Category Archives: Essays
New Frontiers: Kartchner Caverns
Cochise County, Arizona Whenever I visit my mother in Abbey Country, I try to take her to someplace she’s never been before. My mom is over 90 now, a world traveler who still lives alone with relative autonomy. She’s buried … Continue reading
Filed under Abbey Country, Back Yard Days, Essays
Joyce’s Ambassador
I wrote the first version of this essay about ten years ago, and revised it recently. This harkens back to my college days at San Francisco State. Photos by Peggy Sue Ameson, 1984. Whenever St. Patty’s Day rolls around, I think … Continue reading
Filed under Essays
One Sunday Morning at the Farm
“Sunday morning You’re doing your thing And I am doing mine Speaking words More a formality Cuz we can feel we Are of one mind Sunday morning” –Ani DiFranco I got up a little before the man today, ground up … Continue reading
Filed under Humor
Coyote Woman’s Birth Timeline
I’ve been remembering the Coyote Women lately. Raven Joy, Susan Lamela, Robyn Martin, Penny St. Claire and other womyn from the Ridge created the ad-hoc troupe of performers in the 1990s. I was honored to be included, and the lessons … Continue reading
My Father’s Flag
I wrote this essay about a month after 9/11, a couple weeks after my dad died. I’m sharing it today in honor of Monty Earl Essex, Marine private born 11/21/46 and died 11/12/12. He was the recipient of the Purple … Continue reading
The Honeybee: Oversimplification and Unnecessary Drama
Nevada City, California This piece wraps up my coverage of the 2012 Wild and Scenic Film Festival. Last weekend at Wild and Scenic, a drama named BEE made its world premiere. (I don’t know why the filmmakers capitalized the title … Continue reading
Occupy Confluences
Nevada City, California On the opening night of Wild and Scenic, John Trudell addressed a packed house at the Nevada Theatre. I’ve heard him speak before, even spoken with him. His words are so potent, his message so rich, it’s … Continue reading
Seeds and Sweets: Early Winter on the Farm
“I used to believe that life’s a road you’re travelling/A straightshot down until you reach the promised land./But now I see that life is a river ramblin./ Each day you wake and try to do the best you can.” … Continue reading
Big Deal New Year
I wrote this almost twenty years ago now, and I still smile at the memories it conjures. We’re planning on staying home again on this “amateur night”, although the party at Nevada City Classic Cafe does beckon me. I just … Continue reading
Tis The Season
“It’s coming on Christmas They’re cutting down trees They’re putting up reindeer And singing songs of joy and peace Oh I wish I had a river I could skate away on” Joni Mitchell It’s mid December again, smack dab in … Continue reading
Filed under Community, Essays, Sustainability
