John Harris, the “English hermit” of North Wales, is an historical and legendary figure who lived in a cave recently the subject of archaeological investigation. This 1999 article entitled “English Hermit” by Anthony Sinclair and Keith J. Matthews of the University of Liverpool, was first published in CAPRA (Cave Archaeology and Paleontology Research Archives). It includes several pictures of the cave and site. URL: http://www.shef.ac.uk/~capra/1/hermit.html.
Desert spirituality
A 1992 article entitled “Desert Faith” in Spirituality Today on desert spirituality, inspired by the author’s residence near a Colorado desert. URL: http://www.spiritualitytoday.org/spir2day/92441hatch.htm. Brought to our attention by a friend of Hermitary.
Utne hut article
The January-February 2005 issue of Utne magazine has a short article entitled “A Hut of One’s Own,” on the hermit hut. Includes a picture of a modern-styled hut you can build from design plans (plans not included in the article). Mentions Thoreau and others but especially Kamo no Chomei. The online edition gives you paragraph one only. URL: http://www.utne.com/pub/2005_127/cover_story/11506-1.html.
California recluse-woodcarver
Intriguing article about John McAbery, a reclusive artist-woodcarver living by the ocean in a rugged stretch of northern California. He lives in a cabin, without technology or people to be seen. URL: http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-mcabery31jan31
,0,2811129.story?coll=la-home-headlines.
Hi-tech hermit
Here is a curiosity piece about a Romanian hermit whose computer, printer, cellphone, and television were stolen from the cave in which he lives. The news item is below or read it at http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_1257767.html.
Hi-tech haul stolen from monk’s cave
Romanian police are investigating after a £3,000 worth of computer
equipment was stolen from a recluse monk’s cave.
Burglars forced the cave door, near Agapia village in Neamt county, and made off the the monk’s high tech possessions.
They took his new HP laptop, Leadtek TV tuner, HP multifunctional printer and mobile phone.
Police spokesman Neculai Costan told Monitorul de Neamt newspaper: “We made preliminary investigations and already have a circle of suspects.
“It was a surprise for us to have a monk complaining for such a heist. But he said he needed the gear because he wanted to keep pace with society even if he lives in recluse.”