Welcome to Nome, Alaska - temperature ZERO! Here is a visual aid to help you understand the cold, vast, open, emptiness that surrounds us everyday. Located behind me is the Bering Sea - completely frozen and covered with ice!
Saturday, March 3, 2012
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Please Comment
Dear Readers,
Over the next several days, I will be posting parts of my nature journal and pictures! I am practicing for a nature project, and I would really love to hear comments. What are you curious about? What doesn't look right? and, of course, what is working? Please check out the post titled, The Last Days of January!
N.
The Last Days of January
Minus 34 is not an enjoyable temperature in nature. It’s days like today that I have a complete appreciation for my indoor plumbing and heating. As I arrive in my secure location near Swanberg’s Dredge, I feel a little rush as I ready myself for the adventure of discovering animal tracks and following the trail. Wouldn’t it be fun to follow a little bird or maybe even a fox? I happened upon dog tracks.
The impression the paw made into the snow was intact. The imprints were fairly close together as if the dog was slowing down. I followed the tracks for several feet, and then I came to the end. Sitting before me in its frozen glory was a large pile of poo. Feeling crushed, I had to laugh at the hilarity of the situation. Near the dog tracks there were tire tread marks as if its human companion chauffeured him off after doing his business.
My cheeks felt like ice cubes, but as I turned to go I noticed the setting sun and the imprint of snowmachine tracks across the frozen ocean. I had to snap a picture, even though they're man-made the designs across the snow and ice were impressive. I spent a few more moments looking around before heading back to the warmth of my home.
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Near Swanberg's Dredge
The wind whispers from all sides as I gaze across the vast, open emptiness. There is a stark feeling of isolation as I look across the horizon and see nothing but white until it looks like the earth just stops. The cold is gradual but quick. I've only been out here for a few minutes and my cheeks sting with the bite of the wind. The temp today is a balmy minus 7 with a crisp, constant wind of 7 mph. The windchill is almost 30 below. Why am I out here?
As I start to walk back to the truck something catches my eye. All along the edge of the road, sprouting from beneath many layers of snow and ice, are blades of grass. How does something stay alive in the bitter cold? It has to be alive. It's green and standing straight up into the air. Some blades stand nearly 2 feet while others are just peeking out from the snow. I've lived here for nearly 16 years, yet I don't recall ever noticing this little miracle before. As I reach the truck, I notice a figure jogging in the distance. It is just he and I for miles with nothing but the sound of the wind.
As I start to walk back to the truck something catches my eye. All along the edge of the road, sprouting from beneath many layers of snow and ice, are blades of grass. How does something stay alive in the bitter cold? It has to be alive. It's green and standing straight up into the air. Some blades stand nearly 2 feet while others are just peeking out from the snow. I've lived here for nearly 16 years, yet I don't recall ever noticing this little miracle before. As I reach the truck, I notice a figure jogging in the distance. It is just he and I for miles with nothing but the sound of the wind.
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Nature Writing
I'm beginning a new adventure. Over the next few months I will be exploring nature. The temperatures are extremely cold, but the beauty that surrounds me is magnificent. The journey promises new experiences and a new style of writing.
Sunday, April 17, 2011
"Prayer of Columbus"
This is the last poem we're looking at as my exploration of Whitman comes to an end. I am sure I will be seeing him again though!
"Prayer of Columbus" was written with Christopher Columbus in mind, but in true Whitman form the underlying layers in this poem scream about Whitman's life as he neared the end. The poem is written like a prayer to God, which I believe is very uncharacteristic of Whitman. In fact, I feel he was feeling his own mortality and that is why he chose this form.
The poem begins, "A batter'd, wreck'd old man..." Whitman was ailing, feeling the effects of a stroke that left him paralyzed on one side. Perhaps he felt a kinship with Columbus, like the two were great explorers--one in a more physical sense and the other in a metaphysical sense! Kind of like "Passage to India" Whitman writes of Columbus' life work - sort of like a list of accomplishments, physically and spiritually. I like the line, "Intentions, purports, aspirations mine, leaving results to Thee." It's like Columbus' work was in God's hands. "A message from the Heavens whispering to me even in sleep, / These sped me on."
In the line, "By me the hemispheres rounded and tied, the unknown to the known." I can really see the dual purpose in this line. Whitman wanted to connect with people and pass on his transcendental views. He wanted to connect worlds in unity--uniting races and genders.
As this poem comes to an end there is a different tone about it. I think Whitman is seeing the possibility of life after death--"As if some miracle, some hand divine unseal'd my eyes." It's like all of a sudden he was seeing so clearly what was going to happen. I almost felt like he was excited and at peace with the idea of being finished in our world.
I think this is a great poem. I like the tribute to Columbus, but I also like the underlying hints of what Whitman was feeling and going through himself. I like knowing personal things about the writer because it helps me gain a better understanding of what his true message is.
"Prayer of Columbus" was written with Christopher Columbus in mind, but in true Whitman form the underlying layers in this poem scream about Whitman's life as he neared the end. The poem is written like a prayer to God, which I believe is very uncharacteristic of Whitman. In fact, I feel he was feeling his own mortality and that is why he chose this form.
The poem begins, "A batter'd, wreck'd old man..." Whitman was ailing, feeling the effects of a stroke that left him paralyzed on one side. Perhaps he felt a kinship with Columbus, like the two were great explorers--one in a more physical sense and the other in a metaphysical sense! Kind of like "Passage to India" Whitman writes of Columbus' life work - sort of like a list of accomplishments, physically and spiritually. I like the line, "Intentions, purports, aspirations mine, leaving results to Thee." It's like Columbus' work was in God's hands. "A message from the Heavens whispering to me even in sleep, / These sped me on."
In the line, "By me the hemispheres rounded and tied, the unknown to the known." I can really see the dual purpose in this line. Whitman wanted to connect with people and pass on his transcendental views. He wanted to connect worlds in unity--uniting races and genders.
As this poem comes to an end there is a different tone about it. I think Whitman is seeing the possibility of life after death--"As if some miracle, some hand divine unseal'd my eyes." It's like all of a sudden he was seeing so clearly what was going to happen. I almost felt like he was excited and at peace with the idea of being finished in our world.
I think this is a great poem. I like the tribute to Columbus, but I also like the underlying hints of what Whitman was feeling and going through himself. I like knowing personal things about the writer because it helps me gain a better understanding of what his true message is.
Saturday, April 16, 2011
"Passage To India" Sections 7-9
I am finishing up "Passage to India" today.
These sections really reflect on the soul. Whitman says, "O Soul repressless, I with thee and thou with me / Thy circumnavigation of the world begin." I think this is interesting because clearly Whitman sees a separation of himself from his true soul, yet he wants to take the journey, which I imagine is the journey to explore his soul and find what makes him feel complete. I think if he could get to the point where he could unite his soul with himself - he would be so pleased. He continues on to say, "O Thou transcendent / Nameless, the fibre, and the breath" - Again, he wants to transcend his own boundaries. Here's an interesting line, "But that I, turning, call to thee O soul, thou actual Me." It's a strange notion for me to think my soul is separate from my person.
"Passage, immediate passage! the blood burns in my veins / Away O soul! hoist instantly the anchor!" Does he think that by traveling, exploring, and seeking out new places will help pacify his soul until he can transcend the earth and his true soul will be free? Sometimes Whitman's beliefs confuse me.
I like this poem. I enjoy the themes of unity, advancement, accomplishment, race equality, transcendentalism, religion, --it seems this poem has it all. I didn't get the "ego" that Whitman usually portrays, at least I didn't feel like he was "in my face" with it. Whitman is a man of many identities - I can understand why he felt in conflict with himself.
These sections really reflect on the soul. Whitman says, "O Soul repressless, I with thee and thou with me / Thy circumnavigation of the world begin." I think this is interesting because clearly Whitman sees a separation of himself from his true soul, yet he wants to take the journey, which I imagine is the journey to explore his soul and find what makes him feel complete. I think if he could get to the point where he could unite his soul with himself - he would be so pleased. He continues on to say, "O Thou transcendent / Nameless, the fibre, and the breath" - Again, he wants to transcend his own boundaries. Here's an interesting line, "But that I, turning, call to thee O soul, thou actual Me." It's a strange notion for me to think my soul is separate from my person.
"Passage, immediate passage! the blood burns in my veins / Away O soul! hoist instantly the anchor!" Does he think that by traveling, exploring, and seeking out new places will help pacify his soul until he can transcend the earth and his true soul will be free? Sometimes Whitman's beliefs confuse me.
I like this poem. I enjoy the themes of unity, advancement, accomplishment, race equality, transcendentalism, religion, --it seems this poem has it all. I didn't get the "ego" that Whitman usually portrays, at least I didn't feel like he was "in my face" with it. Whitman is a man of many identities - I can understand why he felt in conflict with himself.
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