Control Freak

     Man versus nature, a common theme in our world today.  Humans are always moving nature out of the way so they can move in.  Man's domination of nature is in no way permanent, nature is always slowly making its comeback.  In Holland Michigan there was a deteriorating hunk of steel, rusted, and extensively graffitied  high atop a dune.  This hunk of steel was once a proud symbol of humanities domination over this place in nature.  It began as a water tower, tall and strong.  When man's need for this structure dissipated so did the up keep.  In no time nature began to take its toll.  One small step at a time, nature brought this structure to its knees leaving it as a crumpled mass of steel. 

     It may seem at times that humans are in control of nature, the truth is that the minute we look away nature proves that it is in fact the one in power.  Instead of fighting off nature humanity would be better off trying to live harmoniously with nature.  Humanities relationship with earth could be improved by using the earth's natural resources more responsible, using green building practices,  and eating locally grown foods.  These are all small steps that could be taken to help improve our relationship with the earth that supports all life.  

     

Llamas! and Goats! and Ducks! OH MY!

     "Many people who move to the country are smitten by an urge to surround themselves with a menagerie of farm animals,"  explains Tom Springer in his book, Looking for Hickories: the Forgotten Wilderness of the Rural Midwest.  He goes on to clarify that he is not of this 'camp'.  My parents were.  We had a laundry list of animals including; cats, dogs, chickens, ducks, guinea hens, goats, sheep, llamas, and horse for a short while.  Most of whom were nothing more than pets.  We only tried eating one once, it was a rather ornery rooster, and I feel it necessary to add that he turned out to be an equally unpleasant meal (a little chewy for my liking).
     Growing up in such a setting was a very educational experience.  I watched chicks mature into chickens, my three pygmy kids became full blown pygmy goats (they're only about knee high), lambs puff up into sheep, and as I aided all of these animals to maturity they aided me.  They taught me responsibility, time management and helped me to learn to deal with adverstity. I have had the pleasure of being acquaintances with many people my age who are not even sure how to take care of themselves let alone being responsible for the life of another living being.  I think it is wise for all children to be held responsible for the life of an animal if at all possible, I suppose a plant would be an okay substitute.  It helps develop character and skills that will be maintained into adulthood.

Dune Savior

     I enjoy a good traipse through the woods.  One of my most favored stomping ground lies within the grounds of the Saugatuck Dunes State park.  My childhood home is very near to all this plot of land has to offer; rolling dunes, the felt mansion, acre upon acre of woods.  Although I did not frequent this place until I was old enough to drive myself there, for years it was a place of mystery for me.  My mother kept me home on one particularly sunny fall day when I was in second grade.  She told me we were going on an adventure.  We drove down the winding tree lined road which ended in a small parking lot, but the lot is not the end it is the start.  Just beyond the lot is a wide open prairie like expanse, a little further one can see the rolling mountains of trees, and beyond that lies the endless expanses of Lake Michigan.  It simply has it all.  While exploring with my Mom on my first trip there I vowed that I would one day explore everything this vast sanctuary had to offer.  I kept true to my vow and discovered many of the secrets that these dunes hide; wether it be the best spots to see out above the changing fall leaves, the best way to get to the lake, or the animal pens left from a zoo of yesteryear.

     When I learned that Alison Swan, the Editor of Fresh Water, and guest lecturer, was responsible for heading the efforts to protect this great piece of land I wanted to jump up and give her a hug.  Alison Swan preserved the place where many of my fresh water memories were made.  She also preserved the truly remarkable fresh water memories the women in her book, Fresh Water: Women Writing on the Great Lakes.  These writers expressed thoughts and emotions about their relationships with the great lakes that I have struggled to put into words.  "Anyone with a love for or curiosity about the Great Lakes and their shorelines will be captivated", explains Swan in an interview with Dave Dempsey.  I feel that Gayle Boss best explained what being surrounded by a the Great Lakes and their seemingly neverending shorelines feels like  in her essay, "Dunetop Dying,"after a time, sensations congeal into a dominant thought: There's nothing I need".  When I find myself alone with nature I feel exactly the same.  Its as if the rest of the world does not exist and it is only me and nature sharing a special moment.