The photo is of a piece of canoe, a 1956 Old Town Guide Model that was run over by a milk truck, then left in a field, where cows stepped on it, for years. I am attracted to old canoes, but I got it not to restore it, for it was too far gone as a viable watercraft, but because I could cut it up without feeling guilty about it. You’ll see other cow-pasture canoe photos elsewhere on these pages.

This winter I’ve been reading some snippets of a number of different writers. I can’t seem to actually finish a whole book, but I’ve burrowed into many of them. Lately Dorothy met Ram Dass, who met Anne Lamott, who thinks that writing is her calling. I find that intriguing. I am not worried that my reading follows the structure of the board game Candyland – jump here, jump there, you know. 

However, did you find yourself here? Well, welcome. 

I created this website for a place to place the ideas/projects that have intrigued me. First and foremost, it is for me. But there is space for you too. It is a place where I can share my appreciation for Widjiwagan, the wilderness canoe and backpacking YMCA camp in northern Minnesota. I believe that my association with the Y and with Widjiwagan specifically, made  the difference in my life. From day camp through overnight camp to wilderness camp to being staff and attending, before I was drafted, Georged Williams College (he was the founder of the Y in 1844 London). The Y even had an impact on my being drafted (I was) during the Vietnam war but as a conscientious objector, I did two years of alternate service, part of it with the Y.

In one of the Widjiwagan related stories I mention the term leaking. I think the word is a fitting one to describe this web site, where I have placed some of my writing, pictures of my sculpture and canoe interests. I might have used the term raveling, or unraveling, for this is a place where I have tacked all of those ends that would have otherwise been loose. There are some items that I worked harder at, some where I have not worked as hard at all. I put this all here in hopes it may help or humor in one’s search for the elusive pickle.

Again, welcome. Look around. Watch your step. Don’t get wet.

Bruce Sterling Casselton