You should write for AAA, or maybe Town & Country. Because readers really do crave writing like this rather than the usual tepid and insipid consumer journalism that dominates legacy media. It's abundant in treacly clichés. This is a traveler's story wrapping around a meditation on time. It's kind of personal, too.
why do I think of picking at scabs after reading your wonderful piece, Tonya. I can relate so much to your words. I am good at burying feelings, learned at a very young age. but, sometimes you reluctantly pick and poke just to see what might be still lurking there.
Tonya, I finally had time to read this just this morning and damn this is good. The way you capture that carefully crafted indifference that you sometimes need in small towns to survive the bullying is very timely with what's going on in rural America right now. I love your writing.
This is spot on- I loved it. This place is hard and cold. Unless it is your answer. It was our parents' answer, which is why it was so beautiful living their version of it. I try every day to make it mine, but I haven't gotten there yet.
Good piece, it all came through in texture of images and just good writing! Favorite line "I survived in God’s Country by stitching myself a coat of indifference. " I can relate growing up as Air Force Brat we lived in Minot N. Dakota for awhile along with other strip centered towns in other states.
Hi- I’m a grandmother living in Sturgis, raising 2 of my grandsons ages 14 and 15. Reading your story was like listening to the boys tell me about their day. So much rings true. Who is at Regional West, who is cutting themselves, who is vaping in the school bathrooms and who brought vodka to Middle school in their water bottle. Kids are still hanging out at the library and also the Community Center. They think they are the first to do such things. We try to teach them that there is a great big world outside of Sturgis . My job is to keep them safe until they can spread their wings and see this for themselves. I do hope that they will always come home but not with the dread and dark shadow that followed you back. Thank you for the essay.
You should write for AAA, or maybe Town & Country. Because readers really do crave writing like this rather than the usual tepid and insipid consumer journalism that dominates legacy media. It's abundant in treacly clichés. This is a traveler's story wrapping around a meditation on time. It's kind of personal, too.
why do I think of picking at scabs after reading your wonderful piece, Tonya. I can relate so much to your words. I am good at burying feelings, learned at a very young age. but, sometimes you reluctantly pick and poke just to see what might be still lurking there.
Tonya, I finally had time to read this just this morning and damn this is good. The way you capture that carefully crafted indifference that you sometimes need in small towns to survive the bullying is very timely with what's going on in rural America right now. I love your writing.
Thank you for another beautifully written essay.
Your journey this past year reminds me of the struggles of Odysseus to return home and how nature, fate and the gods all interfere
I don’t think it will take you 29 years to find your true home and you mother’s example is your signpost.
And your impressions of Sturgis are familiar to anyone who has just completed an 8 hr drive alone in a car in an interstate
Ha Ha.
Please keep driving and writing !!!.
This is spot on- I loved it. This place is hard and cold. Unless it is your answer. It was our parents' answer, which is why it was so beautiful living their version of it. I try every day to make it mine, but I haven't gotten there yet.
Good piece, it all came through in texture of images and just good writing! Favorite line "I survived in God’s Country by stitching myself a coat of indifference. " I can relate growing up as Air Force Brat we lived in Minot N. Dakota for awhile along with other strip centered towns in other states.
Hi- I’m a grandmother living in Sturgis, raising 2 of my grandsons ages 14 and 15. Reading your story was like listening to the boys tell me about their day. So much rings true. Who is at Regional West, who is cutting themselves, who is vaping in the school bathrooms and who brought vodka to Middle school in their water bottle. Kids are still hanging out at the library and also the Community Center. They think they are the first to do such things. We try to teach them that there is a great big world outside of Sturgis . My job is to keep them safe until they can spread their wings and see this for themselves. I do hope that they will always come home but not with the dread and dark shadow that followed you back. Thank you for the essay.