River Stories tells one woman's story of exploration and healing found while intimately immersed in field studies of freshwater mussels in creeks in east- ern Washington State. Part natural history, part spiritual journey, part self- empowerment, the story, like the river itself, wraps its arms around the writer and the reader. The river becomes a meditation and metaphor for the writer's life. You may never look at the natural world or yourself quite the same way after reading it.
About the Author: Amy was the sixth of seven children born to Arthur and Mary Ann Stock and raised in a big white house on the Meco Flats in Gloversville, NY. Amy's childhood was filled with kickball games, sleepovers, sledding, biking and swimming. Amy had many adventures during her childhood, including a three-day canoe trip between Blue Mountain Lake and Tupper Lake during which she was voted "Possum Queen" by her siblings. Amy acquired a tremendous love of nature and the outdoors from her father. An avid reader, her favorite book was, "Women Who Run With the Wolves" by Clarissa Pinkola Estes. While in high school, Amy was awarded a Rotary National Student Leadership Scholarship wherein she travelled across the United States. This experience opened Amy's eyes to the vastness of our nation and enabled her to acquire strong leadership and interpersonal skills. During that trip Amy witnessed diversity, poverty, and the natural beauty of our country all of which had a tremendous impact on her life. She understood the need to preserve the en- vironment for future generations and to embrace people of all races, religion and socioeconomic class. Amy was passionate about environmental conservation, sustainability and education. When Amy envisioned the future of conservation, she saw a collection of small victories...puzzle pieces coming together to create regenerative and resilient systems that meet our basic living needs while minimizing our impact on the earth. Her vision included urban communities where food crops grow in yards, green spaces and solar panels are commonplace and easy-to-use and effective public transportation is accessible to all. Not only did she envision these ideas, Amy enjoyed one of these visions on a daily basis. She cherished her community garden plot in Capital Roots' Ridgefield Park garden. Amy loved growing her own food alongside the diverse members of her community. This gave her the opportunity to not only meet and work alongside the other members of the community but to share the fruits of her labor with friends and family. Amy loved the mountains and she loved the beach. Amy loved life. Amy Stock was tragically by a drunk driver in Albany, NY on July 19, 2015. This book is a testament to the beauty of her spirit and a guide to her life's journey. All proceeds from the sale of this book are going to the Amy Stock Memorial Scholarship in Sustainability at SUNY Empire State and/or a scholarship in Amy's memory at Gloversville High School.