Community Action Project Blogs

Post One: Today our group brainstormed a topic and finally picked one with Ada Hayden Park and Peterson Pits. I think we are going to try and clean up the surrounding areas because they are environmental areas that everyone in the community of Ames likes to enjoy.

Post Two: Today as a group we decided to do some research about the area and find out some historical information. Found out that Ada Hayden was once a quarry and is used for a water reserve if the rainfall is low.

Post Three: Today I took a trip out to Peterson Pits to go fishing and a problem I noticed is people don't treat the area with respect like they should be. I saw trash by the picnic tables that was just left there, this is a problem and needs to fixed.

Post Four: As a group we have started narrowing down a date that we can make our clean-up efforts. I think we will stick with Ada Hayden as the cleanup location just because it's closer to town and more people actually know about the area.

Post Five: The clean up was today at Ada Hayden and I have to say I was a bit surprised. There really wasn't as much garbage or trash as I expected there to be. But the we cleaned up the trash that was there, and made the area cleaner.

Post Six: Reflecting back on the clean up, the things I wish we could have done is have more time to plan out a greater effort for a different more dirty location like the Skunk River. Another thing I wish we had was the man power so we could cover a greater area and maybe do a better job cleaning up. But I was pleased with my first cleanup effort in Ames and hopefully I can do one again in the future.

Discussion Questions

Do you think that the existence of land for future generations use lies in the hand of an individual or a larger conservation effort? Why? Do you think conservationists dishing out more blame than action on the problems?


Leopold states, "The evolution of a land ethic is an intellectual as well as emotional process."
Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Why?

Discussion Questions: A Sand County Almanac

1. Do you agree with the community concept, or do you think an individual is able to stray away and survive by his/her self off the land? Why?

2. Was Aldo Leopold's writing effective? What was your favorite point that he makes? Why?

Group Project

The last group project I was apart of, was to say the least, unsuccessful. The reason I think this is because we didn't receive a good grade and the people in the group didn't bring much to the table idea wise and work ethic wise. I think once groups are formed people become lackadaisical because they believe with the increase amount of members the work should be easier to do and therefore less effort needs to be put forth. When in reality the work load is larger and people end up putting the stuff of then try to do it in one night and their work is sub par. This is why I really dislike group projects when the members are randomly assigned because you dont know anything about these people. I would much rather pick my own group.

"Fecundity" by Annie Dillard

Homeplace:

Once Country fields in every direction
an endless backyard
teeming with wildlife
hawks circle above as preys dives into the bush for cover
deer graze in the distance
Great thunderous storms would light up a dark night sky
Slowly fields recede
Black, hot, rough
pavement replaces my playground
the owls presence ceases in the night
Hawks no longer circle above
Deer are forced away by buildings and people
Now the darkness is lit by street lights
my fields are now gone
trapped by a city my soul seeks escape
Finding comfort during day dreams of the past

"Manifesto" and "The Making of a Marginal Farm" -- Wendell Berry.

In the Manifesto I had a personal connection with the mentioning of living life and enjoying the time you have here on earth. Berry is telling people to live carefree and stand for what you believe in, I had a deep connection to this because it related strongly with my Personal Mission Statement. It seemed me and Wendell Berry had to same meaning or outlook on life.

In The Making of a Marginal Farm I really felt no connection with the reading. I have never ran my own farm and really don't understand how one works. But, Berry did use vivid description when describing the surrounding area of his farm, which did paint a mental picture in my mind. I believe his intent for the piece was to inform people that it is possible to live off the land and when you replenish or return things to the earth it will return them back to you in time.

"Having Faith" Sandra Steingraber

What is her purpose/ audience in writing this?

Sandra Steingraber's reason for writing this article was to inform people about how chemicals used for growing crops and other things are getting into the human body. Her audience s the general public and anyone who believes this is a serious problem/ is a activist for organic goods. Sandra presents many opinions on how future generations can be helped/saved if we make a change.

How does she get her message across?

Steingraber uses many facts which gives validity to her writing and cause. Sandra also gives information on studies that are connducted concerning the matter, which also backs up her writing. To begin the essay, Sandra gives background information on herself and reasoning why she believes this topic is important. Steingraber uses pathos to get the reader to believe in her writing by creating a strong emotional connection that every human can connect with. She also uses logos by backing up her opinions with facts.

Would you consider this writing-as-activism? Why or Why not?

Yes, I consider Steingraber's writing as activism because she tries to get a message across to many people with her writing. She tries to inform people of the dangers of chemical entering their bodies and she has a strong emotional connection to the issue.

How I Have Used Change

Throughout my life I have been closely associated with nature and my surroundings. Every year back home there is a creek clean up effort. We choose mostly the creeks that are located of small highways because they usually accumulate the most trash and clutter. We clear the streams so they can flow freely without obstruction, so they take a natural path. We have seen progress from the work we have done, for example the small fish that once populated the creeks are returning in strong numbers, which is attracting the herons back and other types of birds and water fowl. It is great to see the work we have done pay off, but now we must keep things clean by attempting to prevent the build up of trash. Signs for no littering have been posted on the side of the roads and the area is recognized as a park so all can enjoy nature and wild life that inhabit the area.

Personal Mission Statement

I am commitment to live a peaceful, goal minded, and meaningful life. Life for me is a journey you never know which way the road may turn next; but you are unable to prepare for the unknown so I am constantly looking for meaning in the events that occur. I am growing up as a person and realizing that my life is shaped by my actions, so setting goals for what I would like to pursue is important. Religion is important to me; I believe there is a higher meaning to life and God is the reason for it, without God I would have no reason to live therefore it is necessary to thank him for all things and give praise.

"Silent Spring" by Rachael Carson

In Silent Spring by Rachel Carson, she uses pathos very well to draw in the reader with emotion. Carson starts of the essay with a very descriptive opening scene, "The town law in the midst of a checkerboard of prosperous farms, with fields of grain and hillsides of orchards where, in spring, white clouds of bloom drifted above the green fields. In autumn, oak and maple and birch set up a blaze of color that flamed and flickered across a backdrop of pines." (366) Carson's main context of the essay is about birds and how they are dying and populations are being diminished. Later in the text she uses logos to further explain her concern for the birds, "The death of 600 birds on a single estate in Norfolk was reported to the House of Lords, and 100 pheasants died on a farm in North Essex." (372) Carson gives a lot of facts, which also gives her credibility and that dives into the ethos. She mentions so many people that talk about their research, about their findings and it gives the reader a sense of trust. They can truly believe what is said in the essay. Carson's purpose to writing this is to let people know that there is a problem and it does need fixing. Carson gave many great examples of substance in this piece, I feel that Carson did a great job of drawing the reader into the essay and explaining the situation clearly.

"A Thousand-Mile Walk to the Gulf" RLW

Question: Find specific examples of abstract ideas and concrete language. What are the effects?

Answer: Personally this writing as a whole didn't work for me at all. It seemed to me that the writer was contradicting everything he said. He seemed to mock the beliefs of others and I took it as very offensive. How dare he mock others beliefs and question what people believe. He says the creator is great for all of its creations, but then goes back to say why would the creator make man eating animals such as lions, alligators, and tigers. The effect it had was very contradictory and I didn't enjoy the reading.

"Polemic: Industrial Tourism and the National Parks"

What specific details stay in your mind? Why? How do these smaller details lead into larger ideas?

Answer: The details that stick in my mind are his different perceptions of people because of how vividly he describes them. He goes through numbering and labeling the types of people that he sees, but the thing is he makes these assumptions without knowing anything about these people. I see this man as being very judgmental. These details are somewhat developed into bigger ideas because he goes on later to talk about larger cities. Maybe these different people he sees are his interpretation of city life.

"A First American Views His Land" Reading like a writer

Question: How does the writer structure the essay and to what effect?

Answer: The writer uses a paragraph structure that is broken up with poems that are spread throughout the text. I believe these poems add a lot to the text by giving it greater description of certain points. Some people may disagree with this, but I think it is an effective way to keep readers attention and it gives the text a nice change of pace, it makes reader slow down and really 'Read' not just scan. This is more of a fragmented narrative because of the poems and the ideas kind of jump around. I do think that the writer chose the opening paragraph about hunting to attract the reader and interest them in the writing.

Thoreau v.s. McCandless

When reading both stories I noticed the similarities and the differences between Chris McCandless and Thoreau. The similarity the was the strongest was that they both wanted to live free in the wilderness away from society. Both McCandless and Thoreau pay attention to the finer details in life, which most people would never notice and they both take pride on living off the land by themselves. Another similarity that they both have is they make relationships and interact with people that would have never met. The difference I noticed was that McCandless didn't want anything to do with society it seemed as if he just wanted his name erased. So he burned is money and social security card. On the other hand Thoreau took what society had to offer instead of totally resenting it. He was careful with his money and budgeted it properly. Even though later on McCandless changes his ways when he was preparing for his Alaskan adventure. He gets a job and starts to save and budget money like Thoreau, but earlier on in McCandless adventure he differed from Thoreau greatly.

Blood Dazzler Second Half

Poem: Pg. 66 "Remember to Sing"

My Poem: Birthday Storm

wind
rain
till the force of nature
breaks your windows

down to the basement
never ending staircase
they huddle

in the closet
next to others

drink nothing except
the tears streaming down
taste the saltiness on your tongue

cry

words of comfort
from parents and elders

hold back
tears

Blood Dazzler first half

Question: Break the piece down paragraph by paragraph. How does each piece act as a building block? How does the writer create dramatic tension or interest through these building blocks?

Answer: Pg. 5 "7P.M., Thursday, August 25, 2005"
When she says I see it first describes that Katrina makes land fall and how it has its own language. She say it has its own taste which bulids the poem making me imagine the salty spray of the sea and the fresh pouring rain. She uses the sense of hearing to build further on the noises she hears outside the home or where ever she is. She uses all these senses to build up to the final line how she wants all she hears, tastes, and sees. This hurricane is like a drug to her senses, and these few words have tremendous meaning.

Fishing

My favorite thing to do in nature is going fishing. When I go fishing it seems that all life's problems fade away. The swaying of the boat in the waves is so relaxing I sometimes find my way falling asleep. Another thing I like to do while fishing is nature watching. I always see eagles circling above, loons calling in the distance, and deer on the shore. Fishing for me is a great way to get in touch with nature and realize how beautiful it is.

Fall

Every year around the same time my dad would ask me to come outside with him. He would make me stand there, close my eyes, and breath. A few deep breaths is all it took to notice. The cool air would run through my sinuses filling my lungs to the top. As I exhale my eyes would slowly open and notice the steam coming from my breath. Fall was upon us, with the leaves exhibiting their extravagant colors and wildlife making final preparation for winter, whether it were geese flying south or squirrels collecting acorns. This was my favorite time of year because it was just a time to sit back and watch nature at work.

Lightning Storm

The trees sway back an forth violently, as the wind howls like a pack of wolves
Rumbling in the distance
Rain steadily falls, patting the lake and the leaves
Rumbling in the distance
Flashes of lighting light up the night sky
The rumbling is here
One after another natures nightlight streaks through the sky
Wind continues to blow, the rain begins to let up, the lights start to dissipate
Rumbling in the distance

Mary Oliver: The Summer Day

Question: Find Specific examples of abstract (ideas and concepts) and concrete (specific details, sensory implications) language. What are the effects?

Answer: In this poem Mary Oliver leaves alot of open ended questions which for me, pulled me into the poem and made me imagine. When she describes the grasshopper I think she almost gives it human characteristics when she says that the grasshopper lifted her forearms and washed her face. She described the grasshopper quite vividly which helped me paint a picture in my mind. To close the poem she describes life as precious and wild, which I think is somewhat of an abstract idea because when you think of people you don't think of wild animals. Instead we think of civilized communal life. The point I believe that she is trying to get across is we only live once, and that we should be a little more carefree and enjoy it before it is gone.

Reading Like a Writer: The Ninemile Wolves Response

Question: What specific details stay in your mind? Why? How do these small details lead to larger ideas?

Answer: A detail that Rick Bass described was the progressing "destruction" of wolves, how it took less than 50 years to kill all of the wolves that inhabited Montana. This detail stuck in my mind because everything that we humans do affects our surroundings and the sad part is most people never notice the detrimental changes taking place. This detail developed later in the story on the reverse end and how the wolves have began to rebound so rapidly when protected by law. The destruction of the wolves that inhabited Montana were not driven out of their habitat by the lack of prey, but by humans. The numbers of prey such as deer, and elk have since exploded in size. Rick describes the return of the wolves as inevitable, that life works in its own cycles, and nothing that humans do can change the natural process that has occurred for hundreds of year.
A picture that Rick left in my mind was his description of what a wolf looks like to him. It is not chasing a deer or elk, but being chased away by humans and it is up to us to change this picture.

Reading Like a Writer: Terry Tempest Williams Response

Question: What are the major themes in this piece? Are there any minor themes as well? Is there any kind of "subtext" in this essay? What kind of murmurs run below the surface?

Answer:
The major theme in this piece is a refuge that is found just on the outskirt of the Great Salt Lake in Utah. This refuge is home to many species of birds, the most extravagant being the Burrowing Owl, which is characterized by the mounds of clay that they build to house their young. A minor theme from the reading is the explanation of the Mormon religion and how important it was to Terry, her family, and it shaped the way they looked at and treated their surroundings. There are many examples of subtext in the essay describing the memories Terry has of growing up around nature with her grandmother. The murmurs that run below the surface are the defiant acts Terry makes against her religion. Out of rage these acts were aimed toward the men that destroyed the refuge where the Burrowing Owl once prospered.

First Post

Got blogger set up. Now time to read that book.