Sippewissett by Tim Travers

Hi everyone,

I’d say Sippewissett was a favorite! Many people really enjoyed Tim Traver’s poetic book on his well-loved salt marsh summer home, and even wanted to read it again. The writing was very appealing, and many wrote down some of their favorite quotes or turned back the corner of a page to mark especially moving passages. The mix of science, history, memoir, poetry and philosophy provided lots to talk about. We found it interesting that as much as he wanted to protect the marsh, he was not an advocate of untouched nature. He seemed to feel that nature, and home, was best experienced by getting your hands dirty and your feet wet, by immersing yourself in it and eating the clams and oysters you have pulled from it with your own fingers. We found similar themes in past readings like Last Child in the Woods. This bought up the question, how do you love nature and enjoy it without destroying it? The answer seemed to be in the concept of stewardship, of knowing a place well enough to know where that shifting line is.

As much as he discussed the biological ecology of the place, he also paid equal attention to the social ecology of this community. He resisted the increasing tide of privatization that had landowners putting up McMansions and fencing off the traditional paths and right-of-ways that the neighborhood all used. Spirituality was another theme that ran through the book, and we discussed why nature writing is often concerned with spirit, and is that the same as religion? It was suggested that both religious and non-religious people can feel awe and inspiration from the wonder of a salt marsh.

An excellent, thought-provoking read. See sidebar for June and July readings and meeting times.

Happy reading!

July Lewis & Eugenia Marks
Audubon Society of RI
401-949-5454


P.S. Now Audubon gift shops in Bristol and Smithfield have a 20% discount for all our Book Club selections! Just let them know you’re part of the Environmental Book Club to get the discount. Bristol is open 9-5 daily, and Smithfield is open 9-5 Monday through Friday, and 10-4 on Saturdays.

Welcome!

This is the first blog entry for Audubon's Environmental Book Club. Check back here soon for more!

July Lewis