Kelton Wright

Writer at Shangrilogs

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Articles

Temps are in the 50s, and I feel fine

1 week ago | shangrilogs.substack.com | Kelton Wright

No big essay today as I take a little R&R, but wanted to ask a favor of those with plenty. I shared earlier this year that my dear friend Barry lost everything in the Palisades Fire. He didn’t have insurance. He thought after all those years of living in the woods that he’d be safe from the fire living in a parking lot on the coast. The trailer burned along with everything in it, and now the trailer park is moving toward selling, leaving Barry in a dark temporary rental with nowhere to go.
Cabin Notes: keeping track of happy

2 weeks ago | shangrilogs.substack.com | Kelton Wright

I was on our local radio station here a few weeks back, talking about the newsletter and the podcast and the novel, and a woman called in. She lived in the big town over the ridge and she said, in so many words, it’s nice to hear all this, but please don’t tell anyone about this community. I assured her I hadn’t. I don’t share where I’m based, though it’…Keep reading with a 7-day free trialSubscribe to Shangrilogs to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.
Chosen Places: Whidbey Island

2 weeks ago | shangrilogs.substack.com | Kelton Wright

If my memory serves me correctly, and it shouldn’t because I was drunk, I met Kate on a porch at a party. Some people just get it, and Kate did and does. We’ve been steadfast Instagram friends for years, leaning on each other for career guidance (she keeps going up, I keep going… into the woods?) But Kate’s recent move to Whidbey Island, Washington has turned following her into a dreamy reprieve from the real world. And I can’t wait for her to share it with us. Kate, take us away.
The vacillation of spring - #161

2 weeks ago | shangrilogs.substack.com | Kelton Wright

Shangrilogs is a weekly Sunday essay about slow mountain living — exploring our own natures and big nature. Upgrade to get the Wednesday edition, access to the archive of Chosen Places, and the warm, fuzzy feeling of supporting a parent without childcare. The sun’s out today, and I am asking her to stay. In this high meadow, winter clings with desperation as the sun stands taller and taller with pride, knowing she is nearing again to having beaten the white wonder. But not yet.
When can I wear real pants? - #160

3 weeks ago | shangrilogs.substack.com | Kelton Wright

It’s the tail end of winter here, and mud season is crawling out from the earth on every full sun day. Mud on the car, mud on the doors, mud on boots and socks and pants. If it can’t get muddy, it can’t go outside. Which means every day I find myself in the same clothes, driven by utility, practicality. If it’s not mud though, it’s something else. If it’s snowing, I need to be warm enough to shovel the drive.
Chosen Places: Hells Canyon, Oregon

1 month ago | shangrilogs.substack.com | Kelton Wright

Sarah’s a recent addition to the Shangrilogs community, but when she introduced herself as a resident of Hells Canyon, Oregon, I had to know more. One of my favorite family memories is from Hells Canyon. As my parents inched along in the car, heads out their respective windows scanning the cliff-sides for mountain goats, I said, “they’re in the road.” And my parents ignored me. “Guys, they’re in the road.” Still scanning.
How I found my husband - #159

1 month ago | shangrilogs.substack.com | Kelton Wright

I don’t talk about my husband Ben a whole lot on here, mainly because I spent a good part of my youth writing a very detailed and occasionally explicit dating blog. Now, I like to keep that part of my life private. Recently, I was flipping through some old notebooks in my desk and found one from 2015. So I flipped to March, when Ben and I went on our first date. Ben and I celebrated ten years together on Thursday.
This is not self-care - #158

1 month ago | shangrilogs.substack.com | Kelton Wright

When I was little, every once in a great while, my mom would let me stay home from school for no reason other than I really, really wanted to. The gift of it was in its rarity, like asking for a sign and then actually getting one. It was relief where you expected only suspense. I even liked school, it was just that performing again and again and again could really wear out a child. We didn’t do some fun, rewarding activity together.
Cabin Notes: are we hanging out?

1 month ago | shangrilogs.substack.com | Kelton Wright |Cait Flanders

Writers need friends. Even though we all want the cabin in the woods to write. This week Krisserin and I talk about the community of writing, and how we find our way in it. And, if you missed it,
Chosen Places: Small Town Nowhere, England

1 month ago | shangrilogs.substack.com | Kelton Wright

You ever read someone’s writing and think, “they get it”? That’s how I felt about when I first read her writing. She has such an appreciation for the inherent value of little things. She pays attention! She’s thoughtful of her surroundings! She cares about hedgehogs! And I immediately wanted to be her friend. You’ll probably feel the same reading The Lighthouse, The Year of Less, or Adventures in Opting Out.