I never read much in the way of nature writing before this class so I didn’t realize that the genre was so large. It was interesting to see how other people view nature and what they consider harmful to it. This class has made me take a closer look at Boise as a whole also. I didn’t realize they had so many environmentally friendly programs or so many classes on how to take care of the environment. They are working hard to preserve what we have and it makes me proud to live here, not that I wasn’t already.
The bummer deal about spring in Idaho is that it comes late, and it didn’t snow much this year. So all I saw at my bench was cold and windy, with the occasional torrential precipitation. I did start seeing many of the same people walking the path by my bench. Most of them seem nice. There’s one old guy who always has headphones on and never says hi to me. Many of the changes are just now taking place. The park is filling up with people practicing softball, the trees are budding and the canal is full. It’s still crazy windy, but at least it’s reaching the 60’s now.
I’ve learned that it is possible to write a blog about the same place for an entire semester. I was a bit leery at first, which made it more interesting to see that I could do it, and that each entry was different. Sadly enough, I have never enjoyed journaling- horrible, I know, coming from an English major. But I did enjoy the blog format.
I’ve also started looking more closely at trees and plants, making mental notes about what would look good in my garden and what wouldn’t. Do I want plants that attract butterflies? Do I want to grow my own herbs and vegetables? The answer is yes to all of them.
Jana,
ReplyDeleteYour paragraph that begins with "I've learned that it is possible..." addresses the whole aspect of writing that I have discovered over the years. I went a long drought of about 2 years in my thirties without writing at all, telling myself I hadn't anything to write about. That was when I discovered writing is a verb - in that you have to do it; it isn't about subject matter, it is about seeing where the process takes you. A few years later, I was back in school as the old writing bug had me pinned to the keyboard, so to speak. So, even though journaling isn't your favorite, perhaps what you are learning is that a very large part of the craft of writing is literally just doing it. Keep writing! That should be our collective mantra. Who knows what comes of it?
Peace,
Dan
Hi Jana--
ReplyDeleteI have enjoyed your blog very much this semester. I too was leery about the process of blogging and have come away with a few things that I can use going forward. I like the list of things you included at the end about how this experience has changed your interests and desires--butterflies and herb gardens sound wonderful. Keeping a blog about them would be interesting too--it would be fun to see how things go with these new interests and endeavors.
Jana,
ReplyDeleteI think most of us have been surprised that we were able to find new things to say about the same place, prompt after prompt...it sounds as if you are beginning a new friendship with this place. Wonderful!
I'm happy to hear that you are beginning to think of a garden, or plants that attract butterflies. I intend to expand and re-do our garden this year, sometimes I get very discouraged because I feel very outnumbered by birds, animals, weather conditions...but, I will keep trying. Good luck with all of your endeavors! I hope to see more of your writing in the future!
Hi Jana!
ReplyDeleteIt's been fun reading along with your bench. I think you should say hi to the old guy with headphones! It's nice to think that this project and this class gave you a new way to think about where you live. I hope your garden blooms beautifully! :)
Beth
I've never been much a of journaler either! It is odd... Anyway, after reading your post, I want to know more about this old guy with his headphones. I tend to make up stories for people like that, imagining what their lives are like and why they behave the way they do. We writers have vivid imaginations, I suppose. It's been wonderful getting inside yours for a few months. I've really begun to like your bench, and I've never even been there.
ReplyDeleteI'm so thrilled to see your bench in springtime finally (however loosely "spring" is defined in Boise's colder climate). You've mentioned something - and Raven Road did too - that at the beginning of the semester, it seems, for many students, an impossible task to write about a single place for a whole semester. But as you, and others have uncovered, there's a great deal to be seen, if we pay close enough attention :-)
ReplyDelete