Your post reminds me of a Wendell Berry quote shared by another Substack writer:
"It is easy for me to imagine that the next great division of the world will be between people who wish to live as creatures and people who wish to live as machines."
I think about it often. Opting for creature when I can.
I absolutely believe in human scale. As a self employed person I often have to tell people I am at capacity and their disappointment sometimes has a flavor of “well then you must be doing something wrong” but I actually see nothing wrong in having only two hands and requiring enough patience that I can feed myself between tasks and sleep. I think many don’t even consider that is essentially what they are asking you to forgo (or, they are asking you to forgo your entire premise and hire someone so you can have an administrative roll instead of the one you so carefully choose to avoid exactly that)! If “scale” in its maximalist sense fell out of the dictionary I would not be sad:)
Anna, I can’t thank you enough for this. Literally brought tears to my eyes. Thank you for always encouraging us to slow down and connect, especially in this day and age.
Lots to think about here. The satellite thing is scary. I love the thought of navigating by the stars. Not possible if we change the night sky. I am old and recall many nights out on a blanket looking at stars and finding the constellations. I want to be able to do that with my Grandchild! I am all for the creatures!
Analog pleasures come in lots of guises. Recently I was visiting my grandkids for a long weekend in hot, muggy Atlanta. The kids were involved in kid stuff in another room. I was sitting to read in the quiet living room where the new puppy had made confetti from some packaging. The floor was strewn with bits of cardboard and styrofoam beads. I felt unsettled by the chaos and retrieved a broom and began sweeping up the detritus. My son came into the room rather upset by my activity and got out the vacuum cleaner. It took some emphatic discussion to get him to understand how much pleasure I was getting from the quiet broom and the clean floor that I had made happen with just a few pleasant moments of manual work. Sigh! I am not certain he really got it.
Another gem of a post—and a lovely reminder of why I spin puffy yarn and draw messy comics and am getting back to playing tunes with other local imperfect and enthusiastic trad music fans—even as I’m typing this on a digital device because, alas, I didn’t send you a paper thank you note much as I loved getting your glorious envelope.
This really resonates with me. I was just saying that I see people seeking community in friends and family and prioritizing relationships. I think it’s a response to the turmoil in the world. Another way analog fuels the soul.
I loved this, Anna. (Except for the creepy satellite part). I am in Roseburg for a three day workshop. Pure bliss. Traveling alone. Enjoying a new small town.
I think it’s rodeo weekend, because there are guys in beautiful cowboy hats and boots, just chatting about riding and ranching. Nice western twang.
Your post reminds me of a Wendell Berry quote shared by another Substack writer:
"It is easy for me to imagine that the next great division of the world will be between people who wish to live as creatures and people who wish to live as machines."
I think about it often. Opting for creature when I can.
Ooh yes.
PS It was Rosie Spinks!
@rojospinks
https://rojospinks.substack.com/p/on-not-doing-stuff-to-my-face?r=3aktv&utm_medium=ios
I was thinking it might have been :)
I should have known 😆😊
The bit about the satellites makes me nauseous.
Yeah I can’t get it out of my head ever since I read it. Sickening.
A related idea, also sickening, and not getting nearly enough attention: https://www.dezeen.com/2026/07/16/space-mirror-ffc-approval-reflect-orbital/
I absolutely believe in human scale. As a self employed person I often have to tell people I am at capacity and their disappointment sometimes has a flavor of “well then you must be doing something wrong” but I actually see nothing wrong in having only two hands and requiring enough patience that I can feed myself between tasks and sleep. I think many don’t even consider that is essentially what they are asking you to forgo (or, they are asking you to forgo your entire premise and hire someone so you can have an administrative roll instead of the one you so carefully choose to avoid exactly that)! If “scale” in its maximalist sense fell out of the dictionary I would not be sad:)
Yes yes yes to all of this! “I only have two hands” is maybe some small business merch we all need :)
Anna, I can’t thank you enough for this. Literally brought tears to my eyes. Thank you for always encouraging us to slow down and connect, especially in this day and age.
🐚⭐️❤️
Lots to think about here. The satellite thing is scary. I love the thought of navigating by the stars. Not possible if we change the night sky. I am old and recall many nights out on a blanket looking at stars and finding the constellations. I want to be able to do that with my Grandchild! I am all for the creatures!
Analog pleasures come in lots of guises. Recently I was visiting my grandkids for a long weekend in hot, muggy Atlanta. The kids were involved in kid stuff in another room. I was sitting to read in the quiet living room where the new puppy had made confetti from some packaging. The floor was strewn with bits of cardboard and styrofoam beads. I felt unsettled by the chaos and retrieved a broom and began sweeping up the detritus. My son came into the room rather upset by my activity and got out the vacuum cleaner. It took some emphatic discussion to get him to understand how much pleasure I was getting from the quiet broom and the clean floor that I had made happen with just a few pleasant moments of manual work. Sigh! I am not certain he really got it.
Another gem of a post—and a lovely reminder of why I spin puffy yarn and draw messy comics and am getting back to playing tunes with other local imperfect and enthusiastic trad music fans—even as I’m typing this on a digital device because, alas, I didn’t send you a paper thank you note much as I loved getting your glorious envelope.
You my friend are very much a person of human scale and am grateful for it!
You know I’m ALL for this! 🙌
Oh I do!!!! Probably why we’re friends ❤️
👏🏽👏🏽💗💗
This really resonates with me. I was just saying that I see people seeking community in friends and family and prioritizing relationships. I think it’s a response to the turmoil in the world. Another way analog fuels the soul.
I loved this, Anna. (Except for the creepy satellite part). I am in Roseburg for a three day workshop. Pure bliss. Traveling alone. Enjoying a new small town.
I think it’s rodeo weekend, because there are guys in beautiful cowboy hats and boots, just chatting about riding and ranching. Nice western twang.
Ta, duckie. Maybe see you next weekend?
💕🧑🎨