Author Archives: Gavin Stevens

About Gavin Stevens

Humptulips County is the wholly fictional on-line residence of Stephen Ellis, a would-be writer, an avid fan of William Faulkner and his Yoknapatawpha County, and a retired lawyer.

Memory, Hope, and Tradition

Posted on September 20, 2014 by Gavin Stevens

We shall not cease from exploration And the end of all our exploring Will be to arrive where we started And know the place for the first time. T. S. Eliot, Four Quartets, “Little Gidding” “My theme is memory, that … Continue reading →

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Summer-Swan

Posted on September 1, 2014 by Gavin Stevens

While the season hasn’t officially arrived, early signs of fall are everywhere in Humptulips County.  Temperatures fluctuate a good deal during the course of each week and between each night and the following day, the rain has come back in compact, intermittent storms that are often violent, and … Continue reading →

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Grave Digger

Posted on August 19, 2014 by Gavin Stevens

I dug a grave yesterday.  I dug it deep in our woods on a wide shelf located in a grove amid the pines, down a hill from one of our fields.  To get there, you must stoop and walk between … Continue reading →

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The High Harsh Light Of August

Posted on August 8, 2014 by Gavin Stevens

“The first week of August hangs at the very top of summer, the top of the live-long year, like the highest seat of a Ferris wheel when it pauses in its turning.  The weeks that come before are only a … Continue reading →

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The Grumblings Of Gods

Posted on July 23, 2014 by Gavin Stevens

Summer is taking a brief break here in Humptulips County.  After many days of high, unblemished sun and smothering heat, the rain has returned, bringing with it low, unseasonal temperatures and a low-hanging, darkened sky.  The light is that of early fall: heavy, moist, rendered in acrylics … Continue reading →

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Barn Swallows

Posted on July 4, 2014 by Gavin Stevens

As I was mowing our pasture a few days ago, two barn swallows worked alongside me – they at their task, me at mine.  As I cut the grass, they caught insects to feed their young hidden somewhere in our barn.  When we work together like this, as we … Continue reading →

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Where Dreams End and Mornings Begin

Posted on June 27, 2014 by Gavin Stevens

I had a terrible dream last night.  I was with my son Peter and we were visiting my friend Tom. Wait a minute.  I need to set the stage better, for there are important facts which are necessary for the reader … Continue reading →

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Let Us Now Praise Famous Men….And Women

Posted on June 21, 2014 by Gavin Stevens

“We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses.”  Abraham Lincoln “Respect is often paid in proportion as it is claimed.” Dr. Samuel Johnson, The Idler, 1758 “… understanding, and action proceeding from understanding … Continue reading →

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The Well-Mown Field

Posted on June 11, 2014 by Gavin Stevens

Early morning solitary walks produce a sort of induced reverie.  After all, there is little mental effort involved in putting one foot in front of another, other than that required to avoid holes or stones or to keep to your path.  So the … Continue reading →

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Write a Post About a Post

Posted on June 4, 2014 by Gavin Stevens

Write a song Write a song about the very song you sing Pen a line about a line within a line Write a song about a song. Think a thought Think a thought about the very thought you think Hold … Continue reading →

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