Month: February 2024

“You are in me, like a ring inside a tree. I won’t forget it.” This quote came from a book I recently read, The Exiles. This idea resonated with me as I have been thinking about people that I currently know or once knew.

This book was difficult to read because of descriptions of suffering people. It has, however, moments of hope and joy as it tells the overlapping story of three mostly resilient women—two who were exiled to Australia because of alleged crimes committed in England and one whose only crime was being born Aboriginal. The historical fiction is thought-provoking. Although not a happy story, the rings of a tree metaphor highlighted the female friendships.

If you have followed my blogs, you know that I have come to love trees and all their symbolisms. The ideas that the three women shared about rings of the trees inspired me.

Angelina first described, “When you cut down a tree, you can tell how old it is by the rings inside. The more rings, the sturdier the tree. So…I imagine I am a tree. And every moment that mattered to me, or person I loved, is a ring. …All of them, keeping me strong.” Later, Mathinna whose story ended sadly, reiterated to her friend Hazel, “And every ring is someone ye care about, or a place that you’ve been. Ye carry them with ye wherever ye go.”

I am grateful for the rings of people and experiences that give me sturdiness today. I think of my life in stages of time and remember fondly those who influenced me most. I cherish those growing up friends that I continue to care about even though some have passed away. The professional friends that became personal friends continue to inspire me. I value the friendships I made through sports, running, music, and most recently volunteering. All keep me strong.

I hope to gain more rings over time and am bolstered by what I have within me today. I like carrying those rings of people, places, and experiences in my trunk.

I recently returned from a few days in New Orleans and New York City. I enjoy my city visits that make me grateful for living in the country. I take pride in my rural roots in Iowa. In addition, however, I seek opportunities to visit cities for short periods of time. I like what both cities and rural areas have to offer.

City life and country living pose distinct differences with advantages as well as challenges. My recent city visit was a contrast to the first 25 years of my life and the recent 10 years of retirement where rural environments have been my home.

Cities and country life are not necessarily a dichotomy. In my 35 “in between” years, I mostly lived in the middle of these two contrasts. Madison, WI and Durham, NC were not big cities and offered a blend of city amenities as well as proximity to the outdoors. One reason I resonate with parks and outdoor recreation as a profession is because of the way that cities, whether large or small, can offer outdoor nature-based activities.

Cities have advantages. For example, cities embody diverse cultures that highlight different cuisines, languages, and customs. Cities often provide numerous opportunities for entertainment such as theaters, museums, and restaurants.

Rural living has many of these same advantages in fewer ways. Estes Park has ethnic restaurants and entertainment in the form of high school music and theatre as well as community musical groups and arts. The natural beauty, peaceful landscapes, and proximity to nature that my small town offers, however, are important to me and why I chose my current country residence. Further, rural areas usually have cleaner air and healthier environments with outdoor recreation activities that lead to active living. My rural community fosters social connections and a sense of belonging.

Where one chooses to live is often a personal preference. The possibilities might also be based on career goals and social needs. My choices today are based on the quality of life that I seek in rural living.

Some people have more choice than others. I am grateful for the options regarding the places I visit and where I have chosen to live. I am thankful for this beautiful rural area and opportunities to make sojourns to cities for cultural visits. I am blessed with both worlds.

The gray wolf is native to Colorado. Historically, wolves lived in Colorado in all major habitats. During the latter half of the 1800s, hunters decimated wolf prey such as bison, elk, and deer. At the same time, domestic livestock were increasing in numbers. Because wolves killed livestock and game, they were eradicated from Colorado through shooting, trapping, and poisoning by the mid-1940s. Government sponsored predator control eliminated wolves throughout the western United States.

I have had little contact with wolves other than hearing them howling at night when I camped at Isle Royale 40 years ago. I thought they provided a beautiful melody and had no concern for my safety. I also have seen the wolves through high-powered telescopes at Yellowstone National Park. I loved the variety of colors of their fur. I wonder if I will hear them again someday. And of course, I had an affinity for wolves when I worked at North Carolina State University and supported the Wolfpack!

Colorado now has suitable habitat for wolves that includes sufficient prey and public land. A small group has been living in the state. In 2020, however, Coloradans voted to re-introduce wolves with only a tiny 50.4% majority of the vote. I studied the proposal and although I recognize the value wolves add to biodiversity, I did not know if this reintroduction would work, especially in an area with a urban-wildlife interface.

Nevertheless, 12 wolves donated by the state of Oregon were released about 75 miles to the west of where I live several weeks ago. I pray they will be self-sustaining and create a viable population.

The reintroduction of wolves into areas where they had been extirpated has both ecological and social implications. Their presence can lead to a more balanced diverse ecosystem as they help control herbivore populations and prevent overgrazing.

Further, wolves exhibit complex social structures within their packs. Observing and studying these social dynamics can provide valuable insights into animal behavior and communication. Their presence offers educational opportunities for the public to learn about and appreciate wildlife conservation.

A downside to wolves returning exists. Wolves might prey on domestic animals, leading to conflicts with ranchers and farmers. If abundant wildlife is available, however, this predation is unlikely to happen. Further, fears exist about human-wolf conflict. Although human interactions seldom occur, their reintroduction can lead to negative perceptions and fears.

The reintroduction of wolves is complex and multifaceted involving ecological, social, economic, and political considerations. I hope these wolves create a balance between conservation goals and the concerns of local communities.

I am fascinated by what artificial intelligence (AI) means to the world (and to me). It is here to stay. Like many aspects of technology, AI has both benefits and drawbacks. I have been playing with it as I write these blog posts and have mixed feelings. If I were still in higher education, I would be thinking deeply about this issue as I contemplate how it can help me as well as others (my students) become better and more creative writers.

I experiment with AI as I write these days. A benefit is increased efficiency in generating ideas. I have especially found it useful in creating titles for blogs. I have not used any of the generated titles, but the suggestions stimulate my thinking about how to make a title more appealing. AI also offers creative ideas that I can use as a foundation for my thoughts about a given topic. As I noted in my blog about socks, asking an AI program to give me history about socks speeded my research about the topic. My task was then to edit the suggestions and personalize the ideas.

As I write (and the advice I would give if I were still evaluating student papers), I want to critically evaluate the information provided. Since my blogs are about personal reflections in wandering and wondering, I remind myself to reflect on the facts that AI uncovers that I can relate personally.

I asked an AI program to highlight implications for drafting personal essays. It suggested that “writers can use AI tools to analyze data, gather insights, and support their arguments. This can enhance the depth and credibility of personal essays.” Although AI excels at data-driven questions, creativity and emotional intelligence are needed. Limitations exist because human experiences are not illuminated. AI stimulates my creativity, but it cannot accurately reflect my attitudes, insights, emotions, and feelings.

I have no conclusions about this tool. Much will unfold in the coming months and years. AI can be valuable and has implications for both good and evil. I will capitalize on its potential just as I use other tools such as the internet and computers. I am open to broader implications for myself, human experiences, and writing.