Jack Roberts: From "Harvesting Calm", pg. 1: "It surprises me how little I knew about the food I ate before I started growing it, and reminds me how much more there is to learn". I like how this sentences is tied to the statement the author made in the first paragraph of wanting to give up on learning. I think the garden symbolizes growth and shows the author the potential he/she has as a person. I am reminded of the same type of symbolism in the book, "The Bean Trees".
From "Do Not Enter (You May Get Shout)", pg. 2: "No longer do I have the support of my friends; they grew up and left for college, leaving me behind". I thought it was a stand out, powerful statement. The essay talks about he and his friends having fun, but then shifts the tone in another direction. A few of my good friends graduated last year and I was immediately reminded of that the first day of school. Also just the remainder and societal pressure that I have to "grow up" is something that is defiantly in the back of my mind a lot.
For "Spiderwebs and Dirt":What is the "old woman" she crushes in the beginning of the story? What relationship does Anna have with Annie? I'm a little confused by the context.
Quote from “Harvesting Calm”: “My frustration is an unrelenting fire, building upon itself, growing exponentially with the slightest spark.” This sentence is very descriptive of the type of frustration that students often feel. It serves as a good hook for the rest of the essay. The frustration is an easy way to relate to the reader, as most people in their lives have been overcome by the stress of piles of work they need to catch up on.
Quote from “Spiderwebs and Dirt”: “I’m closer to home than I thought.” This quote made me think of my trip to Thailand and how at first it seemed too strange and uninviting. Once I got used to it and got to know my family better, it began to feel more and more like home. I think a lot of people can relate to this is they have ever been anywhere slightly out of their comfort zone, then grown to love it.
Question for “Do Not Enter (You May Get Shot)”: Where does the adventure take place? The description of the sandpit does not give the reader a very good image of where the person actually is.
In the essay “Do Not Enter” I enjoyed the ending passage: “The only evidence left of our ever being there is the message ‘I Love You’ written in rocks at the bottom, by a boy romantic who thought she was the one,” (pg. 2). The author’s tone in this comment really gives us insight into a time that was simpler. A time of boy romantics, free spirits, and no limitations compared to the dull present where “age has gotten the best,” of the author and his old friends.
My favorite quote out of “Spiderwebs and Dirt,” was, “Down the fast sky came overhead and the wind blew my arms in circled wind – milling out of control, I grinned and the sky grinned too wide for teeth, I had to match it and then I was falling rolling tight to the earth while everything else spun, and I was still.” I found this quote very interesting because it is so visual. Not the type where you can see the trees and the landscape but the kind where you can see the author’s state of being and emotions. In particular I loved the phrase “and the sky grinned too wide for teeth.”
Why was the essay named “Of Igloos and Elephant Men?” And where does the author go in his moment of enlightenment in a dimension forgotten?
In the essay “Do Not Enter”, the line “Age has gotten the best of me now, and the bravery I had when young is gone” (p.1) captured my eyes and thoughts. It made me think about how people, even the adventurist of them can lose the “spark” they had once when they were young. Also the placement of that line is pretty interesting. That line follows the end of another paragraph, where the words to end it are “I have never hesitated”. And now, we see that author talking about how he has lost that. The transition from childhood to adulthood happens so fast and it somewhat parallels real life transition.
In the essay “Of Igloos and Elephant Men”, there are many writing techniques the author uses to get our attention. “To the uninitiated, it must seem wrong to disrupt the pastoral scene outside with the dissonance of the activation of power bricks and amplifiers, but is our lifeblood, the nebulous date forever circled on our calendar, and we will not be denied” (p. 1) is a great example. The use of language really captivates the reader. In addition, the sentence structure is also impressive. The author has strong phrases that are strong along, leading to the last few words. Showing us just how much they will not be denied.
Since the author in “Harvesting Clam” is going through the college process, what does he do every time he gets angry? Does he go harvest food every time? Cause it seems like it’s more than a just one time thing.
From "Of Igloos and Elephant Men": "with the beauty of sunset comes creeping dusk and the death of another day" I found this quote very powerful because of it's use of personification. I was left under the impression that each day was precious because of the word "death" which is severe and important.
One of my favorite quotes in "Spiderwebs and Dirt" was when the author was describing the ocean one night. She says "Someone on an island sets off a few disappointing fireworks that sputter, smothered between the fingers of the damp" To me, this sentence made a clear image in my head of not only the unrealistic (large fingers putting out a firework) but also of the palpable dampness in the air.
Why is the essay called "Learning to Fly"? it seems as if the author was not new to flying. And how did the author resolve her problem with sleep and her neighbor?
"Do Not Enter": -"Age has gotten the best of me now, and the bravery I had when young is gone. I cannot hurdle my body down the hill anymore. I have limitations now," (pg. 1). This is a very black and white example of how brief childhood really is. As you progress through life some things fall by the way side as you are maturing and growing as a person. You gain limitations and perceive them differently as you get older and I thought this was a great example of how age really does effect decision making.
"Harvesting Calm" -"The sun blinds my eyes and burns my skin, but almost immediately produces a calming effect. I hear a symphony of insects radiating from the forest, and the constant thump thump thump of a woodpecker," (pg. 1). This quote can almost paint a picture in your mind with vivid descriptions throughout. This line also can be related back to the title of the piece ("Harvesting Calm") as we see the sun provides a "calming" feeling for the author.
In the paper "Do Not Enter" it is unclear where in fact the authors adventure is actually occurring, if the author were to have been more descriptive it would have produced a better picture.
"Of Igloos and Elephant men " "….the ultimate goal not rushing up to meet us but flitting just out of reach: an insufferable poltergeist taunting us." I felt like the overuse of descriptive words throughout the essay really detracted from what the writer was trying to say.. Instead of leaving me impressed by the story it left me with a new list of cool vobab words.
"When in Doubt, Stay in the Van" "Although it's a source of constant grousing and grumbling, especially by those who have to drive it, the van is as much a part of the team as any of the skiers." After reading all the essay, this quote still really stood out to me because it brought how she felt about the van into perspective, like a little kid and their stuffed animal or something.
How much is too much description? like in the Of Igloos and Elephant Men? and why is that the title?
“As the drool inched down his chin, coming dangerously close to my shoulder, I gave him a well-aimed jab in his flabby arm, hoping that is would roll his snoring self away from me.” –“Learning to Fly”
This was a great opening line. This is such a curious situation, and the fact that it was so odd made the reader want to read on to figure out how the speaker got there.
“When soaring down the sandy slope”
I thought this was good descriptive writing. As a reader, the alliteration of the s sound enables you to hear the air rushing past the speakers ears as he sprints down the slopes.
My question is about “Across the Street” Is this an actual experience that the writer had? --Grace
Harvesting Calm “I have to kill the slug, or it will eat the stems of baby plants, causing the leaves to wilt and rot. In one night slugs could destroy enough food to feed ten people if allowed to mature.” Every decision in life is put on a theoretical scale where the benefits are weighed against consequences. This passage really caught my interest because it shows this on a small scale. Chloe consciously realizes that the decision to kills this little bug will end up being much better for her family in the long run. She obviously doesn’t enjoy killing the poor slug but it’s the logical choice given the circumstance.
Do Not Enter “No longer do I have the support of my friends; they all grew up and left for college, leaving me behind.” This one hits close to home. We can’t expect things to stay the same for our entire lives but we are approaching a time where we will go through the biggest change of our lives. Already, I have gotten a taste of what it’s going to be like. All my friends in the class of 2013 are gone now, Hanover in their wake. Soon Hanover is going to be in ours and we’ll be going in our own directions leaving behind the sand boxes of the Marion Cross School.
Of Igloos and Elephant Men This essay is interesting and descriptive but I really have no idea what’s going on. Where is he? What event has he been looking forward to?
From "Learning To Fly", "The mixture of the stink wafting from my companions bodily orifices and the afore-mentioned rubber cheeseburgers made me think of leftover milk and old farts." I absolutely love this quote because all the sensor detail in it makes me want to gag. My only problem is that the author ends the story quickly, not really putting an ending to the wonderful paper.
From "The Books, Having Been Sorted in the ……" "In the late summer of that year the boy worked in the shed. The shed where the boy worked was full of books. These were the books which the boys sorted, or appeared to be sorting, or pretended to appear to be sorting." I really want to connect this quote to a Dr. Seuss book, just because of all the repetition and really crafty word play done by the other. It's such a fun sentence to read, and I found myself reading it a few times to really take it in.
In "Do Not Enter": I GET SO CONFUSED. It's supposed to be descriptive, but she never tells you where she is. She shows us, but you'd think that maybe she could tell you where she is. It annoys me. Not actually a question…. Why does the author not tell us directly where she trespasses?
" Harvesting Calm" p.1 paragraph 5. "My mom calls me over to show me that some of the corn is ready. She pulls a cob off the stock, husks it, and gives it to me to take a bite. I am in shock. My eyes widen and mouth waters. Corn can taste like this? I always imagined sugarcane to taste this way, sweet as candy, not starchy at all. It is an entirely different vegetable than even day-old corn." I thought this passage was pretty interesting. You would usually think that a whole paragraph describing eating corn would be really boring. However she manages to make it exciting and descriptive. It is not the most enthralling passage ever, but it's very impressive considering she is discussing a mundane vegetable
"When in Doubt, Stay in the Van" p.1 paragraph 2 "I huddled deeper into my layers of clothing, hoping to escape notice. As I did so my nose brushed the pillow, and I sprang up out of my corner with a squeal of disgust, tossing the pillow toward the back of the van." This entire essay is one of the best descriptive essays I've ever read. I've grown up in harsh winters and the author really accurately portrays the laziness that one feels during the wintertime. Everything you do is in the cold, and car rides are longer and more tedious than usual. I really related to the authors sentiments throughout the essay.
Question: about "When in Doubt, Stay in the Van" what kind of skiing is the author doing?
“Harvesting Calm” Paragraph 4 of page 1 “My hand reaches for a beet, but instantly I retract it. My pinky has squished a small slug, and is now coated on one side with its slime. I have to kill the slug, or it will eat the stems of baby plants, causing the leaves to wilt and rot. In one night slugs could destroy enough food to feed ten people if allowed to mature. This partial paragraph has truly interested me. It seems to be a section that describes about half of a second of time, but so much happens in the author’s head. She has an ethical dilemma about squishing a slug. The section explains what is going on in her head to make this decision and in that time she considers a lot. She considers the repercussions of letting the slug live which could be the potential starving of 10 men. She seems to ponder a lot over what seems like a small decision. “Do Not Enter” Paragraph 1 of page 1 “When soaring down the sandy slopes, it feels like I’m a spaceman, free of gravity’s pull for a few extra seconds. Free of life’s endless nagging. The silence just adds to the sensation of floating in outer-space. The wind blowing in my face as I fly feels cool against my skin, while the sand warms my feet when I land, Moon-jumping, everyone’s childhood dream; a reality for me. The reason I chose this quote because it describes a feeling that sound just awesome. When I read that paragraph, I knew exactly what it meant. I was pining for a feeling like that. Going to space has been a goal in life that I would like to accomplish. The paragraph just brought out that inner urge that I have always had to go into space someday.
Question: In the Essay “Learning to Fly”, why is the title what it is? It seems like the author is on a plane but there seems to be no lesson in flying, only a lesson in finding ways to make the time pass.
Quote from "Harvesting Calm": "I see my Psych-Soc book lying open on the table, where I abandoned it earlier. I sit down and finish my homework with a newfound sense of motivation and calm." I really like this quote because she makes the reader infer that her garden is a place that calms her and relieves her stress. Rather than telling the reader flat out "the garden calms me", she shows the reader through her story and this sentence sums it all up very well.
Quote from "Do Not Enter": "No longer do I have the free spirit that I had as a child; my body has grown old too quickly and gravity seems harder to resist." I love how she likens her lost courage to gravity stopping her from jumping. She makes it seems like the older she gets, the more gravity holds her back.
Question from "Of Igloos and Elephant Men": I really liked all the description he put in this, but it made it very hard for me to understand. All I understood was that he has finally reached a building after a long journey and he is playing music. But nearly all of his metaphors I am having trouble connecting to the story. What is his enlightenment exactly?
The quote from "Harvesting Corn": "She pulls a cob off the stock husks it, and gives it to me to take a bite. I am in shock. Mt eyes widen and mouth waters." I can connect with. I love the taste of fresh corn and I enjoy it even more than I enjoy boiled or baked corn. I don't understand why people would eat it any other way.
The whole third paragraph of "Of Igloos and Elephant Men" is so descriptive and moving. All the metaphors for their excitement is enchanting. I love very much the sentence "an insufferable poltergiest taunting us." I would never think of metaphors like that to use in my writing, but I wish I could.
In "Do Not Enter" I did like the writing and the metaphors and similes that she used but I had a hard time really picturing where it was that she is. I have never experienced a place myself so that might be a reason why I didn't understand, but I didn't really know where it was that she was remembering.
From "Harvesting Calm" "My frustration in an unrelenting fire, building upon itself, growing exponentially with the slightest spark." This is a text to life connection, I feel an unrelenting anger and frustration over writing this blog post. Kind of like a hipster on Tumblr.
Question: Why is the title of the one paper "Of Igloos and Elephant Men"? It's so cheesy, way to copy Of Mice and Men. If you're going to be unoriginal with the title make sure your story is actually good.
Quote #2: "Age has gotten the best of me now, and the bravery I had when I was young was gone." This person acts more bitter and negative than my 40 year old mother. You're in high school, not a nursing home. Quit acting like your life is already over.
From “Of Igloos and Elephant Men”, “The electric hum grows with each passing second until it fills the room, no longer a barely audible buzz, but a palpable energy permeating the rapidly darkening room.” I enjoy this text because it really makes me feel. It makes me want to switch on an amp and let it ripple through my chest. I like how the imagery really gives you the feeling of growing vibrations throughout the paragraph.
“Do Not Enter”, “Age has gotten the best of me now, and the bravery I had when young is gone. I cannot hurdle my body down the hill anymore. I have limitations now. I heavily jerk my body down,hesitating after each landing, with my back and knees surrendering to the pain.” I really like this quote because I think it’s very true. It makes me think of skiing and how I can watch my little cousins be fearless and not worried about getting hurt while I keep close behind, always fearing a fatal or permanent injury.
“Spiderwebs and Dirt”, “I squish her back into my cuticle- she sinks into the garden of tiny skin flaps at the base of my fingernail, and the diorama changes.” I question this, just the forming of it. I want to know where these comparisions came from.
"Of Igloos and Elephant Men": "…a Hindu goddess envelopes [sic] the glorious afro of Jimi Hendrix in her unfurled arms." This part really stood out to me because when I read it, I noticed that it was one of the only direct, specifically stated details in the essay. It's composed of feelings, impressions, and musings itself on the situation; so when the author uses a detail about the actual room, it stands out.
"When in Doubt, Stay in the Van": "Phil, a redheaded freshman… increases its repulsion factor." I disagree with the use of this phrase by the author. Although it is an authentic detail, I feel like it's really not necessary to refer to a person by name and identifying qualities (red hair) in order to get the point across in the essay. It's much kinder and more professional in my opinion to use a phrase like "One of the team freshmen, known for both…" in order to preserve detail in the essay without unnecessarily hurting anyone's feelings.
How much older was Heidi Katz when she wrote the essay than when she was experiencing the things she was writing about?
"Harvesting Calm" "My frustration is an unrelenting fire, building upon itself, growing exponentially with the slightest spark." I chose this quote because not only does it represent an excellent way of starting off an essay but also creates an excellent mental image. Most people would read this beginning sentence and not only relate to it but be instantly captured by their desire to know what comes in the rest of the paragraph.
"Of Igloos and Elephant Men" "The electrical hum grows with each passing second until it fills the room, no longer a barely audible buzz, but a palpable energy permeating the rapidly darkening room." This quote comes from the middle of the essay and I chose it because once again it is an excellent example of a relatable description. There is just something about describing electricity that leaves much to the imagination but still being descriptive.
"Do Not Enter" Has anyone ever followed up with this area? I'd like to see some pictures of it now.
Erika wonders: "Age has gotten the best if me now, and the bravery I had when I was young is gone" from "Do Not Enter
I can relate to this because I have found out the same thing. The ignorance from when I was younger is gone now and I am less courageous.
"I pop a leaf into my mouth and the overpowering taste of pure basil fills my throat and nostrils. It reminds me of the first sip of a cup of incredibly strong, black coffee, in that I have to shut my eyes for a moment because that first second of taste is so overwhelming."
I can relate to this not exact with basil, but with other things I have smelled or tasted that are so strong that they remind me of how coffee is great unless it is so concentrated and black she. In is instead bitter.
"Of Igloos and Elephant Men"
In this one the language is very complex and there is a lot of vocabulary I've never heard of. Is this helpful or hurtful? In my opinion, the vocabulary made it unbearable to read but college admission officers might think differently.
Lee wonders: I tried to enter my blog post, but it didn't seem to work. I still can't see it on the site I'm sorry if I accidentally submitted it more than once. In case it doesn't show up, I pasted the post below as well.
Page 1 of “Learning to Fly”. “After two and a half hours of sitting utterly still, I took games such as counting the number of times the baby in front of me could cry in a minute to a whole new level.” I can relate to this girl’s situation very strongly. While on long car rides, I have to find ways to stay entertained. My strategies are factoring the miles to the next turn, as displayed on the GPS, and virtually-typing the road signs. These activities are not especially entertaining, but they are all I’ve got, just as all Elena can do is count the baby’s cries.
Page 1 of “The Books, Having Been Sorted in the Late Summer of That Year”. “Some days the boy would become disgusted by the romance and would purposely throw the Silhouette Super Romances is the green compactor.” This seems like an nonconstructive way to vent anger. He’s throwing away a book that would likely be picked. The boy’s response would probably be that people are more likely to pick a better book if the romances are destroyed, but with no entertaining books in the shed, people will stop coming altogether. The boy might end up losing his job and the shed would become useless as an educational resource.
Question about “When in Doubt, Stay in the Van.” Is the van’s personality really worth the expense and hassle of its upkeep?
"Learning To Fly"- "Also, trying not to giggle at the chaotic spasms of my sleeping legs amused me for quite awhile". I like this quote because I can imagine myself in the same situation as this person is. Sitting in a confined space for so long really makes it so any little thing is amusing, and this person described it well.
"Do Not Enter"- "When soaring down the sandy slope, it feels like I'm a spaceman, free of gravity's pull for a few extra seconds". This is a really good opening sentence and captures the reader's attention of what's happening right away.
Question: "Spiderwebs and Dirt"- what does "I have a jib to furl" mean?
Quote from “Of Igloos and Elephant Men” “At last, after a seemingly interminable journey, the end is within reach. We can see the light cresting over the edge, almost blinding, even through the rose-colored lenses of my garish sunglasses”. These two sentences mark the beginning of a very descriptive and confusing piece. Despite the extremely varied vocabulary and extensive description, I still don’t really understand what is going on.
Quote from “When in Doubt, Stay in the Van” “For a derelict little forest green van, paint peeling in places but religiously washed and waxed, it holds a ridiculous amount of memories and traditions….Its constant diesel-fueled, a nightmare for any environmentalist, is a lullaby for me”. This quote really hits home for me. This description perfectly fits the old truck my farm uses to haul the horses. Its grimy, smelly and gets terrible gas mileage, but it is full of memories. Long car rides home from victories, even longer ones back from defeats; the horse van has seen it all.
My question for “Spiderwebs and Dirt” is about the opening two paragraphs. I really have no idea what is going on. What is she talking about and how does it connect to the rest of the essay?
“For a derelict little forest green van, pain peeling in places but religiously washed and waxed, it holds a ridiculous amount of memories and traditions. Every year, the team director resolves to get a new van. It will never happen. Although it’s a source of constant grousing and grumbling, especially by those who have to drive it, the van is as much a part of the team as any of the skiers. Its constant diesel-fueled roar, a nightmare for any environmentalist, is a lullaby for me.” Page 2 In When In Doubt, Stay In The Van -I can relate to this a lot. My family owns a huge blue express van. We spend hours in it together when we travel. I think of it as part of my home. I wouldn't prefer to travel any other way, but in this van. It's a place I can relax and get away from the other distractions.
“Even in the middle of summer, she’s wearing a dark velvet jacket with padded shoulders over her long-sleeved blouse.” Page 2 in Across the Street -This quote reminds me of my first summers here. I grew up in Virginia and have always loved the warm weather. One of the hardest parts about moving here was getting used to the cold winter season. Even during the summer I would wear jeans and a sweatshirt. I am still often teased for being cold after living here for over 7 years. I am excited to return to the south and enjoy the warm weather.
Question: What does “triumvirate” mean? Found in Of Igloos and Elephant Men -Grace
"I hear a symphony of insects radiating from the forest, and a constant thump thump thump of a woodpecker."
I really like this quote because it perfectly captures the essence of the outdoors that everyone is familiar with. By describing the sounds, it allows me to create a picture in my mind of the scene and makes the essay much more interesting and engaging.
Do Not Enter
"When soaring down the sandy slope, it feels like I'm a spaceman, free of gravity's pull for a few extra seconds. Free of life's endless nagging."
I thought this quote was very powerful and a great way to open the essay because it shows that going down the sandy slope is not just a hobby but a remedy from the stresses of life. It gives the essay much more significance and though though the essay is short, it's very powerful.
Of Igloos and Elephant Men
Are the first two paragraphs describing a band playing in a room? It's hard to tell with the quick transition to "the time has come" paragraph.
Quote from “Harvesting Calm:” “It surprises me how little I knew about the food I ate before I started growing it, and it reminds me how much more there is to learn.” My family has had a vegetable garden for years, and I have many memories of going outside and picking the beans and having their leaves stick to me, squishing the slugs so that they would not ruin the plants, and getting pricked from the spines on the cucumbers. It is very true that you don’t know much about the food you eat until you grow it; I completely agree with her in that.
Quote from “The wind blowing in my face as I fly feels cool against my skin, while the sand warms my feet when I land.” When my family and I were traveling in Colorado we went on a hike up the Great Sand Dunes. On our way down my brothers and I would run and jump as far as we could as a competition down the sand dunes, just like Heidi talks about doing with her friends. In my opinion she could have done a better job describing where she was and what she was doing, but overall I understood and could relate to it.
Question about “Of Igloos and Elephant Men:” This paper is filled with so many hard vocab words and figurative language that I did not understand. Would this be considered having too much description? And regarding what he is talking about, where is he? and what is he doing?
Zoe thinks: Passage from book. Title: When doubt stay in the van. "For a derelict little forest green van, paint peeling in places but religiously washed and waxed, it will never happen. Although it's a source of constant grousing and grumbling, especially by those who have to drive it, the van is as much a part of the team as any of the skiers"
-I thought this passage of the essay was very good. I thought it was well placed and the wording was good to.The writer really part their memories and heart into this passage. (Opinion).
Title: Harvesting calm "I look back at my psych-sc book and decide to put it off for a few hours, desperately needing something to clear my head" ........ I walk outside to our quarter-ace garden...Immediately produces a calming effect."
-In this essay I look the connection the writer uses about doing homework and then using nature to calm themselves or to escape. To take a break, instead of just doing nothing. (Connection).
One question: The essay "Do not enter" and Across the street" what is the write talking about? (Clarifying).
"The pillow has been in the van as long as I can remember" Page 1, When in Doubt, Stay in the Van When I read this line I was reminded of my own bedroom. The pillow that I sleep on has been there forever. It's gotten to the point where if don't use it I have difficulty sleeping.
"How could they force me to sit here for seven hours? I bet there was more space to move on a cattle car, and I had certainly paid more money.
I can definitely relate to this. Whenever I travel on an airplane the same thing goes through my mind. You would think that they would give you more leg room after you paid for the expensive ticket.
“When the snow first melted in March we ran euphoric, barefoot, through the remaining snow banks to reach the patch of emerging stubbled ground on top of Garden Hill, our feet stinging from ice, last year’s grasses on our soles.” - "Spiderwebs and Dirt"
This quote resonated with me because of how powerful the image is in my mind. The Garden Hill in question is at the Mountain school and this passage filled my all my senses with memories of this place that is really important to me. I also love how the focus of the passage is the feet of the narrator and exactly what they’re feeling.
“He would leave the old tired books in the shed where no one would take them. It didn’t matter too much. No one took many books anyway. The only books that they cared about these days were romance novels.” - "The Books. . . "
I liked this quote a lot because I know at our local book shed this is something that seems to happen much of the time. People leave junky old books they would feel too guilty to throw away and take some movie to watch or some other book they will use as fuel at home. I like the use of personification here as well. The “old tired books” is clear and reinforces his point.
Is it alright to have essentially descriptive nonsense in this course like in “Of Igloos and Elephant men?”
S L-B: Do Not Enter “The adrenaline rush I feel every time I go I owe to the time my brother got shot at by the crazy man who owns it”. I chose this quote because it reminds me of a similar experience I had as a young child. My grandmother owns an old farmhouse in South Pomfret, VT where she has several acres of grassland. There she generously shares her property with a neighbor, so that he can make a personal profit by haying it every fall. Unfortunately, her neighbor is a grumpy old man who sees no fun in child’s play and refuses to compromise on the matter. Every family gathering we had, my cousin, my sister and I would run out to the large, plastic marshmallows on the edge of the field and jump across the tops, sliding off at the end. One of us would yell “red truck!” whenever we spotted the neighbor coming down the dirt road and we would all disappear between two bails and peek through the spaces between to watch him scope out the scene. My heart rate would soar listening to his red truck creeked by slowly as the three of us fought to keep our laughter down.
Spiderwebs and Dirt “When the snow first melted in March we ran euphoric, barefoot, through the remaining snow banks to reach the patch of emerging stubbled grasses on top of Garden HIll, our feet stinging from ice, last year’s grasses rough against our soles” I chose this quote because, living in Vermont it is easy to relate to that exciting feeling of Spring arriving after a long cold winter. I’m always happy to see the first snowfall in November, but there is nothing better than watching my dad put the skis back in the shed and opening up the chicken coop. Winter can bring about sad and depressing moods that are far less than favorable, so it’s nice to see people walking around in t-shirts with smiles on their faces. Winter is almost like hibernation and when it’s over, there are people sitting outside doing nothing except being happy that the sun is out. I also like this quote because the author uses great imagery when he/she describes the “stubbled grasses” and “running euphoric, barefoot through the remaining snowbanks”.
Question: In “Do Not Enter” Where is the author? We know only as much as he/she is in a sandpit. Why aren’t they allowed to be there? Is it a construction site? He/she says “the workers”, but what kind of workers? I’d like to know more about the setting to understand why he has such an adrenaline being there.
Quote from ‘Learning to Fly’: “Forcing myself to contain the squeals of disgust on their way out of my throat, I wondered again if this was legal.” This was, out of all of them, my favorite of the descriptive essays, she is very good at conveying the emotions and general feeling of what she is going through. While no one has ever actually drooled on my arm on a plane, I’ve certainly been jammed next someone who falls asleep and unconsciously decides that my shoulder is the perfect pillow. I can really relate to how she describes the events that take place. I really like how she was able to take what would have really been a long and boring experience into a short and engaging piece. Quote from ‘When in Doubt Stay in the Van’: “Although it’s a source of constant grousing and grumbling, especially by those who drive it, the van is as much a part of the team as any of the skiers.” I think this essay is something that everyone can relate to. I can’t imagine any person doesn’t have something that they’ve used so much and so often that it’s become a part of them, even if that use has degraded it’s quality. For me this makes me think of an iPod I got 8 years ago. It was considered new for its time, but now it’s well beyond outdated by touch screens and other things, I’ve had to replace screens, audio jack ect. Yet to me, I would never replace it with a iTouch or anything else like that. Question on ‘Of Igloos and Elephant Men’: How does the title relate to this at all, and could this piece be considered as an example of engfish?
Learning to Fly: "I have determined that when faced with situations such as this, one must simply sit back and suffer. I decided that the experience would make me stronger" I really relate to this quote, as i completely understand where the author is coming from. Sometimes, it is important simply to ignore pain, and get tougher, instead of being a wimp and backing out.
When in Doubt stay in the van: "a blustery day like today required special attention to this detail. the wind shrieked menacingly through the crack in the window next to me, and the stratton mountain skiers trudging by the van were laboring through drifts of snow that the gale had conjured randomly across the parking lot. droplets of sleet ping-ponged against the metal of the roof" I really liked this description, as it really describes a winter scene very vividly, and accurately. the drifts of snow and the gale really set the scene, while verbs like trudging paint a great picture in the readers mind.
Why is the author being ridiculed in this way in postcard memories? where is he?
Jack Roberts:
ReplyDeleteFrom "Harvesting Calm", pg. 1: "It surprises me how little I knew about the food I ate before I started growing it, and reminds me how much more there is to learn". I like how this sentences is tied to the statement the author made in the first paragraph of wanting to give up on learning. I think the garden symbolizes growth and shows the author the potential he/she has as a person. I am reminded of the same type of symbolism in the book, "The Bean Trees".
From "Do Not Enter (You May Get Shout)", pg. 2: "No longer do I have the support of my friends; they grew up and left for college, leaving me behind". I thought it was a stand out, powerful statement. The essay talks about he and his friends having fun, but then shifts the tone in another direction. A few of my good friends graduated last year and I was immediately reminded of that the first day of school. Also just the remainder and societal pressure that I have to "grow up" is something that is defiantly in the back of my mind a lot.
For "Spiderwebs and Dirt":What is the "old woman" she crushes in the beginning of the story? What relationship does Anna have with Annie? I'm a little confused by the context.
Quote from “Harvesting Calm”: “My frustration is an unrelenting fire, building upon itself, growing exponentially with the slightest spark.” This sentence is very descriptive of the type of frustration that students often feel. It serves as a good hook for the rest of the essay. The frustration is an easy way to relate to the reader, as most people in their lives have been overcome by the stress of piles of work they need to catch up on.
ReplyDeleteQuote from “Spiderwebs and Dirt”: “I’m closer to home than I thought.” This quote made me think of my trip to Thailand and how at first it seemed too strange and uninviting. Once I got used to it and got to know my family better, it began to feel more and more like home. I think a lot of people can relate to this is they have ever been anywhere slightly out of their comfort zone, then grown to love it.
Question for “Do Not Enter (You May Get Shot)”: Where does the adventure take place? The description of the sandpit does not give the reader a very good image of where the person actually is.
In the essay “Do Not Enter” I enjoyed the ending passage: “The only evidence left of our ever being there is the message ‘I Love You’ written in rocks at the bottom, by a boy romantic who thought she was the one,” (pg. 2). The author’s tone in this comment really gives us insight into a time that was simpler. A time of boy romantics, free spirits, and no limitations compared to the dull present where “age has gotten the best,” of the author and his old friends.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite quote out of “Spiderwebs and Dirt,” was, “Down the fast sky came overhead and the wind blew my arms in circled wind – milling out of control, I grinned and the sky grinned too wide for teeth, I had to match it and then I was falling rolling tight to the earth while everything else spun, and I was still.” I found this quote very interesting because it is so visual. Not the type where you can see the trees and the landscape but the kind where you can see the author’s state of being and emotions. In particular I loved the phrase “and the sky grinned too wide for teeth.”
Why was the essay named “Of Igloos and Elephant Men?” And where does the author go in his moment of enlightenment in a dimension forgotten?
In the essay “Do Not Enter”, the line “Age has gotten the best of me now, and the bravery I had when young is gone” (p.1) captured my eyes and thoughts. It made me think about how people, even the adventurist of them can lose the “spark” they had once when they were young. Also the placement of that line is pretty interesting. That line follows the end of another paragraph, where the words to end it are “I have never hesitated”. And now, we see that author talking about how he has lost that. The transition from childhood to adulthood happens so fast and it somewhat parallels real life transition.
DeleteIn the essay “Of Igloos and Elephant Men”, there are many writing techniques the author uses to get our attention. “To the uninitiated, it must seem wrong to disrupt the pastoral scene outside with the dissonance of the activation of power bricks and amplifiers, but is our lifeblood, the nebulous date forever circled on our calendar, and we will not be denied” (p. 1) is a great example. The use of language really captivates the reader. In addition, the sentence structure is also impressive. The author has strong phrases that are strong along, leading to the last few words. Showing us just how much they will not be denied.
Since the author in “Harvesting Clam” is going through the college process, what does he do every time he gets angry? Does he go harvest food every time? Cause it seems like it’s more than a just one time thing.
From "Of Igloos and Elephant Men": "with the beauty of sunset comes creeping dusk and the death of another day" I found this quote very powerful because of it's use of personification. I was left under the impression that each day was precious because of the word "death" which is severe and important.
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorite quotes in "Spiderwebs and Dirt" was when the author was describing the ocean one night. She says "Someone on an island sets off a few disappointing fireworks that sputter, smothered between the fingers of the damp" To me, this sentence made a clear image in my head of not only the unrealistic (large fingers putting out a firework) but also of the palpable dampness in the air.
Why is the essay called "Learning to Fly"? it seems as if the author was not new to flying. And how did the author resolve her problem with sleep and her neighbor?
"Do Not Enter":
ReplyDelete-"Age has gotten the best of me now, and the bravery I had when young is gone. I cannot hurdle my body down the hill anymore. I have limitations now," (pg. 1). This is a very black and white example of how brief childhood really is. As you progress through life some things fall by the way side as you are maturing and growing as a person. You gain limitations and perceive them differently as you get older and I thought this was a great example of how age really does effect decision making.
"Harvesting Calm"
-"The sun blinds my eyes and burns my skin, but almost immediately produces a calming effect. I hear a symphony of insects radiating from the forest, and the constant thump thump thump of a woodpecker," (pg. 1). This quote can almost paint a picture in your mind with vivid descriptions throughout. This line also can be related back to the title of the piece ("Harvesting Calm") as we see the sun provides a "calming" feeling for the author.
In the paper "Do Not Enter" it is unclear where in fact the authors adventure is actually occurring, if the author were to have been more descriptive it would have produced a better picture.
"Of Igloos and Elephant men "
ReplyDelete"….the ultimate goal not rushing up to meet us but flitting just out of reach: an insufferable poltergeist taunting us." I felt like the overuse of descriptive words throughout the essay really detracted from what the writer was trying to say.. Instead of leaving me impressed by the story it left me with a new list of cool vobab words.
"When in Doubt, Stay in the Van"
"Although it's a source of constant grousing and grumbling, especially by those who have to drive it, the van is as much a part of the team as any of the skiers." After reading all the essay, this quote still really stood out to me because it brought how she felt about the van into perspective, like a little kid and their stuffed animal or something.
How much is too much description? like in the Of Igloos and Elephant Men? and why is that the title?
“As the drool inched down his chin, coming dangerously close to my shoulder, I gave him a well-aimed jab in his flabby arm, hoping that is would roll his snoring self away from me.” –“Learning to Fly”
ReplyDeleteThis was a great opening line. This is such a curious situation, and the fact that it was so odd made the reader want to read on to figure out how the speaker got there.
“When soaring down the sandy slope”
I thought this was good descriptive writing. As a reader, the alliteration of the s sound enables you to hear the air rushing past the speakers ears as he sprints down the slopes.
My question is about “Across the Street” Is this an actual experience that the writer had?
--Grace
Harvesting Calm
ReplyDelete“I have to kill the slug, or it will eat the stems of baby plants, causing the leaves to wilt and rot. In one night slugs could destroy enough food to feed ten people if allowed to mature.” Every decision in life is put on a theoretical scale where the benefits are weighed against consequences. This passage really caught my interest because it shows this on a small scale. Chloe consciously realizes that the decision to kills this little bug will end up being much better for her family in the long run. She obviously doesn’t enjoy killing the poor slug but it’s the logical choice given the circumstance.
Do Not Enter
“No longer do I have the support of my friends; they all grew up and left for college, leaving me behind.” This one hits close to home. We can’t expect things to stay the same for our entire lives but we are approaching a time where we will go through the biggest change of our lives. Already, I have gotten a taste of what it’s going to be like. All my friends in the class of 2013 are gone now, Hanover in their wake. Soon Hanover is going to be in ours and we’ll be going in our own directions leaving behind the sand boxes of the Marion Cross School.
Of Igloos and Elephant Men
This essay is interesting and descriptive but I really have no idea what’s going on. Where is he? What event has he been looking forward to?
From "Learning To Fly", "The mixture of the stink wafting from my companions bodily orifices and the afore-mentioned rubber cheeseburgers made me think of leftover milk and old farts." I absolutely love this quote because all the sensor detail in it makes me want to gag. My only problem is that the author ends the story quickly, not really putting an ending to the wonderful paper.
ReplyDeleteFrom "The Books, Having Been Sorted in the ……" "In the late summer of that year the boy worked in the shed. The shed where the boy worked was full of books. These were the books which the boys sorted, or appeared to be sorting, or pretended to appear to be sorting." I really want to connect this quote to a Dr. Seuss book, just because of all the repetition and really crafty word play done by the other. It's such a fun sentence to read, and I found myself reading it a few times to really take it in.
In "Do Not Enter": I GET SO CONFUSED. It's supposed to be descriptive, but she never tells you where she is. She shows us, but you'd think that maybe she could tell you where she is. It annoys me. Not actually a question…. Why does the author not tell us directly where she trespasses?
" Harvesting Calm" p.1 paragraph 5. "My mom calls me over to show me that some of the corn is ready. She pulls a cob off the stock, husks it, and gives it to me to take a bite. I am in shock. My eyes widen and mouth waters. Corn can taste like this? I always imagined sugarcane to taste this way, sweet as candy, not starchy at all. It is an entirely different vegetable than even day-old corn." I thought this passage was pretty interesting. You would usually think that a whole paragraph describing eating corn would be really boring. However she manages to make it exciting and descriptive. It is not the most enthralling passage ever, but it's very impressive considering she is discussing a mundane vegetable
ReplyDelete"When in Doubt, Stay in the Van" p.1 paragraph 2 "I huddled deeper into my layers of clothing, hoping to escape notice. As I did so my nose brushed the pillow, and I sprang up out of my corner with a squeal of disgust, tossing the pillow toward the back of the van." This entire essay is one of the best descriptive essays I've ever read. I've grown up in harsh winters and the author really accurately portrays the laziness that one feels during the wintertime. Everything you do is in the cold, and car rides are longer and more tedious than usual. I really related to the authors sentiments throughout the essay.
Question: about "When in Doubt, Stay in the Van" what kind of skiing is the author doing?
“Harvesting Calm” Paragraph 4 of page 1 “My hand reaches for a beet, but instantly I retract it. My pinky has squished a small slug, and is now coated on one side with its slime. I have to kill the slug, or it will eat the stems of baby plants, causing the leaves to wilt and rot. In one night slugs could destroy enough food to feed ten people if allowed to mature. This partial paragraph has truly interested me. It seems to be a section that describes about half of a second of time, but so much happens in the author’s head. She has an ethical dilemma about squishing a slug. The section explains what is going on in her head to make this decision and in that time she considers a lot. She considers the repercussions of letting the slug live which could be the potential starving of 10 men. She seems to ponder a lot over what seems like a small decision.
ReplyDelete“Do Not Enter” Paragraph 1 of page 1 “When soaring down the sandy slopes, it feels like I’m a spaceman, free of gravity’s pull for a few extra seconds. Free of life’s endless nagging. The silence just adds to the sensation of floating in outer-space. The wind blowing in my face as I fly feels cool against my skin, while the sand warms my feet when I land, Moon-jumping, everyone’s childhood dream; a reality for me. The reason I chose this quote because it describes a feeling that sound just awesome. When I read that paragraph, I knew exactly what it meant. I was pining for a feeling like that. Going to space has been a goal in life that I would like to accomplish. The paragraph just brought out that inner urge that I have always had to go into space someday.
Question: In the Essay “Learning to Fly”, why is the title what it is? It seems like the author is on a plane but there seems to be no lesson in flying, only a lesson in finding ways to make the time pass.
Quote from "Harvesting Calm": "I see my Psych-Soc book lying open on the table, where I abandoned it earlier. I sit down and finish my homework with a newfound sense of motivation and calm." I really like this quote because she makes the reader infer that her garden is a place that calms her and relieves her stress. Rather than telling the reader flat out "the garden calms me", she shows the reader through her story and this sentence sums it all up very well.
ReplyDeleteQuote from "Do Not Enter": "No longer do I have the free spirit that I had as a child; my body has grown old too quickly and gravity seems harder to resist." I love how she likens her lost courage to gravity stopping her from jumping. She makes it seems like the older she gets, the more gravity holds her back.
Question from "Of Igloos and Elephant Men": I really liked all the description he put in this, but it made it very hard for me to understand. All I understood was that he has finally reached a building after a long journey and he is playing music. But nearly all of his metaphors I am having trouble connecting to the story. What is his enlightenment exactly?
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThe quote from "Harvesting Corn": "She pulls a cob off the stock husks it, and gives it to me to take a bite. I am in shock. Mt eyes widen and mouth waters." I can connect with. I love the taste of fresh corn and I enjoy it even more than I enjoy boiled or baked corn. I don't understand why people would eat it any other way.
ReplyDeleteThe whole third paragraph of "Of Igloos and Elephant Men" is so descriptive and moving. All the metaphors for their excitement is enchanting. I love very much the sentence "an insufferable poltergiest taunting us." I would never think of metaphors like that to use in my writing, but I wish I could.
In "Do Not Enter" I did like the writing and the metaphors and similes that she used but I had a hard time really picturing where it was that she is. I have never experienced a place myself so that might be a reason why I didn't understand, but I didn't really know where it was that she was remembering.
From "Harvesting Calm" "My frustration in an unrelenting fire, building upon itself, growing exponentially with the slightest spark." This is a text to life connection, I feel an unrelenting anger and frustration over writing this blog post. Kind of like a hipster on Tumblr.
ReplyDeleteQuestion: Why is the title of the one paper "Of Igloos and Elephant Men"? It's so cheesy, way to copy Of Mice and Men. If you're going to be unoriginal with the title make sure your story is actually good.
Quote #2: "Age has gotten the best of me now, and the bravery I had when I was young was gone." This person acts more bitter and negative than my 40 year old mother. You're in high school, not a nursing home. Quit acting like your life is already over.
From “Of Igloos and Elephant Men”, “The electric hum grows with each passing second until it fills the room, no longer a barely audible buzz, but a palpable energy permeating the rapidly darkening room.” I enjoy this text because it really makes me feel. It makes me want to switch on an amp and let it ripple through my chest. I like how the imagery really gives you the feeling of growing vibrations throughout the paragraph.
ReplyDelete“Do Not Enter”, “Age has gotten the best of me now, and the bravery I had when young is gone. I cannot hurdle my body down the hill anymore. I have limitations now. I heavily jerk my body down,hesitating after each landing, with my back and knees surrendering to the pain.” I really like this quote because I think it’s very true. It makes me think of skiing and how I can watch my little cousins be fearless and not worried about getting hurt while I keep close behind, always fearing a fatal or permanent injury.
“Spiderwebs and Dirt”, “I squish her back into my cuticle- she sinks into the garden of tiny skin flaps at the base of my fingernail, and the diorama changes.” I question this, just the forming of it. I want to know where these comparisions came from.
-Lillian Seibert
"Of Igloos and Elephant Men": "…a Hindu goddess envelopes [sic] the glorious afro of Jimi Hendrix in her unfurled arms." This part really stood out to me because when I read it, I noticed that it was one of the only direct, specifically stated details in the essay. It's composed of feelings, impressions, and musings itself on the situation; so when the author uses a detail about the actual room, it stands out.
ReplyDelete"When in Doubt, Stay in the Van": "Phil, a redheaded freshman… increases its repulsion factor." I disagree with the use of this phrase by the author. Although it is an authentic detail, I feel like it's really not necessary to refer to a person by name and identifying qualities (red hair) in order to get the point across in the essay. It's much kinder and more professional in my opinion to use a phrase like "One of the team freshmen, known for both…" in order to preserve detail in the essay without unnecessarily hurting anyone's feelings.
How much older was Heidi Katz when she wrote the essay than when she was experiencing the things she was writing about?
"Harvesting Calm" "My frustration is an unrelenting fire, building upon itself, growing exponentially with the slightest spark." I chose this quote because not only does it represent an excellent way of starting off an essay but also creates an excellent mental image. Most people would read this beginning sentence and not only relate to it but be instantly captured by their desire to know what comes in the rest of the paragraph.
ReplyDelete"Of Igloos and Elephant Men" "The electrical hum grows with each passing second until it fills the room, no longer a barely audible buzz, but a palpable energy permeating the rapidly darkening room." This quote comes from the middle of the essay and I chose it because once again it is an excellent example of a relatable description. There is just something about describing electricity that leaves much to the imagination but still being descriptive.
"Do Not Enter" Has anyone ever followed up with this area? I'd like to see some pictures of it now.
Erika wonders:
ReplyDelete"Age has gotten the best if me now, and the bravery I had when I was young is gone" from "Do Not Enter
I can relate to this because I have found out the same thing. The ignorance from when I was younger is gone now and I am less courageous.
"I pop a leaf into my mouth and the overpowering taste of pure basil fills my throat and nostrils. It reminds me of the first sip of a cup of incredibly strong, black coffee, in that I have to shut my eyes for a moment because that first second of taste is so overwhelming."
I can relate to this not exact with basil, but with other things I have smelled or tasted that are so strong that they remind me of how coffee is great unless it is so concentrated and black she. In is instead bitter.
"Of Igloos and Elephant Men"
In this one the language is very complex and there is a lot of vocabulary I've never heard of. Is this helpful or hurtful? In my opinion, the vocabulary made it unbearable to read but college admission officers might think differently.
Lee wonders:
ReplyDeleteI tried to enter my blog post, but it didn't seem to work. I still can't see it on the site I'm sorry if I accidentally submitted it more than once. In case it doesn't show up, I pasted the post below as well.
Page 1 of “Learning to Fly”. “After two and a half hours of sitting utterly still, I took games such as counting the number of times the baby in front of me could cry in a minute to a whole new level.”
I can relate to this girl’s situation very strongly. While on long car rides, I have to find ways to stay entertained. My strategies are factoring the miles to the next turn, as displayed on the GPS, and virtually-typing the road signs. These activities are not especially entertaining, but they are all I’ve got, just as all Elena can do is count the baby’s cries.
Page 1 of “The Books, Having Been Sorted in the Late Summer of That Year”. “Some days the boy would become disgusted by the romance and would purposely throw the Silhouette Super Romances is the green compactor.”
This seems like an nonconstructive way to vent anger. He’s throwing away a book that would likely be picked. The boy’s response would probably be that people are more likely to pick a better book if the romances are destroyed, but with no entertaining books in the shed, people will stop coming altogether. The boy might end up losing his job and the shed would become useless as an educational resource.
Question about “When in Doubt, Stay in the Van.”
Is the van’s personality really worth the expense and hassle of its upkeep?
"Learning To Fly"- "Also, trying not to giggle at the chaotic spasms of my sleeping legs amused me for quite awhile". I like this quote because I can imagine myself in the same situation as this person is. Sitting in a confined space for so long really makes it so any little thing is amusing, and this person described it well.
ReplyDelete"Do Not Enter"- "When soaring down the sandy slope, it feels like I'm a spaceman, free of gravity's pull for a few extra seconds". This is a really good opening sentence and captures the reader's attention of what's happening right away.
Question: "Spiderwebs and Dirt"- what does "I have a jib to furl" mean?
Quote from “Of Igloos and Elephant Men” “At last, after a seemingly interminable journey, the end is within reach. We can see the light cresting over the edge, almost blinding, even through the rose-colored lenses of my garish sunglasses”. These two sentences mark the beginning of a very descriptive and confusing piece. Despite the extremely varied vocabulary and extensive description, I still don’t really understand what is going on.
ReplyDeleteQuote from “When in Doubt, Stay in the Van” “For a derelict little forest green van, paint peeling in places but religiously washed and waxed, it holds a ridiculous amount of memories and traditions….Its constant diesel-fueled, a nightmare for any environmentalist, is a lullaby for me”. This quote really hits home for me. This description perfectly fits the old truck my farm uses to haul the horses. Its grimy, smelly and gets terrible gas mileage, but it is full of memories. Long car rides home from victories, even longer ones back from defeats; the horse van has seen it all.
My question for “Spiderwebs and Dirt” is about the opening two paragraphs. I really have no idea what is going on. What is she talking about and how does it connect to the rest of the essay?
“For a derelict little forest green van, pain peeling in places but religiously washed and waxed, it holds a ridiculous amount of memories and traditions. Every year, the team director resolves to get a new van. It will never happen. Although it’s a source of constant grousing and grumbling, especially by those who have to drive it, the van is as much a part of the team as any of the skiers. Its constant diesel-fueled roar, a nightmare for any environmentalist, is a lullaby for me.” Page 2 In When In Doubt, Stay In The Van
ReplyDelete-I can relate to this a lot. My family owns a huge blue express van. We spend hours in it together when we travel. I think of it as part of my home. I wouldn't prefer to travel any other way, but in this van. It's a place I can relax and get away from the other distractions.
“Even in the middle of summer, she’s wearing a dark velvet jacket with padded shoulders over her long-sleeved blouse.” Page 2 in Across the Street
-This quote reminds me of my first summers here. I grew up in Virginia and have always loved the warm weather. One of the hardest parts about moving here was getting used to the cold winter season. Even during the summer I would wear jeans and a sweatshirt. I am still often teased for being cold after living here for over 7 years. I am excited to return to the south and enjoy the warm weather.
Question: What does “triumvirate” mean? Found in Of Igloos and Elephant Men
-Grace
Jude reflects:
ReplyDeleteHarvesting Calm
"I hear a symphony of insects radiating from the forest, and a constant thump thump thump of a woodpecker."
I really like this quote because it perfectly captures the essence of the outdoors that everyone is familiar with. By describing the sounds, it allows me to create a picture in my mind of the scene and makes the essay much more interesting and engaging.
Do Not Enter
"When soaring down the sandy slope, it feels like I'm a spaceman, free of gravity's pull for a few extra seconds. Free of life's endless nagging."
I thought this quote was very powerful and a great way to open the essay because it shows that going down the sandy slope is not just a hobby but a remedy from the stresses of life. It gives the essay much more significance and though though the essay is short, it's very powerful.
Of Igloos and Elephant Men
Are the first two paragraphs describing a band playing in a room? It's hard to tell with the quick transition to "the time has come" paragraph.
Quote from “Harvesting Calm:” “It surprises me how little I knew about the food I ate before I started growing it, and it reminds me how much more there is to learn.” My family has had a vegetable garden for years, and I have many memories of going outside and picking the beans and having their leaves stick to me, squishing the slugs so that they would not ruin the plants, and getting pricked from the spines on the cucumbers. It is very true that you don’t know much about the food you eat until you grow it; I completely agree with her in that.
ReplyDeleteQuote from “The wind blowing in my face as I fly feels cool against my skin, while the sand warms my feet when I land.” When my family and I were traveling in Colorado we went on a hike up the Great Sand Dunes. On our way down my brothers and I would run and jump as far as we could as a competition down the sand dunes, just like Heidi talks about doing with her friends. In my opinion she could have done a better job describing where she was and what she was doing, but overall I understood and could relate to it.
Question about “Of Igloos and Elephant Men:” This paper is filled with so many hard vocab words and figurative language that I did not understand. Would this be considered having too much description? And regarding what he is talking about, where is he? and what is he doing?
Zoe thinks:
ReplyDeletePassage from book. Title: When doubt stay in the van.
"For a derelict little forest green van, paint peeling in places but religiously washed and waxed, it will never happen. Although it's a source of constant grousing and grumbling, especially by those who have to drive it, the van is as much a part of the team as any of the skiers"
-I thought this passage of the essay was very good. I thought it was well placed and the wording was good to.The writer really part their memories and heart into this passage. (Opinion).
Title: Harvesting calm
"I look back at my psych-sc book and decide to put it off for a few hours, desperately needing something to clear my head" ........ I walk outside to our quarter-ace garden...Immediately produces a calming effect."
-In this essay I look the connection the writer uses about doing homework and then using nature to calm themselves or to escape. To take a break, instead of just doing nothing. (Connection).
One question: The essay "Do not enter" and Across the street" what is the write talking about?
(Clarifying).
"The pillow has been in the van as long as I can remember" Page 1, When in Doubt, Stay in the Van
ReplyDeleteWhen I read this line I was reminded of my own bedroom. The pillow that I sleep on has been there forever. It's gotten to the point where if don't use it I have difficulty sleeping.
"How could they force me to sit here for seven hours? I bet there was more space to move on a cattle car, and I had certainly paid more money.
I can definitely relate to this. Whenever I travel on an airplane the same thing goes through my mind. You would think that they would give you more leg room after you paid for the expensive ticket.
Question: What does the word "orifice" mean?
Alex ponders:
ReplyDelete“When the snow first melted in March we ran euphoric, barefoot, through the remaining snow banks to reach the patch of emerging stubbled ground on top of Garden Hill, our feet stinging from ice, last year’s grasses on our soles.” - "Spiderwebs and Dirt"
This quote resonated with me because of how powerful the image is in my mind. The Garden Hill in question is at the Mountain school and this passage filled my all my senses with memories of this place that is really important to me. I also love how the focus of the passage is the feet of the narrator and exactly what they’re feeling.
“He would leave the old tired books in the shed where no one would take them. It didn’t matter too much. No one took many books anyway. The only books that they cared about these days were romance novels.” - "The Books. . . "
I liked this quote a lot because I know at our local book shed this is something that seems to happen much of the time. People leave junky old books they would feel too guilty to throw away and take some movie to watch or some other book they will use as fuel at home. I like the use of personification here as well. The “old tired books” is clear and reinforces his point.
Is it alright to have essentially descriptive nonsense in this course like in “Of Igloos and Elephant men?”
S L-B:
ReplyDeleteDo Not Enter
“The adrenaline rush I feel every time I go I owe to the time my brother got shot at by the crazy man who owns it”.
I chose this quote because it reminds me of a similar experience I had as a young child. My grandmother owns an old farmhouse in South Pomfret, VT where she has several acres of grassland. There she generously shares her property with a neighbor, so that he can make a personal profit by haying it every fall. Unfortunately, her neighbor is a grumpy old man who sees no fun in child’s play and refuses to compromise on the matter. Every family gathering we had, my cousin, my sister and I would run out to the large, plastic marshmallows on the edge of the field and jump across the tops, sliding off at the end. One of us would yell “red truck!” whenever we spotted the neighbor coming down the dirt road and we would all disappear between two bails and peek through the spaces between to watch him scope out the scene. My heart rate would soar listening to his red truck creeked by slowly as the three of us fought to keep our laughter down.
Spiderwebs and Dirt
“When the snow first melted in March we ran euphoric, barefoot, through the remaining snow banks to reach the patch of emerging stubbled grasses on top of Garden HIll, our feet stinging from ice, last year’s grasses rough against our soles”
I chose this quote because, living in Vermont it is easy to relate to that exciting feeling of Spring arriving after a long cold winter. I’m always happy to see the first snowfall in November, but there is nothing better than watching my dad put the skis back in the shed and opening up the chicken coop. Winter can bring about sad and depressing moods that are far less than favorable, so it’s nice to see people walking around in t-shirts with smiles on their faces. Winter is almost like hibernation and when it’s over, there are people sitting outside doing nothing except being happy that the sun is out. I also like this quote because the author uses great imagery when he/she describes the “stubbled grasses” and “running euphoric, barefoot through the remaining snowbanks”.
Question: In “Do Not Enter” Where is the author? We know only as much as he/she is in a sandpit. Why aren’t they allowed to be there? Is it a construction site? He/she says “the workers”, but what kind of workers? I’d like to know more about the setting to understand why he has such an adrenaline being there.
Quote from ‘Learning to Fly’: “Forcing myself to contain the squeals of disgust on their way out of my throat, I wondered again if this was legal.” This was, out of all of them, my favorite of the descriptive essays, she is very good at conveying the emotions and general feeling of what she is going through. While no one has ever actually drooled on my arm on a plane, I’ve certainly been jammed next someone who falls asleep and unconsciously decides that my shoulder is the perfect pillow. I can really relate to how she describes the events that take place. I really like how she was able to take what would have really been a long and boring experience into a short and engaging piece.
ReplyDeleteQuote from ‘When in Doubt Stay in the Van’: “Although it’s a source of constant grousing and grumbling, especially by those who drive it, the van is as much a part of the team as any of the skiers.” I think this essay is something that everyone can relate to. I can’t imagine any person doesn’t have something that they’ve used so much and so often that it’s become a part of them, even if that use has degraded it’s quality. For me this makes me think of an iPod I got 8 years ago. It was considered new for its time, but now it’s well beyond outdated by touch screens and other things, I’ve had to replace screens, audio jack ect. Yet to me, I would never replace it with a iTouch or anything else like that.
Question on ‘Of Igloos and Elephant Men’: How does the title relate to this at all, and could this piece be considered as an example of engfish?
Learning to Fly: "I have determined that when faced with situations such as this, one must simply sit back and suffer. I decided that the experience would make me stronger" I really relate to this quote, as i completely understand where the author is coming from. Sometimes, it is important simply to ignore pain, and get tougher, instead of being a wimp and backing out.
ReplyDeleteWhen in Doubt stay in the van: "a blustery day like today required special attention to this detail. the wind shrieked menacingly through the crack in the window next to me, and the stratton mountain skiers trudging by the van were laboring through drifts of snow that the gale had conjured randomly across the parking lot. droplets of sleet ping-ponged against the metal of the roof" I really liked this description, as it really describes a winter scene very vividly, and accurately. the drifts of snow and the gale really set the scene, while verbs like trudging paint a great picture in the readers mind.
Why is the author being ridiculed in this way in postcard memories? where is he?