The awesome art of the out-of-office reply

I’ve started a new collection: out-of-office replies. 

Brilliant manifestos, wise words, gentle reminders. Auto replies that inspire me to put up one myself. This one from a fellow nature-loving writer, for example, remains a favorite: “I hope this email does not find you. I hope you are outside somewhere, chasing the last golden sunsets of summer and looking for the first clusters of green apples laden upon a nearby branch you never noticed before. Don’t give up on the real.”

Right ON, Rebecca Williams! That was my first thought, which only solidified as I read on, because she then quoted Edward Abbey: “It is not enough to fight for the land; it is even more important to enjoy it. While you can. While it’s still here. So get out there and . . . mess around…