Chewing the Cud

  • Sipping Tea on a Dog Chewing Autumn Afternoon

    October 22, 2015 The last sun tea is on the porch. If there was any doubt last week, there is not this week, it is autumn. Cool morning temperatures and the leaves are changing color. Two trees are already bare—looking naked next to those full of leaf—and irrigation ditches are dry. Fall speaks to the…

  • White Culture and the Hard Conversation of Racism

    (council.seattle.gov) October 18, 2015 US racism—the oppression of American Indians and People of Color—is one of the hardest conversations a US person will ever have. For while most folk born in the US learn (from people) and develop a mindset that resists racist values, they also live in a systemic culture that invites them to…

  • End Government Days of False Honor and Reclaim Soil’s Family

    October 11, 2015 Funny (in a non-funny way) how many people and State governments have learned a flag (Confederate) has the ability to destroy justice and people and that there is integrity of removing it from the public life, but continue to hold on to and honor a day ruin—Columbus Day. Some are going to…

  • Elk Parts

    October 4, 2015 Elk parts. They come once a year. Archery season opened a few weeks ago and rifle season follows it up. My bow hunting friends are saying this is a season unlike any other. The elk are not traveling normal trails or hanging in their normal high country valleys. Maybe there will be…

  • Why Anti in Anti-Racism and The All in #BlackLives Matter

    Artist Renda Writer. Photo: Huffington Post September 27, 2015 September and October are months of anti-racism workshops. That is not the case every year, but this year they have been months of engaging, wondering, and thoughtful conversation. I find facilitating these workshops has changed over the last fifteen years. Years ago, folk showed up to…