walking the neighborhood
totem stands
waiting to be discovered
neighbor’s yard
an artist
who often
has something
to say
with his work
the details here
lightning bolt at the top
red fish
dragonfly
compass rose
238 miles to manistee
in the upper peninsula
how do they connect
what is the message
art puzzle
feels to me like
an ode to our state
michigan.
—
‘you must be absolutely honest and true in the depicting of a totem for meaning
is attached to every line. you must be most particular about detail and proportion.’
-emily carr
*Emily Carr (1871 –1945) was a Canadian artist who was inspired by the monumental art and villages of the First Nations and the landscapes of British Columbia. She was a vivid writer and chronicler of life in her surroundings, praised for her “complete candor” and “strong prose”. ‘Klee Wick’ her first book, published in 1941, won the Governor General’s Literary Award for non-fiction and this book and her other writings are still much in demand today.
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I didn't have my glasses on.... 
Oh wow.. last evening, I was speaking to someone who said he was headed to Manistee to fish for trout. He’s a big-time fisherman… I told him I had no clue where this was. And he gave me a full run down pf how idyllic the place is, how he enjoys coming up there every Fall. Promised to bring me back some quality steel head.
When I saw the totem, I immediately understood the fish images.
Quite clever. Thank you for sharing, Beth.
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my pleasure –
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I’ve seen totem poles in Seattle too. Very interesting art.
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each one means something different
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Yes, very true my friend. Each represents the tribe it belongs to.
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So unique, fascinating Beth.
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<3
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Totem poles are not just beautiful and unique but provide a great connection to the past when we understand the context and meaning. Love the shoutout to Carr, a Canadian icon!
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yes, that’s so true. and here’s to Carr!
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A cool find!!!
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What an interesting discovery!
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Such a fun one
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I wonder if a lightning bolt was what felled that tree.
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That thought crossed my mind as well
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You are incredibly fortunate to have an artist as a neighbor. This must be so interesting and fun to view and appreciate whatever is created.
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I really enjoy finding interesting things like this so close to home
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Carr’s writing is worth reading, too! It’s been a while but I seem to recall a memoir describing her miseries as a landlady. -Kate
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good to know!
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What a great way to distill messaging into a tangible format. Love it!
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i think so too, it takes a special skill set that he has
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a message…an “art puzzle”…I love this, Beth! 😊💝😊
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<3
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you are very observant, Beth —
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lots of details there
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That is fun and you are a detective at heart. Let us know what you come up with. Unless an ode to Michigan is the true meaning. What fun.
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that was my assessment, but if i see him in his yard, i’ll ask
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I assumed the lightning bolt meant that’s what took down that tree. Probably because it happens so often here in Colo.
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I enlarged it to take a closer look, it’s so impressive!
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