Wow, amazing interview. “I want to remind people that loving the places where we live is necessary. These places need our love, care, and attention far more than the daily news cycle ever will.” So impactful, and of course I relate to the very core of my being 💕
What great questions. Simple and provide a foundation for the person the writer has become because of their life experiences. So many small nudges Antonia is able to share in her responses. This melts my heart, "I want to remind people that loving the places where we live is necessary."
Fascinating to learn more about Antonia Malchik whose essays have been an influence on my own project. And I'm excited for her new book, NO TRESPASSING.
These are all such well thought out questions Julie, I especially love this, “I don't really need to get any of it "right"; I just want to be better acquainted with the life I live among, enough to give all of these lives, from caddisflies to braided rivers to pronghorn herds to bluebirds, the respect they deserve” included in question two..
Very true! I was born in Bozeman and grew up in Belgrade mostly, the Gallatin Valley, moved around a bit and ended up in the Flathead Valley (Whitefish in the end, where I graduated high school in 1994). My mother grew up in Geraldine, a little south of Fort Benton. I love that area, around the Shonkin Sag. My relatives still ranch in Raynesford and Belt.
Ah, thanks! I grew up not far away from Whitefish in Troy. We were a Class B school, so played Bigfork in sports. Quite a long drive for conference play. I spent a week in Helena as a House page -- a rare treat that I'm not sure is available in more populous states.
I also brought a slightly different view to nature writing than most of my graduate school peers because I grew up in a logging family. Do you know T.C. Boyle's "A Friend of the Earth"? I appreciate some of the ironies built into that novel.
Really enjoyed eavesdropping on this conversation! Have either of you read ‘Damnation Spring’ by Ash Davidson? It’s also about logging. Very good, sad.
We’re practically neighbors! I moved back to Whitefish about 10 years ago (feel free to ask me about the insanity of wealth in this area now … or maybe through messaging …). I do know that book! It’s been a while, though. Sounds like I should revisit. Did you ever read Joe Wilkins’s “Fall Back Down When I Die”? I love that novel. Has a lot to say, in understated ways, about identity and work and and western belonging. He’s from Billings.
We moved around for my dad’s jobs (he was an electrical engineer) and lived in Bigfork for a couple years. Maybe my least favorite place we lived, but that’s partly because it was the first place I ever went to school where I saw money and class differences. Belgrade wasn’t like that in those days, nor Polson.
Also guess what book I was named after that I stalked your group read on recently? ;)
Wow, amazing interview. “I want to remind people that loving the places where we live is necessary. These places need our love, care, and attention far more than the daily news cycle ever will.” So impactful, and of course I relate to the very core of my being 💕
Solidarity! So glad to hear that :)
What great questions. Simple and provide a foundation for the person the writer has become because of their life experiences. So many small nudges Antonia is able to share in her responses. This melts my heart, "I want to remind people that loving the places where we live is necessary."
Yes! That got me too! Thanks for reading, Stacy.
Fascinating to learn more about Antonia Malchik whose essays have been an influence on my own project. And I'm excited for her new book, NO TRESPASSING.
It’s a treat, isn’t it?
That means so much to me — thank you!
These are all such well thought out questions Julie, I especially love this, “I don't really need to get any of it "right"; I just want to be better acquainted with the life I live among, enough to give all of these lives, from caddisflies to braided rivers to pronghorn herds to bluebirds, the respect they deserve” included in question two..
I can feel those words Antonia.
Thank you both.
I enjoyed reading the first in your nature writing interview series, thanks Julie for introducing me to Antonia’s gorgeous writing. 🙏
Thanks for reading, Kate. Yes, Antonia is a gem. 💚
Another Montana native! Now I'm curious about where in Montana she grew up. Couldn't have been the east side if she has those forest memories :)
Let’s ask her! Antonia - where in Montana did you grow up?
Very true! I was born in Bozeman and grew up in Belgrade mostly, the Gallatin Valley, moved around a bit and ended up in the Flathead Valley (Whitefish in the end, where I graduated high school in 1994). My mother grew up in Geraldine, a little south of Fort Benton. I love that area, around the Shonkin Sag. My relatives still ranch in Raynesford and Belt.
Ah, thanks! I grew up not far away from Whitefish in Troy. We were a Class B school, so played Bigfork in sports. Quite a long drive for conference play. I spent a week in Helena as a House page -- a rare treat that I'm not sure is available in more populous states.
I also brought a slightly different view to nature writing than most of my graduate school peers because I grew up in a logging family. Do you know T.C. Boyle's "A Friend of the Earth"? I appreciate some of the ironies built into that novel.
Really enjoyed eavesdropping on this conversation! Have either of you read ‘Damnation Spring’ by Ash Davidson? It’s also about logging. Very good, sad.
I don’t know it. I’m behind on my reading recommendations!
We’re practically neighbors! I moved back to Whitefish about 10 years ago (feel free to ask me about the insanity of wealth in this area now … or maybe through messaging …). I do know that book! It’s been a while, though. Sounds like I should revisit. Did you ever read Joe Wilkins’s “Fall Back Down When I Die”? I love that novel. Has a lot to say, in understated ways, about identity and work and and western belonging. He’s from Billings.
We moved around for my dad’s jobs (he was an electrical engineer) and lived in Bigfork for a couple years. Maybe my least favorite place we lived, but that’s partly because it was the first place I ever went to school where I saw money and class differences. Belgrade wasn’t like that in those days, nor Polson.
Also guess what book I was named after that I stalked your group read on recently? ;)
There could be worse books to be named after :). I'll set up a private chat.