Fragments From Floyd

Congratulations to Jim Minick, former Floyd County resident, for bringing his book, Finding a Clear Path, to press. Last night marked his first book signing, with copies just arrived at the last minute yesterday afternoon. The book is pending release via Amazon.com, expected within a couple of weeks. Other local speaking engagements are scheduled.

I look forward to reading my copy, and will reread the half dozen pieces that Jim read last night at the Floyd Library, hearing his voice in the written words--all the better. Perhaps before summer ends, I'll have a brief personal reflection when I've finished the book. But I can tell you now, I'm certain that Jim's clear path already has my footprints on it. There is a comfortable stride in his travels, and many of the landmarks along that path--geographic and symbolic--are familiar to those whose visions of and insights into the natural and manmade world come most clearly while walking expectantly. Read it. You'll see what I mean.

Meanwhile, I'll take the lazy way and clip an endorsement from the back cover that says it well:

"Another shining writer has emerged from the Southern landscape. Here, Jim Minick has written an exquisitely beautiful book about his Appalachian farm and his engagement in a life that makes sense. In impressive vignettes, Minick sketches his life and his desire to know the depths of it. 'I need to name what I love,' he writes. With merry deftness, he tells of counting osprey, growing beans, and finding box turtles, but beyond the immediate, his subjects outline a formula for a good life; community, rootedness, history, family, and the beauty of nature. The Virginia mountains are lucky to have Minick as a new voice. Would that every place find such a singer of praises." -- Janisse Ray, author of Ecology of a Cracker Childhood and Pinbook