The Ongoing Clash of Nature and Humanity

Last month, I went up to New York for a couple job interviews in Manhattan. I was driving with my uncle to meet up with some family members for dinner, when all of a sudden he swerved off the road and  onto the shoulder. My heart was racing and I didn't really know what the heck was going on, but then I looked out of the drivers side window... There, laying in the middle of the highway, was a massive deer carcass, mangled and bloody. It was horrifying.


As it turns out, a car that was a few lengths in front of us hit the deer and ended up on the shoulder just as my uncle did. As for the gentleman who hit the deer, well, his Beamer looked just as beat up as the victim. The car was obviously totaled and the man was pissed. The whole time this was going on, I couldn't believe how gigantic the deer was. It looked as big a horse and was a very sad sight to see...I'm grateful that it died on impact.

I knew before this incident that there is a deer overpopulation problem in the northeast. Apparently, there are so many deer concentrated in that part of the U.S. and not enough grazing ground for them, that they are dying of starvation in the winter-time. It is really a tragic situation and it is why state governments are tying to extend the deer hunting season up in those areas. I'm not really sure if that's the answer, or if deer would be running ramped even if there weren't a lot of people living in that area, but either way I hope we can think of a way to help the deer population and ensure safety on the roads. Or maybe that's asking too much... who knows.

Reflection on Frank's, Alas Babylon

     I just finished reading Pat Frank's, Alas Babylon, and I have some mixed feelings about it. It was a nail-biter, that's for sure. The first ninty pages had me glued to the book, but by chapter four I wanted the Russian's to go ahead and bomb us already! I guess I just don't like to be stressed out for that long. Also, I wish there was a more detailed discription of the destruction that occured in places that were bombed. We never got that, and I kind of craved it. After all that build up, I feel like "The Day" was a little anti-clamatic to be honest. Maybe this is because it is grared more towards a younger crowd, and Frank was trying to be gentle, which I understand.

     My favorite character was Helen. I felt her character was one of the most developed supporting characters in the novel. Where many women would fall apart, she stood strong for her children, even though she didn't know the fate of her husband. I hope that in my lifetime I'll never have to be as strong as her.

     The scene I liked best also included Helen. I think Frank portrayed her moment of weakness beautifully, and I only wish he would have extended it. It was one of the only times in the novel when an adult character showed true vurnablilty, and it was interesting to see it coming from on of the strongest characters.

     Overall, I liked it. Not usually something you would usually find on my bookshelf, but I can see why it is so popular. I'm glad I wasn't around in those days because worring about nuclear attacks constantly would be pretty nerve-racking

Jerboa's

These kangaroo-looking, rat-like creatures live in deserts around Asia and Africa. There are all different types of Jerboa's, some can sit on a tablespoon, and others are as large as rabbits. They are cool because they have this thing called bipedal jumping, where they can hop on two legs like a kangaroo. My favorite is the long-eared Jerboa. I want it.


Long-Eared Jerboa

And, I just found this awesome video...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X7uw5HLMuP0

Southern Black Racer

Last night, I went for a run around my apartment complex. I'll usually come across a few creatures on my journey, mostly rabbits, geckos, wading birds, or an occasional raccoon by the dumpster. Never, have I had to leap over a giant black snake.

My run is a little over two miles, and for the last stretch, I try to sprint as fast as I can. So, when was coming up on the final 10th mile of my run, I was concentrating on finishing full-out, looking toward the building I use as my marker. I didn't see it until it was less than three feet away from me--practically underneath me at the speed I was going. There wasn't any time to swerve without causing injury, so I lept up as high as I could (feeling kind of like a gazelle) and bounded over the long, black, twisted, snake. I got chills all up and down my body and goosebumps formed on my arms immediately after I realized what I had done. Snakes give me the heeby-jeebys I was having a hard time making it to the finish line after that.

I had to know what kind of snake it was, so I doubled back and cautiously made my way over to where I saw the snake. It was right where I left it, was super long (probably 4 feet, honest) and thin, with a rounded head (I know triangle shaped heads are a sign that it is venomous, so I calmed down a little bit.
When I got home I researched it, and this is definitely the snake.

The Black Racer Snake (non-venomous, thank God)

Tornado's are Scary

Apparently, there were a few tornado touch-down's in Tampa today. My family lives there and they said the weather was horrible. One of my friends took this picture when she was driving to work this morning...Crazy!

Talk about a force of nature. I would have been scared to death!

Big Cypress Fox Squirrel

Every Saturday Morning, I volunteer at Special Equestrians Inc. with a handful of FGCU students. About a year ago, I noticed a flier in the barn that had a picture of a strange looking squirrel-like creature on it. It read: "Beware of Fox Squirrels when leading the horses. These squirrels are curious and come close. Horses may spook." The warning was there, but I never saw the real life squirrel. I was starting to think it was some kind of joke, but that all changed this morning when I was out on the sensory trail with my favorite horse, Apache.

We were warming up at the far end of the arena, when a saw a flash of red in the corner of my eye. Frolicking through the south pasture, and about the size of a small skunk, was the mysterious fox squirrel. It was bounding our way, and I was so fascinated by it, I forgot to heed the warning. It got closer, and jumped up on the fence post right next to Apache and I. The creature stood up on its hind legs and just stared back at me. It was beautiful -- massive, but beautiful, with a tanish-grey back and a bright burgundy chest. The tip of its tail and nose were white and boy, was it fat. It was only then that I realized Apache's eyes were rolling and he was yanking hard on the lead rope. Apparently, the squirrel was a threat, and Apache didn't want to be anywhere near it. The squirrel stayed frozen in place, knowing the horse was a pansy-ass, so I had to direct Apache's attention elsewhere and walk away from my squirrel friend. 

The fox squirrel hung out for most of the morning, forging among the mounds of manure in the pasture. Eventually two of his fox squirrel buddies came out to keep him company. After not seeing any fox squirrels in a whole year, I saw three in one day. Life is weird like that...


Apache (the wimpy boy)



Moringa oleifera

When our class was at ECHO, our tour guide mentioned what many call the "miracle tree" a number of times. He talked about all the benefits of the tree, which seemed almost too good to be true, so i decided to research it a little bit...


The Moringa oleifera-- street name: Miracle Tree, or "mothers best friend," is found in East Africa. It has numerous health as well as nutritional benefits and literally every part of the tree can be used. The pods, which hold the seeds are one of the most valuable parts of the tree.They have more of a nutritional benefit than many fruits and veggies we eat in the U.S. The tree is also being used to purify water. This is extremely important because in countries that have trouble finding clean water they have something that can help the people survive. The leaves can be eaten by mothers who are facing malnutrition, so that they can continue to breast-feed their children. The bark, flowers and roots can all be eaten as well.


The Natural News reports, "Moringa leaves contain: SEVEN times the vitamin C in oranges, FOUR times the Calcium in milk, FOUR times the vitamin A in carrots, TWO times the protein in milk and THREE times the Potassium in bananas."
Morenga is also known to help treat infections and most recently even used as a cancer treatment. These claims are not fully scientifically proven, but they are currently being tested worldwide.


Pretty cool tree, eh?


Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/022272.html#ixzz1HFd9m8tq