Becky Orf and I (Anne Stine), went into a heavily logged area in the local Cascade Siskiyou National Monument, the only national monument created to protect and preserve its unique biodiversity. National monuments are under the care and control of BLM (Bureau of Land Management, which is mostly interested in extraction and use for human benefit). A local logger had made a “deal” with BLM to cut burned logs that posed a hazard to safety for humans and inroads.

He had cut burned and green trees and left piles of slash and debris for miles on both sides of the road. Becky wandered while I sat, and I first noticed the great harm and disrespect lying everywhere. Then my eyes were swept upwards and the diversity and beauty of the remaining trees came into view. Then the sounds of birds singing, and the wind singing as it moved through the confiers. Flowers growing up in the midst of destroyed natural places appeared: Indian paintbrush, columbine, wild rose, iris and more. The relentless beauty of nature appeared everywhere.

And underneath it all, beyond words, was the mystery that held it all and assured that life would go on.