Book Release by Gabriella
The Eastern Washington Scablands.
The Way I Saw Them Through My Rite of Return.
Read this story for free here.
Coming Soon….a year in the making. To share one of the most magnificent experiences in my life.
Some stories take time to tell. Some stories are meant to be shared with the world through images and a few words. Here is one of those stories of mine. To the year anniversary when I went out to the land with Veteran Rites. I am sharing my story.
I would like to give a little taste for everyone what is my book about. This is my first time creating a photo storybook. I am adding a sample part of the introduction and my story below and the reviews by many amazing people you might know.
Preview:
🌸Introduction
The author of this book Dr. Gabriella Kőrösi went out to the Eastern Washington Scablands in April 2023 with a group of veterans with Veteran Rites. Gabriella’s connection to Veteran Rites is through working with veterans as a nurse and as a family member with multiple people connected in her life with the military.
Veteran Rites is a nonprofit organization supporting veterans, civilians, spouses, providers, and survivors by building community and healing through the land. “This land, “The Bacon”, with an access road located in the channeled scablands of Eastern WA is 15 minutes from the small town of Coulee City and 3 ½ hours from Seattle. This is where Veteran Rites was birthed 7 years ago through the guidance of Veteran Rites Co-Founder Larry Hobbs with Army Veteran Mark Oravsky to prevent veteran suicide. This land is public and private land currently managed by the Department of Natural Resources with private stewardship by Cattlerancher Wade King. The Spokane Tribe of Indians, Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation, Confederated Tribes of the Colville Nation, and the Wanapum Tribe have called this desert sea of sagebrush and mythic basalt home, followed by settlers of agriculture, mining, manufacturing, and the Grand Coulee Dam.” Description provided by Ryan Eugene Mielcarek Executive Director of Veteran Rites Circle of Return.
🌸My story
One could ask why did you have this experience? The only answer I can give is I was called to do it. Everything seemed to line up to the point for me to go out to the land. The story begins with COVID-19. It probably begins way before that. It depends on how far we want to go back. Everything had fallen into place in my life to go and spend these days out in the land. Yes, I was scared and yet I was called. Not an experience I had before. These days truly changed my life and my view of everything and everyone around me.
🌸Reviews
A special thank you to all the amazing family and friends who helped with reviewing and advising on this book. Thank you for believing in me. Debbee Aquila Maraglio-Lynn (PhD) my rock buddy and soul sister. DR Rawson - The Possibilist my editor partner and writer family. Dr. Preeti Singh my amazing friend and writer family. Gary Friedman photography expert and honest reviewer. Rick Allen, Libby Shively McAvoy, Annelise Lords my kind friends and writing family.
By Gary Friedman
“Thanks for sharing your work with me. I really love the words and the poetry; clearly, you had something close to a spiritual experience with this place. And I think it’s great that you want to share that feeling with your readers.” And “These photos document the landscape nicely, they are images that have meaning for you.”
By DR Rawson
I am honored that you’ve asked for my review. It’s clear that you are truly “one with nature.” The images and words are those of someone for whom the earth and its treasures have special meaning. I could feel your sense of wonderment and fulfillment as you commune with the beautiful landscape. This reference book will grace the table of anyone trying to understand and appreciate nature.
By Dr. Debbee Aquila L.
Wow, I loved the sunsets and words…. I enjoyed the smell of the sage.
By Annelise Lords
Feasting on The Eastern Washington Scablands — The Way, I Saw Them Through Rite of Return Quest by Dr. Gabriella Korosi. Earth is heaven and the only place that can support human life. It’s a bbbeeeaaauuutttiiifffuuulll place. Sadly, most humans are too busy to notice. Also, looking around us, each human sees something different. Some see hope and happiness in the bushes. Others see it in trash and garbage.
What do you see when you look around you?
I love the idea and message this photo book is sharing, because how many of us view our earth and environment speaks from our hearts and tells how we see and understand life. I see life and hope growing out of rocks in plants as I walk. If they can survive, so can I.
I see balance in the weather and how the earth feeds us. Looking at these images, I see strength, hope, love in the beautiful plants that stand alone, while sharing hope and beauty in their environment. Life is everywhere. Even in cloud formation, because they change and move encouraging us, that change is necessary for us to be productive. I see a sunrise for hope and a sunset of promises to be back for a better tomorrow. Earth shares so much love and hope, if more humans take notice, healing without side effects can begin. Yes, Earth produces healing medication for humanity.
This is what I see in this book. Love the phases of the moon. Each phase means something different. Looking at some of these images I see life, struggles, hope, the fight to survive, happiness, peace and so much more. Plants share life everywhere, no matter the harshness of the environment. Some plants survive the winter. And so much more. Some of these images tell us that someone was here before us. Love the pics of the water. Water is life for all of humanity. I love the idea and message. It is powerful and needed. Humans need to pay more attention to the beauty of the earth and how it provides us.
By Dr. Preeti Singh
When Gabriella asked me if I would like to write a review for her photo book, I said yes, I would do it. The moment I looked at the book I was mesmerized with the stunning pictures of sunsets. Gabriella is very talented and artistic. Her play of words is amazing. The pictures and their description of poetic words were a great treat for me to read. I feel enriched after I have seen the book, and the following words make me feel the spirituality within the pictures and the words. The rays of the sun bring me the light to unite. With everything and everyone.
By Libby Shively McAvoy
Your photos, words, and poetry are so pure and beautiful. My favorite section were your selfies honestly and I am not normally a fan of selfies but that was such a powerful account of your accomplishments. So empowering! One of your sunrise photos reminded me of a volcano of exploding emotions!
By Rick Allen
Dr. Gabriella Kőrösi’s book opens with a promise of an engaging journey that blends adventure, personal transformation, and ecological philosophy. She takes us through her transformative experience in the Eastern Washington Scablands with Veteran Rites, a nonprofit aimed at helping veterans through community engagement and connection with nature. This journey is a narrative of adventure, a profound exploration of healing, growth, and the deep ties between humans and the natural world.
Through vivid storytelling and her photos of the land, Dr. Kőrösi shares her personal challenges and the healing power of nature, offering readers a glimpse into the beauty and therapeutic benefits of the Earth. Her account goes beyond mere observation, inviting us to consider our symbiotic relationship with nature, highlighting our duty to nurture the Earth as it nurtures us. This perspective serves as a poignant reminder of our role as stewards of the environment.
The core of Dr. Kőrösi’s narrative is her profoundly personal ordeal, marked by physical and emotional trials, including illness and dehydration, which she frames as a dramatic arc of survival and enlightenment. These experiences underscore the themes of interdependence with nature and the importance of community support. Dr. Kőrösi emphasizes the significance of connection, trust, and the ability to let go, offering philosophical and almost spiritual insights into living in the moment without expectations.
Dr. Kőrösi’s insights and the profound peace she finds in her journey offer valuable lessons on facing and embracing our vulnerabilities, making her book a compelling read for veterans, those who have faced their vulnerabilities, and anyone interested in the healing possibilities of nature and community.
My greatest takeaway was seeing how much Dr. Kőrösi was touched by her experiences. She was deeply moved and we could watch her transformation. Her strong storytelling and photos allow the reader to share her experiences and a touch of her transformation.
The photographic sequence of the sunrise is just breathtaking. I didn’t know that could be done in a printed book! She did it, though.
Dr. Kőrösi continues with the sky sequence and her poem describing her experience.
The sky calls.
The pattern emerges from within.
I am at peace with the worlds above.
Dr. Kőrösi shared those sacred moments when she traveled to the in-between. Have you ever been?
The sage and the rock formations are breathtaking. The rock formations look more like constructions rather than individual rocks. What forces could have formed those significant constructions? Intermingle that experience with wonder and the irresistible scent of wild sage. It speaks to the heart as well as the mind.
The rolling hills provide a timeless presence of eternity. The photographs build that presence and the connection with the Earth. The photos of the land expose emotions of unity and continuity. One can feel the ever-changing permanence of the land in all its forms. The author intersperses some very emotional poetry with her touching photos. The reader can sit by the river and hear the ripples and the Earth’s music. They can smell the Earth and the water — the beautiful desert flowers in bloom.
The photos are alive, and the thoughts form a union with the images. Paging through the book is a transformative visual adventure. The reader can experience the journey through her text and photos.
Dr. Kőrösi’s bio is impressive in its variety and scope. Her catalog shows her genuine love for life.
By Cindee Matyas
I loved the book and all the images. Launch it into the world.
🌸The e-book is currently published in 2 places and being sent to multiple other places. I am working on getting the printed book published as well.
Update 4/13/24 The Printed book is now also available on Lulu.com
🌸Dancing Elephants Press Story collections Holistic Journey Toward Wellness (2022), The Joy of Life (2023) Moments of Eternity (2023), and Creative Writing Ideas to Spark Your Imagination (2023), The Magic In Friendship (2024) were written by Medium writers and Authors and can be found on multiple online platforms.
If you like my writing, please follow me here, Subscribe to the Medium platform using my link here, and Buy me a coffee here. My Books are available on my website, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Draft2Digital here. Gabriella on Newsbreak here. Visit Gabriella’s store here.
Thank you for reading,
Gabriella