I think this shows to me how many of my "friends" were acquaintances, co-workers and business partners. So many of the people that I thought of as such have cut me off and put me down because I am not a slave to the same delusions. As if being a skeptic put me beyond the pale. I suppose that this is a good thing, jettisoning negative people. But it has been a bit traumatic nonetheless.
I'm sharing this with a group of wonderful women friends, with whom I've spent Thursday nights on Zoom, for the past three years. You brought tears and what I call "god-bumps" with this piece. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your clarity and care. Big love and appreciation to you and Brett.
Hi Heather, thank you for this lovely piece. I have followed you and Bret for over a year now and keep meaning to subscribe and reach out. We too have moved near the water during Covid although not quite as remote as you guys. We relocated to Edmonds, WA and are right near the water and ferry to Kingston. I walk daily always hoping to see a seal or seals. So far I’ve only seen one. 😊
Your grace and kindness have been such a blessing that you feel like a friend, even though we have never met, come from opposite ends of the religious spectrum, and you’re obviously much smarter. 🤪thank you! You’re weekly writing and podcast have been a lifeline to my sanity. If you’re ever in Edmonds I’d love to treat you to brunch or coffee. Hope you guys are feeling settled and enjoying your new place. It sounds lovely.
We had parrots when I was a kid. Smart little buggers is not saying enough. They'd call the dog by his name, mimic the meows of the cat, etc. I've had a few encounters with crows where I swore they were reincarnated from parrots. Seems as if they know someone who "gets them" as fellow birds.
Get in the water and swim and it's likely the seals will swim right next to you. I don't know exactly what they get out of it but I've seen the same seal swim next to and around me, disappear for a minute or so, and come back and swim next to me again.
I met a woman through my daughter in law. Her name is Susan Story and she swims EVERY day in the Salish sea with all the creatures. You can see her FB posts and message her and swim with her. In WA also. Check her out!
Not that I know a thing about them - being from Minnesota and all, but it sounds entirely possible to develop a relationship or connection with one, or a few. Are there "don't feed the seals" signs on this beach near you?
I'd guess that like most creatures, they'd be quite happy about a meal they don't have to work and compete for. Once they identify you as that weird human they get a free lunch from you'll be on your way. The down side is having a bucket of fresh fish in your car every time yo go to visit them.
You may have to consider Sarah's bear comment below.
Heather, I have a feeling for crows as well! But no close crow friends yet. My grandmother had a crow friend as a child. It would follow her to school and sit outside the country school house until it was time to go home. I wish now I had asked her more questions about how they became friends, etc. There was a crow that used to sit on a telephone wire outside my office and make a lot of noise. I moved offices, and a few months later another crow showed up, and does the same. I assume it is not the same crow. Anyway, I hope you find a crow friend. Regarding friends, I am gently trying to reconnect with friends I "lost" during the last 3 years. Just putting the differences aside for the moment, and focusing on rebuilding the connection. And I love this notion of having a feeling for the organism. Applies nicely to gardening. One may have a feeling for tomatoes, but not a feeling for lavender.
I love this post, what I would truly enjoy is listening to Heather interview Jessica in a one on one format for Darkhorse! Thanks for sharing.
This piece resonates so well with me and being open to new friendships as well as allowing old ones to evolve. I love making new friends, especially ones who are both older and younger than me, helps me see things from a different point of view.
Hi Heather. Would you please consider making The Hunter-Gatherers Guide an audiobook available on Scribd and Audible? I'm sorry to say though I plan to, I have not yet read your book in hardcopy. I nearly always read by listening. Thanks for considering this. Have a good day!
I have crows that tolerate me. I've been feeding them since 2006 in the same spot. They wait every morning and allow the squirrels and smaller birds to feed first. I hear their chatter as they patiently allow the blue jays and smaller birds a treat. They know there will be enough food for them and they gracefully swoop down when they discern it is their turn. If I hadn't been observing this for 16 years I might think it was anecdotal evidence of the higher intelligence and compassion of crows. But it has been 16 years with the same crows who are kind and smart.
I think this shows to me how many of my "friends" were acquaintances, co-workers and business partners. So many of the people that I thought of as such have cut me off and put me down because I am not a slave to the same delusions. As if being a skeptic put me beyond the pale. I suppose that this is a good thing, jettisoning negative people. But it has been a bit traumatic nonetheless.
Just don't try to befriend any bears. We need you around!
I'm sharing this with a group of wonderful women friends, with whom I've spent Thursday nights on Zoom, for the past three years. You brought tears and what I call "god-bumps" with this piece. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your clarity and care. Big love and appreciation to you and Brett.
Hi Heather, thank you for this lovely piece. I have followed you and Bret for over a year now and keep meaning to subscribe and reach out. We too have moved near the water during Covid although not quite as remote as you guys. We relocated to Edmonds, WA and are right near the water and ferry to Kingston. I walk daily always hoping to see a seal or seals. So far I’ve only seen one. 😊
Your grace and kindness have been such a blessing that you feel like a friend, even though we have never met, come from opposite ends of the religious spectrum, and you’re obviously much smarter. 🤪thank you! You’re weekly writing and podcast have been a lifeline to my sanity. If you’re ever in Edmonds I’d love to treat you to brunch or coffee. Hope you guys are feeling settled and enjoying your new place. It sounds lovely.
We had parrots when I was a kid. Smart little buggers is not saying enough. They'd call the dog by his name, mimic the meows of the cat, etc. I've had a few encounters with crows where I swore they were reincarnated from parrots. Seems as if they know someone who "gets them" as fellow birds.
Get in the water and swim and it's likely the seals will swim right next to you. I don't know exactly what they get out of it but I've seen the same seal swim next to and around me, disappear for a minute or so, and come back and swim next to me again.
I met a woman through my daughter in law. Her name is Susan Story and she swims EVERY day in the Salish sea with all the creatures. You can see her FB posts and message her and swim with her. In WA also. Check her out!
What a wonderful experiment in presence, perseverance and playfulness. May you have success in you seal friendship aspiration.
I caught up on a few missed Darkhorses today. So thankful for you both and whatever led me to listen that first time.
Seals .
Not that I know a thing about them - being from Minnesota and all, but it sounds entirely possible to develop a relationship or connection with one, or a few. Are there "don't feed the seals" signs on this beach near you?
I'd guess that like most creatures, they'd be quite happy about a meal they don't have to work and compete for. Once they identify you as that weird human they get a free lunch from you'll be on your way. The down side is having a bucket of fresh fish in your car every time yo go to visit them.
You may have to consider Sarah's bear comment below.
Heather, I have a feeling for crows as well! But no close crow friends yet. My grandmother had a crow friend as a child. It would follow her to school and sit outside the country school house until it was time to go home. I wish now I had asked her more questions about how they became friends, etc. There was a crow that used to sit on a telephone wire outside my office and make a lot of noise. I moved offices, and a few months later another crow showed up, and does the same. I assume it is not the same crow. Anyway, I hope you find a crow friend. Regarding friends, I am gently trying to reconnect with friends I "lost" during the last 3 years. Just putting the differences aside for the moment, and focusing on rebuilding the connection. And I love this notion of having a feeling for the organism. Applies nicely to gardening. One may have a feeling for tomatoes, but not a feeling for lavender.
Did you contact Susan Story about swimming? Every day...
I love this post, what I would truly enjoy is listening to Heather interview Jessica in a one on one format for Darkhorse! Thanks for sharing.
This piece resonates so well with me and being open to new friendships as well as allowing old ones to evolve. I love making new friends, especially ones who are both older and younger than me, helps me see things from a different point of view.
I heard Brett's comments on jre and believe you will both find this article illuminating. Best to the entire fam for the new year
https://garymarcus.substack.com/p/large-language-models-like-chatgpt?utm_source=post-email-title&publication_id=888615&post_id=95712924&isFreemail=true&utm_medium=email
Hi Heather. Would you please consider making The Hunter-Gatherers Guide an audiobook available on Scribd and Audible? I'm sorry to say though I plan to, I have not yet read your book in hardcopy. I nearly always read by listening. Thanks for considering this. Have a good day!
I have crows that tolerate me. I've been feeding them since 2006 in the same spot. They wait every morning and allow the squirrels and smaller birds to feed first. I hear their chatter as they patiently allow the blue jays and smaller birds a treat. They know there will be enough food for them and they gracefully swoop down when they discern it is their turn. If I hadn't been observing this for 16 years I might think it was anecdotal evidence of the higher intelligence and compassion of crows. But it has been 16 years with the same crows who are kind and smart.
Be careful out there on your seal-befriending mission!!
https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/us-celebrity-news/actress-loulou-taylor-bitten-6-28881988