Hank, thank you so much for sharing your thoughts about your feelings on this subject. So much has changed for you this year but it is clear from your writings that you are healing and most importantly looking forward with hope. Loss of an intimate friend- no matter the circumstances- is a soul shaking event but using your prodigious writing skills to address that pain has benefitted you and every reader. All the best in 2024. T
Your recent thoughtful writings contain a lot of introspection, something many of us shy away from, for various reasons. However you have provoked me to do likewise. We have had an unusually muted Christmas as our only child moved to Arizona this year, grandchildren and all. We will see them in January and will celebrate all over again. But in our house this year there were no lights, no tree, no big meal, and no tasty leftovers (we are trying to eat down the fridge before the trip to AZ).
Big changes have so many unforeseen ramifications. And in the midst of change I seem to think of mostly the hard ones, not the exciting ones or who I might become now as I move along this new trajectory.
I look forward to seeing what the next year brings both of us and the new recipes that you draw out of your books that our on my bookshelf.
Merry Christmas and hopes for a happy New Year. I wish you success in the quest for your “one”. Having walked that path for a few years, I know the inner ache and hollowness. Keep an open heart an optimistic vigilance. I hope that you find, as I did, that your “one” has been right in front of you for some time. May you succeed in finding peace, love and joy in the coming year.
Merry Christmas, Hank! I think we all need to get out and clear our heads to put things into perspective. I think about gratitude a lot at this time of year. Thank you for sharing 💛
Good, contemplative stuff. It's been a long time since I had to go at the holidays solo, so I can't honestly say I can relate or know how it feels. But you captured it well. No surprise.
There's a thing about walking.
And thinking.
Therapeutic. Cathartic. Sometimes you just have to set out on a walk to figure out where you're going.
Hank - So from the heart - thank you. I just got back from a post holiday run in an attempt to cleanse my head and body a bit. ..perhaps similar to your walk. I don't mean a run like when we we both half milers in college back on LI - but some lame replica which gives some sense of reset in a small way. The fact that you can so eloquently articulate what many of us are feeling is a holiday gift to all of your constant readers and that is an amazing amendment to all the great knowledge and fun you impart from your passion for great wild food. Thank you again!
Thank you for this lovely reflection, Hank. If just a tiny fraction of the largesse you've shared with us- the recollections, the tutorials, the perfect recipes for the perfect moments- return to stock the shelves of your internal library, you'll be a wealthy man indeed! Happy new year to you, and when a pity party threatens, please remind yourself that there are far worse things in this life than being alone; being alone with someone you can't abide among them. ;) Cheers!
Merry Christmas, Hank! We, your friends, subscribers and followers admire you for the knowledge you share and the elegant stories you tell. God bless you and your journey in 2024. Best wishes from a fellow Badger in Philly
Merry Christmas Hank and thanks for your thought provoking Ruminations. I sincerely hope the Meadowlark’s song brings healing to your heart this year. Your writing reminded me to be thankful for those in my life who have blessed my life with love and happiness and to never take the time I have with them for granted.
First of all Merry Christmas. Secondly I really appreciate your writing. I can vividly picture your walk and encounters with your descriptive narrative. I too have had periods of being alone at Christmas and it took me a few years to be comfortable but when I did I was at peace and could reflect very well.
Merry Christmas Hank! You are a wonderful writer and we are grateful for you.
Hank, thank you so much for sharing your thoughts about your feelings on this subject. So much has changed for you this year but it is clear from your writings that you are healing and most importantly looking forward with hope. Loss of an intimate friend- no matter the circumstances- is a soul shaking event but using your prodigious writing skills to address that pain has benefitted you and every reader. All the best in 2024. T
Merry Christmas Hank -
Your recent thoughtful writings contain a lot of introspection, something many of us shy away from, for various reasons. However you have provoked me to do likewise. We have had an unusually muted Christmas as our only child moved to Arizona this year, grandchildren and all. We will see them in January and will celebrate all over again. But in our house this year there were no lights, no tree, no big meal, and no tasty leftovers (we are trying to eat down the fridge before the trip to AZ).
Big changes have so many unforeseen ramifications. And in the midst of change I seem to think of mostly the hard ones, not the exciting ones or who I might become now as I move along this new trajectory.
I look forward to seeing what the next year brings both of us and the new recipes that you draw out of your books that our on my bookshelf.
Take care
Thank you for sharing Hank. Always...thank you for sharing.
Merry Christmas and hopes for a happy New Year. I wish you success in the quest for your “one”. Having walked that path for a few years, I know the inner ache and hollowness. Keep an open heart an optimistic vigilance. I hope that you find, as I did, that your “one” has been right in front of you for some time. May you succeed in finding peace, love and joy in the coming year.
A fine use of that morning, Hank! Thanks for sharing it with us.
For your present this year, I found a little typo: “Everyone was, including the lone human on saw on my walk,”
:-)
Merry Christmas, Hank! I think we all need to get out and clear our heads to put things into perspective. I think about gratitude a lot at this time of year. Thank you for sharing 💛
Hank, may this new year bring that companionship. God Bless.
Beautiful Hank, thanks.
Merry Christmas, Hank.
Good, contemplative stuff. It's been a long time since I had to go at the holidays solo, so I can't honestly say I can relate or know how it feels. But you captured it well. No surprise.
There's a thing about walking.
And thinking.
Therapeutic. Cathartic. Sometimes you just have to set out on a walk to figure out where you're going.
It's good for what ails ye.
All best, amigo.
Hank - So from the heart - thank you. I just got back from a post holiday run in an attempt to cleanse my head and body a bit. ..perhaps similar to your walk. I don't mean a run like when we we both half milers in college back on LI - but some lame replica which gives some sense of reset in a small way. The fact that you can so eloquently articulate what many of us are feeling is a holiday gift to all of your constant readers and that is an amazing amendment to all the great knowledge and fun you impart from your passion for great wild food. Thank you again!
Wonderful read and thought provoking after a long hectic Christmas Day. Merry Christmas sir
Thank you for this lovely reflection, Hank. If just a tiny fraction of the largesse you've shared with us- the recollections, the tutorials, the perfect recipes for the perfect moments- return to stock the shelves of your internal library, you'll be a wealthy man indeed! Happy new year to you, and when a pity party threatens, please remind yourself that there are far worse things in this life than being alone; being alone with someone you can't abide among them. ;) Cheers!
Merry Christmas, Hank! We, your friends, subscribers and followers admire you for the knowledge you share and the elegant stories you tell. God bless you and your journey in 2024. Best wishes from a fellow Badger in Philly
Merry Christmas Hank and thanks for your thought provoking Ruminations. I sincerely hope the Meadowlark’s song brings healing to your heart this year. Your writing reminded me to be thankful for those in my life who have blessed my life with love and happiness and to never take the time I have with them for granted.
First of all Merry Christmas. Secondly I really appreciate your writing. I can vividly picture your walk and encounters with your descriptive narrative. I too have had periods of being alone at Christmas and it took me a few years to be comfortable but when I did I was at peace and could reflect very well.