Canoe in the Mist

“Love of the wilderness is more than a hunger for what is always beyond reach; it is also an expression of loyalty to the earth which bore us and sustains us, the only home we shall ever know, the only paradise we ever need - if only we had eyes to see." ~Edward Abbey, from Desert Solitaire

I would like to thank Chris Townsend for reminding me:

"Twenty years ago today Edward Abbey died and the world lost a defender of freedom, a protector of the wilderness, a desert anarchist, a cantankerous troublemaker, a controversial iconoclast and a damn fine writer. Abbey wrote essays, stories, novels, adventures, letters and more. All are worth reading. And his message of wildness and liberty is as valid today as it has always been.

But just reading Abbey is not enough. We need to think, feel and act as well. Abbey wrote to provoke anger, dissension, discussion, disturbance. He wanted readers to react to his words, even if it was in disagreement, and to go out and do something, anything, to show they were human, to show they cared enough about freedom and nature to defend them. Those of us who remember him and hold his words important need to do more than read and agree." ~Chris Townsend

It is certainly true that Edward Abbey wrote to provoke anger, discussion, disturbance.... I have been reminded of that as I have been slowly (too slowly) making my way through Desert Solitaire again after first reading it many years ago. As I sat down yesterday and was able to spend some time reading for the first time in several days actually, it occurred to me that no matter who you are or what you believe, sooner or later in reading Edward Abbey you will find something that offends you, jars you.... I've been re-offended a few times in recent chapters as I read through...but also re-inspired....

It's a role that is needed in society at some level, the "prophet" who says things that make us supremely uncomfortable. Abbey did it as well as any and better than most, and sometimes with sardonic humor. That he devoted his voice...his gift largely to the defense of the natural world...I am grateful for.

I've been mostly away from the blogosphere (both posting and reading) in recent days due to the present exigencies of my life. I'm not sure how often I can or will be posting presently, but after reading Chris Townsend's excellent tribute to one of my favorite writers, I took the opportunity to post in small tribute myself and poke my head in here to the blog to say "Hello."

Peace to you all.