By Nancy Chuda, Founder and Editor-in-Chief of LuxEco Living and co-founder of Healthy Child Healthy World
I couldn’t put this book down. Not for a minute. In a world in which tattered souls live amongst endless garbage and recycled news predicting gloom for the planet, Joe Henry’s LIME CREEK comes as a breath of life and light, casting long-remembered shadows of the “firsts” in our lives while becoming a mantra for human kindness and time spent reconnecting with what we have lost, including man’s oneness with nature and all living things.
Set amidst the blinding snow storms and cold of Wyoming’s high country, LIME CREEK is a Faulkneresque glimpse into the lives of a family of people committed to solidarity, simplicity, and a respect for life. The story centers around Spencer Davis and his sons. Henry captures the intimacy and connectedness of their harsh outer lives that draw them even closer together as they all bear witness to the eternal cycles of life and death; where the reveries of innocence trumpet the hard edges of experience.
Spencer’s stoicism commands respect, while at the same time he is humbled by the birth of a new foal or just the dawn of a new day. Family, for Henry, emerges from out of the lightness of being human and from out of the need of a lantern burning on a porch somewhere between heaven and earth. Trust begins in the place Henry calls home.
As a knowing observer, Henry writes about witnessing the last breath of a beloved animal’s life and the lessons learned from a childhood tomato fight where a father’s love overrides his instincts as a disciplinarian. How beautiful the sense of longing for what is maternal; not as human, but as rock. LIME CREEK is about the river of life that both nourishes the roots at the same time that it reveals the longing for something to hold on to- Roots that hang on with grace and dignity and time well spent.
Like Thoreau’s, WALDEN, LIME CREEK pays tribute to the very nature of man. Thoreau wrote: “Spring always convinced him he could live forever on the lavish bounty of God. God was good: he knew because he listened to the song of God in the woods. Joe Henry hears the godliness and the holiness from which his words are fashioned. An act of kindness in faith and for humanity.
Joe Henry’s LIME CREEK is a classic novel to be shared and read time and time again. Buy it on Amazon.
Nancy Chuda is a seasoned broadcast journalist, television writer/producer, talk show host and author. Her career spans over three decades having appeared on both national and cable television.
In 1971 she authored one of America’s first low-calorie cookbooks, How To Gorge George Without Fattening Fanny, published by Hawthorn Books. Appearing as a regular guest on Dinah’s Place, Dinah Shore’s ABC daytime talk show. And later on The Johnny Carson Show, The Today Show with Barbara Walters, Merv Griffin, Phil Donahue, and David Frost. In 1972, Nancy and ABC’s Good Morning America co-produced Michael Krause produced a cable program, The Low- Calorie Gallery, based on her best selling cook book. In 1975, hired by Warner-Amex as part of a creative team, she was responsible for hosting and producing content for Columbus Then and Now, a program, the invention of QUBE, an interactive television system which played a pivotal role in the history of American cable television. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/QUBE
In 1978 she developed a series for ABC’s Good Morning America based on an article which appeared in Mother Earth News magazine. The Integral Urban House, a case study project and model for a sound urban habitat sponsored by the Farallones Institute in Berkley California was the first example of green architecture ever to be televised.
In 1979, Nancy co-produced and hosted Sunnyside a Los Angeles based public affairs program viewed on the CBS affiliate station KNXT, From 1980-1984, she appeared on KABC’s Eyewitness News as entertainment reporter and film critic.
Her environmental advocacy began when her daughter was diagnosed with cancer. In 1990 she co-produced an Emmy nominated ABC Variety Special, An Evening With Friends For The Environment to benefit Mothers and Others for a Livable Planet one of the first national children’s environmental health advocacy groups in which she served as a volunteer.
Currently, she is the co-founder and President Emeritus of Healthy Child Healthy World, a non-profit organization established to honor the Chuda’s only child, Colette, who died in 1991 at the age of 5 from Wilm’s tumor a nonhereditary childhood cancer. She is also the co-founder of The Colette Chuda Environmental Fund, a donor-advised fund which supports major epidemiological research on children’s health.
Nancy has won numerous awards for her advocacy. In 1996, the California League of Conservation Voters Environmental Leadership Award, The Healthy Schools Heroes Award, presented to both her and her husband James Chuda by California Governor Gray Davis for their legislative efforts in securing The Healthy Schools Act which was signed into law in September, 2000. In 2003, Parent’s Magazine published an article Mom’s On A Mission and awarded Nancy for her environmental leadership for children’s environmental health.
She serves as an associate of the Director’s Council of Public Representatives of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and was appointed by President Clinton’s Health and Human Services Secretary, Donna Shalala, to serve as a member of the National Advisory Council for the National Institutes of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) a position she held for four years.
In 2010, along with her husband James she founded LuxEcoLiving.
Joe Henry’s wisdom is unparalleled in contemporary societies’ writing.
I wish he had the same belief in himself that others have in him.
He is an amazing conduit of the wonderful truth within nature and I adore what he writes
Much of the profound work/essence of John Denver’s music is a result of Joe Henry’s depth, under/standing, insight, awareness and wisdom. They co-created Magic for BodyMindSpirit.
Not only are his lyrics precious but his essay ‘To Invent Fire’ reminds me of the great thinkers – Thoreau and Emerson.
And in our digital world, I can tell you that Joe’s first novel, Lime Creek’ is a book (also in audio), to have and to hold.
I’ve felt grateful to Joe for many years. Thank you for sharing with such grace and integrity. You elevate us all.
Bless his work and way.
cath from Canada Oct 11, 2012
This is for Joe and John and an eternal connection.
John Denver, A Fearless Communicator
Carl Sagan and George Burns bid the world adieu in 1996 . . . Several other notable and inspirational human beings slipped beyond the physical realm in 1997 – Jacques-Yves Cousteau, Princess Diana, Mother Teresa . . . to name a few.
After the anguish of these deep personal losses, John Denver flew home.
The world lost Earth’s Friend and a fine man with superb talents and a potpourri of healthy interests. Success didn’t go to his head – a humble gentleman and giving soul. John had no trouble crossing a road to pick up someone’s tossed trash. His concerts were well attended by children, elders and all cultures. He had passionate intentions to elevate our One World and made more efforts than people realize – many John chose to accomplish quietly.
Mother Nature has been toe-tapping for some time to elicit the attention of her children. These days she’s foot stomping!
John respected First Nation’s wisdom and ways. They knew he would speak straight. He was spiritually enlightened and loved those aha moments when the light came on. He dearly loved children and clearly communicated adult response-ability to influence them well.
His music stirs nostalgia, provokes thought and penetrates the soul. Precious lyrics coupled with his unique voice unite wonder and reason. At concerts I was amazed by observing the crowd, band, John’s way . . . Communication and Connection were on board.
If one goes anywhere on this planet and asks mid-lifers if they remember John Denver, they’ll become still and reflective then relay the essence of a fine man who touched hearts, encouraged participation, opened minds.
Now I meet 30 year olds who have never heard of John Denver but on viewing him sing The Wings That Fly Us Home – tears flow and they want to know.
John Denver and Tom Crum co-founded The Windstar Foundation. As it closes, we can well afford to thank the Dreamers and Higher Ground thinkers for decades of productive efforts toward the vision for dialogue and co-creative efforts toward Peace and Sustainability. Windstar is a Vision to be lived. The torch has been passed.
Live in the Song. Kermit is not the only one seeking the Rainbow Connection.
Our children and grandchildren . . . need to hear the music – experience nature – view his accomplishments and those of his mentors (Bucky Fuller, David Brower . . . and many more gifted friends and colleagues who co-created insightful works universally relevant today.
Toward the end of his life, John Denver and Sandy Ostertag produced an exquisite and perfectly titled documentary, John Denver: Let This Be A Voice. It shows the authentic John Denver, exploring the natural world and sharing joys and concerns . . . inspiring action.
In our Tic Tac Tech world and age of unraveling, we can well afford to rekindle the heart felt music and works of John Denver. We can look into another’s eyes, reach out and shake hands, augment a sense of ‘other’. We can embrace and revere our finest teacher – Mother Nature . . . It’s essential that we do.
It’s About Time. Tick Tock.
Please ask yourselves how much of your day dissolves into tech toys . . . perhaps by disconnecting a spell we might begin to reconnect with self and other.
As many gather in Aspen to celebrate the life of John Denver, let’s keep fruitful dialogue flowing. Bless ongoing gardens and concerts honouring a remarkable human being. Please make efforts to include the children.
In John’s words, It is Here We Must Begin.
Thank you John Denver for being a wilderness troubadour in Canada.
SOAR!
Cath Meadows
Victoria, BC, Canada