Sunday, November 24, 2019

The Wisdom of Chouinard






















Well, I have a feeling that I am going to hang onto this book for a long, long time.

Recently I was given the opportunity to review the new Chouinard anthology of writing, teachings, musings and lessons from Patagonia Books, called "Some Stories, Lessons From the Edge of Business and Sport" and without too much hyperbole, it's amazing.

You get to sit sidecar to a life well lived and a business well run from a guy that often says he's the anti businessman.

When going through this book, it often seems that Chouinard has lead three full lives with the adventures that he's been a part of and places he's been...let alone be at the helm of the leading outdoor apparel company Patagonia.  It's apparent that some people function best in action, and I am willing to say that "YC" is one of those people

The articles and content from the pen of Chouinard span decades but the lessons are timeless.
























Patagonia's stance on corporate responsibility and impact are central learning points in my life in business.  Their ability to put their real dollars where their mouth is is inspirational at the least,  especially for me in issues like Public Land Protection, Snake River Dam Removal and our world's consumptive culture.
























This book isnt leaving my nightstand anytime soon.  Like McGuane's "The Longest Silence", and Mcmillen's "Dry Line Steelhead" it'll stay there as constant reference material and inspiration.

For the outdoors man or woman, put this book under the Christmas Tree.  It's the kind of gift that draws you in, opens your mind and allows you to dream a bit to places beyond and ideals that could change the world for good.






Monday, November 11, 2019

Happy Weight...






































You can walk 7 miles with nothing to show for it.

The ground can be devoid of any of your quarry and you can easily question the choice of how to spend your free time.  Should have went fishing....

Then you notice the subtle change in your dogs motions.  Nose to the ground and twitchy, something is up as the pace picks quickens.

Like a rooster in the morning cackling away in the barnyard, the rooster rockets up and the gun and the dog does its job

Bird in hand.

But really, the satisfaction comes as the bird slips into your game vest and that familiar happy weight cozies in for the remainder of the hunt.