crack jokes! Love
Well it’s a fine pickle we’ve allowed ourselves to get in and there are lots of putrid pundit-heads (and their pet politicians) to blame for it. But ultimately it comes down to us. Are we gonna let this continue? Are we gonna just count on a vote in November to fix it all? Are we gonna let the bastards divide us again? Are we gonna evolve? Right now? Or not? Everyone's so...docile...and resigned to the worst (or the best if you’re a criminal drug company exec. for instance). There are a few notable, bold ones, putting their asses on the line for the sake of the Land--the water protectors come to mind--but we’ve had 3 years since they routed Standing Rock. 9 years since they routed Occupy. Did we forget to ask for the memo? That it’s up to us? We still have as much chance to come out of this as not to, but where are we? Depending on Bernie? He’s done way more than all he could. His foundering campaign is really our fault. Have politicians really fortified themselves so much that we can't get close enough to them to, as iconic environmentalist Stewart M. Brandborg used to say, “pour the hot oil of public opinion down their necks” til they start listening up? Have we given up on democracy then? Sorry Kathleen, for seeing your “negative” and raising you one. I guess the proof that we’re both optimists at heart is that, given how we feel about the whole goddam, we can still crack jokes! Love
Kathleen
Super dandy first-sentence alliteration!!! Otherwise, I say, as we used to in the 60s: “Right on! Right on!”
Super dandy first-sentence alliteration!!! Otherwise, I say, as we used to in the 60s: “Right on! Right on!”
Carol Newman
I think you have covered much of the multitude of current and recent painful challenges. I don’t know who coined the phrase “Think globally and act locally,” it is what I have energy for now. If we all stay committed and determined to make some small difference, hopefully positive changes will take place.
Thank you for your commitment to a good future for all.
I think you have covered much of the multitude of current and recent painful challenges. I don’t know who coined the phrase “Think globally and act locally,” it is what I have energy for now. If we all stay committed and determined to make some small difference, hopefully positive changes will take place.
Thank you for your commitment to a good future for all.
Kathleen
Jeez, I thought I barely got started! One of my favorite bumper stickers is “Be a yokel, Buy local.” In the middle of winter, I confess, I cheat some on fruit. Gotta get better.
Jeez, I thought I barely got started! One of my favorite bumper stickers is “Be a yokel, Buy local.” In the middle of winter, I confess, I cheat some on fruit. Gotta get better.
Gail Storey
We too are doing/being everything we can. Deeply inspired by your post, Kathleen. A deep bow of gratitude with much love.
We too are doing/being everything we can. Deeply inspired by your post, Kathleen. A deep bow of gratitude with much love.
Kathleen
Always so very thankful to know you’re on this planet with us.
Looooove to you and Porter, et al.
Always so very thankful to know you’re on this planet with us.
Looooove to you and Porter, et al.
sandy z
It’s wonderful to hear from you . . today was a gorgeous day an the sunset divine . . glad you’re coming out of depression . . are you walking better . . call me sometime would love to chat. Hello to Patrick love you both Hugs
It’s wonderful to hear from you . . today was a gorgeous day an the sunset divine . . glad you’re coming out of depression . . are you walking better . . call me sometime would love to chat. Hello to Patrick love you both Hugs
Kathleen
Let’s do do do get together! Yes . . . better. Walking, too. My PT is totally awesome. Let’s plan on paddling this summer. Finally!
Let’s do do do get together! Yes . . . better. Walking, too. My PT is totally awesome. Let’s plan on paddling this summer. Finally!
WilderStill
It’s not looking good, that’s for sure. What a sorry species we are.
Good on ya for fighting the KXL. We’re not giving up here either.
It’s not looking good, that’s for sure. What a sorry species we are.
Good on ya for fighting the KXL. We’re not giving up here either.
Kathleen
Wild, thanks for the validation. Onward we Goooo!
Wild, thanks for the validation. Onward we Goooo!
Are We Hanging In/On?
By Kathleen Meyer, February 2020
This is tough. I’ve been holding my breath for so long—through impeachment, the fricking Senate, the long campaign months, and now the primaries—that I’m blue or purple in the face, and incapable of writing anything up-lifting. Sure there are good signs now and again (as in, who would have guessed the backbone of Mitt Romney). Still the brutal demolishment of our government hits me like an asteroidal cow pie almost daily. The mounting evidence of climate catastrophe joins the jungle drums beating out a clear message that everything is happening far faster than anyone imagined, the feedback loops now galloping . . . yelling we don’t have ten years remaining (predicted as 12, just 2 years ago), we don’t have even six or seven, we maybe have one to two years to get our global shit together and seize some immense control of the warming.
I’m old enough not to have to witness much of the boiling, and I don’t have children. But there are friends’ children and world children, generations of them, and there is the principle of it, and there is the idea of losing such a precious being as Mother Earth. Twenty-five years or so ago, I decided, with a sudden internal understanding, to quit (rather unsuccessfully) my debilitating worrying, yet to keep up the fight . . . how can we not keep up the fight? That “understanding” was that human beings would not survive—plainly serving us right, on the whole—but the planet would prevail, in some odd form or another, perhaps to reemerge as a fresh globe, eons and eons later.
Any leftover worrying has given way, these days, to tortuous stress and depression: at hearing regularly of starving polar bears (claimed by some, not me, as sick not starving), of dead or badly burned koalas (nothing fake about these), of sweeping humanitarian disasters, horrors visited on poor people, emigrants fleeing all manner of terror, wars set off by scrapping over the slim pickings or differing religions or power addictions; at watching from my porch wildfires tower into the welkin, raging worldwide across mountains, towns, provinces, all seeded with droughts, locusts, floods, super storms; of warming, acidifying, and rising oceans decimating fish, coral reefs, cultures. What will the next generation eat?
I’m old enough not to have to witness much of the boiling, and I don’t have children. But there are friends’ children and world children, generations of them, and there is the principle of it, and there is the idea of losing such a precious being as Mother Earth. Twenty-five years or so ago, I decided, with a sudden internal understanding, to quit (rather unsuccessfully) my debilitating worrying, yet to keep up the fight . . . how can we not keep up the fight? That “understanding” was that human beings would not survive—plainly serving us right, on the whole—but the planet would prevail, in some odd form or another, perhaps to reemerge as a fresh globe, eons and eons later.
Any leftover worrying has given way, these days, to tortuous stress and depression: at hearing regularly of starving polar bears (claimed by some, not me, as sick not starving), of dead or badly burned koalas (nothing fake about these), of sweeping humanitarian disasters, horrors visited on poor people, emigrants fleeing all manner of terror, wars set off by scrapping over the slim pickings or differing religions or power addictions; at watching from my porch wildfires tower into the welkin, raging worldwide across mountains, towns, provinces, all seeded with droughts, locusts, floods, super storms; of warming, acidifying, and rising oceans decimating fish, coral reefs, cultures. What will the next generation eat?
Burned Koalas of Australia
Still, I plod along—currently as a board member of one of the two organizations who are the lead plaintiffs (with an astoundingly dedicated attorney) in the suit to stop the Orange Mad Man’s reauthorization of the Keystone XL Pipeline, and TC Energy Corporation’s constant scurrying to clear land and start building man camps. I’m fearful that OMM, who can now do whatever he damn pleases, will arrive here, in Montana, and climb on a bulldozer for a red-hatted photo op, a front page splash, wiping out all we’ve gained. I had hoped for impeachment and instantaneous removal. Does anyone realize that even should we roll forth powerful and potent to beat him in November, he will be around, wrecking his hideous style of havoc, for nearly another year?
And then, I send my quarters to Bernie. It’s not just any old Dem we need. There’s only one with enough knowledge, following, guts, heart, promise, and vision to try to save the planet.
As I post this: A ray of hope. NEVADA!
And then, I send my quarters to Bernie. It’s not just any old Dem we need. There’s only one with enough knowledge, following, guts, heart, promise, and vision to try to save the planet.
As I post this: A ray of hope. NEVADA!
Comments are welcome, except for this time “Calm down!” and “Get over it!” The auto comment system doesn’t work well enough to keep in use. So please email your thoughts to me or at Contact the Author, and I’ll happily hand-post them. Suggest a handle, if you prefer, instead of your name.
EMAILED COMMENTS
Bill LaCroix
Well it’s a fine pickle we’ve allowed ourselves to get in and there are lots of putrid pundit-heads (and their pet politicians) to blame for it. But ultimately it comes down to us. Are we gonna let this continue? Are we gonna just count on a vote in November to fix it all? Are we gonna let the bastards divide us again? Are we gonna evolve? Right now? Or not? Everyone's so...docile...and resigned to the worst (or the best if you’re a criminal drug company exec. for instance). There are a few notable, bold ones, putting their asses on the line for the sake of the Land--the water protectors come to mind--but we’ve had 3 years since they routed Standing Rock. 9 years since they routed Occupy. Did we forget to ask for the memo? That it’s up to us? We still have as much chance to come out of this as not to, but where are we? Depending on Bernie? He’s done way more than all he could. His foundering campaign is really our fault. Have politicians really fortified themselves so much that we can't get close enough to them to, as iconic environmentalist Stewart M. Brandborg used to say, “pour the hot oil of public opinion down their necks” til they start listening up? Have we given up on democracy then? Sorry Kathleen, for seeing your “negative” and raising you one. I guess the proof that we’re both optimists at heart is that, given how we feel about the whole goddam, we can still crack jokes! Love
Well it’s a fine pickle we’ve allowed ourselves to get in and there are lots of putrid pundit-heads (and their pet politicians) to blame for it. But ultimately it comes down to us. Are we gonna let this continue? Are we gonna just count on a vote in November to fix it all? Are we gonna let the bastards divide us again? Are we gonna evolve? Right now? Or not? Everyone's so...docile...and resigned to the worst (or the best if you’re a criminal drug company exec. for instance). There are a few notable, bold ones, putting their asses on the line for the sake of the Land--the water protectors come to mind--but we’ve had 3 years since they routed Standing Rock. 9 years since they routed Occupy. Did we forget to ask for the memo? That it’s up to us? We still have as much chance to come out of this as not to, but where are we? Depending on Bernie? He’s done way more than all he could. His foundering campaign is really our fault. Have politicians really fortified themselves so much that we can't get close enough to them to, as iconic environmentalist Stewart M. Brandborg used to say, “pour the hot oil of public opinion down their necks” til they start listening up? Have we given up on democracy then? Sorry Kathleen, for seeing your “negative” and raising you one. I guess the proof that we’re both optimists at heart is that, given how we feel about the whole goddam, we can still crack jokes! Love
Kathleen
Super dandy first-sentence alliteration!!! Otherwise, I say, as we used to in the 60s: “Right on! Right on!”
Super dandy first-sentence alliteration!!! Otherwise, I say, as we used to in the 60s: “Right on! Right on!”
Carol Newman
I think you have covered much of the multitude of current and recent painful challenges. I don’t know who coined the phrase “Think globally and act locally,” it is what I have energy for now. If we all stay committed and determined to make some small difference, hopefully positive changes will take place.
Thank you for your commitment to a good future for all.
I think you have covered much of the multitude of current and recent painful challenges. I don’t know who coined the phrase “Think globally and act locally,” it is what I have energy for now. If we all stay committed and determined to make some small difference, hopefully positive changes will take place.
Thank you for your commitment to a good future for all.
Kathleen
Jeez, I thought I barely got started! One of my favorite bumper stickers is “Be a yokel, Buy local.” In the middle of winter, I confess, I cheat some on fruit. Gotta get better.
Jeez, I thought I barely got started! One of my favorite bumper stickers is “Be a yokel, Buy local.” In the middle of winter, I confess, I cheat some on fruit. Gotta get better.
Gail Storey
We too are doing/being everything we can. Deeply inspired by your post, Kathleen. A deep bow of gratitude with much love.
We too are doing/being everything we can. Deeply inspired by your post, Kathleen. A deep bow of gratitude with much love.
Kathleen
Always so very thankful to know you’re on this planet with us.
Looooove to you and Porter, et al.
Always so very thankful to know you’re on this planet with us.
Looooove to you and Porter, et al.
sandy z
It’s wonderful to hear from you . . today was a gorgeous day an the sunset divine . . glad you’re coming out of depression . . are you walking better . . call me sometime would love to chat. Hello to Patrick love you both Hugs
It’s wonderful to hear from you . . today was a gorgeous day an the sunset divine . . glad you’re coming out of depression . . are you walking better . . call me sometime would love to chat. Hello to Patrick love you both Hugs
Kathleen
Let’s do do do get together! Yes . . . better. Walking, too. My PT is totally awesome. Let’s plan on paddling this summer. Finally!
Let’s do do do get together! Yes . . . better. Walking, too. My PT is totally awesome. Let’s plan on paddling this summer. Finally!
WilderStill
It’s not looking good, that’s for sure. What a sorry species we are.
Good on ya for fighting the KXL. We’re not giving up here either.
It’s not looking good, that’s for sure. What a sorry species we are.
Good on ya for fighting the KXL. We’re not giving up here either.
Kathleen
Wild, thanks for the validation. Onward we Goooo!
Wild, thanks for the validation. Onward we Goooo!
Are We Hanging In/On?
By Kathleen Meyer, February 2020
This is tough. I’ve been holding my breath for so long—through impeachment, the fricking Senate, the long campaign months, and now the primaries—that I’m blue or purple in the face, and entirely incapable of writing anything up-lifting. Sure there are good signs now and again (as in, who would have guessed the backbone of Mitt Romney). Still the brutal demolishment of our government hits me like an asteroidal cow pie almost daily. The mounting evidence of climate catastrophe joins with the jungle drums beating out a clear message that everything is happening far faster than anyone imagined, the feedback loops now galloping . . . yelling that we don’t have ten years remaining (predicted as 12, just 2 years ago), we don’t have even six or seven, we maybe have one to two years to get our global shit together and seize some immense control of the warming.
I’m old enough not to have to witness much of the boiling, and I don’t have children. But there are friends’ children and world children, generations of them, and there is the principle of it, and there is the idea of losing such a precious being as Mother Earth. Twenty-five years or so ago, I decided, with a sudden internal understanding, to quit (rather unsuccessfully) my debilitating worrying, yet to keep up the fight . . . how can we not keep up the fight? That “understanding” was that human beings would not survive—plainly serving us right, on the whole—but the planet would prevail, in some odd form or another, perhaps to reemerge as a fresh globe, eons and eons later.
Any leftover worrying has given way, these days, to tortuous stress and depression: at hearing regularly of starving polar bears (claimed by some, not me, as sick not starving), of dead or badly burned koalas (nothing fake about these), of sweeping humanitarian disasters, horrors visited on poor people, emigrants fleeing all manner of terror, wars set off by scrapping over the slim pickings or differing religions or power addictions; of watching from my porch wildfires tower into the welkin, fires raging worldwide across mountains, towns, provinces, all seeded by droughts, locusts, floods, super storms; of warming, acidifying, and rising oceans decimating fish, coral reefs, cultures. What will the next generation eat?
I’m old enough not to have to witness much of the boiling, and I don’t have children. But there are friends’ children and world children, generations of them, and there is the principle of it, and there is the idea of losing such a precious being as Mother Earth. Twenty-five years or so ago, I decided, with a sudden internal understanding, to quit (rather unsuccessfully) my debilitating worrying, yet to keep up the fight . . . how can we not keep up the fight? That “understanding” was that human beings would not survive—plainly serving us right, on the whole—but the planet would prevail, in some odd form or another, perhaps to reemerge as a fresh globe, eons and eons later.
Any leftover worrying has given way, these days, to tortuous stress and depression: at hearing regularly of starving polar bears (claimed by some, not me, as sick not starving), of dead or badly burned koalas (nothing fake about these), of sweeping humanitarian disasters, horrors visited on poor people, emigrants fleeing all manner of terror, wars set off by scrapping over the slim pickings or differing religions or power addictions; of watching from my porch wildfires tower into the welkin, fires raging worldwide across mountains, towns, provinces, all seeded by droughts, locusts, floods, super storms; of warming, acidifying, and rising oceans decimating fish, coral reefs, cultures. What will the next generation eat?
Burned Koalas of Australia
Still, I plod along—currently as a board member of one of the two organizations who are the lead plaintiffs (with an astoundingly dedicated attorney) in the suit to stop the Orange Mad Man’s reauthorization of the Keystone XL Pipeline, and TC Energy Corporation’s constant scurrying to clear land and start building man camps. I’m fearful OMM, who can now do whatever he damn pleases, will arrive here, in Montana, and climb on a bulldozer for a red-hatted photo op, a front page splash, wiping out all we’ve gained. I had hoped for impeachment and instantaneous removal. Does anyone out there realize that even should we roll forth powerful and potent to beat him in November, he’ll still be around, wrecking his hideous style of havoc, for nearly another year?
And then, I send my quarters to Bernie. It’s not just any old Dem we need. There is only one candidate with enough knowledge, following, guts, heart, promise, and vision to try to save the planet.
As I post this: A ray of hope. NEVADA!
And then, I send my quarters to Bernie. It’s not just any old Dem we need. There is only one candidate with enough knowledge, following, guts, heart, promise, and vision to try to save the planet.
As I post this: A ray of hope. NEVADA!
Comments are welcome, except for this time “Calm down!” or “Get over it!” The auto comment system doesn’t work well enough to keep in use. So please email your thoughts to me or at Contact the Author, and I’ll happily hand-post them. Suggest a handle, if you prefer, instead of your name.
EMAILED COMMENTS
Bill LaCroix
Well it’s a fine pickle we’ve allowed ourselves to get in and there are lots of putrid pundit-heads (and their pet politicians) to blame for it. But ultimately it comes down to us. Are we gonna let this continue? Are we gonna just count on a vote in November to fix it all? Are we gonna let the bastards divide us again? Are we gonna evolve? Right now? Or not? Everyone's so...docile...and resigned to the worst (or the best if you’re a criminal drug company exec. for instance). There are a few notable, bold ones, putting their asses on the line for the sake of the Land--the water protectors come to mind--but we’ve had 3 years since they routed Standing Rock. 9 years since they routed Occupy. Did we forget to ask for the memo? That it’s up to us? We still have as much chance to come out of this as not to, but where are we? Depending on Bernie? He’s done way more than all he could. His foundering campaign is really our fault. Have politicians really fortified themselves so much that we can't get close enough to them to, as iconic environmentalist Stewart M. Brandborg used to say, “pour the hot oil of public opinion down their necks” til they start listening up? Have we given up on democracy then? Sorry Kathleen, for seeing your “negative” and raising you one. I guess the proof that we’re both optimists at heart is that, given how we feel about the whole goddam, we can still crack jokes! Love
Well it’s a fine pickle we’ve allowed ourselves to get in and there are lots of putrid pundit-heads (and their pet politicians) to blame for it. But ultimately it comes down to us. Are we gonna let this continue? Are we gonna just count on a vote in November to fix it all? Are we gonna let the bastards divide us again? Are we gonna evolve? Right now? Or not? Everyone's so...docile...and resigned to the worst (or the best if you’re a criminal drug company exec. for instance). There are a few notable, bold ones, putting their asses on the line for the sake of the Land--the water protectors come to mind--but we’ve had 3 years since they routed Standing Rock. 9 years since they routed Occupy. Did we forget to ask for the memo? That it’s up to us? We still have as much chance to come out of this as not to, but where are we? Depending on Bernie? He’s done way more than all he could. His foundering campaign is really our fault. Have politicians really fortified themselves so much that we can't get close enough to them to, as iconic environmentalist Stewart M. Brandborg used to say, “pour the hot oil of public opinion down their necks” til they start listening up? Have we given up on democracy then? Sorry Kathleen, for seeing your “negative” and raising you one. I guess the proof that we’re both optimists at heart is that, given how we feel about the whole goddam, we can still crack jokes! Love
Kathleen
Super dandy first-sentence alliteration!!! Otherwise, I say, as we used to in the 60s: “Right on! Right on!”
Super dandy first-sentence alliteration!!! Otherwise, I say, as we used to in the 60s: “Right on! Right on!”
Carol Newman
I think you have covered much of the multitude of current and recent painful challenges. I don’t know who coined the phrase “Think globally and act locally,” it is what I have energy for now. If we all stay committed and determined to make some small difference, hopefully positive changes will take place.
Thank you for your commitment to a good future for all.
I think you have covered much of the multitude of current and recent painful challenges. I don’t know who coined the phrase “Think globally and act locally,” it is what I have energy for now. If we all stay committed and determined to make some small difference, hopefully positive changes will take place.
Thank you for your commitment to a good future for all.
Kathleen
Jeez, I thought I barely got started! One of my favorite bumper stickers is “Be a yokel, Buy local.” In the middle of winter, I confess, I cheat some on fruit. Gotta get better.
Jeez, I thought I barely got started! One of my favorite bumper stickers is “Be a yokel, Buy local.” In the middle of winter, I confess, I cheat some on fruit. Gotta get better.
Gail Storey
We too are doing/being everything we can. Deeply inspired by your post, Kathleen. A deep bow of gratitude with much love.
We too are doing/being everything we can. Deeply inspired by your post, Kathleen. A deep bow of gratitude with much love.
Kathleen
Always so very thankful to know you’re on this planet with us.
Looooove to you and Porter, et al.
Always so very thankful to know you’re on this planet with us.
Looooove to you and Porter, et al.
sandy z
It’s wonderful to hear from you . . today was a gorgeous day an the sunset divine . . glad you’re coming out of depression . . are you walking better . . call me sometime would love to chat. Hello to Patrick love you both Hugs
It’s wonderful to hear from you . . today was a gorgeous day an the sunset divine . . glad you’re coming out of depression . . are you walking better . . call me sometime would love to chat. Hello to Patrick love you both Hugs
Kathleen
Let’s do do do get together! Yes . . . better. Walking, too. My PT is totally awesome. Let’s plan on paddling this summer. Finally!
Let’s do do do get together! Yes . . . better. Walking, too. My PT is totally awesome. Let’s plan on paddling this summer. Finally!
WilderStill
It’s not looking good, that’s for sure. What a sorry species we are.
Good on ya for fighting the KXL. We’re not giving up here either.
It’s not looking good, that’s for sure. What a sorry species we are.
Good on ya for fighting the KXL. We’re not giving up here either.
Kathleen
Wild, thanks for the validation. Onward we Goooo!
Wild, thanks for the validation. Onward we Goooo!
Let’s Go! Let’s Go!
By Kathleen Meyer, September–October 2019
As the World Turns. Remember that soap opera (aired 1956-2010)? I think I watched 15 minutes once. Well, it’s no longer a daily soap but Mother Earth’s planetary reality show, and not intended as entertainment. The question is What, if anything, will survive? Walruses and polar bears are starving, rapidly approaching a permanent fade; one million plant and animal species are on the brink of extinction (according to this year’s UN Biodiversity report); Greenland is melting on fast-forward; the Amazon rainforest is going up in smoke; walloping hurricanes are increasing in number and force and slowness. Everything hangs in a shrinking window of balance, with to come: cascades of yet unimagined feedback loops and trends. People whose houses have flooded, burned up, or blown away get it immediately. The rest of us? Have we the gumption and wisdom to rise together, jump to it in a monumental manner . . . or will climate catastrophe remain a phenomenon of NYIMBY (not yet in my backyard) and continue to alter Mother Earth, irrevocably?
Let’s Go! Let’s Go!
By Kathleen Meyer, September–October 2019
As the World Turns. Remember that soap opera (aired 1956-2010)? I think I watched 15 minutes once. Well, it’s no longer a daily soap but Mother Earth’s planetary reality show, and not intended as entertainment. The question is What, if anything, will survive? Walruses and polar bears are starving, rapidly approaching a permanent fade; one million plant and animal species are on the brink of extinction (according to this year’s UN Biodiversity report); Greenland is melting on fast-forward; the Amazon rainforest is going up in smoke; walloping hurricanes are increasing in number and force and slowness. Everything hangs in a shrinking window of balance, with to come: cascades of yet unimagined feedback loops and trends. People whose houses have flooded, burned up, or blown away get it immediately. The rest of us? Have we the gumption and wisdom to rise together, jump to it in a monumental manner . . . or will climate catastrophe remain a phenomenon of NYIMBY (not yet in my backyard) and continue to alter Mother Earth, irrevocably?
I hope this species is not in the mix. Who are these nutsy cuties?
—photo found floating around FB, posted by Barbara Brown
I hope this species is not in the mix.
Who are these nutsy cuties?
—photo found floating around FB, posted by Barbara Brown
To back up a bit, in 2015, weeks before the Paris Climate Conference, President Obama rejected TransCanada’s application to construct the Keystone XL Pipeline, declaring, “America is now a global leader when it comes to taking serious action on climate change.” And furthermore “approving that project would have undercut that global leadership, and that is the biggest risk we face: not acting.” Three and a half years have now passed, in which the following happened . . .
Our next president, in January 2017, four days after taking office, revived the Keystone XL Pipeline (as well as the Dakota Access Pipeline). By March, a new permit was issued.
We filed a lawsuit. "We" being IEN and NCRA (Indigenous Environmental Network and North Coast Rivers Alliance), lead plaintiffs in a long list of indigenous and environmental groups acting to protect our earthly land, water, and wildlife, sacred cultural ways and the planet as a whole. On November 8, 2018—after months of exacting confrontation of the president’s lawyers in the U.S. District Court in Great Falls, Montana—we won against the 2017 permit. TransCanada requested a stay; we opposed and won. TransCanada took it took the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, in California, where we won AGAIN. (In truth, Stephen Volker, our astounding pro-bono attorney, won.)
Then, on March 29, 2019, the not my president rode in from outer space on his industrial-size broom and with some fancy maneuvering issue a new permit—without the power to do so.
We filed a second lawsuit (against the 2019 permit), also anticipating Executive Orders. We won, AGAIN.
April 5, 2019, Complaint for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief
April 10th, the man on the broom signed Executive Orders, usurping all power from anyone beyond himself.
The reason for this suit, along with striving to eliminate all future pipelines, becomes overwhelmingly evident in reading Bill McKibben’s new book . . .
Our next president, in January 2017, four days after taking office, revived the Keystone XL Pipeline (as well as the Dakota Access Pipeline). By March, a new permit was issued.
We filed a lawsuit. "We" being IEN and NCRA (Indigenous Environmental Network and North Coast Rivers Alliance), lead plaintiffs in a long list of indigenous and environmental groups acting to protect our earthly land, water, and wildlife, sacred cultural ways and the planet as a whole. On November 8, 2018—after months of exacting confrontation of the president’s lawyers in the U.S. District Court in Great Falls, Montana—we won against the 2017 permit. TransCanada requested a stay; we opposed and won. TransCanada took it took the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, in California, where we won AGAIN. (In truth, Stephen Volker, our astounding pro-bono attorney, won.)
Then, on March 29, 2019, the not my president rode in from outer space on his industrial-size broom and with some fancy maneuvering issue a new permit—without the power to do so.
We filed a second lawsuit (against the 2019 permit), also anticipating Executive Orders. We won, AGAIN.
April 5, 2019, Complaint for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief
April 10th, the man on the broom signed Executive Orders, usurping all power from anyone beyond himself.
The reason for this suit, along with striving to eliminate all future pipelines, becomes overwhelmingly evident in reading Bill McKibben’s new book . . .
To ignite world action, Bill McKibben (co-founder of 350.org) drops a startling new volume in our laps—a must-read, everyone tied into a comfy chair until finished.
Falter:
Has the Human Game Begun to Play Itself Out?
Has the Human Game Begun to Play Itself Out?
Falter . . .
— an alarming call to action, resistance, and protection.
— a plea for sanity to part with greed and race toward balance.
— an outright gut-cry for planet Earth.
— a heart-song humming with the sacred.
— an alarming call to action, resistance, and protection.
— a plea for sanity to part with greed and race toward balance.
— an outright gut-cry for planet Earth.
— a heart-song humming with the sacred.
Double tap/click on Bill to bring up DemocracyNOW!
with Amy Goodman’s interview.
Set to begin at 13:27 minutes.
Watch in full screen.
Falter needs to perch atop the best-seller list permanently, or we’re screwed. Read it. Weep. Scream. Throw up. Then, take to the streets and the polls.
Climate Strike Alert
Join our determined youth in a Global Climate Strike
September 20–27, 2019
Sign up with Greta Thunberg and Bill McKibben
and people around the world
at globalclimatestrike.net . . . NOW!
Find a gathering in your neighborhood.
Comments are welcome. I’m currently without a live comment system. Email your thoughts at Contact the Author, and I’ll happily hand-post them! Please put your comment in quotes, and suggest a handle, if you prefer, instead of your name.
EMAILED COMMENTS
Alexis
Yay for Greta, we all need to support her. Jim Hanson told us in the 1970s and Al Gore showed us in 2006 what was in store for humanity. Are people listening now? With backyard evidence of flooding, devastating hurricanes, unstoppable wild fires. Plus, our solving the climate crisis IS the answer to the economy, jobs, and good health for people & the planet.
My library has 4 copies of Falter all of which are checked out, with 10 holds, me being one of them. A good sign! There is hope, but only if we act now!
P.S. Love the birds!
Yay for Greta, we all need to support her. Jim Hanson told us in the 1970s and Al Gore showed us in 2006 what was in store for humanity. Are people listening now? With backyard evidence of flooding, devastating hurricanes, unstoppable wild fires. Plus, our solving the climate crisis IS the answer to the economy, jobs, and good health for people & the planet.
My library has 4 copies of Falter all of which are checked out, with 10 holds, me being one of them. A good sign! There is hope, but only if we act now!
P.S. Love the birds!
Kathleen
I’m so happy knowing you’re in the resistance/rescue boat with me.
I’m so happy knowing you’re in the resistance/rescue boat with me.
Mark Dubois
Thanks so much for getting the word out about Falter, and sounding the reminder calls & inspiring action!
Thanks for the beauty of your path and gifting the world your genius, your kindness and heart’s insights.
Thanks so much for getting the word out about Falter, and sounding the reminder calls & inspiring action!
Thanks for the beauty of your path and gifting the world your genius, your kindness and heart’s insights.
Kathleen
Onward we go . . . you and Clare are doing powerful and A-mazing work. Blessings on our mutual Mother, her survival, and with hope for a repaired home country.
Onward we go . . . you and Clare are doing powerful and A-mazing work. Blessings on our mutual Mother, her survival, and with hope for a repaired home country.
Carol Newman
Thank you for you important words and for reminding us how fragile our planet has become. I am missing the birds that were once so plentiful and now seem few and far between.
Keep on telling us to pay attention and stay involved.
Thank you for you important words and for reminding us how fragile our planet has become. I am missing the birds that were once so plentiful and now seem few and far between.
Keep on telling us to pay attention and stay involved.
Kathleen Pass it on and along, across the street and down the block!!! Demonstrate!
Liz Cain (award-winning poem, offered here in tribute to wildlife) . . .
Kathleen
Congratulations, Liz! Thank you so much for sharing. Wildlife all over is taking hits in the climate crisis.
Congratulations, Liz! Thank you so much for sharing. Wildlife all over is taking hits in the climate crisis.
To ignite world action, Bill McKibben (co-founder of 350.org) drops a startling new volume in our laps—a must-read, everyone tied into a comfy chair until finished.
Falter:
Has the Human Game Begun to Play Itself Out?
Has the Human Game Begun to Play Itself Out?
Falter . . .
— an alarming call to action, resistance, and protection.
— a plea for the sanity to part with greed and race toward balance.
— an outright gut-cry for planet Earth.
— a heart-song humming with the sacred.
— an alarming call to action, resistance, and protection.
— a plea for the sanity to part with greed and race toward balance.
— an outright gut-cry for planet Earth.
— a heart-song humming with the sacred.
Double tap/click on Bill to bring up DemocracyNOW!
with Amy Goodman’s interview.
Set to begin at 13:27 minutes.
Watch in full screen.
Falter needs to perch atop the best-seller list permanently, or we’re screwed. Read it. Weep. Scream. Throw up. Then, take to the streets and the polls.
Climate Strike Alert
Join our determined youth in a Global Climate Strike
September 20–27, 2019
Sign up with Greta Thunberg and Bill McKibben
and people around the world
at globalclimatestrike.net . . . NOW!
Find a gathering in your neighborhood.
Comments are welcome. I’m currently without a live system. Send your thoughts by email or by way of Contact the Author. I’ll happily hand-post them. Please put your comment in quotes, and suggest a handle, if you prefer, instead of your name.
EMAILED COMMENTS
Alexis
Yay for Greta, we all need to support her. Jim Hanson told us in the 1970s and Al Gore showed us in 2006 what was in store for humanity. Are people listening now? With backyard evidence of flooding, devastating hurricanes, unstoppable wild fires. Plus, our solving the climate crisis IS the answer to the economy, jobs, and good health for people & the planet.
My library has 4 copies of Falter all of which are checked out, with 10 holds, me being one of them. A good sign! There is hope, but only if we act now!
P.S. Love the birds!
Yay for Greta, we all need to support her. Jim Hanson told us in the 1970s and Al Gore showed us in 2006 what was in store for humanity. Are people listening now? With backyard evidence of flooding, devastating hurricanes, unstoppable wild fires. Plus, our solving the climate crisis IS the answer to the economy, jobs, and good health for people & the planet.
My library has 4 copies of Falter all of which are checked out, with 10 holds, me being one of them. A good sign! There is hope, but only if we act now!
P.S. Love the birds!
Kathleen
I’m so happy knowing you’re in the resistance/rescue boat with me.
I’m so happy knowing you’re in the resistance/rescue boat with me.
Mark Dubois
Thanks so much for getting the word out about Falter, and sounding the reminder calls & inspiring action!
Thanks for the beauty of your path and gifting the world your genius, your kindness and heart’s insights.
Thanks so much for getting the word out about Falter, and sounding the reminder calls & inspiring action!
Thanks for the beauty of your path and gifting the world your genius, your kindness and heart’s insights.
Kathleen
Onward we go . . . you and Clare are doing powerful and A-mazing work. Blessings on our mutual Mother, her survival, and with hope for a repaired home country.
Onward we go . . . you and Clare are doing powerful and A-mazing work. Blessings on our mutual Mother, her survival, and with hope for a repaired home country.
Carol Newman
Thank you for you important words and for reminding us how fragile our planet has become. I am missing the birds that were once so plentiful and now seem few and far between.
Keep on telling us to pay attention and stay involved.
Thank you for you important words and for reminding us how fragile our planet has become. I am missing the birds that were once so plentiful and now seem few and far between.
Keep on telling us to pay attention and stay involved.
Kathleen Pass it on and along, across the street and down the block!!! Demonstrate!
Liz Cain (award-winning poem, offered here in tribute to wildlife)
Kathleen
Congratulations, Liz! Thank you so much for sharing. Wildlife all over is taking hits in the climate crisis.
Congratulations, Liz! Thank you so much for sharing. Wildlife all over is taking hits in the climate crisis.
Kathleen Meyer
4th Edition! Pandemic Ideas!
Plus, My Favorite Recent Reads
Plus, My Favorite Recent Reads
By Kathleen Meyer, May 2020
The Fourth Edition of How to Shit in the Woods is now in stores!!! After thirty-one years in print, it sports a new cover—scary! And a thoughtful Foreword by Bill McKibben, for which I’m deeply honored, utterly grateful, and perfectly tickled [that ought to be enough “ly” adverbs for the next 10 years]. This thorough revision includes fun and useful new gear, especially in the women’s chapter. Buy a copy, in fact, give one to every friend and relative . . . for birthdays, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Fourth of July, Earth Day, and Halloween. Your purchases will keep me in the fight to rescue the planet—not to mention, in beans and tortillas. Thank you, in advance!
Three people, with some facetiousness, have recently declared, “You ought to be barred from publishing!” The morning after my first reading of Barefoot Hearted, 9/11 occurred. Publication of How to Shit’s fourth edition now collides with a worldwide pandemic. It’s rotten on sales, for sure; although, I’m straight-out blaming someone else. Guess who?
Three people, with some facetiousness, have recently declared, “You ought to be barred from publishing!” The morning after my first reading of Barefoot Hearted, 9/11 occurred. Publication of How to Shit’s fourth edition now collides with a worldwide pandemic. It’s rotten on sales, for sure; although, I’m straight-out blaming someone else. Guess who?
See PRAISE for How to Shit in the Woods
Who would have imagined that rampant American hoarding disorders come with a pandemic? Why t.p.? I’ll never know; Coronavirus is not an intestinal disease. Nonetheless, store shelves are bare. We’ve schlepped five times to different stores to meet shipments . . . so far, nothing. (Anyone local who’s just plain dear—or, a closet hoarder desiring relief from guilt—is encouraged to leave a roll by our front door, ring the bejeezus out of the old triangle dinner bell, and run! Social distancing, ya know. [We’re good now. I’ve become, of all things, a t.p. aficionado—check the cardboard tubes, their lengths and diameters, huge differences.]). Meanwhile, I’m referring peeps all across the land to the last chapter of my new edition “What? No T.P.? Or Doing Without,” where you can find all sorts of suggestions for the purist headed into the backcountry, ideas that are transferable to the home bathroom. As long as you’re careful what you flush. Stones and pinecones will definitely plug up the plumbing.
In the women’s chapter, “For Women Only: How Not to Pee in Your Boots” is a lovely new item, the Kula Cloth, for peeing women. A washable, antimicrobial, silver-infused pee blotter, looking rather like a delicate, decorated potholder. One side keeps your wiping hand dry, and a small snap-strap attaches it to your backpack, or—my current suggestion—to your bathroom towel bar. Just rinse after use. See www.kulacloth.com. And save your tissue for #2.
If you’re a little more daring in being less discreet (just whom are we inviting inside, these days, anyway), there are bandanas, the ones you’re not fashioning into masks. Between the two of us, Patrick and I have a vast collection. Thus, I’m stationing two yogurt tubs near the biffy: one for clean, one for the wash. You can also employ socks (all those that lost their mates in the dryer), rags, washable whatevers. And note: there are at least two sides, maybe four corners!
We will get through this; although, I fear, we may lose the Republic and Earth in the process. We’ll address that another day. Soon. For now, stay home, stay cozy, keep safe. Take a walk, a paddle, a pedal. Should you get bored, my local book store Chapter One Book Store will send you a copy of my book. If you want it signed, I’ll pop down and give it a scribble.
In the women’s chapter, “For Women Only: How Not to Pee in Your Boots” is a lovely new item, the Kula Cloth, for peeing women. A washable, antimicrobial, silver-infused pee blotter, looking rather like a delicate, decorated potholder. One side keeps your wiping hand dry, and a small snap-strap attaches it to your backpack, or—my current suggestion—to your bathroom towel bar. Just rinse after use. See www.kulacloth.com. And save your tissue for #2.
If you’re a little more daring in being less discreet (just whom are we inviting inside, these days, anyway), there are bandanas, the ones you’re not fashioning into masks. Between the two of us, Patrick and I have a vast collection. Thus, I’m stationing two yogurt tubs near the biffy: one for clean, one for the wash. You can also employ socks (all those that lost their mates in the dryer), rags, washable whatevers. And note: there are at least two sides, maybe four corners!
We will get through this; although, I fear, we may lose the Republic and Earth in the process. We’ll address that another day. Soon. For now, stay home, stay cozy, keep safe. Take a walk, a paddle, a pedal. Should you get bored, my local book store Chapter One Book Store will send you a copy of my book. If you want it signed, I’ll pop down and give it a scribble.
My Favorite Recent Fiction
Where the Crawdads Sing
by Delia Owens
The Water Dancer
by Ta-Nehisi Coates
Puuuulease remain a loyal patron of your local mom and pop/independent book store. The world will become a better place! And authors might survive!
My Favorite Recent Biography & Memoir
A Woman of No Importance: The Untold
Story of the American Spy Who Helped Win World War II
by Sonia Purnell
Unbreakable: The Woman Who Defied the Nazis in the World’s Most
Dangerous Horse Race
by Richard Askwith
MamaSkatch: A Cree Coming of Age
by Darrel J. McLeod
Death Need Not Be Fatal
by Malachy McCourt
Must-Read Nonfiction for Saving the Planet
Falter: Has the Human Game
Begun to Play Itself Out?
by Bill McKibben
A Farewell to Ice: A Report
from the Arctic
by Peter Wadhams
On Fire: The (Burning) Case for
a Green New Deal
by Naomi Klein
Also, check out my on-going reading list by tapping on the icon above (just below the banner & navigation): Books Kathleen’s Reading. Turn those pages!
Add a Comment! The auto comment system doesn’t work well enough to struggle with it. So please email me your thoughts or use Contact the Author, and I’ll happily hand-post them. Suggest a handle, if you prefer, instead of your name.
Add a Comment! The auto comment system doesn’t work well enough to struggle with. So please email me your thoughts or use Contact the Author, and I’ll happily hand-post them. Suggest a handle, if you prefer, instead of your name.
Add a Comment! The auto comment system doesn’t work well enough to struggle with it. So please email me your thoughts, ideas, rants, or use the Contact the Author page, and I’ll happily hand-post them. Suggest a handle, if you prefer, instead of your name.
EMAILED COMMENTS
WilderStill
Congrats, Kathleen! You’ve produced a perfect metaphor for saving the earth. If we can’t do this, what can we do? Hope you’ll just be able to delay your press a little.
Thanks for the suggested reads. Dying without the library.
Congrats, Kathleen! You’ve produced a perfect metaphor for saving the earth. If we can’t do this, what can we do? Hope you’ll just be able to delay your press a little.
Thanks for the suggested reads. Dying without the library.
Kathleen
Thanks so much, Wild! Yes, our libraries are closed, too. Dreadful. And our stupid Prez is trying to eliminate the postal service. What a lousy world it would be without the basics of libraries and the USPS. Some days in Montana, I swear we still receive mail by pony express. And we do love horses, while we loathe private monsters.
Thanks so much, Wild! Yes, our libraries are closed, too. Dreadful. And our stupid Prez is trying to eliminate the postal service. What a lousy world it would be without the basics of libraries and the USPS. Some days in Montana, I swear we still receive mail by pony express. And we do love horses, while we loathe private monsters.
Seedskeedee
Chicken Little was right—the sky is falling
One more insult—comes a virus with many a name
Old existing sores continue festering and galling
How to avoid, who to ignore, what to blame
Stupid and scared take over—try the elbow bump
Stock up, hunker down, bunker in—poor compensation
Physical distancing, social isolation, the ankle bump
Hie thee to the woods—bring the Fourth Edition
One more insult—comes a virus with many a name
Old existing sores continue festering and galling
How to avoid, who to ignore, what to blame
Stupid and scared take over—try the elbow bump
Stock up, hunker down, bunker in—poor compensation
Physical distancing, social isolation, the ankle bump
Hie thee to the woods—bring the Fourth Edition
Kathleen
Seeds, I’m honored. Keep cool and stay safe in your flapping around by the waters of the Green River.
Seeds, I’m honored. Keep cool and stay safe in your flapping around by the waters of the Green River.
Carol Newman
Thank you, dear Kathy, for this blog. I am hoping you hear that triangle ring soon with several rolls of TP at your door. While these are stressful times I cannot wait to read the new edition. Stay healthy and safe.
Thank you, dear Kathy, for this blog. I am hoping you hear that triangle ring soon with several rolls of TP at your door. While these are stressful times I cannot wait to read the new edition. Stay healthy and safe.
Kathleen
Good to hear you from way across the state. Montana is doing well on numbers of Covid cases. Especially here in Ravalli Co. I’d just as soon not open wide tomorrow. Or anywhere else in the country. Take care, lovey!
Good to hear you from way across the state. Montana is doing well on numbers of Covid cases. Especially here in Ravalli Co. I’d just as soon not open wide tomorrow. Or anywhere else in the country. Take care, lovey!
Bill LaCroix
Just to clarify, as one of the three people you mentioned who pointed out your book releases coincided with dramatic events: I didn’t say you should be banned from publishing, or at least I hope I didn’t! What I meant was that, given the empirical evidence that is inscrutable to us mortals but nevertheless undeniable, “they” (whoever's claiming to be the boss of us mortals) should seek you out and pay off all your debts and grant you a handsome stipend just to have you on “their” side. This, in my view, would not preclude publishing. Actually, I posited this same argument after I worked on several seasonal fire crews for the Forest Service. Every time I got on a fire crew, the Northern Rockies had a lousy fire year, which, to a fire crew member, meant that it was a wet summer with no fires and no overtime and hazard pay! I thought the FS and I would both make out ahead if they’d just go ahead and acknowledge the facts of the matter and pay me off! This is a corollary to my theory that our best chance for immortality is to let pregnant females (mosquitoes) fly away with our blood and fold our DNA into the biomass of the ecosystems we share, although I can’t say exactly how. Anyways, you know I’m full of shit and I love you guys! Congratulations on your latest!
Just to clarify, as one of the three people you mentioned who pointed out your book releases coincided with dramatic events: I didn’t say you should be banned from publishing, or at least I hope I didn’t! What I meant was that, given the empirical evidence that is inscrutable to us mortals but nevertheless undeniable, “they” (whoever's claiming to be the boss of us mortals) should seek you out and pay off all your debts and grant you a handsome stipend just to have you on “their” side. This, in my view, would not preclude publishing. Actually, I posited this same argument after I worked on several seasonal fire crews for the Forest Service. Every time I got on a fire crew, the Northern Rockies had a lousy fire year, which, to a fire crew member, meant that it was a wet summer with no fires and no overtime and hazard pay! I thought the FS and I would both make out ahead if they’d just go ahead and acknowledge the facts of the matter and pay me off! This is a corollary to my theory that our best chance for immortality is to let pregnant females (mosquitoes) fly away with our blood and fold our DNA into the biomass of the ecosystems we share, although I can’t say exactly how. Anyways, you know I’m full of shit and I love you guys! Congratulations on your latest!
Kathleen
Ooooh, Bill, I think you were #4 or 5. I did take some liberties with clustering, knowing it was silly banter, anyway. I don’t have debts (altho my sweetie has thousands in dental bills) but a handsome stipend sounds GREAT about now, as my wee advance has been snatched out of my spring royalty check, which is income on sales of the previous edition. And my German publisher has pirated my entire book. We’re living on love this summer! On female mosquitoes, you and I part ways—I try hard to smush them before they get me. Plus, they’re a weedy species. Now . . . I wanna know if you’re working with diligence on a book, cuz you seem to be flowing stupendously! ♥♥♥
Ooooh, Bill, I think you were #4 or 5. I did take some liberties with clustering, knowing it was silly banter, anyway. I don’t have debts (altho my sweetie has thousands in dental bills) but a handsome stipend sounds GREAT about now, as my wee advance has been snatched out of my spring royalty check, which is income on sales of the previous edition. And my German publisher has pirated my entire book. We’re living on love this summer! On female mosquitoes, you and I part ways—I try hard to smush them before they get me. Plus, they’re a weedy species. Now . . . I wanna know if you’re working with diligence on a book, cuz you seem to be flowing stupendously! ♥♥♥
Stephen Craig
Congratulations on the 4th. I like the bear on the cover. I ran up on a grizzly one night out jogging in B.C. My feet instantly ran away as fast as they could. Since I was attached to my feet . . .
Congratulations on the 4th. I like the bear on the cover. I ran up on a grizzly one night out jogging in B.C. My feet instantly ran away as fast as they could. Since I was attached to my feet . . .
Kathleen
E-yi! I’m glad you’re still with us. The rule in grizzly country is “don’t run”—or go with a chum who runs slower!
E-yi! I’m glad you’re still with us. The rule in grizzly country is “don’t run”—or go with a chum who runs slower!
Udigumgal
One must always remember, the right hand is sacred, left is, well, for “business” at hand. No pun intended!
Continue to ponder Helena come early Autumn, a book reading would be groovy!
Love to you Dear One . . .
One must always remember, the right hand is sacred, left is, well, for “business” at hand. No pun intended!
Continue to ponder Helena come early Autumn, a book reading would be groovy!
Love to you Dear One . . .
Kathleen
Sacred? Really? Not just reserved for eating? So as not to mix the two. Will hold Helena in the “make it happen” realm, hoping people won’t be idiots about getting this virus started again. Be super to see you!
Sacred? Really? Not just reserved for eating? So as not to mix the two. Will hold Helena in the “make it happen” realm, hoping people won’t be idiots about getting this virus started again. Be super to see you!
ComingUpRoses
The new Poop cover is appropriate! “Does a bear . . .?” The “Foreword” by Bill McKibben (isn’t he in the press!) and your new “Afterword” are gems. I read Where the Crawdads Sing, a zinger infused with Nature, and by Delia from the long ago Cry of the Kalahari. I’ll work my way through that interesting row of four. Thanks! Our library is open again.
The new Poop cover is appropriate! “Does a bear . . .?” The “Foreword” by Bill McKibben (isn’t he in the press!) and your new “Afterword” are gems. I read Where the Crawdads Sing, a zinger infused with Nature, and by Delia from the long ago Cry of the Kalahari. I’ll work my way through that interesting row of four. Thanks! Our library is open again.
Kathleen
Hey, Roses! Glad you got something out of this post. Anyone watching Michael Moore’s latest movie MUST read McKibben’s response. What a nightmare. And indeed, people might remember Delia from the lion and elephant books written with her husband Mark. I found the elephant chronicles only lately—loved them. She says it took her 15 years to write Crawdads, her first novel. Utterly worth it!
Hey, Roses! Glad you got something out of this post. Anyone watching Michael Moore’s latest movie MUST read McKibben’s response. What a nightmare. And indeed, people might remember Delia from the lion and elephant books written with her husband Mark. I found the elephant chronicles only lately—loved them. She says it took her 15 years to write Crawdads, her first novel. Utterly worth it!
Lara Tomov
Great to see the new edition! I look forward to reading it, on many levels. Such appropriate timing with the TP craze, to offer insight on alternatives. Perhaps analyzing our toilet paper dependency will open up the wormhole of our modern septic systems, our flushing of drinkable water, and fertilizer for that matter, the unsanitary concept of toilet paper. I moved away from it and got some cheap bidet additions on my toilet years ago...once you go bidet, you do not go back. Thank you for your words, Kathleen! Great to have solidarity, humor, and gusto to move forward in these times.
Great to see the new edition! I look forward to reading it, on many levels. Such appropriate timing with the TP craze, to offer insight on alternatives. Perhaps analyzing our toilet paper dependency will open up the wormhole of our modern septic systems, our flushing of drinkable water, and fertilizer for that matter, the unsanitary concept of toilet paper. I moved away from it and got some cheap bidet additions on my toilet years ago...once you go bidet, you do not go back. Thank you for your words, Kathleen! Great to have solidarity, humor, and gusto to move forward in these times.
Kathleen
Lara, oh goodie, I want to hear about “cheap bidet additions!” Had no idea there was such a thing. My first experience with a bidet was staying in the Bordello Room at the Panama Hotel in San Rafael, CA. Grrrreat place! Patrick and I were all dressed for some evening out, when I leaned over the bidet to see how it worked and turn on the hot water. Smack in the face and bodice—scorched and drenched. But I had a good time with them and the deep tubs in Japan . . . at an international toilet symposium.
And have you read Joe Jenkins’ The Humanure Book? When the pandemic allows, let’s have lunch.
Lara, oh goodie, I want to hear about “cheap bidet additions!” Had no idea there was such a thing. My first experience with a bidet was staying in the Bordello Room at the Panama Hotel in San Rafael, CA. Grrrreat place! Patrick and I were all dressed for some evening out, when I leaned over the bidet to see how it worked and turn on the hot water. Smack in the face and bodice—scorched and drenched. But I had a good time with them and the deep tubs in Japan . . . at an international toilet symposium.
And have you read Joe Jenkins’ The Humanure Book? When the pandemic allows, let’s have lunch.
Liz Cain, author
Congratulations on the 4th edition of your environmentally sound and entertaining book. It will be great to read updates on sound practices for emergency situations. Can’t get TP these days anyway. And can’t go to the library so your treatise will be welcome in the home woods!
Congratulations on the 4th edition of your environmentally sound and entertaining book. It will be great to read updates on sound practices for emergency situations. Can’t get TP these days anyway. And can’t go to the library so your treatise will be welcome in the home woods!
Kathleen
Thank you, m’dear. And you have acres of woods! Here, the “home woods” is pretty much under our roof, except for night peeing in the yard, arcing it off the deck, or collecting in a pail for fertilizing plants (I think it’s 1 part pee to 8 parts water).
Thank you, m’dear. And you have acres of woods! Here, the “home woods” is pretty much under our roof, except for night peeing in the yard, arcing it off the deck, or collecting in a pail for fertilizing plants (I think it’s 1 part pee to 8 parts water).
Are We Hanging In/On?
By Kathleen Meyer, February 2020
This is tough. I’ve been holding my breath for so long—through impeachment, the fricking Senate, the long campaign months, and now the primaries—that I’m blue or purple in the face, and entirely incapable of writing anything up-lifting. Sure there are good signs now and again (as in, who would have guessed the backbone of Mitt Romney). Still the brutal demolishment of our government hits me like an asteroidal cow pie almost daily. The mounting evidence of climate catastrophe joins with the jungle drums beating out a clear message that everything is happening far faster than anyone imagined, the feedback loops now galloping . . . yelling that we don’t have ten years remaining (predicted as 12, just 2 years ago), we don’t have even six or seven, we maybe have one to two years to get our global shit together and seize some immense control of the warming.
I’m old enough not to have to witness much of the boiling, and I don’t have children. But there are friends’ children and world children, generations of them, and there is the principle of it, and there is the idea of losing such a precious being as Mother Earth. Twenty-five years or so ago, I decided, with a sudden internal understanding, to quit (rather unsuccessfully) my debilitating worrying, yet to keep up the fight . . . how can we not keep up the fight? That “understanding” was that human beings would not survive—plainly serving us right, on the whole—but the planet would prevail, in some odd form or another, perhaps to reemerge as a fresh globe, eons and eons later.
Any leftover worrying has given way, these days, to tortuous stress and depression: at hearing regularly of starving polar bears (claimed by some, not me, as sick not starving), of dead or badly burned koalas (nothing fake about these), of sweeping humanitarian disasters, horrors visited on poor people, emigrants fleeing all manner of terror, wars set off by scrapping over the slim pickings or differing religions or power addictions; of watching from my porch wildfires tower into the welkin, fires raging worldwide across mountains, towns, provinces, all seeded by droughts, locusts, floods, super storms; of warming, acidifying, and rising oceans decimating fish, coral reefs, cultures. What will the next generation eat?
I’m old enough not to have to witness much of the boiling, and I don’t have children. But there are friends’ children and world children, generations of them, and there is the principle of it, and there is the idea of losing such a precious being as Mother Earth. Twenty-five years or so ago, I decided, with a sudden internal understanding, to quit (rather unsuccessfully) my debilitating worrying, yet to keep up the fight . . . how can we not keep up the fight? That “understanding” was that human beings would not survive—plainly serving us right, on the whole—but the planet would prevail, in some odd form or another, perhaps to reemerge as a fresh globe, eons and eons later.
Any leftover worrying has given way, these days, to tortuous stress and depression: at hearing regularly of starving polar bears (claimed by some, not me, as sick not starving), of dead or badly burned koalas (nothing fake about these), of sweeping humanitarian disasters, horrors visited on poor people, emigrants fleeing all manner of terror, wars set off by scrapping over the slim pickings or differing religions or power addictions; of watching from my porch wildfires tower into the welkin, fires raging worldwide across mountains, towns, provinces, all seeded by droughts, locusts, floods, super storms; of warming, acidifying, and rising oceans decimating fish, coral reefs, cultures. What will the next generation eat?
Burned Koalas of Australia
Still, I plod along—currently as a board member of one of the two organizations who are the lead plaintiffs (with an astoundingly dedicated attorney) in the suit to stop the Orange Mad Man’s reauthorization of the Keystone XL Pipeline, and TC Energy’s Corporation’s constant scurrying to clear land and start building man camps. I’m fearful OMM, who can now do whatever he damn pleases, will arrive here, in Montana, and climb on a bulldozer for a red-hatted photo op, a front page splash, wiping out all we’ve gained. I had hoped for impeachment and instantaneous removal. Does anyone realize that even should we roll forth powerful and potent to beat him in November, he will be around, wrecking his horrid style of havoc, for nearly another year?
And then, I send my quarters to Bernie. It’s not just any old Dem we need. There is only one candidate with enough knowledge, following, guts, heart, promise, and vision to try to save the planet.
As I post this: A ray of hope. NEVADA!
And then, I send my quarters to Bernie. It’s not just any old Dem we need. There is only one candidate with enough knowledge, following, guts, heart, promise, and vision to try to save the planet.
As I post this: A ray of hope. NEVADA!
Comments are welcome, except for this time “Calm down!” and “Get over it!” The auto comment system doesn’t work well enough to keep in use. So, please email your thoughts to me or at Contact the Author, and I’ll happily hand-post them. Suggest a handle, if you prefer, instead of your name.
EMAILED COMMENTS
Bill LaCroix
Well it’s a fine pickle we’ve allowed ourselves to get in and there are lots of putrid pundit-heads (and their pet politicians) to blame for it. But ultimately it comes down to us. Are we gonna let this continue? Are we gonna just count on a vote in November to fix it all? Are we gonna let the bastards divide us again? Are we gonna evolve? Right now? Or not? Everyone's so...docile...and resigned to the worst (or the best if you’re a criminal drug company exec. for instance). There are a few notable, bold ones, putting their asses on the line for the sake of the Land--the water protectors come to mind--but we’ve had 3 years since they routed Standing Rock. 9 years since they routed Occupy. Did we forget to ask for the memo? That it’s up to us? We still have as much chance to come out of this as not to, but where are we? Depending on Bernie? He’s done way more than all he could. His foundering campaign is really our fault. Have politicians really fortified themselves so much that we can't get close enough to them to, as iconic environmentalist Stewart M. Brandborg used to say, “pour the hot oil of public opinion down their necks” til they start listening up? Have we given up on democracy then? Sorry Kathleen, for seeing your “negative” and raising you one. I guess the proof that we’re both optimists at heart is that, given how we feel about the whole goddam, we can still crack jokes! Love
Well it’s a fine pickle we’ve allowed ourselves to get in and there are lots of putrid pundit-heads (and their pet politicians) to blame for it. But ultimately it comes down to us. Are we gonna let this continue? Are we gonna just count on a vote in November to fix it all? Are we gonna let the bastards divide us again? Are we gonna evolve? Right now? Or not? Everyone's so...docile...and resigned to the worst (or the best if you’re a criminal drug company exec. for instance). There are a few notable, bold ones, putting their asses on the line for the sake of the Land--the water protectors come to mind--but we’ve had 3 years since they routed Standing Rock. 9 years since they routed Occupy. Did we forget to ask for the memo? That it’s up to us? We still have as much chance to come out of this as not to, but where are we? Depending on Bernie? He’s done way more than all he could. His foundering campaign is really our fault. Have politicians really fortified themselves so much that we can't get close enough to them to, as iconic environmentalist Stewart M. Brandborg used to say, “pour the hot oil of public opinion down their necks” til they start listening up? Have we given up on democracy then? Sorry Kathleen, for seeing your “negative” and raising you one. I guess the proof that we’re both optimists at heart is that, given how we feel about the whole goddam, we can still crack jokes! Love
Kathleen
Super dandy first-sentence alliteration!!! Otherwise, I say, as we used to in the 60s: “Right on! Right on!”
Super dandy first-sentence alliteration!!! Otherwise, I say, as we used to in the 60s: “Right on! Right on!”
Carol Newman
I think you have covered much of the multitude of current and recent painful challenges. I don’t know who coined the phrase “Think globally and act locally,” it is what I have energy for now. If we all stay committed and determined to make some small difference, hopefully positive changes will take place.
Thank you for your commitment to a good future for all.
I think you have covered much of the multitude of current and recent painful challenges. I don’t know who coined the phrase “Think globally and act locally,” it is what I have energy for now. If we all stay committed and determined to make some small difference, hopefully positive changes will take place.
Thank you for your commitment to a good future for all.
Kathleen
Jeez, I thought I barely got started! One of my favorite bumper stickers is “Be a yokel, Buy local.” In the middle of winter, I confess, I cheat some on fruit. Gotta get better.
Jeez, I thought I barely got started! One of my favorite bumper stickers is “Be a yokel, Buy local.” In the middle of winter, I confess, I cheat some on fruit. Gotta get better.
Gail Storey
We too are doing/being everything we can. Deeply inspired by your post, Kathleen. A deep bow of gratitude with much love.
We too are doing/being everything we can. Deeply inspired by your post, Kathleen. A deep bow of gratitude with much love.
Kathleen
Always so very thankful to know you’re on this planet with us.
Looooove to you and Porter, et al.
Always so very thankful to know you’re on this planet with us.
Looooove to you and Porter, et al.
sandy z
It’s wonderful to hear from you . . today was a gorgeous day an the sunset divine . . glad you’re coming out of depression . . are you walking better . . call me sometime would love to chat. Hello to Patrick love you both Hugs
It’s wonderful to hear from you . . today was a gorgeous day an the sunset divine . . glad you’re coming out of depression . . are you walking better . . call me sometime would love to chat. Hello to Patrick love you both Hugs
Kathleen
Let’s do do do get together! Yes . . . better. Walking, too. My PT is totally awesome. Let’s plan on paddling this summer. Finally!
Let’s do do do get together! Yes . . . better. Walking, too. My PT is totally awesome. Let’s plan on paddling this summer. Finally!
WilderStill
It’s not looking good, that’s for sure. What a sorry species we are.
Good on ya for fighting the KXL. We’re not giving up here either.
It’s not looking good, that’s for sure. What a sorry species we are.
Good on ya for fighting the KXL. We’re not giving up here either.
Kathleen
Wild, thanks for the validation. Onward we Goooo!
Wild, thanks for the validation. Onward we Goooo!
Let’s Go! Let’s Go!
By Kathleen Meyer, September–October 2019
As the World Turns. Remember that soap opera (aired 1956-2010)? I think I watched 15 minutes once. Well, it’s no longer a daily soap but Mother Earth’s planetary reality show, and not intended as entertainment. The question is What, if anything, will survive? Walruses and polar bears are starving, rapidly approaching a permanent fade; one million plant and animal species are on the brink of extinction (according to this year’s UN Biodiversity report); Greenland is melting on fast-forward; the Amazon rainforest is going up in smoke; walloping hurricanes are increasing in number and force and slowness. Everything hangs in a shrinking window of balance, with to come: cascades of yet unimagined feedback loops and trends. People whose houses have flooded, burned up, or blown away get it immediately. The rest of us? Have we the gumption and wisdom to rise together, jump to it in a monumental manner . . . or will climate catastrophe remain a phenomenon of NYIMBY (not yet in my backyard) and continue to alter Mother Earth, irrevocably?
I hope this species is not in the mix.
Who are these nutsy cuties?
—photo found floating around FB, posted by Barbara Brown
To ignite world action, Bill McKibben (co-founder of 350.org) drops a startling new volume in our laps—a must-read, everyone tied into a comfy chair until finished.
Falter:
Has the Human Game
Begun to Play Itself Out?
Has the Human Game
Begun to Play Itself Out?
Falter . . .
— an alarming call to action,
resistance, and protection.
— a plea for the sanity to part with
greed, and race toward balance.
— an outright gut-cry for planet
Earth.
— a heart-song humming with
the sacred.
— an alarming call to action,
resistance, and protection.
— a plea for the sanity to part with
greed, and race toward balance.
— an outright gut-cry for planet
Earth.
— a heart-song humming with
the sacred.
Double tap/click on Bill to bring up DemocracyNOW!
with Amy Goodman’s interview.
Set to begin at 13:27 minutes.
Watch in full screen.
Falter needs to perch atop the best-seller list permanently, or we’re screwed. Read it. Weep. Scream. Throw up. Then, take to the streets and the polls.
Climate Strike Alert
Join our determined youth in a Global Climate Strike
September 20–27, 2019
Sign up with Greta Thunberg
and Bill McKibben
and people around the world
at globalclimatestrike.net . . . NOW!
Find a gathering in your neighborhood.
Comments are welcome. I’m currently without a live system. Send your thoughts by email or by way of Contact the Author. I’ll happily hand-post them. Suggest a handle, if you prefer, instead of your name.
EMAILED COMMENTS
Alexis
Yay for Greta, we all need to support her. Jim Hanson told us in the 1970s and Al Gore showed us in 2006 what was in store for humanity. Are people listening now? With backyard evidence of flooding, devastating hurricanes, unstoppable wild fires. Plus, our solving the climate crisis IS the answer to the economy, jobs, and good health for people & the planet.
My library has 4 copies of Falter all of which are checked out, with 10 holds, me being one of them. A good sign! There is hope, but only if we act now!
P.S. Love the birds!
Yay for Greta, we all need to support her. Jim Hanson told us in the 1970s and Al Gore showed us in 2006 what was in store for humanity. Are people listening now? With backyard evidence of flooding, devastating hurricanes, unstoppable wild fires. Plus, our solving the climate crisis IS the answer to the economy, jobs, and good health for people & the planet.
My library has 4 copies of Falter all of which are checked out, with 10 holds, me being one of them. A good sign! There is hope, but only if we act now!
P.S. Love the birds!
Kathleen
I’m so happy knowing you’re in the resistance/rescue boat with me.
I’m so happy knowing you’re in the resistance/rescue boat with me.
Mark Dubois
Thanks so much for getting the word out about Falter, and sounding the reminder calls & inspiring action!
Thanks for the beauty of your path and gifting the world your genius, your kindness and heart’s insights.
Thanks so much for getting the word out about Falter, and sounding the reminder calls & inspiring action!
Thanks for the beauty of your path and gifting the world your genius, your kindness and heart’s insights.
Kathleen
Onward we go . . . you and Clare are doing powerful and A-mazing work. Blessings on our mutual Mother, her survival, and with hope for a repaired home country.
Onward we go . . . you and Clare are doing powerful and A-mazing work. Blessings on our mutual Mother, her survival, and with hope for a repaired home country.
Carol Newman
Thank you for you important words and for reminding us how fragile our planet has become. I am missing the birds that were once so plentiful and now seem few and far between.
Keep on telling us to pay attention and stay involved.
Thank you for you important words and for reminding us how fragile our planet has become. I am missing the birds that were once so plentiful and now seem few and far between.
Keep on telling us to pay attention and stay involved.
Kathleen Pass it on and along, across the street and down the block!!! Demonstrate!
Liz Cain (award-winning poem, offered here in tribute to wildlife)
Kathleen
Congratulations, Liz! Thank you so much for sharing. Wildlife all over is taking hits in the climate crisis.
Congratulations, Liz! Thank you so much for sharing. Wildlife all over is taking hits in the climate crisis.
Masthead photo: “Sunrise over Sea of Cortez,” by James “Diego” Hatfield
© 2011 by Author Kathleen Meyer • All Rights Reserved
Website design by RapidRiver.us
Masthead photo: “Sunrise over Sea of Cortez,”
by James “Diego” Hatfield
_____________
© 2011 by Author Kathleen Meyer • All Rights Reserved
Website design by RapidRiver.us