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Dear Docents,

Well, here we are at the height of summer.  Things are feeling a bit more normal (is this the new normal or will we ever get back to our previous “normal”?).  The ebb and flow of COVID continues.  As I write this, masking seems to be coming back.  I am confident that docents can handle whatever comes next.  Make sure to check The Bridge for updates regarding CAC policies.

Summer, for me, means a few weeks on the beach (I love being a teacher…summers off!).  Our family plays a few beach games, mostly when the 20-somethings are visiting, but the bulk of our beach time is spent reading books.  I finished a couple of books that might interest a few docents, so I thought I’d share them with you.

First, I read “The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee – Native America from 1890 to Present.”  This was a fascinating look at more recent Native American history, an emphasis different than the history books I grew up with.  The traditional narrative was something simplistic, like “….the Cowboys beat the Indians and now the Indians are all gone.”  Not so.  There is a rich Native American culture throughout the country.  This book had me thinking about the land acknowledgement discussion that CAC and other cultural institutions are now currently engaged.

I also read, “Under a White Sky” by Elizabeth Kolbert.  Ms. Kolbert is a regular contributor to the New Yorker and best known for her work “The Sixth Extinction.”  “Under a White Sky” is really a series of essays, dealing with the effects of climate change and what individuals are doing to combat these effects.  The first essay in the book deals with the Chicago River and Asian carp.  I knew much of the story, but I did find some of the efforts to stop this invasive species interesting.  There are also essays related to the Great Barrier Reef, the Louisiana delta and others.

I did read a few novels, but I am an extremely slow reader.  This is why I avoid book groups.  I can never finish the books in time for the discussions.  I wish I read faster and spoke more slowly……but 57 years in, I think I am who I am.

It is still August, still summer.  And hopefully, you will have some more time for summer reading.  Consider the books I mentioned above or find something else.  There are lots of great books out there.  Make sure to share the good ones you find with your friends and neighbors (and me!).

Happy August!

Kent.