You speak to a longing so many of us feel. Thank you for articulating that, and for reminding us of the moments of joy that still weave through our lives.
This is so resonant. When I lived over in that neck of the woods, I feel a deep longing and loneliness, but my travels away from that rural nook of farmers has not helped much. Indeed, I look back on my time there and think it was the only true community I have ever experienced and I wonder if I will ever experience something like that again. I believe we have not figured out to how to do rural life as settlers in this land. Some communities, like the one you are in now, are weaving a new story, but the tapestry is far from whole.
Thank you for this note. Yesterday was the Food Justice Summit. I spoke with my colleague Sam about some of this culture work and longing and the deep loneliness of our time. I wondered if our workshop would draw many folks in a space set on a course towards solutions. The room was packed, with people on the floor. There were tears. It was quite something. Best to you, Adam
Well, I love where that story ended up leading you, and it put a smile on my face, because part of the reason this old shoe shop where I sit writing stayed in business so long was that people travelled from far and wide to buy dancing shoes here. And after reading this piece yesterday, I went to the meeting of the committee of volunteers which runs Skogsvallen, the old music and dance venue on the edge of the forest here, where one of the old-timers said to me, "You know you'll have to get your dancing shoes?" I'll have to have a rummage around among the remaining shoe boxes that were here when we moved in and see if I can find a pair my size.
Beautiful, Adam. Makes me want to dance and dance and dance. Love where you transport me with your gentle words. Your world is precious. But, I imagine mine is too. I just need to imagine, too. Grateful. Thank you.
Thanks, James. I try to leave room for the reader to fill in the blank spaces between the stories...perhaps frustrating to some. I'm glad it worked something in your ear and heart. Blessing, Adam
I am glad your experience at the dance was evocative of belonging to a larger whole, and that the caller and the band offered some context for their offerings. Some of the figures we dance, like "in your long lines go forward and back" are straight out of the primordial soup. These are figures that speak volumes for how people might come together and apart in harmony with one another, that have been danced since humans first engaged in ritual social dancing. You've now met some of my good friends who offer dances on your side of the lake. Perhaps with a little thoughtful planning we could converge on your barn in early July!
Thank you, Maralee. There is a tension that is alive here between shrinking the generations into narrow categories of behavior and acknowledging that the dominant story has shifted considerably, namely the faith in progress as the guiding conviction/religion. I am committed to naming the pattern of abandoning ancestry and elderhood that I see rear up in me, and the problem it brings to the work of rebuilding culture. I'm not sure if that helps to clarify what I mean, but that's what I can think to write this morning. Thank you kindly for taking the time to post a comment. It means a lot. Best, Adam
You speak to a longing so many of us feel. Thank you for articulating that, and for reminding us of the moments of joy that still weave through our lives.
Thank you, Carri.
This is so resonant. When I lived over in that neck of the woods, I feel a deep longing and loneliness, but my travels away from that rural nook of farmers has not helped much. Indeed, I look back on my time there and think it was the only true community I have ever experienced and I wonder if I will ever experience something like that again. I believe we have not figured out to how to do rural life as settlers in this land. Some communities, like the one you are in now, are weaving a new story, but the tapestry is far from whole.
Tatiana,
Thank you for this note. Yesterday was the Food Justice Summit. I spoke with my colleague Sam about some of this culture work and longing and the deep loneliness of our time. I wondered if our workshop would draw many folks in a space set on a course towards solutions. The room was packed, with people on the floor. There were tears. It was quite something. Best to you, Adam
Well, I love where that story ended up leading you, and it put a smile on my face, because part of the reason this old shoe shop where I sit writing stayed in business so long was that people travelled from far and wide to buy dancing shoes here. And after reading this piece yesterday, I went to the meeting of the committee of volunteers which runs Skogsvallen, the old music and dance venue on the edge of the forest here, where one of the old-timers said to me, "You know you'll have to get your dancing shoes?" I'll have to have a rummage around among the remaining shoe boxes that were here when we moved in and see if I can find a pair my size.
The Dancing Shoe Shop turned Culture Making Experiment. I love it, Dougald.
Beautiful, Adam. Makes me want to dance and dance and dance. Love where you transport me with your gentle words. Your world is precious. But, I imagine mine is too. I just need to imagine, too. Grateful. Thank you.
Patience, This is just beautiful to receive. I can't wait to dance with you. I'll ask you for the first dance if Michael obliges. With care, Adam
Oh yes! This fills my heart and feeds my weary spirit in so many ways. Thank you Adam!
I'll take that job description: "Feeding the weary spirits." Thank you Sherry.
Beautiful!
I love it that your key point (as I understand it) was implied rather than made fully explicit. Very nicely said!
Thanks, James. I try to leave room for the reader to fill in the blank spaces between the stories...perhaps frustrating to some. I'm glad it worked something in your ear and heart. Blessing, Adam
I am glad your experience at the dance was evocative of belonging to a larger whole, and that the caller and the band offered some context for their offerings. Some of the figures we dance, like "in your long lines go forward and back" are straight out of the primordial soup. These are figures that speak volumes for how people might come together and apart in harmony with one another, that have been danced since humans first engaged in ritual social dancing. You've now met some of my good friends who offer dances on your side of the lake. Perhaps with a little thoughtful planning we could converge on your barn in early July!
It was such a pleasure to meet those folks. Diana's enthusiasm is contagious. They all lit up when I mentioned that I knew you. Best, Adam
Thank you, Maralee. There is a tension that is alive here between shrinking the generations into narrow categories of behavior and acknowledging that the dominant story has shifted considerably, namely the faith in progress as the guiding conviction/religion. I am committed to naming the pattern of abandoning ancestry and elderhood that I see rear up in me, and the problem it brings to the work of rebuilding culture. I'm not sure if that helps to clarify what I mean, but that's what I can think to write this morning. Thank you kindly for taking the time to post a comment. It means a lot. Best, Adam