Alex, your words are so beautiful to me. It's the way you mention 'nourish my soul' and 'high spiritual energy' , such great word combinations for that feeling which is so hard to describe. It's the feeling of some kind of complete union between nature and me -- or you -- an ubreakable bond that is inside us no matter where we find ourselves planted. And that bond makes us who we are. It's something that we just absolutely know.
Parts of 'Butcher Holler' were filmed in a log cabin constructed on my cousin's property that is just above my brother's home and about a mile from the house where I grew up. The log cabin later became vandalized by so many visitors, so to reduce property damage, Sally had the cabin torn down because her own home is nearby and it all became very disturbing and unsafe.
And thanks for the encouraging words about writing as well. I just always hope I can capture the magic of those mountains in my words, so that others can feel it. It's so difficult to describe a feeling that only a few will ever know.
There is another article here on ATP, about the Mayapple, I wrote it a few years ago and if I use Yarrow and the Mayapple article in the collection, plus a few more like them, then maybe when it becomes an autobiography it might convey a bit of that unique 'magic'.
Thank you from my heart, Alex. I always hope readers will feel and recognize that special spiritual quality that defines us.
