Sam's Nature Writing Blog

                                                On my run this morning I was consciously more aware of the things that surrounded me. The worn-down grass to the left of my path sparked some initial parallels between my life and its current state. What once had been planted and thriving, was now beaten down and reduced to dirt. However, in patches the grass had begun to grow back. During this season of life and school, I have often felt like the grass. Giving all of my effort and energy in hopes of succeed and growing, only to feel stressed and neglected at times. However, despite the setbacks and tiring days, I still, much like the grass and dirt, can feel growth.  Initially, the beaten down grass does not seem aesthetically pleasing, but the development underneath is astounding. The simplistic needs of a single blade of grass; sun, soil, and wat...

Our discussion about the writings of Edward Abbey was quite interesting. The change in writing style from some of the other authors we have been discussing was quite intriguing. His inner dialogue allowed the reader to hear his thoughts and understand his thinking and methodologies rather than purely observational. I found the style more engaging to read through and enjoyed myself more while reading. The humorous aspects were a welcomed refresher throughout the passage. The sarcasm and jokes he made kept the audience invested in what he was going to say or discuss next. The relatability of some of the sarcasm allowed the reader to find a little bit of themselves within his humor. Additionally, the detail he used to describe various scenarios created some moments of shock and astonishment. While often exaggerations in order to prove a point, it was a skillful tactic to ensure that the reader is paying attention. I found myself reading a few lines multiple to ensure that I had read the...

While walking my roommates’ dog this morning, I had a bit of a revelation within myself.   Miller, the dog pictured in this post, always sprinted ahead of me, looking around every corner, sniffing every tree, her head consistently on a swivel. I began to realize that I almost felt a sense of jealousy for her natural inquisitiveness and exploration. The lack of routine and time that she experiences on a day to day basis, simply living as the day goes, was honestly a tempting concept to me. I feel as though I often forget the fundamental necessity of natural curiosity. Her excitement to go outside, to run, to play, was a refreshing retreat from my structured schedule and mental rigidness. Along with Miller, I too began to observe my surroundings and invoke a greater sense of wonder about my current setting. Instead of having a chore mentality associated with my current activity, I began to think of it as a time of pure observation and challenged myself to shift my thinking by marv...

Immersing yourself in the darkness is quite humbling. I often prefer it to going during the day, as the temperatures are merciful and much kinder. While the companionship of a friend brings security, there is something about the edge of the night that is intriguing to me. During the day, I feel as though I am in complete control of my surroundings and what I am doing. I feel dominant in my environment with little to fear.   However as soon as the sun sets, despite my familiar location, I have a sudden feeling that I am almost entering an unknown and unfamiliar place, despite being in the exact same location just hours before. I’ve come to embrace my physical insignificance while being out at night under the mercy of the overwhelming blanket of dark skies.   We have discussed in class the comparison between civilized and uncivilized depictions in nature, and I feel as though while still living in the city, the darkness can bring out the uncivilized in the area. It can be ju...

There are few places in the world that I experience pure tranquility where I can retreat and reset. The lake is one of those places. It’s ironic almost, the way I describe stress and anxiety is often with references referring to struggles in water, but the water is the place I feel the calmest. Some common euphemisms include, “I’m drowning”, or “I feel like I’m barely treading water.” The stillness of the water in the morning could almost convince you that it wasn’t real. As if there was a sheet of glass between one bend of and the next. Inevitably, a bird swooped down and disturbed the smoothness of the surface, resulting in ripples extended beyond my view. After the morning calmness has passed, I took a minute just to float in the water in the cove. The strength of the water supporting me and all my external worries. The moment of serenity was fleeting as the calmness soon transitioned into rambunctiousness with the increase in environmental activity. My dog has found its way ...

I envy the clouds. Their lack of conformity to any mode or model, fixing themselves into whatever shape seems suitable to them for the day. They do not fit a mold or expectation of what anyone has for them. They foster creativity in their description and inspiration for the dreamer. The shape shifting capabilities creates a sense of freedom not displayed in the humanistic world today. The display of their emotions is never hidden and is always exposed for the world to see. The heaviness of their burden of rain falls freely but gives to those it serves. Like a mood ring, their shifting color showing their inner emotions while bringing the people below together in unity to avoid the inevitable emotional release in a downpour. The protection from the never-ending light that they provide for their subordinates reflects a constant selflessness I’ve never known in another person.

I kicked a rock about the whole way to my car today. It was small, grayish in color with no significant markings or specific shape to it. Moving it along with minimal effort or force behind me. Just a seemingly trivial object that simply crossed my path as I walked along. But trivial to who? Why do I get to deem it insignificant? To the fairly, the world’s smallest insect, walking alongside a pebble on the sidewalk, it seems but a mountain. A mountain riddled with cracks, and crevices that is often rough and jaded. The pebble would seem insurmountable and a roadblock to the other side. The perspective from which we view nature humbles us and brings us back to our center. What is trivial to one is life altering to another that which we cannot see.