Writer’s Block

Perhaps you’ve noticed in the last few months that this blog has tended to become a “photo blog.” That is partly due to the fact that it’s been summer-like here in the Pacific Northwest and after 30 years of teaching I consider summer time “vacation time.” I did so much reading and writing during the school year that I needed time away from them in order recharge my batteries.

In addition, we’ve had so many rainy dark years recently in the Pacific Northwest that I’ve begun to see every sunny day as an opportunity to get out, walk and take pictures. With a forecast for above normal rainfall this winter I’m even more apt to see the world that way this year.

Like many people I have also been preoccupied with political matters, but I’ve tried to avoid expressing that anger here in my blog. Instead, I’ve exchanged news stories and comments through Google documents with a retired fellow teacher trying to figure out exactly how I feel and what, if anything, can be done about our present situation. I’ve also shared news stories with friends on Facebook.

However, I have to admit that I’m also suffering from “writers block.” I’ve actually read and taken notes on two long works recently but still haven’t managed to write up my reactions to them.

I was quite moved by Conrad’s Lord Jim when I read it last spring, and the work is heavily notated. I think Conrad’s theme is a vital one, but I haven’t been able to decide whether I agree or disagree with much of what he says in the novel. Winter is nearly upon us, and I’m hoping that I’ll soon be able to sit down and focus long enough to come to terms with my thoughts on the novel.

Unfortunately, I don’t have nearly as good of an excuse for not writing up my reactions to Lynda Lynn Haupt’s Crow Planet: Essential Wisdom From The Urban Wilderness even though I have taken an intimidating number of notes from the book.

I’m not at all confused about how I feel about this book. I love it. It might even be the book I’ve tried to write through all the photographs I’ve taken the last five years. I think most, if not all, of my regular readers would like this book, even birders who seldom read books. I’m absolutely not going to write another thing for this blog until I finish my write-up on the book.

Meanwhile, it’s nearly sunny outside and Belfair and Nisqually seem to be calling me.