A seed—the last stage in a plant’s life cycle and the first in another—holds a great tension, yoking death to life. Its abrasive potency fills my mouth with hope.
This post is simply stunning. I have a strong aversion to bitter and sour, but I have an equally strong affinity for beautiful writing. Thank you for these words 🤍
So much to reflect on here, Kimberly, from bees to the Buddha. You've given us a sweet invitation to savor bitterness as a necessary spin on the circle of life and gateway into the "petrichor of direct experience."
I, too love the philosophical concept of "phenomenology" and have explored a related aspect in the context of phenomenon-based learning--navigating a 360-degree take on "a thing", anything really, as a way of diving deeply into a topic or theme, as you have done here "In defense of bitter."
Apologies in advance if you’re reading this again. I seemed to have lost connection after I posted my first response! I was simply commenting on how your phenomenon-based learning reminded me of the Reggio Emilia early childhood system in Italy, described in the book 100 Languages of Children. Are you familiar with this? It’s a fascinating approach and much like you describe, seeing a topic from 360 degrees. Do you have formal training in phenomenon-based learning? I want to know more!
My partner likes to tell me periodically that in the 12-step tradition, one direction is to "...take your whole inventory." This luscious exploration of a quality, a taste, an experience we reflexively dismiss is for me a way to do that. Embracing all and loving all is one your most important gifts to us as an artist, Kim. I always learn so much when I read you, but the learning is the type that happens on a meandering walk, with a passionate guide periodically pointing excitedly, "Hey, look at this!" "Wow, check this out!" So grateful.
Gail, all I can say is GODDAMIT WHY CANT WE BE NEIGHBORS?! We could have meandering walks every week taking in their full inventories. Your words fill me with joy and a sense that maybe, just maybe, something I’m doing is worthwhile. Or at least for the while that it’s worth it. :) Thank you for your deep, reflective and resourced wisdom.
There are so many beautiful, thought-provoking lines in this piece. My favorite being:
"A seed—the last stage in a plant’s life cycle and the first in another—holds a great tension, yoking death to life. Its abrasive potency fills my mouth with hope."
I love the thought experiment you perform in each of the pieces in this series. We're so conditioned to just pursue things on the positive/pleasurable side of the spectrum but there's much to learn by leaning into the other end at times.
In Mongolia we feasted on blueberries that were dry and bitter to the taste but became these deep wells of goodness once you surrendered & got into them. I felt like I was mainlining vitamin C.
Coming late to this, but, ooo, Kimberly! What a lovely piece of writing.
I am abo a bitter lover. I love hops - I grow them, and drink IPAs. I have Oregon grape - but I've never tasted the berries! And the front yard is basically a calendula field. They self seed.
Wonderful to hear from a fellow bitter lover! You must try an Oregon grape before they’re shriveled. They’re quite perfect right now in the forest, so far past the summer season now that they may even have a touch of sweet. ;)
If I needed to be converted to enjoy the sudden rush of saliva assaulting the taste buds when the sensation of bitter hits them, you would have succeeded with ease! Not only have you brilliantly transplanted those health giving bitter seeds into metaphoric wisdoms traversing history and tradition into longing but you weaved magic into the words while you did!
I love this series Kimberly, every one has been a beautiful spiral of lushness which leaves me drooling, probably most inelegantly, for the next!
PS I have a secret stash of very precious raw cacao - a treat for days when the world is just too heavy to handle without a bitter hit - with the added zing of peel from a navel orange!
Your comment is so very generous Susie. So glad you rejoiced in the "sudden rush of saliva" (though it sounds like you didn't need any convincing!) Raw cacao and the peel of a navel orange? That sounds delectable!
Dearest daughter Kimberly, your excellent writing astounds me! I remember your winning an essay contest in 4th grade about a dolphin, never considering then that I would be so delighted and amazed with the way your exquisite mind opens any reader to new vistas of perception. Kudos, dear one!
Ha! I remember that little essay, especially that I chose the name Fernan for the protagnist’s name. I must’ve been captivated by your friend by the same name. “Vistas of perception” - what a beautiful expression. Love you eternally momma.
I’m glad you picked out that line John, it made me chuckle when the image arose, and all too accurate. Your encouragement is thrilling…as you know, I’M A HUGE FAN.
Now off to investigate Nordic cuisine. Perhaps my Sami/North Swede ancestors are alive and well in me. 🙏
This brilliant post calls to mind your other wonderful essay 'In Defense of Beige' where you take something, in this case the word bitter, and turn our understanding of it on it's head. I believe this is what is meant by fine writing - it draws the reader in, asking them to see something differently and leaves them changed at the end. You have achieved this Kimberly and I thank you!
I love your pictures and that you aptly call the Oregon grapes a koan.
xo from the non-lover of bitter who will now explore it from a different perspective.
Donna you make my heart flutter. I had to read this out loud to my husband and we both exhaled a satisfied sigh. These thought exercises are a great challenge for me and I always feel like I’ll never be able to write another, but reading your comment and the perspective shift this essay invited thrills me to no end. Thank you for taking a moment to share your impression!
Your writing here was just gorgeous. I have never eaten Oregon Grapes or any part of these plants though I am a native born Oregonian. I didn’t know they were safe to eat. Great article!
Oh you must try! They're very ripe at the moment, almost sweet if I can use that word, and always a treat on my hikes. Supposedly they're very good for cardiovascular health too. :) Thank you for the kind words Susan.
I’m so late to this post and have been looking forward to it for a week. Absolutely beautiful—every turn of phrase, every idea and philosophical wonderment.
Thank you for bringing “direction experience” into the fold.
For anyone who reads this comment, as a fellow Flufangelist, I can vouch wholeheartedly for FaceFluf.
Just sublime, sublime writing. Entrancing. I am swept away. I'm also moved by how you describe the bee and its final resting place.
I am a fellow bitter-lover. My favourite cocktails are those that lean heavily into bitter. I love the bitterness of grapefruit. Jo is the total opposite, haha.
This post is simply stunning. I have a strong aversion to bitter and sour, but I have an equally strong affinity for beautiful writing. Thank you for these words 🤍
Awww, thank you Amy. Good on you for not letting your bitter aversion delete this essay right out of the gates! ❤️
So much to reflect on here, Kimberly, from bees to the Buddha. You've given us a sweet invitation to savor bitterness as a necessary spin on the circle of life and gateway into the "petrichor of direct experience."
I, too love the philosophical concept of "phenomenology" and have explored a related aspect in the context of phenomenon-based learning--navigating a 360-degree take on "a thing", anything really, as a way of diving deeply into a topic or theme, as you have done here "In defense of bitter."
Inspiring writing, brava!
Apologies in advance if you’re reading this again. I seemed to have lost connection after I posted my first response! I was simply commenting on how your phenomenon-based learning reminded me of the Reggio Emilia early childhood system in Italy, described in the book 100 Languages of Children. Are you familiar with this? It’s a fascinating approach and much like you describe, seeing a topic from 360 degrees. Do you have formal training in phenomenon-based learning? I want to know more!
My partner likes to tell me periodically that in the 12-step tradition, one direction is to "...take your whole inventory." This luscious exploration of a quality, a taste, an experience we reflexively dismiss is for me a way to do that. Embracing all and loving all is one your most important gifts to us as an artist, Kim. I always learn so much when I read you, but the learning is the type that happens on a meandering walk, with a passionate guide periodically pointing excitedly, "Hey, look at this!" "Wow, check this out!" So grateful.
Gail, all I can say is GODDAMIT WHY CANT WE BE NEIGHBORS?! We could have meandering walks every week taking in their full inventories. Your words fill me with joy and a sense that maybe, just maybe, something I’m doing is worthwhile. Or at least for the while that it’s worth it. :) Thank you for your deep, reflective and resourced wisdom.
There are so many beautiful, thought-provoking lines in this piece. My favorite being:
"A seed—the last stage in a plant’s life cycle and the first in another—holds a great tension, yoking death to life. Its abrasive potency fills my mouth with hope."
I love the thought experiment you perform in each of the pieces in this series. We're so conditioned to just pursue things on the positive/pleasurable side of the spectrum but there's much to learn by leaning into the other end at times.
Thanks friend. Sometimes the lean is tipsy and uncomfortable but, to quote a line from one of my late bio dad’s poems about low hanging blackberries:
“you might not be around as long / but look at the view.” 😂
In Mongolia we feasted on blueberries that were dry and bitter to the taste but became these deep wells of goodness once you surrendered & got into them. I felt like I was mainlining vitamin C.
What a perfect metaphor. Sometimes we have to be willing to sit with bitterness until it (or we) transforms.
A perfect word choice - surrender.
Coming late to this, but, ooo, Kimberly! What a lovely piece of writing.
I am abo a bitter lover. I love hops - I grow them, and drink IPAs. I have Oregon grape - but I've never tasted the berries! And the front yard is basically a calendula field. They self seed.
Saving, to read again!
Wonderful to hear from a fellow bitter lover! You must try an Oregon grape before they’re shriveled. They’re quite perfect right now in the forest, so far past the summer season now that they may even have a touch of sweet. ;)
If I needed to be converted to enjoy the sudden rush of saliva assaulting the taste buds when the sensation of bitter hits them, you would have succeeded with ease! Not only have you brilliantly transplanted those health giving bitter seeds into metaphoric wisdoms traversing history and tradition into longing but you weaved magic into the words while you did!
I love this series Kimberly, every one has been a beautiful spiral of lushness which leaves me drooling, probably most inelegantly, for the next!
PS I have a secret stash of very precious raw cacao - a treat for days when the world is just too heavy to handle without a bitter hit - with the added zing of peel from a navel orange!
Your comment is so very generous Susie. So glad you rejoiced in the "sudden rush of saliva" (though it sounds like you didn't need any convincing!) Raw cacao and the peel of a navel orange? That sounds delectable!
Dearest daughter Kimberly, your excellent writing astounds me! I remember your winning an essay contest in 4th grade about a dolphin, never considering then that I would be so delighted and amazed with the way your exquisite mind opens any reader to new vistas of perception. Kudos, dear one!
Ha! I remember that little essay, especially that I chose the name Fernan for the protagnist’s name. I must’ve been captivated by your friend by the same name. “Vistas of perception” - what a beautiful expression. Love you eternally momma.
“I was the human equivalent of blur, never knowing where another’s experience ended and mine began.”
So many beautifully constructed lines that rang with recognition. I laughed with appreciation lots of times (loved the above).
You’d love some of the Nordic cuisine I reckon, lots of bitter forest flavours. Thanks Kimberly, great read.
I’m glad you picked out that line John, it made me chuckle when the image arose, and all too accurate. Your encouragement is thrilling…as you know, I’M A HUGE FAN.
Now off to investigate Nordic cuisine. Perhaps my Sami/North Swede ancestors are alive and well in me. 🙏
This brilliant post calls to mind your other wonderful essay 'In Defense of Beige' where you take something, in this case the word bitter, and turn our understanding of it on it's head. I believe this is what is meant by fine writing - it draws the reader in, asking them to see something differently and leaves them changed at the end. You have achieved this Kimberly and I thank you!
I love your pictures and that you aptly call the Oregon grapes a koan.
xo from the non-lover of bitter who will now explore it from a different perspective.
Donna you make my heart flutter. I had to read this out loud to my husband and we both exhaled a satisfied sigh. These thought exercises are a great challenge for me and I always feel like I’ll never be able to write another, but reading your comment and the perspective shift this essay invited thrills me to no end. Thank you for taking a moment to share your impression!
Informative
Your writing here takes my breath away. Like the bittermelon pesto pasta my partner choreographed a few days ago...
Tell your partner I like their style. :) Thank you for the kind reflection Joe.
I love this Kimberly. ❤️
Your writing here was just gorgeous. I have never eaten Oregon Grapes or any part of these plants though I am a native born Oregonian. I didn’t know they were safe to eat. Great article!
Oh you must try! They're very ripe at the moment, almost sweet if I can use that word, and always a treat on my hikes. Supposedly they're very good for cardiovascular health too. :) Thank you for the kind words Susan.
Ooh. Good to know! We both just had a severe flu so just starting to eat again. I appreciate the info.
I’m so late to this post and have been looking forward to it for a week. Absolutely beautiful—every turn of phrase, every idea and philosophical wonderment.
Thank you for bringing “direction experience” into the fold.
For anyone who reads this comment, as a fellow Flufangelist, I can vouch wholeheartedly for FaceFluf.
Just sublime, sublime writing. Entrancing. I am swept away. I'm also moved by how you describe the bee and its final resting place.
I am a fellow bitter-lover. My favourite cocktails are those that lean heavily into bitter. I love the bitterness of grapefruit. Jo is the total opposite, haha.