It Really Happened

Two nights ago I passed through our galley kitchen on my way to the laundry room. I’d left on the ceiling light over the washer, so there was enough ambient light in the kitchen that I didn’t turn on any additional lights to guide my way. I should have, because I...

Four Weeks Down, Twenty-One To Go

A chronicle of the obstacles unique to a bi-cultural interracial marriage would be a book, not a blog, but since I am in the early stages of one specific challenge, I thought I would write about it. When one spouse is from the United States and the other is from...

Thoughts About the Prairie

It has been two weeks since my trip to the Fort Pierre National Grassland. The unique landscape left me with conflicting sensations. On one hand, the shortgrass prairie is enchanting. On the restored prairies near home, the big bluestem sometimes is over my head, so I...

Hunting When I Don’t Hunt

Last week I went on an upland bird hunt in South Dakota. I don’t hunt, but I’d never spent any time on a real prairie, so I jumped at the chance to tag along with friends on their annual trip to the Fort Pierre National Grassland. Much of Dances With Wolves was filmed...
Steven Simpson