Thank you, Rachel. What a kind comment to discover this morning.

Excellent news!! So glad you came to visit (and comment!) today!

You are right, Kathy, this IS just the beginning! Thank you for reading and commenting!

There is no such thing as being way off - it is more a reflection of what you see, feel, consider, etc. I am another one of those other side of the fence folks: who else takes photos of tree roots that have been torn from the ground?

Thank you so much for your words here, Angie - I was driving down a country road and found this orchard that had been cut down and left, roots exposed. It makes for a fascinating study, doesn't it?

Oh, the memory is so vivid, Chris, simply in the rehearing it from you I find further delight in Ursula's writing. So glad to have found a "fan" to give even more details of her writing impact on your life!

Yes! That's it! Unfortunately people did not "get" what she was saying. I am thrilled to hear about your Uncle Louis Cleage writing about this topic in the 1960's. Also, the town Zora Neale Hurston was raised in was such a DIFFERENT place that had within it such a sense of power for each of its citizens, like it ran through their veins. I read an essay by Alice Walker when she went "in search of" Zora Neale Hurston while she was still pretty much out of the literary canon. It was so rewarding to read. I adore Alice Walker and to hear how she advocated for Zora posthumously delighted me to no end. Thank you for your comment!

I'm so grateful you are following along. These women all fascinate me - I love sharing the wealth of each woman's legacy - many so very different but each and all significant! Thank you for visiting, reading and commenting!

I bet it will make a difference. I am primarily a writer, but I find that when I keep my other creative sides alive and well, it helps my "anchor art" of writing. So glad you came for a visit!

I actually did research on PODUNK after I wrote this. The word has Algonquin roots! Fascinating!

You may say "I love it!" as much as you like, Renata! Makes me feel very happy!! I look forward to seeing your photos!

I can't wait to read what happens next for you, Vanessa!!

E is going to be....Ellen Emerson, a nineteenth century ethnology and nature writer. She liked to hang with Longfellow but hey, you'll hear more tomorrow.

I am naturally interested in Bully and Coward, since that pairing makes my radar flip on.... (are the bullied automatically, knee-jerk wise, considered to be cowards?) I'm truly just interested to know more - it isn't a judgment so I hope you don't take it that way! Mother, Queen - the feminine ones intrigue me. It is so funny how I keep seeing "culturally negative" as bad! Intriguing. UNKNOWN keeps coming up for me under "U" but since I don't know very much about archetypes, I don't know if it fits. Could Y be something like "Youth"? I look forward to reading your A to Z posts!

Thank you, Kim! My children and I have been quite the partners in road tripping since Samuel was six weeks old and we took on the Arizona Desert in June! Thank you for reading and commenting!

Thank you so much, Sandra! I am a nature writer among other things and these moments... oh, I will probably write of this one over and over again. Your magazine is astoundingly wonderful. I was hopeful my usual readers would pay attention when the words about it (and your work) were accompanied by like-hearted writing.

Perhaps they ARE reading! *wink* I hope your friend, the Mom, has support along the journey. I was so lonely in those early days. It certainly helps to have friends around who will let her know how much you care, to be positive, and to not say things like, "oh, he's like any other seven-year-olds" because yes, he is and no... no he isn't! Thanks for your heartfelt comment!

This is exactly why I choose to serve on committees and the like. I want people to learn there is more possible for children with special needs. I want people to learn it shouldn't be frightening to get a child the education they deserve (and have the rights to receive!)

You know it!!

Thank you, Leovi. I am heading back to the same spot today, to see how much it has changed.

You were my inspiration!!

I know you can fight them off! I have faith in you!

Oh, and please report in about wildflowers. Are they popping yet!

How fun! I need to stay home & do chores tomorrow. But another Sunday, I'm game. What I didn't get to do this time was much writing. I love to sit up there and write and sketch, too. I was too busy socializing and laughing to do so last weekend. :~) Let's stay in touch, though! I would love that!

Excellent, Fran. I have found that reliving some risks via NaBloPoMo, I am feeling stronger and more confident. I hope you do, too. So glad to hear from you here.