Inscribed by author "For Dean all praise 21 March 2016"

Author served in Vietnam

From http://bluebegoniapress.com/catalogbodeen-jim_270.html:


"Commanded to follow, and obey, the dream, This House explores what the dream gives, traveling and mapping internal and external worlds, listening and telling stories, including la jornada sagrada to Macchu Picchu with young Latinos. This House tells their stories too. Sacred journeys. Sacred lives."

Born in a small town in North Dakota, he graduated from high school in Seattle and was in the army in charge of medical evacuation in Panama and Vietnam.

He returned to Central Washington, earning a master’s degree in English at Central Washington University in Ellensburg in 1971. He also attended Seattle University’s summer programs on Vatican II for three years with his wife, Karen—the only Lutherans studying Lutheran theologians with Catholic priests and nuns—earning a second master’s degree in religious education.

“In 1988, I became aware of the cycle of migration into the Yakima Valley that meant Latino students came and went from classes, and that many in my English classes spoke Spanish,” Jim said.

On spring break, he found them in asparagus fields. He followed them for three years to learn their stories, which he published in “The Asparagus Journal.”

The students read their stories live on stage throughout the state, at the Seattle Repertory Theatre Bumbershoot Arts Festival and at a National Migrant Conference.

While giving them voice, he watched them grow up and settle in the Yakima Valley or go on.

Alberto Cardenes, who picked strawberries, is now a teacher and wrestling coach at Eisenhower High. José Garcia is cross-country coach at Davis. Another student, Eloisa Gonzales, graduated from Gonzaga University and works for a newspaper in Delaware.