16 Best Gretel Ehrlich Quotes

“The truest art I would strive for in any work would be to make the frame of things so porous that the living world could breathe through it.”

This quote encapsulates Ehrlich's philosophical approach to writing and life. She expresses her desire for her art to be deeply connected to the natural world, allowing its raw, untamed essence to permeate her observations and descriptions, rather than imposing artificial structures.

“Winter lasts six months here. The snow is a presence.”

This line vividly describes the harsh reality of the Wyoming climate, a central theme in many essays. It highlights how the extreme weather is not just an environmental factor but an active, almost sentient force that profoundly shapes the lives and resilience of the people living in the open spaces.

“What is a country without a sky?”

Ehrlich poses this rhetorical question to emphasize the overwhelming vastness and importance of the sky in the Western landscape. It speaks to the sense of scale and the feeling of being exposed and connected to the elements that defines life in these open spaces, making the sky an integral part of the land's identity.

“The world is a place of continuous perishing, and we are part of it.”

This profound statement reflects Ehrlich's acceptance of life's cyclical nature, including decay and death, as an inherent part of existence in the natural world. It underscores the harsh realities faced by ranchers and the animals they tend, fostering a deep, unsentimental understanding of mortality.

“A rancher's life is a life of work, but it is also a life of watching.”

This quote captures the dual nature of ranching: the intense physical labor combined with constant, keen observation. It highlights the necessity of paying close attention to animals, weather, and land, revealing the deep connection and understanding that develops between ranchers and their environment.

“The idea of the West is a dream, a place of reinvention.”

Ehrlich reflects on the romanticized image of the American West versus its rugged reality. She acknowledges the historical allure of the West as a frontier for new beginnings and self-discovery, while also grounding this dream in the practical, often challenging, experiences of those who live there.

“The solace of open spaces, the solace of a place where one can feel small and insignificant, yet utterly alive.”

This quote directly addresses the book's title and central theme. It explains the paradoxical comfort found in vast, empty landscapes, where one's individual concerns diminish against the backdrop of nature's grandeur, leading to a profound sense of presence and vitality.

“Living in a landscape this vast, you learn to be patient. You learn to wait.”

Ehrlich observes how the immense scale and slow pace of the Western landscape instill a particular kind of wisdom in its inhabitants. This patience is essential for dealing with unpredictable weather, the rhythms of ranching, and the long cycles of nature, fostering a deep connection to time and place.

“The wind is the first thing you notice here, and it's the last thing you forget.”

This line emphasizes the pervasive and unforgettable presence of the wind in Wyoming. It's not just a weather phenomenon but a constant companion, shaping the landscape, influencing daily life, and leaving a lasting impression on anyone who experiences the open spaces.

“There is a dignity in the way these people live, a quiet strength born of necessity.”

Ehrlich admires the stoicism and resilience of the ranchers and other inhabitants of Wyoming. She attributes their quiet strength to the demanding environment and the practical necessities of their lives, highlighting a profound integrity that comes from confronting hardship directly.

“To live in the West is to be a witness to the weather.”

This statement underscores the intimate and inescapable relationship between people and climate in the American West. Ehrlich suggests that living in this region means constantly observing, adapting to, and being shaped by the dramatic and often extreme weather patterns, making it a central part of existence.

“The truest art I would strive for in any work would be to make the page as wide as the world.”

Reflecting on her writing and the expansive nature of the Wyoming landscape she aims to capture.

“Space is the central fact of the Wyoming landscape.”

Describing the defining characteristic of the environment and its impact on human perception.

“It's a place where the wind blows a good deal of the time, and the wind is what makes you feel alive.”

Speaking about the constant presence of wind in Wyoming and its invigorating effect.

“The solace of open spaces, the peace of the vast, unpeopled land, is not a simple thing.”

Explaining that the comfort derived from the landscape is complex, born from both its beauty and its challenges.

“What you see is what you get, and what you get is a lot of sky and a lot of land.”

A direct observation about the unadorned reality and immense scale of the Wyoming environment.