I hope to be writing soon about Kipling and writing, but here are some preliminary thoughts as well as an entertaining and little- known poem. He was one of the greatest writers of the 19th and 20th Centuries. He is unread and endlessly dismissed by the pseudo- literate as a children’s writer, a racist, a …
Month: September 2005
A Legend Returns…
Sometimes no human agency need be involved in “Re- Wilding”. The introduction of Yellowstone wolves only hastened a natural process– wolves were already coming in from the north. It has been almost ten years since Arizona rancher, hunting guide, and coservationist Warner Glenn cut a track in the Peloncillo Mountains of southern New Mexico, deep …
Kazakh Rock Art
To compliment Reid’s photos of ancient American art I thought I’d show a few of mine from the Tamgaly site in Kazakhstan, located in low cliffs of volcanic rock in the steppes 170 km northwest of Almaty. The drive to them was a mixture of biological fascination (migrating birds of prey) and low humor (much …
The Pristine Myth
Charles Mann, whose recent book 1491 was discussed in an earlier post, had this interesting op-ed in yesterday’s Christian Science Monitor. In it he takes on, as he does in his book, the popular misconception that prior to European contact, Native Americans lived in harmony with nature in a pristine eden. He quickly marshalls facts …
Hurricane Katrina and this Blog
Here at the Querencia Blog we are as horrified as the rest of the world at the death and destruction brought to New Orleans and the Gulf Coast by Hurricane Katrina. This post is to let you know that we three contributors have a special interest in those events. Matt is the one up to …
The Newest Indians, DNA, the Black Cherokee, and the Trail of Tears
It’s becoming popular to be an Indian. There are substantial numbers of people in our country who have at least partial Native American ancestry who have never acknowledged this part of their heritage as it was of no benefit to them. The historical record shows how badly this country has treated Indians, so for many …
Captain Sir Richard F. Burton
I discovered Steve and I share a fascination with Sir Richard Burton (1821-1890) when he put Burton on a list of “Good Things from Britain #5” in solidarity with the UK after the 7/7 terror bombings. Those of you who are not familiar with the life of this explorer, linguist, soldier, diplomat, travel writer, anthropologist, …
Apologies
Sorry for nonexistent blogging! Two reasons: (1) Libby has broken four ribs, tripping on a dog- rucked rug and falling onto the corner of a brass- bound chest at the foot of the bed. Years of guiding in places like the Himalayas, climbing in the Tetons, kayaking around Baja, and her only injuries have been …