6 October 2008
3:15
Along the mill stream between the library and auditorium, Willamette University, Salem, OR
As I was walking along the sidewalk between the library and auditorium I looked over to the mill stream and saw some of the most beautiful and intricately woven spider webs I have ever seen. The strings were stretched across a gap of trees and bushes binding the two like needle and thread. The geometric workings of the web glinted in the sun so delicately showcasing the effort this small creature put into its home. It is such a shame that a web, so gracefully put together can simply be wiped away by one swipe of a hand or by a sudden burst of wind. As I kept walking I noticed more and more of these webs each different, each unique. It is such a simple concept, but also unbelievable to think that these webs can never be recreated in the same way, each is a unique work of art never to be seen again. There are several solitary strings of webs stretched across from tree trunk to trunk acting as natural clotheslines. The creators of these webs are just as intricate as their work. As I walked further on I saw one of the spiders sitting, waiting directly in the center of its web, its feet were curled in and I could see the bands on its illuminated by the sun. The design on its abdomen was also a delicate spiral shaded with browns. These creatures are so beautiful in their own way and it’s a shame that we don’t appreciate their existence.
8 October 2008
12:50
The Quad, Willamette University, Salem, OR
Today during colloquium we decided to have a chestnut throwing competition, so we walked outside past the trees transitioning into their autumn colors to the quad. Once at the quad everyone found four chestnuts to use and we started. The rules were simple, stand behind the pavement, throw 3 of the chestnuts with your dominant hand and 1 with your non dominant hand. It was definitely much more fun to watch everyone throw with their non dominant hands. As I stepped up closer to the grass I looked down into a patch of clovers only to immediately find a four leafed clover. I picked it up and looked at the design on each of its tiny leaves. The emerald green was disrupted only by smooth streaks of a very light white, almost mint green. This intricate pattern amuses me and I wonder why the clover needs these streaks, what are they for? I look back into the patch of clovers hoping to find another but scan the ground only to find clovers with 3 leaves. I pocket my lucky clover and we head back inside.
10 October 2008
1:15ish
Behind Olin, Willamette University, Salem, OR
As we were walking to the museum we encountered a family of squirrels behind Olin. There were 3 little baby squirrels that ran amongst us unafraid of what might happen. It was apparent that they had obviously not learned to fear humans yet. As we watched them they would run to and fro, at one point I thought one was about to climb up my leg. We seemed to be just as afraid of them as they were of us, neither was running away, but neither was being overly aggressive. Soon we began petting the squirrels and Rose and I even went as far as picking them up. Their fur was soft and they seemed to be about the size of a large hamster. I have never seen such a small squirrel. The squirrels in Wisconsin are far larger and bushier than the squirrels here in Oregon. These squirrels seem almost rat like. When winter rolls around the squirrels in Wisconsin are large and their fur becomes plush and protective, their tail becomes almost the size of their body. Last week we learned that squirrels were introduced to Oregon by a man previously from the Midwest. It is interesting to see how different and yet similar these squirrels are due to their environment.
12 October 2008
5:46
Hatfield Library, Willamette University, Salem, OR
As I look out the window in front of me the light seems to transcend from a sky that looks as though it has been painted on a canvas. The clouds blend perfectly with the pale blue and it is hard to tell where one transitions to the next. Through my picture frame of a window I can see the branches of trees jutting in closely to the red brick building. One of the trees has branches of vibrant green leaves that seem to be falling off at a much quicker pace than the tree just beyond it. This tree has leaves that have already been touched by autumns hand and has begun to fade into reds and oranges, the leaves further away from the building transition from bright vibrant red to a cool green where only the edges of the leaves have tinges of color. The light beyond the edge of the building seems to mist the sky with a faint glow. The clouds continuously change and every now and then a light streak of purple mixed with pink will blend in with the passing clouds. The branch of a tree I am watching turns into a silhouette as I switch my focus from foreground to background. Streetlights switch on in the background illuminating the ground with their false glow and I think of all the creations people have created to combat nature.
9 October 2008
6:15
Adirondack Chair below the maple, Willamette University, Salem, OR
My friend and I sit together in an Adirondack chair along side the mill stream. It is a sad moment and we watch leaves floating slowly down the stream, each so helpless, their shape being contorted by the current. As they pass by their usually vibrant autumn color has been concealed by the dark water. Each leaf is buffeted here and there as the current pushes these leaves past rocks that jut up from the depths of the stream.