“Because nature is not a place to visit. Nature is who we are.”
– Ada Limón, You Are Here: Poetry in the Natural World
When I go looking for hope, I often start in my garden. It’s always a balm for my soul and an antidote for whatever might be . . . bugging me. Hope shows up every day in nature.
At the same time, it’s tough to be a lover of nature these days. Climate change is wreaking havoc everywhere – and we can really see it in our gardens and in the greenspaces around us.
I know that many of you have already read – and loved – Margaret Renkl’s book The Comfort of Crows: A Backyard Year. And if you are a fan, you’re probably aware that Margaret has a new book out now, which is designed to be a companion book to The Comfort of Crows. It’s a journal – Leaf, Cloud, Crow: A Weekly Backyard Journal. I have a copy, and it is, indeed, a perfect companion to her Crows. It’s lovely, thoughtful, and completely in sync with the earlier book.
If you’re looking for hope in the coming year, and might be interested in connecting more deeply with nature in the process, maybe you’ll want to consider following Margaret Renkl’s path with The Comfort of Crows and/or Leaf, Cloud, Crow. As a gardener, I really love these books . . . BUT . . . they are NOT just for gardeners! They are for all observers-of-nature — and especially for those of us who want to become better observers-of nature.
The timing is perfect to grab a copy right now, too. Because the book and journal follow the astronomical calendar, starting on December 21 (the Winter solstice) – which is next week, by the way – and running through the following December 20 (the last day of astronomical fall).
I’ve even got a link you might enjoy! Margaret Renkl was a guest on Margaret Roach’s podcast, A Way to Garden at the end of November, and the two talked about their gardens, Margaret’s new book, and journaling. It’s an easy listen – just 27 minutes long – and it’s always a delight to hear Margaret Renkl’s own voice talking about her books and nature. (The two Margarets are my favorite garden writers and thinkers, and I always love it when they get together.) You can click here to access the podcast or to read the transcript of their conversation.
Become an observer-of-nature.
Find some hope!
“When the world has lost its still center, we grasp for any reminder that it is nevertheless spinning exactly as it must.”
– Margaret Renkl
Come.
Fill your cup.
I cannot believe how much The Comfort of Crows has enriched my life. I have always been a bird watcher, but I did not pay much attention to what is going on in “my backyard”. I plan to use Comfort of Crows in concert with the new journal (Leaf, Cloud, and Crow) And thank you for the podcast link! I have queued it up to listen today! Happy Weekend! XO
I think you’ve helped me line up the next few books in my reading queue! A reread of The Comfort of Crows, Ada Limon’s You Are Here, and maybe Pilgrim at Tinker Creek to compare and contrast. Thank you!
I’ve been thinking about The Comfort of Crows for awhile. Do you know if it works well as an audiobook?
Thanks again for these daily cups of kindness.
I read The Comfort of Crows as an ARC and rather fast, so I think it’s entirely appropriate to reread it and go along with the timeline in the book. Thanks for the reminder!
I am reading Comfort right now and eager to read book 2!
Here Here! I love The Comfort of Crows and am set to begin with Leaf, Cloud, Crow next week. I look forward to listening to the podcast. Thank you.
I’m doing a year long read with a friend. We started on Dec 1. I’ll have to look into the journal! Thanks Kym!
I just finished A Comfort of Crows this week and I am looking forward to starting my own journaling experience with Margaret’s guidance. ACoC was a beautiful way to honor each week of the year. I am happy to have a way to carry that feeling forward into 2025.
Thanks for the great reminder on re-reading A Comfort of Crows starting next week. The natural world is comforting to me because of it’s rhythm and consistency.