Steve Ramirez's Blog, page 11
January 13, 2022
Thoughts of an Imperfect Texan Buddha on Nature and the Nature of a Meaningful Human Life…
“Perhaps the time has come to cease calling it the 'environmentalist' view, as though it were a lobbying effort outside the mainstream of human activity, and to start calling it the real-world view.”
~ E.O. Wilson
Not much has changed, and yet, everything has changed since I was a little boy growing up in a house with an abusive mother. Back then, nature saved me, and it is still that way now.
In these my late-autumn days I am trying to do what I can to return the favor.
It’s almost too late but “almost” still means there is a smidgen of hope to act upon.
When I was a boy I used to do my chores in the morning, while doing my best to avoid my mother’s frequent wrath, and then I'd run out the back door into to woods where I would remain for most of the day. She was happy to be rid of me and I was happy to roam the places of peace around me – the tiny creek down the hill, the tree house where I could commune with the warblers, the forest where box turtles and bobwhites kept me company.
Even now, wildlife seems to recognize me.
I make eye contact with deer and they continue to browse after.
They seem to know that I am no longer in predator mode.
They sense that I have sold all my rifles and used the money to go fishing and write books about saving nature. It was the least I could do.
If not for songbirds and swimming fish, I would be a gone as parakeets in Carolina.
I have stood on the edge of that six feet chasm many times. Most times because someone or something threatened to push me in, but at one time or another because I had stood there of me own free will, wondering if I should jump.
Nothing teaches compassion and empathy like suffering.
Nothing teaches appreciation and gratitude like loss.
Nothing teaches resilience like having to overcome hardship after hardship and heartache after heartache.
Not much has changed, and yet, everything has changed since I was a little boy.
Back then nature saved me, and it is still that way now. I have not seen a box turtle or heard a bobwhite in many decades.
That creek down the hill is dry now, from too many thirsty faucets.
No one allows their kids to climb trees anymore; I think trees must miss having kids in them.
My winter warblers have yet to show up… it was 80 degrees on Christmas Day.
But the wrens woke me this morning as if to tell the young boy inside the post-middle-aged man’s body… “It’s okay…we’re still here.” They comfort me.
I can’t do much to change the world.
But I plan to do whatever I can do before my autumn turns to winter.
I plan to be yet another lone voice seeking other voices to join me to say, “Nature saves us… and it’s time to save Nature, from us.”
Today… feed the birds.
Make plans to fill “your property” with all native trees and shrubs and act on those plans in the spring.
Join an organization like Trout Unlimited, The Nature Conservancy, Audubon, or The Ocean Conservancy, and get involved.
Be kind to the grocery clerk and call her by name.
Dance in your kitchen and sing while you wash dishes. (I do.)
Eat and drink something wonderful and take the time to taste it.
Breathe and notice how lucky you are to be able to breathe.
Feel your own heartbeat for a moment, and notice that too. Be Grateful.
Do a random act of kindness and send someone a message saying that they crossed your mind and you are grateful for their friendship. (Forgive them and move on if they rebuff you – they have walls, and those walls aren’t yours.)
And if you can today, say something softly to a wren or warbler.
Tell them… “It’s okay…I’m still here.”
Now more than ever, Nature needs to know, we care and will not give up on setting things right again.
Before I leave this life, I hope to see a box turtle in the wild and hear a bobwhite calling in the morning… one more time.
Namaste’ Y’all Nothing but Love
December 18, 2021
Casting Forward - Third Printing
I received some wonderful news today...it seems that my publisher Lyons Press has authorized a third hard cover printing of my book, Casting Forward.
I am deeply honored to work with the amazing people at Lyons and feel great affection for the members of the team I am so fortunate to be connected to in the publishing of both Casting Forward, and Casting Onward.
Cheers Y'all!
November 18, 2021
Orvis Podcast with Host Tom Rosenbauer
It was an honor to be a guest of Tom Rosenbauer on his Orvis Fly-Fishing Podcast.I also want to thank my good friend Landon Rowlett for gifting a copy of Casting Forward to Tom, thus setting the wheels in motion.
Both of these gentlemen know more about angling and fly-fishing than I will ever know, but we share the same degree of passion for the water and landscapes that we have grown to love and value.
I hope y'all enjoy this thoughtful discussion between Tom and me about native fish and what they can teach us about who we are, what we value and fail to value, and the impact of our choices upon this planet and the future of humanity.
We are about to pass the sign at the crossroads that reads: "Dead End- No Outlet." I hope we can turn the wheel in time.
Casting Onward: Fishing Adventures in Search of America's Native Gamefish- Lyons Press
Casting Onward: Fishing Adventures in Search of America's Native Gamefish- Lyons Press has a new release date of May 1st, 2022.
Due to COVID related supply chain slow downs, printers are back logged. This has lead to a one month delay in release, moving it from April 1st... to May 1st.
I promise, it will be worth the wait.
November 2, 2021
New Ecology Essay in The Hallowed Waters Journal!
I'm pleased to share that I have an ecology essay in this issues that touches on a new ethic for anglers- and all humans appearing in the current issue of The Hallowed Waters Journal. If you have not yet check out this wonderful on-line journal created by publisher/editor Matthew Supinski, please do. I am deeply grateful to Matt and The Hallowed Waters Journal for their support of my writing and message that focuses on how we treat nature and each other.
October 24, 2021
New Essay in Fly Fisherman Magazine!
I'm over-the-moon pleased with the way my newest essay in e came out...and much of the credit for that goes to publisher/editor Ross Purnell and artist Allan Hassall.
Both of these men have been so kind to me and my words and it is always a pleasure to see what images Allan creates after reading my words.
I hope y'all pick up a copy of you don't yet subscribe and enjoy reading "Seasonable Angler." Page 72!
"Experience New Mexico" with Richard Eeds Highlights the upcoming release of "Casting Onward"
Just Sharing...
I'm pleased to share that once again I was asked to be a guest on "Experience New Mexico" with Richard Eeds. We will be discussing native fish and their watersheds across New Mexico and the nation, nature and the impacts of human activity on the environment, and the upcoming, April 1st, 2022 book release of "Casting Onward" via Lyons Press. (Available for pre-order now via Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Lyons Press.
Richard makes any interview a pleasure and I am grateful for the invitation. We plan to do another show together in the spring around the time of the release of "Casting Onward." I believe this show will be available on demand sometime today, it aired at 7 a.m. MT. https://santafe.com/.../experience-new-mexico-with.../
September 14, 2021
May 11, 2021
American Museum of Fly Fishing Ambassador for Texas Appointment.
Just Sharing... https://www.amff.org/ambassadors/
Well, it's official, as the Ambassador for Texas, I am now included among some wonderful people who are committed to preserving the history, culture, and artifacts of American Fly-Fishing and educating the public about that history. I am honored and pleased.
And, as I mentioned to Sarah Foster, Executive Director of AMFF, I believe that New History in being made now, as we anglers also take on an ever increasing role as naturalists, stewards, guardians, and educators in support of the restoration, protection, and science based management of our nation's watersheds, estuaries, and oceanic environments.
If you have not yet taken a look at The American Museum of Fly Fishing, please do!
March 8, 2021
"Still Life with Trout Books"
It' a beauitful thing to see "Casting Forward" being displayed as the cream in the Oreo cookie between John Gierach's "Dumb Luck and the Kindness of Strangers" and Tom Rosenbauer's "Orvis Fly-Fishing Guide." They look good together... don't you think?
If you're in the area get down to Gruene Outfitters in New Braunfels, Texas where these copies are waiting for a new home. I'm thinking of driving over there soon for a visit just to say howdy.
Keep Casting Forward Y'all!
