"Gettin' His Twang On"

This piece bothered me and in all honesty severely hurt the point I feel she was trying to push in this book of poetry. It consisted of an short explanation preceding the poem: "George Bush plays guitar with country singer Mark Willis; 2 p.m., August 30, 2005. It is just another example of bashing a leading political figure who was likely doing all they could to try to help in an absolutely impossible situation. Smith could have much better detailed the hardships the city of New Orleans felt after Hurricane Katrina without resorting to cliché and tactless strategy of demeaning government officals.

If my memory serves me well, and in this situation I believe it does, all citizens of New Orleans were issued a mandatory evacuation the leave the city. These evacuations are not issued lightly, and mean citizens are supposed to leave their homes. Citizens who stayed behind not only severely jeopardized their lives but also the lives of the men and women who would inevitably have to come to their aid. There were situations (Smith details them quite well in "Ethel's Sestina") where it was impossible for some to leave. The other situation ("Only Everything I Own") details people who refused to leave the city because they owned nothing but what lay before them. These people led to many of the causalities caused by Katrina, and they needn't have happened. Much of Smith's writing is a question posed to people in charge. She is wondering why aid wasn't overwhelming. Maybe she should be wondering why the citizens didn't leave, and the risk they placed others in.

Snapshots

I stood looking across the lake, watching hail pelt its surface. It began to rise quickly, threatening campers who strayed too close to the edge. The sky was swirling madly, so willing to come in contact with the ground. Miles away a city lay underwater. That was the summer of '08.

We blazed through the streets trying to catch a glimpse. Driving around town was erie, as everyone had taken refugee to escape the wrath of the storm. As we approached an open field, we finally saw what gripped the town with fear. The wall of clouds was fast approaching.

I woke up with an air of excitement. It didn't take long to realize the afternoon would be eventful. I had a choice; wait, or go find it myself. Standing my ground was the right decision. It came quickly and left hastily. To the trees it must have seemed like an eternity. The strong survived...the weak were not as lucky.

Bass and Williams Questions

To Bass:

How did the systematic destruction of wolves affect the western ecosystem?

To Williams:

How does the Great Salt Lake, a lake containing virtually no life, support the vast amounts of species in Northwestern Utah?

Ninemile Wolves

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

A detail briefly mentioned in this piece but has great influences on the events which occurred was the spread of the Americans into the west. This influx of people led to the destruction of massive buffalo herds, a vital source of food for wolves. Naturally the wolves were forced to resort to a similar animal to sustain the size of their packs. This resulted in the wolves feeding off cattle in the open ranches of the west. These feedings were harmful to the wallets of the local ranchers who undoubtedly lobbied the government for protection against the creatures. In the early 20th century, wolves were hunted and destroyed to the point of extinction. The small mention of the western settlers leads to the rest of the story about the destruction of the wolves, and that is why it is an important detail.

Blazing Sky

The above image is one taken looking west out of my hometown of Epworth, Iowa. I feel this image is perfect in describing the town, especially in the summer months. The photo is shot facing the sun, which is falling quickly below rows of maturing corn, with vivid mammatus clouds crossing the sky. If I were to include a picture of the South sky, vivid displays of lightnings would be present on a pitch black backdrop. This is the dynamic nature of my part of the world. A beautiful serene seen in one quadrant of the landscape, and an equally beautiful by frightening scene in the next quadrant. For my part, weather is the main representative factor when I am in different areas. I affiliate certain places with the events that are going on above me, which has strongly influenced my decision of entering meteorology. Most people can see their town in a building or a street sign. For me, it's represented by the changing nature of the sky above me.

Tempest Williams Reading

Are there any moments that seemed weak or clichéd to you?

The overall mood of the piece by Terry Tempest Williams seemed peaceful and serene. A moment that did not fit with the rest of the story was a point where she returned to the burrowing area of the owls and discovered that they had been plowed and graveled over. A few men in a truck drove up and gave a simple explanation about what had happened there. It seemed like she accepted there comments as she left the sight without confrontation. She later went back to the sight with hopes that somehow the owls had miraculously returned. Once again, the truck drove by with the same men inside. After exchanging comments, she raised her middle finger to the men, flipping them off. I did not see this as an appropriate response to the situation, as she was taking her frustrations out on innocent bystanders, something which did not seem consistent with her personality. I understand the rage she must have felt at the moment, but that action served no purpose and in the minds of the men in the truck, probably justified what had happened at that location.

Mapping Activity

I chose to blog about a satellite map of Western Dubuque High School in Epworth, Iowa. This school was the center of my life for four years, more than anywhere else besides my home. I included the whole school because its influence is all inclusive. The classrooms are where I thrived, leading me on a lucrative educational journey. The athletic facilities cannot be excluded. Even though I was not involved in sports, an essential part of the high school experience was showing spirit and cheering for the various teams. This school influence my decision making process and tailored my education for success in the future. It's value to me cannot be measured, making it an unforgettable part of my past.