Happy Spring!
“I want to remember Rachel Carson’s spirit. I want it to be both fierce and compassionate at once. I want to carry a sense of indignation inside to shatter the complacency that has seeped into our society. Call it a sacred rage, a rage that is grounded in the knowledge that all life is intertwined. I want to know the grace of wild things that sustain hope.”- Terry Tempest Williams, The Moral Courage of Rachel Carson (May 27, 2014).
We thought we’d share Terry Tempest Williams’ words about Rachel Carson with you this month, in anticipation of the anniversary of Rachel Carson’s death on April 14, 1964. A strong, intelligent woman, who bravely used her voice to defend the wild, Rachel’s research and words helped define environmentalism as we know it today. It’s easy to see how she is an inspiration for Terry Tempest Williams, as well as so many others, and how her legacy of passionate, compassionate activism lives on.
Before we get to the Bird of the Month, we wanted to share some very exciting news with you! Our dear friend in Santa Fe, NM has started a nonprofit called Chrysalis, which offers a contemplative/creative group for survivors of domestic violence at a local shelter named Esperanza (which means "hope" in Spanish). They will be reading When Women Were Birds for an 11-week exploration of writing and dance. The same night that we were meeting here in Chittenden for our second book group on March 12, our friend was reconnecting with that group of women to celebrate the completion of a film documenting their first project together. Also that same night, Terry Tempest Williams was speaking in Santa Fe. Our friend managed to catch the last five minutes of the talk and meet her afterward. She told Terry about the book endeavor we’re all undertaking this year and she passed on her personal email because she’d like to know how the experience is going! How special is that? We are excited and in awe of the many ways in which this book and its themes are connecting us, especially in a time when it feels needed more than ever.
Bird of the Month
Photo by John Reasbeck
The Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) is one of the first signs of spring here in Vermont, even when we’re buried under two feet of snow! We always love to hear their whistles and calls at the feeder and catch a flash of the males’ beautiful scarlet and golden shoulder patches. The females are a lovely streaked brown, and can be mistaken for a sparrow, though they are quite a bit larger. Male Red-winged Blackbirds fiercely defend their territories during breeding season, often spending a quarter of daylight hours chasing away other males, predatory species, and sometimes much larger animals like horses and humans. Red-winged Blackbirds roost in flocks all year long— in summer, they form small groups in the wetlands where they breed, but in winter, they form flocks of sometimes several million birds, including other blackbird species and starlings. The oldest recorded Red-winged Blackbird was 15 years, 9 months old! It was banded in New Jersey in 1967 and was found alive, but injured, in Michigan in 1983. It was released after recovering from its injuries. What a resilient individual!
Photo by Earl Orf
Lastly, in our book group we’ll be reading chapters 11-25 for our next meeting on April 9th. We've decided to read and discuss more chapters at a time. How is everyone’s experience with the book going? Are you enjoying reading it? Are there any walls coming up? Any creative projects you’ve felt inspired to pursue?
Love to all!
*Remember to check the discussion section for the newest question!*