circle sits
ready, waiting
uncovered soon
dark falling
stars shining
fire lit
people will gather
let the season unfold
let the stories be told.
—
‘light a campfire and and everyone’s a storyteller.’
-john geddes
—
saginaw woods, ann arbor, mi, usa – june 2025
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It’s a beautiful tradition
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I always enjoy it
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Sadly it’s not a part of our culture.
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what about the concept of sharing stories in a circle, maybe without the fire?
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That used to be something people did in bygone days. Sitting under a quilt and telling stories. When we were very young
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“You don’t have to say everything to be a light. Sometimes a fire built on a hill will bring interested people to your campfire.” – Shannon L. Alder
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great quote
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My modern version of a campfire is a terracotta Chiminea. We sometimes light that out in the garden on pleasant evenings and talk over memories.
Best wishes, Pete.
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yes, they are so nice –
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Love your stories, beth.
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thank you )
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One of my favourite things to look forward to each summer is camping and sitting around the campfire quietly, with treats and enjoying the calming fire. Your post captures this beautiful tradition so well.
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just something so special about it, and thank you –
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Fun & true! I like your photo.
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thanks!
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get your marshmallows on your sticks…
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ready!
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This is so true. I miss my little fire pit that I had at my old house. The number of hours we just sat around, content and mesmerised by the fire… love!
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it’s just so relaxing
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It is! 🔥
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That looks like one heck of a firepit, Beth!
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yes, the university does some science studies there so they take their time there seriously
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There are the makings for a serious fire.
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the university conducts forest studies in those woods so I image they spend some nights there
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I can almost hear that fire calling!
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your spot is waiting for you
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Everyone is equal around a campfire.
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a great equalizer
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Yes, yes, yes, Beth!!
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<3
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♥️🤗
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Oh the wonderful times I spent around evening campfires when I was a kid vacationing in the Rockies.
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what great memories I imagine –
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I love it! Let the stories be told!
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right!
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Lovely.
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<3
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nice job painting the picture of the soon to be crackling fire and stories to match.
and to paraphrase John Geddes: light a campfire, and everyone becomes a pyromaniac
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this too )
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So the next post/poem will be on the stories told over a fire! A ghost story perhaps on things living in the nearby woods? Or a rollicking story about a chase? Hmm, where are you going next Beth. Ha, ha. Makes me want to have a fire this weekend.
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Right?
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Campfires are such special occasions to gather. Around a campfire, everybody is appreciated. We should have more campfires these days.
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Oh…those campfire circles. I swear great, burdensome problems are solved around them. Hugs, Beth! 🥰
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I so agree
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🥰😊🥰
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There’s nothing like sitting around a campfire. We did that with friends for SIX hours last Friday evening. I could not believe we laughed and talked for that long and arrived home just minutes before midnight. I have not stayed up that late in ages.
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That sounds like a wonderful night like you I go to bed early normally but doing that is so worth it and it’s so easy to sync into once you get talking and laughing and telling stories how great.
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🔥
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Love this scene.
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Thanks!
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Just waiting to begin.
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Funny how stories and campfires go hand-in-hand.
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Once you sit there and just happens organically
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We used to do more storytelling in person. Now we Blog our stories!
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we do, and I do in person as well, much to many people’s dismay, I’m sure!
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I think you are the ultimate Storyteller. My Dad loved the word and ran a small business, Storytellers Ink, that published children’s books.
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well, some people would call it that, some a non-stop talker, but I figured it is an equation of sorts. when I was young I was painfully shy and rarely talked so now I am trying to balance it out with nonstop chatter, and there is some collateral damage for those who are in my life at this stage but it is only math, so – . p.s. that is so cool about your dad
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“…let the stories be told” It is a simple but powerful poem
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Love the poem and image, Beth, and it evokes wonderful camping memories. 💕
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thanks, Lauren. and I think for anyone who’s ever sat around a campfire at any age, it evokes a fond memory
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I’d love to sit there, it makes my little firepit look rather sad!
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It’s in a park/ woods that the university also uses as a research study location so I have a feeling they are the ones who built it – pro level )
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John Geddes was so right!
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Hope you had a blast Beth! :D
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