Your good thoughts are exactly why we are here. So much chaos certainly can make one tired, unhappy, grumpy, and leaves a bitter taste in the mouth. We look forward to your forest adventures to brighten our day and to sometimes put all that chaos behind us, if only for a little while. You are doing just fine, Doug! Keep on ….. Speak on…..
As others have described, it is the quality of your writing that keeps me there with you at the fireside. Many of us experience that "fed-up with the current state of our world" pang and need to step back, clear our heads & hearts and focus again on what is most important in our immediate environment ...most often those things that provide us will a sense of wellbeing. Let is be so.
Agreed, take care of yourself, loved ones etc first. I've always appreciated your Facebooks - and now Substack - posts. They tend to be much easier to read than the constant pounding that seems to be the norm today. Hang in there, and be at peace....
When you bring your appreciation of the beauty and healing of nature as you see and experience it,Doug, you bring the healing we need to all of us. Thank you.
I have also decided to become less outraged and more focused on my family and friends as we head into these most uncertain and perhaps dangerous time. I'm still opposing the Trump Regime, but I am keeping my perspective a bit tighter as well.
I started following you not because of your political posts (although Mucky Muck poems are a favorite), but because of your beautiful writings about nature. Don’t stop sharing those beautiful musings and words of wisdom!
I enjoy your writing and appreciate your perspective on whatever you decide to write about. Reading a well-written, reasonable piece of writing is a comfort to me, even when I may not agree or am only mildly interested in the subject (which is rarely the case when it comes to your writing). I look forward to reading whatever you choose to share and totally understand that the quantity of writing you do must accommodate everything and everyone else in your life. It's the quality that I cherish.
This sounds like a wise move. We all need to take care of ourselves at this time. I will look forward to whatever thoughts you choose to share with us.
So much chaos that we can’t do anything about and it just stresses us all out. So just sit back and enjoy each day and get out into the wilderness and talk to the trees
My husband is an irrepressible optimist. Sometimes I have to ask him to talk me off the cliff. It’s after I have spent too much time digesting all the destruction caused by the current derailment of democracy. I get it. We need space and time to breathe the peace of the campfire. To sit quietly with you, and let you sit quietly, too. Carry on, dear Doug. But don’t try to carry too much.
I appreciate anything that you write. I feel like I found your writing somehow because it soothes my soul. I, too, have to take a step back. I often avoid watching national news now, I was someone who never missed a broadcast. I cannot sustain the level of anger and disbelief, and maintain my own good mental health. I will resist in any way I can, while appreciating the beautiful world around me, my wonderful family, and friends. We will persevere in the end. I have faith.
Mr. Campfire, Hallelujah! In this ever increasing nightmare, we lovers of democracy and the quiet that belongs to that simple word, are inundated by information. And we strive to be informed. But honestly, it is not good for anyone's health to try and watch everything that is going on. It is horrendous. So, better to attend support rallies. Better to send letters, make phone calls, spend an our a day on this and devote ourselves to keeping fit and healthy and loving, the rest of the time.
Somehow, you always know what we need to hear. Enjoy peace and family and critters and trees.
I acknowledge your sensible choice to balance your writing between advocating for democracy and sharing campfire Americana. We all need to stay sane by catching a whiff of that outdoors smoke on a regular basis. We can’t get enough of your wisdom but we’ll take what we can get.
Your good thoughts are exactly why we are here. So much chaos certainly can make one tired, unhappy, grumpy, and leaves a bitter taste in the mouth. We look forward to your forest adventures to brighten our day and to sometimes put all that chaos behind us, if only for a little while. You are doing just fine, Doug! Keep on ….. Speak on…..
Thanks, Betty.
As others have described, it is the quality of your writing that keeps me there with you at the fireside. Many of us experience that "fed-up with the current state of our world" pang and need to step back, clear our heads & hearts and focus again on what is most important in our immediate environment ...most often those things that provide us will a sense of wellbeing. Let is be so.
Martha
Thanks Martha.
Agreed, take care of yourself, loved ones etc first. I've always appreciated your Facebooks - and now Substack - posts. They tend to be much easier to read than the constant pounding that seems to be the norm today. Hang in there, and be at peace....
Thanks Mike.
When you bring your appreciation of the beauty and healing of nature as you see and experience it,Doug, you bring the healing we need to all of us. Thank you.
Thanks, Jo.
I have also decided to become less outraged and more focused on my family and friends as we head into these most uncertain and perhaps dangerous time. I'm still opposing the Trump Regime, but I am keeping my perspective a bit tighter as well.
I started following you not because of your political posts (although Mucky Muck poems are a favorite), but because of your beautiful writings about nature. Don’t stop sharing those beautiful musings and words of wisdom!
Thanks, Becky.
I enjoy your writing and appreciate your perspective on whatever you decide to write about. Reading a well-written, reasonable piece of writing is a comfort to me, even when I may not agree or am only mildly interested in the subject (which is rarely the case when it comes to your writing). I look forward to reading whatever you choose to share and totally understand that the quantity of writing you do must accommodate everything and everyone else in your life. It's the quality that I cherish.
Thank you, Teresa.
This sounds like a wise move. We all need to take care of ourselves at this time. I will look forward to whatever thoughts you choose to share with us.
So much chaos that we can’t do anything about and it just stresses us all out. So just sit back and enjoy each day and get out into the wilderness and talk to the trees
My husband is an irrepressible optimist. Sometimes I have to ask him to talk me off the cliff. It’s after I have spent too much time digesting all the destruction caused by the current derailment of democracy. I get it. We need space and time to breathe the peace of the campfire. To sit quietly with you, and let you sit quietly, too. Carry on, dear Doug. But don’t try to carry too much.
Thank you, Aleta. Lovely comment. Will take to heart.
I appreciate anything that you write. I feel like I found your writing somehow because it soothes my soul. I, too, have to take a step back. I often avoid watching national news now, I was someone who never missed a broadcast. I cannot sustain the level of anger and disbelief, and maintain my own good mental health. I will resist in any way I can, while appreciating the beautiful world around me, my wonderful family, and friends. We will persevere in the end. I have faith.
I confess. Hearing your anger and disgust was not helping me. I needed the Chapel in the Woods. Good move both for me and for yourself.
Self, family care is a must in these hard days. Unfortunately, both political parties are unable to govern with respect for humanity, at this time.
Mr. Campfire, Hallelujah! In this ever increasing nightmare, we lovers of democracy and the quiet that belongs to that simple word, are inundated by information. And we strive to be informed. But honestly, it is not good for anyone's health to try and watch everything that is going on. It is horrendous. So, better to attend support rallies. Better to send letters, make phone calls, spend an our a day on this and devote ourselves to keeping fit and healthy and loving, the rest of the time.
Somehow, you always know what we need to hear. Enjoy peace and family and critters and trees.
Thank you, Barbara.
I acknowledge your sensible choice to balance your writing between advocating for democracy and sharing campfire Americana. We all need to stay sane by catching a whiff of that outdoors smoke on a regular basis. We can’t get enough of your wisdom but we’ll take what we can get.
Thanks so much, Dale.
Take care of yourself, Kathy, & the precious other living things in your life.
Will do.
Perfect, Doug. You said it so perfectly. Thank you.
Thanks BJ