Why I Read David Churbuck

For writing like this:

[M]y tablemate at dinner asked me if I was still a big fisherman. “Not so much anymore,” I replied. She asked why I fished, was it for food? The sport? Communing with nature? I thought for a second, not quite sure, and realized the answer was too weird to say out loud and that is this: I think people are happiest standing in knee-deep water with a fishing rod or clam rake in their hand, because it’s there, half-in-and-out of the brine, that a few million years ago something strange crawled out of the depths and began the process of standing on dry land, on its own hind legs, with something tasty to eat in its claws. It the place where we started, on that edge between water and land, and the place we’re compelled to return. This, according to my thinking, is why people like to coat themselves with sunblock and lie on the beach reading Grisham novels.

Instead I said, “I like to eat fish.”

And a shared affinity for New England history, and a certain broad spit of sand and its salty bays.

Comments

[Tim Abbott]

Kissing cousins to the Cape. My Grandparents' home is on Buzzard's Bay in Wareham, a glorious ramshackle shingle style Victorian where I spent every summer and where I have deep connections to kin and landscape.

[bird dog]

So you all are Cape Codders too? A lot in common. Grew up in Hyannis, but have been Wellfleet folks for many, many years. Planning our Aug trip this weekend.

[David Churbuck]

Thanks Tim. You are very kind.