Now that we are at the end of Chapter IX, and happy to have arrived there with huge thanks to Stacy for bringing us together, I'm delighted that the conversation is expanding into neighboring territories. Meeting up with Jayber Crow again in James M. Decker's West of 98 is one reason why. In that spirit, I'd like to share the following which came to my inbox via Undermain, an arts advocacy non-profit in Louisville. Remember Crystal Wilkinson, the writer Berry introduced us to in Chapter VIII? Here she is again, joined by the poet Frank X Walker, in a conversation about what it means to be a writer in Kentucky, in a state with many great writers whose connection to the land is central to their work. https://undermainarts.org/ky-writers-hall-of-fame
What a wonderful read. I love how Crystal Wilkinson says, "I think one of the things is the land and the spirit of land itself and the people." Then weaves this into the conversation of storytelling and the accessibility of writers to one another as artists. And I added Gurney Norman's, "Kinfolk" on my reading list since Frank Walker is writing a series of short stories from that inspiration. Wilkinson is LOVELY in that interview.
Here she is again, with Wendell Berry - I ran across this when I checked to see if the Berry Center Bookstore has her book “The Birds of Opulence.” They do - and it’s another good read. https://berrycenter.org/initiatives/agrarian-culture-center/
There was a period where his writing aligned with my thinking (and it still does). But at the time, it was like he was speaking to me. Berry is one of the few authors whose work has impacted my practical endeavors as well as my professional ones. Raising grass-fed animals was an uncompromising need, but so was researching and writing about a broken food system. I do nether of these regularly right now, but they are still critically fundamental to my life and work. I've always had a difficult time separating the two.
I do feel like he is speaking to me, wants me to take what he shares and parcel out what feels most important right now. Gardens and community are my takeaway. I already have large gardens, but I can continue to work on community.
For pig butchering: I can do in a pinch, but love the professionals. That Livestock Butchering book is good (there's just too much on YouTube to know what's helpful). When the butchering began taking away from my enjoyment of raising the animals, I knew I should leave it to the professionals.
There is no joy in taking a life, even if it is for food. I had to dispatch a rooster last year. I did not enjoy the effort. It was textbook practice, but I still dripped a tear and put my hands on my knees to catch my breath after.
Now that we are at the end of Chapter IX, and happy to have arrived there with huge thanks to Stacy for bringing us together, I'm delighted that the conversation is expanding into neighboring territories. Meeting up with Jayber Crow again in James M. Decker's West of 98 is one reason why. In that spirit, I'd like to share the following which came to my inbox via Undermain, an arts advocacy non-profit in Louisville. Remember Crystal Wilkinson, the writer Berry introduced us to in Chapter VIII? Here she is again, joined by the poet Frank X Walker, in a conversation about what it means to be a writer in Kentucky, in a state with many great writers whose connection to the land is central to their work. https://undermainarts.org/ky-writers-hall-of-fame
What a wonderful read. I love how Crystal Wilkinson says, "I think one of the things is the land and the spirit of land itself and the people." Then weaves this into the conversation of storytelling and the accessibility of writers to one another as artists. And I added Gurney Norman's, "Kinfolk" on my reading list since Frank Walker is writing a series of short stories from that inspiration. Wilkinson is LOVELY in that interview.
Here she is again, with Wendell Berry - I ran across this when I checked to see if the Berry Center Bookstore has her book “The Birds of Opulence.” They do - and it’s another good read. https://berrycenter.org/initiatives/agrarian-culture-center/
One of my best friends handed me Jayber Crow the other day, saying he thought I'd like it.
It’s a great story!
I can't wait to read what you think. Might you become a Wendell Berry fan?
I’m a fan, but no longer a well-informed one. His writing inspired a lot of my earlier food-related work.
Love that you have a history and it impacted some of your work. Can you share more (I'm still hoping to learn from you how to butcher 🐖)?
There was a period where his writing aligned with my thinking (and it still does). But at the time, it was like he was speaking to me. Berry is one of the few authors whose work has impacted my practical endeavors as well as my professional ones. Raising grass-fed animals was an uncompromising need, but so was researching and writing about a broken food system. I do nether of these regularly right now, but they are still critically fundamental to my life and work. I've always had a difficult time separating the two.
I do feel like he is speaking to me, wants me to take what he shares and parcel out what feels most important right now. Gardens and community are my takeaway. I already have large gardens, but I can continue to work on community.
For pig butchering: I can do in a pinch, but love the professionals. That Livestock Butchering book is good (there's just too much on YouTube to know what's helpful). When the butchering began taking away from my enjoyment of raising the animals, I knew I should leave it to the professionals.
There is no joy in taking a life, even if it is for food. I had to dispatch a rooster last year. I did not enjoy the effort. It was textbook practice, but I still dripped a tear and put my hands on my knees to catch my breath after.