Discuss: Weeder

I thought this story was fantastic and I was very impressed with the photography.  I am from a very rural place and it saddens me watch that generation of New Englander disappearing.

We have very few to replace them.

Thanks

Jon

I grew up on an island in Casco Bay and I remember seeing this work.  As a descendant of seiners, lobstermen and fishermen, and the competent network of women that participated and supported this work, I can attest to the unique, amazing and back breaking nature of this life. Thank you for celebrating it with this essay.

This lifestyle reminds me of similar ones in France or in Europe—where “old timers” often have no one to take over after them. I am grateful Orion is giving a voice to such natural traditions—and I pray that the younger generation is sensitive to the potential loss to them if they do not presently draw from this bank of knowledge still available to them in wonderful persons such as depicted here. Thank you for a great article.

I was also very impressed with the black and whites and would love to see more creative images from Jon Edwards with reflective writing to match!  I’m curious about John Ryan’s family?  Are they around now to watch out for him?  Do they appreciate hearing family stories like this?  It seems like he lives a solitary life…

Two years ago I shared a few meals and orchard work days with this good man. I will never forget his hands holding noon-time tea, answering questions with sharp wit and the kindest touch. Thank you John for letting us all see these pictures, and thank you Jon for honoring this man and his work with such beauty.

Thank you for this evocative article. The authenticity of the text and pictures was startling. I could smell the salt air and feel the cold spray.

This is a lovely story. Sea weed harvesting is quite an industry still in parts of Canada as well. Several years ago I was camping on Grand Manan Island, and met a lanky fellow who was staying in our campground.  He and other pickers were there for the record low tides of August to pull dulse from the rocks on the western side of the island.  They would motor out in long dories and grab as much as they could reach while the tide was out. (My long-armed acquaintance was a champion dulse picker.) I remember the sight of the dulse harvest spread out on top of fields of ocean-worn rocks where it dries out over time in the sun. Then it is baled and weighed and sent to be processed.  Thank you for this unique glimpse or island life.

The beauty of such people/lifestyles should never be lost. Their “footprints” are too seldom seen in our “modern world.” I feel deeply fortunate for having spent several years in Maine, and especially fortunate for having spent a time on this earth among people like John Ryan. Such people and their lifestyle speak to my soul. Nothing but the very best to all the John Ryans in this often insane world.