Our Nest in the Universe is full of close observations of Northern Michigan in all its subtle and magnificent beauty. It's a pure joy to spend a year with Jeff Leestma as he reacquaints himself with this intense sensory landscape through the changing of the seasons. He uses a wide range of tones and writing styles to capture those changes: at times playful, at times somber, at times in awe of the natural world. Anyone familiar with Northern Michigan will find themselves nodding in appreciation at the images and insights conjured here in both the photographic illustrations and the writing, and anyone anywhere can appreciate being brought into this magical world. -Jim Daniels, award-winning Michigan poet and writer, is the author of more than 40 collections of poetry and fiction as well as four produced screenplays

Playful and inventive, Our Nest in the Universe contains Jeffrey K. Leestma's closely observed reflections on his first year in Northern Michigan. From sprightly poems about a backyard fox and evocative haiku about the signs of the seasons to richly imagined short stories set in a bygone era, this collection will delight anyone who enjoys the woods, water, and wildlife of Northern Michigan. -Thomas Hooker, author of award-winning book In The Slanted Light: A Collection of Poems, Silent Woods and

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