There are certain pockets of Appalachia that remain verdant and unaltered, much like the ones Dillard traversed decades ago.

Perhaps they are less silent now, or maybe they have become more overgrown, as time has a tendency to do. One night, I drove up to Tinker Creek, filled with curiosity and armed with her book.

However, in the darkness, it was just water. I supposed the rustling of leaves could have been a weasel, on guard and ready to bite at the neck. But then again, it could just as easily have been a gust of mountain air, or perhaps nothing at all.

I'll have to go back when the sky is a deeper shade of blue and the plants and fauna are more active, when I read "PILGRIM AT TINKER CREEK" again.

After all, when else will I get the chance? I came across this while reading a footnote in a Ted Chiang story called "Hell is the Absence of God" about angels and the fear-strike of faith.

Dillard has a wonderful way of observing nature or humanity, or more often, the interaction between the two, and extracting a meaningful thread from it. Some of her prose is simply beautiful. Her exploration of faith also works well for me, just as I had hoped.

But at other times, her attempts at being clever seem a bit too forceful, and the "moral[s] of the story" feel a little too neatly packaged to truly be thought-provoking. I'm not entirely sure if I like her work, but I care enough to find out, and I think that's sufficient.

(June 24th, 2023)

A re-read. Oh, how I long for a re-read option on Goodreads! It's truly a mystery to me why such a useful feature doesn't exist.

I have an absolute adoration for Annie Dillard. Her books are like precious gems that transport me to a world of deep and meaningful conversations. Reading her works reminds me so much of those wonderful chats with my brother. The topics seem to effortlessly weave in and out and through each other, creating a beautiful tapestry of ideas.

If you're not fully engaged and paying close attention, you're bound to get lost in the intricate web of her words. But that's precisely what makes it so captivating. It's like being part of a Grand Conversation, the kind that I cherish the most. These conversations have the power to expand my mind, challenge my perspectives, and leave me with a sense of wonder and inspiration.

Reading profound passages about nature on a sheep farm in central Oregon is an experience I’ll cherish for a long time. The prose is so beautiful and full of hope.

Among my favourites are "Total Eclipse", "Lenses", "Life on the Rocks", "Mirages", and "Sojourner".

The words in these passages seem to dance on the page, painting vivid pictures of the natural world. They make me feel a sense of peace and wonder, as if I am standing right there in the midst of the beauty.

The quote, "We are down here in time, where beauty grows. Even if things are bad as they could be, and as meaningless, then matters of truth are themselves indifferent; we may as well please our sensibilities and, with as much spirit as we can muster, go out with a buck and wing," really speaks to me. It reminds me that even in the face of difficulties, there is still beauty to be found in the world.

I am grateful for the opportunity to read these profound passages and to be inspired by the beauty of nature. It is an experience that will stay with me always.

Dillard is indeed at her very best when it comes to shorter pieces. Her talent truly shines through in these concise works. In the limited space, she manages to convey profound thoughts and emotions with remarkable precision and elegance. Each word seems carefully chosen, as if she is painting a vivid picture with just a few strokes. The brevity of her shorter pieces allows for a concentrated impact, leaving a lasting impression on the reader. It is in these shorter forms that Dillard showcases her unique ability to distill the essence of a moment or an idea and present it in a way that is both engaging and thought-provoking. Whether it's a short story, an essay, or a poem, her shorter works are a testament to her literary prowess and are sure to be cherished by readers for years to come.

Nu blir det Dillardpaus p.g.a. naturskildringsoverload efter tre D på kort tid.

Några rader från slutet av boken möter min egen verklighet, så här i början på sommarledigheten:

"You know what it's like to open up a cottage. You barge in with your box of groceries and your duffelbag full of books. You drop them on a counter and rush to the far window to look out [...] Opening up a summer cottage is like being born this way: at the moment you enter, you have all the time you are ever going to have."

This description from the book truly resonates with me. As I stand here at the beginning of summer vacation, I can vividly picture myself arriving at a cottage just like that. The excitement of bringing in the groceries and books, and then the immediate urge to rush to the window and soak in the view. It's as if time slows down and all the pressures of the outside world fade away. The thought of having all the time in the world in this peaceful setting is both liberating and rejuvenating. It makes me look forward to the days ahead, filled with relaxation, exploration, and a deeper connection with nature and myself.

What a truly beautiful and incredible book this is.

It was a bit of a challenge for me to read initially as I'm not accustomed to reading essays or just extended versions of people's personal opinions and stories in general. However, I consider myself extremely lucky to have started with this one as Annie Dillard is such an interesting and highly qualified person for sharing wisdom and stories.

I absolutely adored the wonderful mix of historical and scientific snippets that highlighted her personal experiences. She truly visualizes the magic in the world around her just like a child does (but this should not be limited to children; unfortunately, it often isn't prioritized and practiced in adult life). This allows her to draw such beautiful connections between things.

"An expedition to the pole" is like a shining star among the essays. It's dense but oh so rewarding. It's educational, comical, and insightful all at once. I really wanted to put a quote from this one, but it simply has to be read in its entirety. Each insight and excerpt builds upon the next, leading to a vibrant visualization and a remarkable show of Annie Dillard's magical imagination. There are numerous little Easter eggs and hidden references within this essay, which makes repeated readings even more rewarding. Even though it is incredibly specific with the characters at her church and the expedition stories, it is still relatable and universal. I felt as if I was right there on the floe with her, singing, playing the triangle, and eating frozen Girl Scout cookies.

"In the jungle" and "life on the rocks" have such in-depth descriptions of nature. At times, they can be a little dense, but if you take the time to really read them, they can truly transport you to the scene.

"Lenses" was one of my absolute favorites, especially as someone studying microbiology. I love how she makes science sound so magical. Her description of her too strong bulb creating a mini apocalypse in each drop of water was just fascinating. And she has the same unempathetic tone of observing suffering in organisms that she does in "The Deer of Providencia". Which, to be honest, is quite refreshing. I feel that in the society we live in, we are constantly imposing suffering upon animals. It almost seems like crocodile tears if we're just sad about it after being exposed to it. I think a true participant of society should at least be aware of the mass suffering that is imposed just to eat meat and also just to live with a high standard of living in a highly consuming society in general. There was also some interesting gender stuff going on in that story too, but I don't feel like there was really a conclusion to it. Of course, empathy is incredibly important and arguably should even be practiced in a world where it is almost purposefully eliminated to allow for the type of living that we do. But there is a level of awareness that first needs to be developed to understand the mass suffering underlying everyday processes, which may come with an initial numbness. Maybe I'm reading too much into it and she didn't share her emotions in an attempt to allow the reader to experience these situations with her without her feelings impacting how we would feel about the situation.

"Total eclipse"!!! What a surreal and magical way to describe this experience. I've never seen one, but after reading this, I will definitely make sure to see one before I die. I've never thought of it as a horrifying experience. I felt the same way about "Mirages" and the Galapagos story. She describes things so beautifully that I either need to go see them myself or develop her way of thinking so I can create those magical moments for myself.

"Aces and eights" is such a loving story that happens to be incredibly relatable to the human experience. The sensation of wanting to remember a moment, and particularly imagining a present or future moment in memory form as if it was something in the past. Willing yourself to remember it, knowing that it will be different and sweeter to look back on. Also, the feeling of a weekend, a time that can be so short but such a significant section for a memory. How Friday night feels so open to possibility, Saturday being a full day of rest as a whole chunk in the middle, and Sunday as a conclusion. I like how the relationship between her and the child is undefined. Their connection was truly beautiful. I loved the scene where Annie knew exactly what was going on in the child's head when she was imagining her own future and having a husband and kids. I also liked the description of Mr. Very and for him (and his type) to be immortalized in an honest and empathetic light.

Lastly, "living like weasels", man, what a perfect essay. I don't even have the words to write about it here because if you know me well, you already know why this is important. And if you don't, just ask.

Weird and wonderful, this piece of writing is truly a gem.

It contains some of the most captivating prose that I have had the pleasure of reading in the last few years.

The author's unique style and vivid descriptions draw the reader in and keep them engaged from start to finish.

Each sentence is carefully crafted, filled with rich imagery and a sense of mystery.

The use of unusual words and phrases adds to the overall charm and makes it stand out from other works.

Whether it's the strange characters, the unexpected plot twists, or the beautiful language, there is something in this writing for everyone to enjoy.

I highly recommend it to anyone who loves to read and is looking for something different and exciting.

It will transport you to another world and leave you with a lasting impression.

This is an excellent collection of essays.

Each essay within this collection offers a unique perspective and a wealth of knowledge.

The writers have skillfully crafted their pieces, presenting ideas in a clear and engaging manner.

Whether it's exploring deep philosophical concepts or sharing personal experiences, these essays have the power to captivate the reader's attention.

The collection covers a wide range of topics, ensuring there is something for everyone.

It serves as a great source of inspiration and learning, allowing readers to expand their horizons and gain new insights.

Overall, this excellent collection of essays is a must-read for anyone who enjoys thought-provoking literature.

It has the potential to leave a lasting impact on the reader and stimulate further reflection and discussion.

I absolutely loved this piece! It's truly remarkable how she writes. I often wish that I could express myself with such finesse and elegance. It kind of reminds me of a unique blend between Patti Smith and Robin Wall Kimmerer.

The storytelling here is definitely convoluted, which might seem a bit challenging at first. However, once you immerse yourself in it, you'll find that each essay is strikingly powerful.

There are numerous themes explored throughout the work. The beauty and significance of nature are vividly描绘. The concept of God and creation is also delved into, making you ponder about the deeper meanings behind it all. Additionally, the purpose of humanity is a recurring theme that makes you reflect on our place in this vast universe.

Overall, this is a captivating and thought-provoking read that I would highly recommend to anyone who appreciates beautiful writing and deep exploration of profound themes.

I gave this book 2 stars mainly because it truly made me feel uncomfortable with the way it discussed various Indigenous / First Nations people. Especially those described as "Indians" in South America, and the way they were presented as part of the wild and the landscape.

Otherwise, it was a solid 3-star book. I must start by stating that I'm not a huge fan of non-fiction in general, and some of these essays really bored me. However, some essays, and certain lines in particular, struck a chord with me. Reading these essays was like reading poetry; it was all about appreciating it as art.

The essays that resonated with me the most included "An Expedition to the Pole", which impressed me with its message about the relationship between ourselves and our ambition. It was exactly the kind of thing I wanted to read at this stage of my life. I also liked "Living Like Weasels", "Lenses" and "Acres and Eights". But I think this is the sort of book that has a different impact on you depending on when you read it in your life. I learned things from this book and had time to think about the messages it gave me. Mainly, I just appreciated the way Dillard uses words like paint on a canvas. I'm not the type of person who loves paintings, but this book taught me to be more observant of the nature around me. It forced me to pay more attention. But since I live in Australia, it didn't resonate with me as much.

Overall, I wouldn't read this book again for many years, if ever. I would only recommend specific essays from this book to people because some of the depictions of Indigenous peoples bothered me a great deal.

I truly loved this essay collection.

Some of the essays, to be honest, were a bit overwhelming for me. They seemed to have an excess of details or ideas that made it a bit difficult to fully grasp.

However, the ones that really worked were like shining stars. They managed to strike that perfect balance of lushness and depth.

My absolute favorites from the collection were "Living Like Weasels," "Teaching a Stone to Talk," "On a Hill Far Away," and "Sojourner."

These essays had a unique charm and a way of captivating my attention from the very first sentence.

They made me think, feel, and imagine in ways that I hadn't before.

I found myself constantly coming back to them, rereading certain passages and savoring the beautiful language and profound insights.

This essay collection is definitely one that I would highly recommend to others.

Living Like Weasels is, without a doubt, the absolute best essay I have ever had the pleasure of reading. It stands head and shoulders above all others. Annie Dillard is an incredibly talented writer, and she truly deserves every single award that has come her way. In fact, one could argue that she should have received several more that she didn't. Her words in this essay are so powerful and thought-provoking, they have the ability to change the way one views the world.

The way she describes the weasel's life and the lessons we can learn from it is simply brilliant. It makes us stop and think about our own lives and how we are living them. Are we living with the same kind of focus and intensity as the weasel? Or are we constantly being distracted by the琐事 of daily life? Annie Dillard's writing forces us to ask these questions and to consider making changes in our own lives.

Overall, Living Like Weasels is a masterpiece of literature, and Annie Dillard is a writer who should be celebrated and studied for years to come.