Living Like Weasels

My third essay assignment was by far the hardest one for me.  I was asked to write about one of several essay excerpts my teacher presented to us and I chose this one (trust me – this was one of the best ones):

-----------------

From “Living Like Weasels” by Annie Dillard

What does a weasel think about? He won't say. His journal is tracks in clay, a spray of feathers, mouse blood and bone: uncollected, unconnected, loose leaf, and blown.

I would like to learn, or remember, how to live. ..I don't think I can learn from a wild animal how to live in particular--shall I suck warm blood, hold my tail high, walk with my footprints precisely over the prints of my hands?--but I might learn something of mindlessness, something of the purity of living in the physical sense and the dignity of living without bias or motive. The weasel lives in necessity and we live in choice, hating necessity and dying at the last ignobly in its talons. I would like to live as I should, as the weasel lives as he should. And I suspect that for me the way is like the weasel's: open to time and death painlessly, noticing everything, remembering nothing, choosing the given with a fierce and pointed will.

-----------------

I was given a B+ for this one because my teacher felt I assumed too much about the author and her intention regarding her essay.

Essay Three: The Human Folly

Either humans do have not a clue how to live, or Annie Dillard has gone mad. While she admits she cannot find all the answers from a wild animal, she believes she can “learn, or remember, how to live.” She sees clarity in the weasel’s life because it is void of complex thought and emotion. A weasel lives peacefully with only what is necessary, while humans do not appreciate what we have and envy what we do not have. Dillard states, “I would like to live as I should, as the weasel lives as he should… choosing the given with a fierce and pointed will.” laying aside her cognitive mind and her ability to choose. Happily and without hesitation she would take what is thrust upon her.

It is odd for Dillard to state that she has not yet learned how to live. She is, in fact, alive when writing this piece, so what is she really saying? The answer goes beyond simply admiring a serene animal in its element. She believes there are so many problems in her life that she can no longer remember how to be happy. She even questions if she ever learned how to be happy, or in her words, “learn{ed} how to live.” Poor choices (she does not say whose choices) have pushed her to a point where she wants to abandon her life as she knows it. She is not content with the way she is living and she finds herself wishing to give up her ability to choose. The ability to choose is one of the major things that separate humans from animals but she would give it up, claiming nothing, and living only in the present.

Dillard sees purity of life coming from “mindlessness”. In her eyes, a wild animal is mindless, meaning either the creature has no mind at all, or that it has lost its mind. Without a presence of mind it can go on “without bias or motive.” I would argue, though, that even the smallest creature has a motive: to live or to die, to sink or to swim, to eat or to be eaten. An animal fends for itself, finding food and safety in order to survive. It is aware of danger and remembers where and how to avoid it.

Humans have also done this well, and perhaps better. When inspiration hit, we invented more efficient tools. When we focused our will we discovered better and more reliable ways to do things. We pooled our resources, helped our neighbors and became a community. I say perhaps humans have done better because even though we have achieved so much, recklessness came with success. We started to take for granted all that our ancestors worked so hard for. Dillard accuses humans of hating “necessity” or those basic things needed to keep us alive. She finds us frivolous and vain and naïve to the fact that we will not be taking our material possessions with us to the grave. She sees present day humans as wasteful creatures, hating that which would ultimately make us happy and instead choosing what is dispensable. It can be hard to disprove her when creators of energy drinks are making millions because we down high doses of caffeine each day instead of taking care of one of our most basic needs – sleep.

Is it too late for humans? Have animals surpassed us when it comes to real happiness? It is easy to agree with Dillard that an animal might have the better life when we view our world as a whole. Americans live lavishly compared to other nations on this earth, and it is a shame. Our dumps could provide for whole villages; our junk could offer more comfortable living for those in need. Instead of fixing a bike, we throw it away and buy a new one. We have lost (or forsaken) our skill for improvement, for creativity, for industry.

We may have drifted too far and need to come back to “live as {we} should.” It is because we do have a choice, however, that we are able to reflect on what needs to change and resolve ourselves to that change. How silly and how sad it would be to give up our ability to choose. Generations before us have poured themselves into the cause of better living. To throw away all their hard work would be a tragedy. Dillard claims that seeing everything and remembering nothing is better, but remembering nothing is not better. We must remember what we see. It is in forgetting what we have seen that we mistake indulgence with necessity.

Animals survive quite well without luxury and with little resources, though living in survival mode is not the better life. Instead of envying the weasel’s peacefulness, Dillard should make her own. She can take charge and make her life what she wants it to be, as we all can. Choice gives us the ability to shrug off the bad and embrace the good. The pursuit of happiness is ours if we want it.

Annie Dillard may be mad, but she makes a good point. With a bit of observation, we can learn a few things from the weasel: resourcefulness, tranquility and humility. The trick is to take what we learn and apply it to our lives. With determination and a will to be reckoned with, what she calls “purity of life” can be found almost anywhere – the choice is ours.

English 101: Essay Two and Four

I got a B- on my second essay but I’m okay with it because I was on vacation and forgot to write it until the day before I needed to turn it in.

Our assignment for our fourth essay was to take one our previous essays and give it a good scrub.  I spent a considerable amount of time on the scrub and got an A for my efforts.  Ya! My teacher’s notes began with, “O, rock on, Keri!” I can’t get better feedback than that.

I’ve included both essay two and four incase you’d like to do a comparison.

 

Essay Two

Camping with Just Three Stakes

When I come across someone who says they don’t like camping, I find myself feeling as though I have to fix their issues and persuade them to try again. Surely they haven’t abided by the Three Stakes rule! It is possible for anyone to have an excellent camping experience when you have a few things right: a good camp site, a good fire, and a good menu.

Research is your best tool before you take off to your destination. Where do you want to go? Is it a soothing beach, a lush green forest, a desert oasis, or even a snow -covered cave? One of the biggest deciding factors is personal preference. But adequate space to roam is a must. Chances are, if you end up at a packed camp ground, you are not going to have room to stretch your legs without bumping into this or that camping neighbor.

Use the online resources like reserveamerica.com or, if you are local, parks.wa.gov. These sites can help you narrow down your search and help you find a spot that will meet your needs and your preferences. Instead of running into people, you may just run into some nature. Be it a crab, a rabbit, a coyote, or a deer. And don’t forget your camera!

Once you arrive at your campsite, first things first: build up that fire. A good fire is essential. It cooks your food, keeps you warm, gives you light and gives you protection. The best thing about a fire is it creates a gathering place. No matter what you have as far as games or toys or even environment, people will always gather at the fire. The way fiery logs pop and crackle provide the feeling of calm that everyone longs for when camping. Once in a while the logs have to be turned and you receive as a gift for your hard work the spectacle of glowing embers of different colors to draw you in and nearly mesmerize you.

Any John Doe can buy a modern fire starter at a grocery store, but real pride comes from building it the old fashioned way. It takes a fair amount of skill to build a successful fire. You can use the bird’s nest, the teepee, or another method that is your particular favorite. A few dry leaves, little twigs, and some pitch from a pine tree if you are lucky enough, will get the spark going with a bit of love and attention (although I won’t tell anyone if you bring a bit of dryer lint to help things along). And then it’s all about watching for the right time to add bigger sticks and then logs, layer by layer.

Once it’s nice and hot, bring on the food! You cannot have a bad camping trip when you have a bowl of steaming peach cobbler warming your hands as you sit in front of a fire with good friends or agreeable family. Scratch that. Even if you have bickering family around you, something magical happens when you sit down in front of a fire with a steaming bowl of peach cobbler. Once the delicious flavors of the peaches, the juices, and (oh!) the cake batter hit your tongue, nothing else matters. Let them quarrel – you have more important things to do. Get a second bowlful and find that perfect seat where the smoke doesn’t follow you.

Yes, the food makes the camping trip. And again, you have to do some planning ahead of time so you don’t spend your whole day cooking. Let the Dutch oven do that for you. Type in “Dutch oven cooking” into your internet browser and let the recipes come to you. If you want to be a gourmet chef, check out foodnetwork.com. If you’re aiming for some homegrown recipes try papadutch.home.comcast.net. Just make sure one of the recipes you prepare for is peach cobbler. There are a bunch of recipes out there, so how do you find the best one? You could try each one and use a rating system to find your favorite, or you could try an easier technique. The best answer is to go off of referrals. Which one does your friend, mother, co-worker, or Facebook pal love? Is it the one using apricot nectar or sprite? Does it use evaporated milk or sugar, or both? It could just be the simple recipe that calls for some butter on top.

The rain may fall or the temperature may drop to an unexpected low. You might have had an encounter with an angry bug or forgotten your toothbrush. But remember why you wanted to go camping in the first place. Perhaps it was to avoid the nagging housework and simplify at least one weekend. Perhaps it is because you desperately need release the suppressed Boy Scout within. Or did you need to update that picture of a tree because you easily forget what they look like?

All of those answers suggest low expectations. Keep them low. Enjoy the peace that abounds in nature. The rain, the boo-boos, the goof-ups and the forgotten items can easily take a back seat along your trip as long as you abide by the Three Stakes rule. Grab a camping spot with room to run, take pride in building your fire, and plan meals that can cook themselves and wow the crowd. Go get your dirt on! Oh, and if you can, leave those bickering relatives at home.

----------------------

Essay Four

Camping with Just Three Stakes

If there is one thing that can leave you rested and relaxed or battered and broken, it is a camping trip. How can a camping trip end with such different results? The answer, my friend, lies within the Three Stakes rule. Follow this rule and you will be on your way to rest and relaxation. If you do not follow this rule, you may find yourself battered and broken by the end of the trip. It is possible to have an excellent camping experience when you have a few things right: a good camp site, a good fire, and a good menu. There are a lot of ways to camp but I’m going to focus on tent camping. Start a list of supplies you think you will need for the trip and I will help you add some more useful things as we go. Online research can be your best friend, so search for a standard camping supply list if you are at a loss for what you will need to bring with you.

Where do you want to go camping? Is it a soothing beach, a lush green forest, a desert oasis, or even a snow -covered cave? One of the biggest deciding factors is personal preference. Adequate space is a must and to get it you will need to reserve your camping spot well in advance. Use the online resources like reserveamerica.com or, if you are local, parks.wa.gov. These sites can help you narrow down your search and help you find a spot that will meet your needs and your preferences. Each of these sites will give you maps of campgrounds, what is standard for individual campsites within a campground, and a campground’s nearby amenities. Choose a location that is a quick walk to a restroom but not right up against another camping site. These types of sites get taken quickly because the experienced camper knows they are the best; so again, book your site well ahead of time. Chances are, you will have plenty of room to stretch your legs and enough quiet to enjoy nature. Most importantly, do not forget your camera so you can capture nature in action!

Once you arrive at your campsite, build up that campfire. A good fire is essential. It cooks your food, keeps you warm, and gives you protection. The best thing about a fire is it creates a gathering place. No matter what you have as far as games or toys or even environment, people will always gather at the fire. Fiery logs pop and crackle in a way that provides a feeling of calm everyone longs for when camping. Once in a while the logs have to be turned and you receive the spectacle of glowing embers to draw you in and nearly mesmerize you. Put firewood on your list of supplies to bring with you because you will not like the high prices the campground will offer. This will also save you time from having to scout for firewood when you reach camp.

It takes a fair amount of skill to build a successful fire. Any John Doe can buy a fire starter at a grocery store, but real pride comes from building your camp fire the old fashioned way. You can use the bird’s nest, the teepee, or another method that is your particular favorite. If these terms are unfamiliar to you, add them to your research-on-the-internet-before-your- trip list. A few dry leaves, thin twigs, and some pitch from a pine tree if you are lucky enough, will get the spark going with a bit of love and attention (although I won’t tell anyone if you bring a bit of dryer lint to help things along). From there, it is all about watching for the right time to add bigger sticks and then logs, layer by layer.

After setting up your campsite – including the fire – and exploring a bit of the outdoors, your appetite will roar and only a delicious meal will appease that appetite. Once your expertly built fire is nice and hot, bring on the food! Campfire cooked food can be some of the best tasting food you will ever eat. Again, decide on a plan of attack ahead of time so your day is not spent cooking. The Dutch oven can do the cooking for you. Type “Dutch oven cooking” into your internet browser and let the recipes come to you. You may find some Dutch oven specific websites or you can search for Dutch oven recipes within websites such as foodnetwork.com. If the famous chefs or their recipes from that website intimidate you, try the simple yet delightful, homegrown recipes at papadutch.home.comcast.net. Your goal includes understanding how to use and cook with a Dutch oven and compiling a list of recipes you are going to cook on your trip. Cook at least one Dutch oven meal each camp day and it will be considerably freed up. If you only have one Dutch oven, ask to borrow one from someone you know. One is great, but two is better.

When writing out your trip’s meals, make sure to plan and pack ingredients for peach cobbler. It will not disappoint you or your camping compadres. There are a bunch of peach cobbler recipes out there, so how do you find the best one? You could try each recipe beforehand and use a rating system to find your favorite, or you could try an easier technique, ask for referrals. Which one does your friend, mother, co-worker, or Facebook pal love? Is it a recipe that uses apricot nectar or sprite? Does it call for evaporated milk or sugar? Whatever the recipe calls for, the magic happens inside the Dutch oven. A camping trip cannot go wrong when you have a bowl of steaming peach cobbler warming your hands as you sit in front of a fire with good friends or family. Scratch that, even if you have bickering family around you, something happens when you sit down in front of a fire with a bowl of steaming peach cobbler. Once the delicious flavors of the peaches, the juices, and (oh!) the cake batter hit your tongue, nothing else matters in that moment. Let the grumpy people quarrel – you have more important things to do, such as getting a second bowlful and finding that perfect seat where the smoke doesn’t follow you.

The rain may fall or the temperature may drop to an unexpected low. You might have had an encounter with an angry bug or forgotten your toothbrush. But remember why you wanted to go camping in the first place. Did you want to avoid the nagging housework and simplify at least one weekend, or because you desperately need to release that suppressed Boy Scout within? Did you need to update that picture of a tree because you easily forget what they look like?

The answers to those questions suggest low expectations. Keep them low. Enjoy the peace that abounds in nature. The rain, the boo-boos, the goof-ups and the forgotten items can easily take a back seat on your trip as long as you abide by the Three Stakes rule. Grab a camping spot with plenty of leg room, take pride in building your fire, and plan meals that can cook themselves and wow the crowd. Go get your dirt on! Oh, and if you can, leave those bickering relatives at home.