It’s been a few years since I did this, it would seem, so let’s just say it’s time again. If you’ve been reading Coyote Crossing for a while and never said anything, or even if this is the first time you’ve been here, consider this your formal invitation to introduce yourself, say hello, offer advice or complaints, or just generally mark a little bit of territory. I promise I don’t bite. (Can’t vouch for the rabbit, though.)
Was just thinking I ought to comment and then you posted this as I was browsing. Hello! I’m in Nebraska and miss the Mojave very much. Your posts make me happy and wistful.
I’m not sure if I’ve commented here before, but I’ve been reading various versions of this blog on-and-off for a few years.
Like John I’ve been reading off and on for several years now. I’m a food blogger, but I find myself working on ecocriticism & creative writing in academia now. It’s always a joy to see how you blend the creative and the scientific here!
H’lo. Reading off and on for quite some time. On Twitter too. I find your writing compelling. If you’re ever out my way, holler; I’ll buy you a beer (coffee, whatever..).
I learned about your blog through Nature Blog Network (I have a blog there as well) last autumn. I have spent minimal time in the desert, perhaps 6 months in my life, but it was long enough to gain a great appreciation for the wonder of the geology and ecosystems. As an ecologist and writer I have a deep appreciation of your efforts on this blog. Thanks for writing, it keeps my eyes open to other points of view and other ecosystems.
Bill
You already know me. I think I’ve actually met the rabbit—all I remember is waking up in the hospital with dripping wounds all down my right arm. It was only later I saw that Monty Python movie and recognized him.
It’s probably already been thought of, but a Lurker Day would be a good idea for the entire blogophere.
Coyote Crossing is on my short list of blogs that I check every day. I enjoy your writing. Sitting in cold, somewhat snowy, New Hampshire, I like to read about warmer places. You provide such depth, that I feel like I’ve visited, which I hope to do some day. Thanks for the stories, news, and other musings from the Mojave Desert. And Joshua trees are so cool. Thanks for the invite to say “hi.” Nice idea.
Hello, My name is Stephanie. I don’t remember how I found your blog but I have been reading for a few months! I grew up in Palmdale and though I didn’t like living there I always had a great respect for the desert. I wish I had explored it then in some of the ways you do now.
your rabbit is fierce! i love your idea of international lurker day, hope it catches on. our family makes an annual camping trip to joshua tree or anza borrego every other year and your writing reminds me of what it’s like to have the desert wind in my hair. something that is frightfully easy to forget from the confines of an office chair.
cheers!
elayne
Not a lurker (more a stalker), but isn’t it just such a post that started me commenting on CRN? I don’t remember now; brain’s getting old and I have to check my driver license to know where I live, so first comments long since burned away. Anyhow, I think Hank in his infinite wisdom has a great idea. If only I was brave…
Hi, all! Thanks to Hank and John for reminding me that just because you’ve commented here before that doesn’t mean you’re not a lurker. In fact, you qualify if you’ve only lurked this post so far.
Also, please note that filling your blog URL in the comment field that says “URL” is a convenient way of introducing people here to your blog. If you have one. Or, as in elayne’s case, a business URL. Or a twitter feed. Or whatever.
@jes: love the frozen waterfall picture on your blog. (everyone else, click her name and look for a Jan 12 entry. Stunning.)
@ellen, I’ve actually been poking around your joint a bit in the last couple weeks. You’ve actually made me miss northeastern winters, which fortunately only lasts for a few seconds at a time.
@bill and @bob, welcome!
@medley, howdy! Been a while. How are you?
Jason, if I remember right our first conversation was an argument! Which just goes to show that love conquers all.
I am sleep-deprived (have toddler), but other than that can’t really complain.
Actually working on a project trying to figure out what role IT can play in sustainability (not about “greening IT”, tho that’s important, but rather how can IT/computational technologies and methods have a significant impact in other domains… first problem: define sustainability. whee! )
Oh. My. Gawd. Chris, I’m so embarrassed! Your memory is much better than mine. Now I owe you—and The Raven—beer, coffee, expensive dinner, comfortable breakfast, and a days-long hike where rattlesnakes and roadrunners roam. I’ll square my debt soon, I promise.
chris-at the library today & tried to get “walking with Zeke”. they don’t have it. not even from inter-library loan. that means nowhere in california. upsetting! anyway, i put in a request for them to buy it. narcissus are up here too-doesn’t feel much like spring though-woodstove’s burning. sun came out anyway. are you really in L.A.? can’t picture you there. yeah, still missing missing missing. . . .okoksk
I’ve posted before but can’t remember what. Love the writing, though, and always come by here in my round of blogs I read regularly. I still want to show the graphic comic book edition of Berube’s book to somebody who could possibly get the joke, but I’m not sure that’ll ever happen. It sits, oft-read, on my desktop. I also keep meaning to buy your Zeke book for more than one dog-lover friend. Next paycheck, I promise.
I’ve been reading this blog—and Creek Running North—for a long time now. I can’t even remember how I found you; it may have been via Pandagon; but once I did, I was hooked. The reasons why I don’t comment are overdetermined, but one reason is that I feel that I’d be verbally clapping my hands like a seal most of the time, and that doesn’t make for very interesting comments. I lived in Arizona for a couple of years, and your posts often remind me of the exhilaration and heartbreak of living in the desert.
Aw, sk, thanks for lobbying for Zeke! He wasn’t allowed in libraries in life, so it’s cool that you’re trying to get him in there now. He did get to go to a botanic garden once, which was full of awesome.
@nashe, it’s always great to see you. I actually have in mind a sequel to Little Sisters Of The Digital Humanities, which I’m envisioning as a version of The Left At War evoked entirely in mosaic tiling and Tuvan throat-singing.
@jen, I now have an image of you clapping your hands and barking like a sea lion in my mind, which given that I know more or less what you look like, is both entertaining and slightly disturbing. Did I know you lived in Arizona? I seem to have a recovered memory of a conversation about same, which I may have made up.
@medley, keep us all posted on that “defining sustainability” thing. I’ve been trying to do so myself since UNCED, and pretty much all I can come up with is quoting Inigo Montoya at people. (Not the quote about killing his father and preparing to die, but the other one.)
Hi Chris!
I was a regular reader (sometimes commenting) at CRN, but just a lurker here. I’ve read Walking with Zeke more than a few times and it became much more poignant with the sudden death of my older and much beloved Maya. I enjoy your blog and writing so much. I’ve learned quite a few things from you and never fail to find something interesting. You seem content here and I’m happy for you.
I love your writing. I lived in the desert for awhile - in Arizona. I was lucky enough to spend a few months in the Aravaipa Wilderness there. Now I live in an urban apartment and it helps me survive to read your blog and to keep the stories of the wild places alive. I tell some stories of the places I’ve been in my blog, Wildflower Stew, which is dedicated to living in harmony with the natural world. Thanks for your good writing. I deeply appreciate it.
I find your rabbiteye intriguing and I would like to subscribe to your newsletter.
Long time lurker, infrequent commenter. I read your blog CRN for years, and as a native New Mexican, I adore CC, with its coverage of ecological issues in the desert.
I’ve been a reader for some time—I read your gardening book!
Having lived in the desert for a brief time, your blog posts and photographs are nourishment for my desert-loving soul. Thank you for your excellent work here!
My name’s Jim, and I’m a PC. I discovered Chris and his blog when someone retweeted a comment he made about staying in Nipton, CA. Nipton? Wait a second, I thought that place was made just for me!!
@joy, I’m so sorry to hear about maya. it’s good to hear from you.
@kathleen:
so YOU’RE the one!
Everyone should indeed go check out @swan’s blog, and @LauraJ’s too once she puts it back up.
@jim, all roads lead to Nipton. Or at least Route 164 does.
We lurk and listen- and wait an invitation to join the circle. Me- well, I sent you some photos of a memorial to my old dog Jack- it seems that those of us who have loved our dogs with all of our hearts take some solace in sharing the loss. I’m sure many people find you that way, and stay, like I did, for the desert stories.
I’m still reading, and very glad you’re still writing.
Just discovered the site today for the first time because of someone’s comment about Haiti. Had to click the link and read the whole comment and respond. Not much of a ‘reading-blogs’ or ‘reading-message-boards’ person myself, but if the subject is important, I do think it helps things to join the dialogue on very important subjects sometimes. I must say about this site: “I like.” (Two-word sentence intended.) The site has an excellent feel to it and very good content. I’ve favorited it and I might make a future purchase of the dog book (Walking With Zeke). I can only think of about 3, 4, or 5 different people I’d like to get that book for. Have also always loved deserts since I was a kid but haven’t had a chance to really ever visit one yet.
Hi Chris!
I am a lazy lurker, visiting your site here or the group blog The Clade once or twice a week. Like a Joshua Tree, they both grow slowly.
One of the things I like about this blog is your fierceness in protecting the desert against “good” uses, like solar farms. Too few people understand its fragility and deep beauty. Most people think about the beauty of the desert only in terms of the undeniable beauty of the redrock places such as these wonderful SUWA pictures. You show the more subtle beauty of the slow vistas like this or this.
You are also fierce in defending the desert creatures and calling BS on the Powers That Be™. All together this is a most satisfying blog. Thanks!
I’ve been following your blog for many years….........I remember all your wonderful stories about Zeke & your rabbit, Faultline, & your very interesting past & current life. I currently check in occasionally through Fragments from Floyd…....
Well, you know who I am! But I couldn’t let this stand:
‘cause I’ve also read it. Even have it in my Library Thing listings, too. ;)
I came across your blogs when I was searching for Cima dome on google. From there I followed the links to your Creek blog and then to this one trying to discover your secret campsite!Ithink I have found it, but your secret is safe, I won’t talk unless the bunnie starts getting aggressive!
Thank you for wonderful writing about the Mohave Preserve and the wilderness and for
waking me up to the threat to both from “good solar etc”
Bill
http://morongobillsbackporch.blogspot.com
Just found you through Andrew Sullivan. Had to post your This is the title…etc. on Facebook. Wicked.
Hi there,
This is the first time I’ve visited your blog. It looks interestings. I came across it through ABC The Drum: http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/02/26/2830684.htm?site=thedrum
It was actually linking to another post but I got distracted by the title of this one.