Update on book # 124, from Claire in South Africa:
“In this country we have traded community for collection of material stuff – to the loss of many good connections to all organisms, not just other humans. Your book reminded me of the value of all connections.”
11/07/15 Marie Bourgois writes:
Dear Tim and Garret,
I found your experiences very insightful and the book Random Gifts of Art holds some novel and important ideas. The day we met at the Farmers Market in Helena I experienced three memorable interactions with people who took the time to engage with me in conversations. As your request is to share stories, I’ll tell you about that day here before book #124 travels to Africa for its next experience.
10/17/2015 – 6:00 AM
I was looking forward to the upcoming Bioneers conference in Bozeman. Bioneers is a national and local gathering of people interested in moving human society from the industrial age to the biological age. A place to meet up, share ideas, and learn new perspectives. As a Biomimicry Professional, this is my Tribe. After caring for my friend’s three cats, I drove the 2 hours to Bozeman. “How lucky!” I thought when there was a parking place right in front of the Emerson Center for Culture and Art. As I walked though the building, I could find no one. “Maybe people won’t arrive until the key note speaker at 10:00” I thought. Finally I located someone who took me to the auditorium. A technician named Mike thoughtfully took out his smart phone to check things out. “Bioneers – yes, I remember when that conference was here in 2005, it was great.” Wow – I had not checked the DATE on the internet site about the conference, as the city I just moved from hosted the conference every year and I assumed the same for Bozeman – no such luck. In my excitement I had been careless with the details.
Mike and I connected. We discovered that we had grown up just a few miles from each other in a rural farming area of Wisconsin, he leaving the state to travel many places around the US and around the world, ending up in Montana. I shared how I moved from the farm to a city in Virginia at age 12, then did pretty much the same thing after high school, ending up in Colorado, and now in Montana. Our lives had taken similar path. I had always wondered, and even asked my Dad once if he thought if I would have traveled as much if we had never left the farm. Now I had my answer. By engaging with Mike – probably, yes. It was almost better than the conference.
10/17/2015 12:30 PM
On my way back to Helena, I decided to stop by the Farmer’s Market. As I was leaving, I met up with Tim and Garret handing out info on your book. I read about your upcoming show in November and remember being disappointed that I would not be in town. It was so nice to have your attention and interest. As I handed back your show announcement card saying, “I won’t be in town,” you asked where I was going. I learned many things from you about Africa and your experience in bringing Desmond Tutu to Helena – what an event that must have been. During the afternoon I finished reading and thinking about your ideas. I found your experiences very insightful and the book Random Gifts of Art holds some novel and important ideas. I will share this book with my friend in South Africa, Claire. She is the smartest person I have ever met, a biomimic, chemical engineer and genius. She taught me the power of having and holding a positive vision for my future. With strong intentions and actions, my future visions always come into reality.
10/17/2015 7:00 PM
Having a free evening, I decided to see Romeo and Juliet at the Carol College Theater. As an undergraduate I had work-study job with the theater department, making costumes and ushering. The after parties will always be remembered, as theater people just like to have a good time. So, I have a soft spot for local theater. I was the only non-student at the event and noticed the Director in the lobby before the show. Because the ideas outlined in your book were swirling around in my head, I introduced myself and again found someone with similar and interesting life experiences. Another great connection over children, career demands, moving to a new place and other ideas. Of course the performance was just as good as it needed to be.
Thanks to both of you for sharing your ideas in such a readable format. In this country we have traded community for collection of material stuff – to the loss of many good connections to all organisms, not just other humans. Your book reminded me of the value of all connections.
With good wishes for your future,
Marie Bourgeois