This Place is Trashed--Tim

I went to Rabbit Run Park this morning. Initially when I first arrived I noticed a small river flowing through the parking lot, and I thought to myself that I would write my weekly blog about the poorly designed drainage. But then I saw it, lying in the parking lot, I had to have it. Some poor child had lost a book; one of my favorite childhood stories, about the honey hungry bear from the hundred acre wood. I got out of my truck on this "blustery day" (Walt Disney) and picked up the book, "Pooh Can... Can You" By Carol North (1993, Walt Disney). The book was in sad condition, soaked from cover to cover. Surprisingly when I peeled open the pages the book was still legible. I couldn't resist, I read it, cover to cover all 10 pages.
After my short walk through memory lane, I decided to see what other treasures might lay hidden within the flooded swampland. First I came upon a large piece of grey plastic, which after closer inspection I discovered that it was part of a car's plastic bumper. Apparently someone didn't notice the yellow reflective paint on the poles along the narrow road; ouch! Then I started to notice trash everywhere: a Gatorade bottle in the tree, a Taco Bell, NBA series cup, a Camel cigarette pack, 2 tennis balls a Mountain Dew cup and some McDonald's French fries. This park has been seriously neglected.
As I left the park I thought to myself that the right thing to do would have been to pick up all the trash but there was so much. I decided that the next time I go, and each time after that I will make it a point to pick up at least one piece of trash.

Another Visit why not?--Keith

I visited the park this time over the weekend on Saturday when i woke up at one p.m. I didn't take a picture this time because i figured it would look the same as last.....and i was right. I think sometime i will go to Klodike park and take some pictures of that beautiful scenery. To answer a previous comment i am from North west Nebraska. (the area of Ewing, Norfolk, and Chambers) They have the best park i have ever seen in Valentine NE.

Never Cry Wolf--Keith

If you are looking for stories on wolves you do not have to look far in this group. This one is on a scientist studying the wolves in an analytical approach. However he discovers that this approach fails terribly and ends up embarrassing himself in front of the wolves. He learns that wolves are not just a common predator but another creature trying to survive.

Audubon, "Pitting of the Wolves"--Tim

I read John James Audubon's "Pitting of the Wolves". I chose this story mainly because others in my group have read it. Mr Audubon paints an ugly picture of how a man allows revenge to guide his treatment of the wolves. After trapping the wolves in a pit he seemingly goes on a thoughtless rampage torturing the wolves until none are left alive.

Family Day at the Park--Tim

I visited the park on Saturday, I was on my way to Midrivers Mall with my wife and youngest daughter. The weather was cold and miserable as usual and I was unable to entice either of them out of the car. Neither saw any park attractions they wanted to explore further than what they could see from the warm comfort of the car. We saw that most of the water,still covering most of the park, had a slushy layer.The Canadian geese were having an argument on the soccer field, I am not sure what the spat was about, maybe their last formation flight. As we started to drive out of the park, my daughter obviously annoyed by my detour, said, "Daddy , can we go to the mall now?"

Third Eye of the Lizard-Keith

Recently I read the third eye of the lizard. It was an interesting story about a kid shooting lizards, one of the lizards he attempts to shoot has a third eye.I figured with a title like "The Third eye of the Lizard" it would be a bit more bizarre than what it turned out to be. I would recommend this story to others because it is not a bad story but it is not the best short story i have read.

Keith----why?

I decided to go to the park while it was snowing to see if the snow would add a touch of elegance to the land. However, I was disappointed to see that the park was still flooded. I realize now that the designers of the subdivision clearly saw that building houses on this land would be a mistake because of the high water flow in this area. So they called this flood land a park. I would venture into the park more but, I paid good money for my shoes. I also figure that i can save that disappointment for another day. Being from Nebraska I happen to like nature and have seen its beauty when it is mixed with man, the rolling hills of crops as far as the eye can see. So far this park has made me home sick.

Cold Snowy Day at the Park---Chris

I went to the park again today to see if anything has changed since last week. Unfortunately there was no one at the park to entertain me this time! A little snow and cold weather can't be what is keeping people away from here, hopefully it is though. I would hate to see the money spent on building and maintaining this park go to waste. I will come back later in the spring to see if this place picks up some traffic. I imagine they will have some soccer games or softball over the summer since they have the facilities for them. If not, another waste. Well not much to write about this time at the park, no animals or people to make comments about. Just plain quiet, no cars, no birds, nothing. Maybe next week will be better.

Still No Rabbits--Tim

I visited the park last Wednesday, thinking that I would get ahead of the game and post a blog early. Did not happen as planned. Now it is Monday and I am finally getting around to it.
It was a very nice day at the park on Wednesday, however as usual I was the only one out in the cold. During previous visits I noticed that some of the trees had recently been cut down. I originally thought that someone may have been poaching them for firewood, but it appears that the city is weeding out some of the damaged trees. They had cut down several trees and dumped them in the parking lot in small enough pieces for someone to collect,apparently offering them to the public.
I notice a small flock of mallards swimming in the now thawed outfield of one of the baseball diamonds. I sited the first four legged creature, that I have seen in the park;a squirrel racing through the branches of the trees. I know it wasn't a rabbit, but it was encouraging.

Keith--The second coming

When I entered the park this time I sensed a feeling of loneliness. It seemed that the park was not popular in February. This desolate wasteland was uninhabited and this time was not flooded. The park seems to have the qualities of a flood plain. I do not like criticizing a park, but i have seen so many better parks than this one. I hope it looks better in the upcoming months. It also just does not seem like it is the nicest of parks even when it is nice out. I do not believe that this park represents mother nature in a fair light. Parks are not meant to be surrounded by tenants. A park is supposed to be an oasis away from it all.

Faith McNulty, "Mouse"--Tim

This week I read a story about a woman who befriended a mouse. She kept it in a cage on the kitchen counter where the mouse provided endless entertainment and wonder. This was an excellent story and I recommend it to anyone who loves animals.

Still Cold and Wet--Tim

Today I wandered through Rabbit Run Park for the second time. I noticed very few geese as compared to last week, I think most of them were visiting St Charles Community College. I did see a lone Heron searching the edge of the icy water. The water which covered most of the park had retreated,the remaining water was frozen. It is obvious the city doesn't take very good care of this park during the winter months. Still, I look forward to the spring to see Mother natures affects.

Pitting of the wolves-Keith

This week I read pitting of the wolves for my text. The story was rather dark about the intensity of nature and the power of wolves. It was interesting how the author noted that wolves are the only animal we don't hunt. We trap wolves rather than hunt because of how cunning they are.