Pilgrim at Tinker Creek

Annie Dillard published “Pilgrim at Tinker Creek” in 1974 when she was in her late twenties. I’d heard of it but had never paid any attention. Then a month ago I ordered it. I was in for a pleasant surprise. It’s not an easy read but it challenges you to listen to the words, the questions, to reflect and see the world through a new lens. “Pilgrim” Annie’s first book of prose has been compared to Henry David Thoreau’s “Walden.” There are some similarities; but Annie Dillard has her own distinct voice.

Dillard’s Tinker Creek is in the Roanoke Valley, Virginia, part of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The book is divided into the four seasons and follows the narrator’s thoughts on nature, solitude, writing, and theology. In the first chapter, “Heaven and Earth in Jest” Dillard describes her house: “I live by a creek, Tinker Creek, in a valley in Virginia’s Blue Ridge. An anchorite’s hermitage is called an anchor-hold; some anchor-holds were simple sheds clamped to the side of a church like a barnacle or a rock. I think of this house clamped to the side of Tinker Creek as an anchor-hold. It holds me at anchor to the rock bottom of the creek itself and keeps me steadied in the current, as a sea anchor does, facing the stream of light pouring down. It’s a good place to live; there’s a lot to think about.”

Dillard reflects on nature, flora and fauna; it’s structure and complexity; it’s positives and negatives. In most chapters she demonstrates amazing powers of observation. I was constantly reminded of Sherlock Holmes comment to Watson, “You see, but you do not observe. The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen the steps which lead up from the hall to this room. . . You have not observed. And yet you have seen. Now I know there are seventeen steps, because I Have both seen and observed.” As she explores her environment, the natural world, Dillard refers to “seeing” but she is observing in amazing detail.

“Last week I found a brown, cocoon like object, light and dry, and pocketed it in an outside unlined pocket where it wouldn’t warm and come alive. Then I saw on the ground another one, slightly torn open, so I split it further with my fingers, and saw a pale froth. I held it closer, the froth took on an intricacy. I held it next to my eye and saw a tiny spider, yellowish but so infinitesimal it was translucent, waving each of its height legs in what was clearly threat behavior.” Chapter four is devoted to praying mantis, their egg cases and adult behavior when they emerge.

Dillard watches birds, a coot, a goldfinch, grasshoppers, a water bug sucking a frog dry, a muskrat, aquatic life which she brings to her microscope. She reflects on the landscape, mountains, creek, trees and various plants. Nothing seems to escape her scrutiny. Her language is poetic. She has published several books of poetry.

Dillard’s observation and reflection on the natural world leads her to theological questions. The second part of many chapters links the natural world to the supernatural. Questions of God, of goodness, and the harshness of the natural world. Dillard does not see herself as a nature writer. She is a pilgrim on a journey of discovery.

Dillard references many books that have inspired or guided her. I believe her graduate dissertation was on “Walden.” I like how she will reference an experience, something she saw, heard or smelled pages later. “Pilgrim at Tinker Creek” is a book that will require a second reading. I also want to read some of Dillard’s other books. I bought “The Maytrees: a novel.” It is set in Cape Cod. Dillard’s “seeing;” and Sherlock Holmes’s “observation;” reminded me of the close attention to detail that I began calling Cape Cod “focus.” Connections.

Rain

I woke up at six to a gentle rain. I knew it was coming. Forecast has shown rain throughout the day. I welcome it. It’s been a hot, dry, muggy summer. Garden didn’t do well and I think it was weather related. Never got the automatic water system working. Greens were fine in the Spring. But few tomatoes, peppers, squash, eggplants.

Rain on the deck

It’s a relatively gentle but regular rain. I just hope there is no skylight leaking. For me there have been good and bad rains. The real bad (hurricane rains) came in 2004-05-06. We were flooded. Many times before that we just got water in the backyard. River water pushed up through storm drains or the canal overflowed. But until 2004 it never came close to the house. In fact our first two basement flooding was groundwater. The electric was cut; sump pump stopped and basement filled with water, damaging heater, electric system and ruining a full basement of stuff. The 2006 flood in contrast had water on river road; canal and river met. Our house was surrounded. Fortunately we never took first floor damage like many of our neighbors. In 2007 we elevated the house. Since then water has reached the ground level once; it came from the canal.

Today the river will rise from a summer low of 8 feet (as measured in Trenton) to about 12’. At 17’ water will begin to spill over the road at the Yardley Inn. At 18’ river road will be closed in both directions. We are an island. At 20’ it’s half way up our yard; at 23’ it’s lapping at our foundation. Twenty-five feet the canal and river road have met; our island is under water. The most severe floods are usually after two major rain storms (hurricanes possible) within days of each other. Prior to the 2004 flood; 1955 was the big flood along the Delaware.

But as I’ve said today’s rain is welcome. Cooling, soothing, relaxing. On YouTube I found “Rain falling Non-Stop at Night (No Music, No Thunder) try this for Sleeping and insomnia. Soothing Rain falling is nice to have on while Studying, Relaxing or even Meditating. Calming Rain creates a white noise effect which is useful for Tinnitus and Blocking Noise. Don’t forget it may be useful to share with family or friends too. Enjoy your Rain.”

There are many songs about rain. Many are down on rain, bad things, depressing, lost lovers, breaking up, wanting the sun to come out. The Carpenters sang:

“Talkin’ to myself and feelin’ old
Sometimes I’d like to quit
Nothin’ ever seems to fit
Hangin’ around
Nothin’ to do but frown
Rainy days and Mondays always get me down”

Or B.J. Thomas:

“Raindrops are falling on my head
And just like the guy whose feet are too big for his bed
Nothing seems to fit
Those raindrops are falling on my head, they keep falling

… So I just did me some talking to the sun
And I said I didn’t like the way he got things done
Sleeping on the job
Those raindrops are falling on my head, they keep falling”

Jo Dee Messina has another, more positive view in “Bring on the Rain”:

Another day has almost come and gone
Can’t imagine what else could go wrong
Sometimes I’d like to hide away somewhere and lock the door
A single battle lost but not the war

‘Cause, tomorrow’s another day
And I’m thirsty anyway
So bring on the rain

It’s almost like the hard times circle ’round
A couple drops and they all start coming down
Yeah, I might feel defeated and I might hang my head
I might be barely breathing but I’m not dead, no

‘Cause, tomorrow’s another day
And I’m thirsty anyway
So bring on the rain, ooh

Credence Clearwater Revival asks an interesting question?

Someone told me long ago
There’s a calm before the storm
I know
It’s been comin’ for some time
When it’s over, so they say
It’ll rain a sunny day
I know
Shinin’ down like water

I want to know, have you ever seen the rain?
I want to know, have you ever seen the rain
Comin’ down on a sunny day?

Rain photography. Wow. Many fantastic images. All these are from the internet.

Julia Sudnitskaya/Getty Images

Heavy rain storms are dramatic . . . thunder, lightening, pouring rain. “It’s raining cats and dogs” I recall many storms whipping up the river valley. I watched the lightening flash across the sky, light up the river. It holds our attention as long as we have protection. Of course heavy rains can cause damage, floods, down trees, power outages. If we escape damage, they can be exciting, energizing, electrifying. And when they end, is there a rainbow? Does the sun shine? Elvis sang:

When you walk through a storm
Hold your head up high
And don’t be afraid
Of the dark
At the end of a storm
Is a golden sky
And the sweet silver song
Of a lark

Walk on through the wind
Walk on through the rain
Though your dreams be tossed
And blown
Walk on, walk on
With hope in your heart
And you’ll never walk alone
You’ll never
Ever walk alone

Today’s rain continues. Quietly, slowly, into the afternoon. I’m enjoying the rain.