I'm reading this soooo slowly, savouring the imagery and the truly generous insights into a world that seems so much gentler and thought-inspired than the world we (I) live in today with all its rush and bustle. I'm particularly drawn to ideas of language being made up mostly of verbs and the respect this shows for the natural world, as well as the idea of gift-giving and communal care. It's a narrative that I stop in the middle of reading every so often, just to drink in the message. Just loving it inside out. I have also been surprised (pleasantly) by the people I've spoken to who know and love it, and I wonder how I hadn't met it before! I noticed that it was in Katherin May's book club, too, and interestingly, I'm doing a wild journalling course/challenge (We Are Stardust with Agnes Becker) and it features there, too, with quotes and recommendations. Thank you for introducing me to this beautiful work.
I just thought that I'd add that I've just sat quietly on my back porch in the shade with the company of a mudlark, fossicking around for her mid-morning meal, and read the chapter on allegiance to gratitude. Oh, if only the rest of the world worked this way, where our leaders have vision, are generous, and sacrifice on behalf of the people. To know that leadership is not in power and authority, but in service and wisdom. And for all of us to remember that we are not in charge, but subject to the same forces as all the rest of life. I have to stop now and let all this sink in.
Thank you so much for both of these reflections, Cate. I've been reading and also travelling with the children. What a wonderful place for me to return to our book club (slow replies, but your comments have been savoured ;-))))
I started reading Braiding Sweetgrass a few years ago but keep setting it down for other reads!🤦♀️ It's Full of Beautiful words and thoughts. Now that you've suggested the audiobook, that's what I'm going to do👍
Your words "The deeper story, one that I think about a lot in Saskatoon, Treaty Six Territory and Homeland of the Métis, is the arrogance and determination of settlers, like me, to impose a world without nature as better" really resonate with me as well, Alice. Nature is Medicine... perhaps medicine that so many are missing and consequently suffer from cocerns such as anxiety💔
I've been reading this, while also reading Our Green Heart: The Soul and Science of Forests, and I've been so struck by the parallels! On the one hand, we have Kimmerer, an Indigenous woman who goes on a journey to reconcile her education and passion for Botany and Science with the cultural wisdom of her heritage, and on the other, we have Beresford-Kroeger, describing the same journey! Reconciling science with her Irish cultural heritage which teaches many of the same lessons. For years, I've been so intrigued by the idea of healing the land in our own front and backyards, removing the monoculture of grass and returning native plants, trees and flowers to the space. Both books have really touched on the intrinsic magic outside our doorsteps, and how deeply healing it is to embrace it.
Thank you so much for sharing this, Melanie! I have heard of the book Our Green Heart and the author did a talk at Calgary Wordfest, but I was in a school visit at the time so had to miss it. I meant to buy the book that day and forgot all about it! I think this sounds like a great moment to get this book back on my TBR list xxxx
Braiding Sweetgrass is one of my favourite books of all time. Like you, I did both audio and text. Her voice has such a soothing quality. I truly think this book should be required reading for every person on the planet.
I haven't read Braiding Sweetgrass yet, but every time I see mention of the book I can smell the luscious scent of sweetgrass.
I loved seeing the rope tow! I didn't know they still existed; I learned how to ski because of a rope tow at a small learners slope in Maine. The mittens I went through! Thank you for that video!
The mittens indeed! My little son's gloves were torn to shreds. The rope tow was the invention of a friend and has been a roaring, wild success.
My hope this summer is to find sweetgrass on the prairie and be able to identify it. I have long wanted to learn more about plants and I think this book is the gentle push I need.
I'm reading this soooo slowly, savouring the imagery and the truly generous insights into a world that seems so much gentler and thought-inspired than the world we (I) live in today with all its rush and bustle. I'm particularly drawn to ideas of language being made up mostly of verbs and the respect this shows for the natural world, as well as the idea of gift-giving and communal care. It's a narrative that I stop in the middle of reading every so often, just to drink in the message. Just loving it inside out. I have also been surprised (pleasantly) by the people I've spoken to who know and love it, and I wonder how I hadn't met it before! I noticed that it was in Katherin May's book club, too, and interestingly, I'm doing a wild journalling course/challenge (We Are Stardust with Agnes Becker) and it features there, too, with quotes and recommendations. Thank you for introducing me to this beautiful work.
I just thought that I'd add that I've just sat quietly on my back porch in the shade with the company of a mudlark, fossicking around for her mid-morning meal, and read the chapter on allegiance to gratitude. Oh, if only the rest of the world worked this way, where our leaders have vision, are generous, and sacrifice on behalf of the people. To know that leadership is not in power and authority, but in service and wisdom. And for all of us to remember that we are not in charge, but subject to the same forces as all the rest of life. I have to stop now and let all this sink in.
Thank you so much for both of these reflections, Cate. I've been reading and also travelling with the children. What a wonderful place for me to return to our book club (slow replies, but your comments have been savoured ;-))))
I started reading Braiding Sweetgrass a few years ago but keep setting it down for other reads!🤦♀️ It's Full of Beautiful words and thoughts. Now that you've suggested the audiobook, that's what I'm going to do👍
Your words "The deeper story, one that I think about a lot in Saskatoon, Treaty Six Territory and Homeland of the Métis, is the arrogance and determination of settlers, like me, to impose a world without nature as better" really resonate with me as well, Alice. Nature is Medicine... perhaps medicine that so many are missing and consequently suffer from cocerns such as anxiety💔
Thank you so much for sharing these thoughts. Do let me know how you get on with the audiobook--I find it wonderful!
I've been reading this, while also reading Our Green Heart: The Soul and Science of Forests, and I've been so struck by the parallels! On the one hand, we have Kimmerer, an Indigenous woman who goes on a journey to reconcile her education and passion for Botany and Science with the cultural wisdom of her heritage, and on the other, we have Beresford-Kroeger, describing the same journey! Reconciling science with her Irish cultural heritage which teaches many of the same lessons. For years, I've been so intrigued by the idea of healing the land in our own front and backyards, removing the monoculture of grass and returning native plants, trees and flowers to the space. Both books have really touched on the intrinsic magic outside our doorsteps, and how deeply healing it is to embrace it.
Thank you so much for sharing this, Melanie! I have heard of the book Our Green Heart and the author did a talk at Calgary Wordfest, but I was in a school visit at the time so had to miss it. I meant to buy the book that day and forgot all about it! I think this sounds like a great moment to get this book back on my TBR list xxxx
I read the book a few years ago. The indigenous people are amazing in their knowledge.
I read lots last night and it was brilliant.
Braiding Sweetgrass is one of my favourite books of all time. Like you, I did both audio and text. Her voice has such a soothing quality. I truly think this book should be required reading for every person on the planet.
I think so, too. There is a YA version that I'm going to try to get my kids to read. x
I haven't read Braiding Sweetgrass yet, but every time I see mention of the book I can smell the luscious scent of sweetgrass.
I loved seeing the rope tow! I didn't know they still existed; I learned how to ski because of a rope tow at a small learners slope in Maine. The mittens I went through! Thank you for that video!
The mittens indeed! My little son's gloves were torn to shreds. The rope tow was the invention of a friend and has been a roaring, wild success.
My hope this summer is to find sweetgrass on the prairie and be able to identify it. I have long wanted to learn more about plants and I think this book is the gentle push I need.