Making waves
From the beach to The Barn
Dear reader,
The past week I took a deep breath on a beach in Oregon. The sun was warm, the air salty but still, and the regular rhythm of the waves comforting. The tide was low, and my family and I were looking for sea creatures along the seaside rocks. I have always loved the ocean, but the Pacific is a wild place. The waves seem bigger, the sand finer, the blue of the sky deeper, than the oceans of my childhood. Back then and now, my soul sighs when I look at the straight line of the horizon and slowly calms with the rhythm of the waves. At oceans, mountains, parks, even in your backyard, the Hush of the Land can be found in lots of places.
These past few weeks have been truly exciting and so much is happening, let me try to catch you up.
1. Video recording of our March 11 book release party published last week. The Missoula Community Access Television beautifully captures a very special evening. Thank you, Back Country Horsemen of Missoula, for being our non-profit sponsor for this recording. Extra thank you to all the sponsors who made this event possible: UM Wilderness Institute, Montana Game Warden Association, The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Montana Wildlife Federation, Montana Conservation Elders, Montana Backcountry Hunters & Anglers, and the UM Department of Political Science. Smoke, Thelma, and I sent a special Thelma Elser painted Thank You card to each of them (see below).
2. Articles in the Seeley Lake Pathfinder and Mountain Journal. Smoke and I had a wonderful conversation with Keely Larson about the book, our story, and how to find the “Hush of the Land”. Enjoy!
3. “Hush of the Land” for Youth. Tom Powers has been a force in the conservation community for years and is working hard to get more youth involved with the outdoors. Last Saturday, 10 wonderful kids from the Bitterroot and Missoula came to Smoke’s barn in the Rattlesnake (The Barn) to learn about packing horses and mules. We are looking forward seeing you at one of the Youth Expos in Montana this summer!
4. GET A SIGNED BOOK FROM ANYWHERE. I always loved local bookstores, but quickly learn that as an author, they are critical. We are so lucky to have many wonderful bookstores in Missoula and even more lucky that Fact and Fiction was willing to set up an online form for anybody who would like to order a signed and personalized copy of “Hush of the Land”. It is super easy: you order (online or call 406-721-2881), Smoke and I sign the book, and the bookstore mails it to your doorstep anywhere in the U.S. Yay!
5. Book signing at The Barn this Thursday, March 28, noon-1pm. If you are in Missoula, stop by Smoke’s barn at 3800 Rattlesnake Dr to get your book(s) signed (we will have a few for sale too), and tour the historic barn. Park along the fence please.
I am probably forgetting something. Yes, I was sick, but recovering. My horses got shoes last week (the mountains are calling!). We have some great readings coming up. But more on that in the next newsletter.
Auf bald,
Eva