You always end up in a place that I didn’t know you were taking me when your essay starts. Your words cause my thoughts to pool usefully, rather like the effects of the beaver’s dam on a mountain stream. Very nicely done!
Your smile is beautiful (as is this essay) and authentic. A handsome guy I know (seriously, he used to be a Gucci and Calvin Klein underwear model) had small teeth that bent inward and looked interesting. I saw on Instagram he obviously got veneers, and now the glaring row of white Chicklet pieces on his smile looks like a caricature. I can’t stand veneers and all other signs of phoniness, whether it’s disc-like breast implants defying gravity and popping off the chest or a protruding brow line of smooth skin from years of routine Botox. I’m cautiously optimistic that the hideous homogeneity of MAGA face is sparking a backlash, and that looking real and interesting, reflecting a life well lived, will be admired again.
I remember Elizabeth Gilbert posting a picture of her face on Instagram one time and acknowledging how much she loved how beat up her skin looked because it served as a sort of topography for the life she had lived, a life she was proud of. It resonated deeply with me, and so do your thoughts about the wear and tear of our teeth.
Loved this: "Our information arrives pre-chewed, shortform and so very digestible."
As a boy, I was FASCINATED by beavers and always did my book reports about them. When a couple moved into a nearby pond, I was beyond excited and loved watching them paddle around.
Such a great piece, your sign off even helped me articulate to myself why the "friction-maxxing" discourse hasn't been sitting quite right.
Every time we pass a beaver dam in the car we make sure acknowledge their work with a "good job, beavs!" It's non negotiable, like saying "horses!" when you see horses.
Damn. (Ha, pun not intended but I’m gonna keep it.) You are so good! I loved seeing where this essay led. Even more impressive considering you weren’t feeling well.
She came to talk to Kiwanis last year. She has to think a lot about what beavers want, and how to craft a solution in any particular situation that gives them enough, but still doesn't block culverts or whatever. There's a whole thing about the sound of moving water as being important to beavers.
LOVE your prose! I am also fascinated by beavers - always have been and always will be. I long for the day when I can take my child into nature to learn, watch, and discuss.
You always end up in a place that I didn’t know you were taking me when your essay starts. Your words cause my thoughts to pool usefully, rather like the effects of the beaver’s dam on a mountain stream. Very nicely done!
This is all I ever hope for!
Your smile is beautiful (as is this essay) and authentic. A handsome guy I know (seriously, he used to be a Gucci and Calvin Klein underwear model) had small teeth that bent inward and looked interesting. I saw on Instagram he obviously got veneers, and now the glaring row of white Chicklet pieces on his smile looks like a caricature. I can’t stand veneers and all other signs of phoniness, whether it’s disc-like breast implants defying gravity and popping off the chest or a protruding brow line of smooth skin from years of routine Botox. I’m cautiously optimistic that the hideous homogeneity of MAGA face is sparking a backlash, and that looking real and interesting, reflecting a life well lived, will be admired again.
I love that the youth call it copy paste face.
I remember Elizabeth Gilbert posting a picture of her face on Instagram one time and acknowledging how much she loved how beat up her skin looked because it served as a sort of topography for the life she had lived, a life she was proud of. It resonated deeply with me, and so do your thoughts about the wear and tear of our teeth.
Loved this: "Our information arrives pre-chewed, shortform and so very digestible."
Thank you, Beth!
As a boy, I was FASCINATED by beavers and always did my book reports about them. When a couple moved into a nearby pond, I was beyond excited and loved watching them paddle around.
They’re just the best.
Such a great piece, your sign off even helped me articulate to myself why the "friction-maxxing" discourse hasn't been sitting quite right.
Every time we pass a beaver dam in the car we make sure acknowledge their work with a "good job, beavs!" It's non negotiable, like saying "horses!" when you see horses.
😂 we’ll be adopting this!
Great essay Kelton. I love beavers - maybe because I'm Canadian and that's our animal. 🦫🇨🇦
Canadians have good taste.
Damn. (Ha, pun not intended but I’m gonna keep it.) You are so good! I loved seeing where this essay led. Even more impressive considering you weren’t feeling well.
I hope you feel better soon!
Write feverish, edit tired I guess
Here in Missoula, there's a Beaver Conflict Resolution Specialist you can call. They have a hotline.
Incredible.
She came to talk to Kiwanis last year. She has to think a lot about what beavers want, and how to craft a solution in any particular situation that gives them enough, but still doesn't block culverts or whatever. There's a whole thing about the sound of moving water as being important to beavers.
Beavers FASCINATE me!
Fun fact: I once worked at an all-girls school whose mascot was a beaver. I kid you not. The jokes were endless...
When the mascot predates the jokes 🥴
LOVE your prose! I am also fascinated by beavers - always have been and always will be. I long for the day when I can take my child into nature to learn, watch, and discuss.
I’m in that sweet spot where he doesn’t have enough words to protest 😂
Beautiful prose from my favorite beaver-watcher
Beaver believer.
U better beleaver
Oh I love this one
💗💗🦫
love your prose style!