Sleepless in Summertown
It’s 4:30 in the morning. In a few hours I’ve got to get up and go to work. I’ve been tossing and turning for hours thinking about the Copper River Watershed, and what will happen if the oil pipelines burst. Ever since I started this project — collecting art and stories of the world’s rivers — I’ve become more blown away by the fragility of the earth’s water systems.
Each artist who sends me a painting tells a compelling story of their favorite river. Each river, like each one of us, has its wild beauty and its challenges to stay alive and healthy. What keeps me up at night is how much support, love and intelligence each of these rivers needs at this time. As I write this, I am sending a message in a bottle. Who will fight for the life of our planet’s precious treasure: clear, pure water?
My plan is to use this River Journal as a way to share these amazing river stories, hoping to find the open-hearted people who share my concern.
Thanks,
Bernice
Bernice thank-you for the heads up on this website. I’ve gone back through several of the postings and found them fascinating and very thoughtful. When I am using water I often think of the Aboriginies that I saw in Australia and how many of them didn’t bath, not because they didn’t care about being “clean”, but because they see water as very sacred and do not waste it. It makes me feel guilty for being less frugal with water.
Dianne
Comment by Dianne Powers Wright — August 26, 2009 @ 12:45 pm
Diane, So good of you to visit in this space. I’m starting to view this blog as a way for the river warriors to gather. Welcome aboard
Comment by admin — August 28, 2009 @ 2:26 am
Dear Bernice,
Thanks for creating this public space to allow me to thank you for our recent communications and to post a message of congratulations for the work you do. I live on the Doan Brook in Shaker Heights OH and am developing learning experiences for our students in The Intergenerational School about water. I was particularly drawn to your work with our neighboring river the Cuyahoga. I look forward to staying connected. Blessings, Peter
Comment by Peter Whitehouse — August 28, 2009 @ 11:21 am
Dear Peter,
Thanks so much for your responce. I very much look forward to speaking with you about the maverlous work you are doing.
Sincerely,
Bernice
Comment by admin — August 28, 2009 @ 6:44 pm
This is great!
Comment by Laura Graham — September 4, 2009 @ 1:36 pm
Thank you for trying so hard to get something done to help the waters. You are a great teacher and artist and its an honor to have you!! You have my support in helping save our water!!
Comment by Brittany — September 7, 2009 @ 12:56 am
I THINK IT IS A BLESSING FOR YOU TO DO THIS AND FOR BEING SO CONCERNED ABOUT GETTING INVOLVED IN THE CONCERNS OF THE RIVER. GOD IS GOING TO RICHLY BLESS YOU, AND I PRAY THAT HE BLESSES YOU 100 FOLD.
Comment by ANGELIA HAMILTON — September 11, 2009 @ 4:10 pm
thisis a great idea.
Comment by matthew holland — September 17, 2009 @ 2:06 am