My Life in Iowa

Just some everyday random and maybe not so random, bits of information from my life in Iowa.
A view a of the sky outside my car (Taken with instagram)

A view a of the sky outside my car (Taken with instagram)

Article: Analysis and Notes on Walden — Henry Thoreau’s Text with Adjacent Thoreauvian Commentary

Analysis and Notes on Walden — Henry Thoreau’s Text with Adjacent Thoreauvian Commentary
http://www.kenkifer.com/Thoreau/index.htm

Perhaps because of this, Walden tends to be treated as either a whimsical, idiosyncratic literary text (that is, a purely personal account with difficult language) or as a journal full of Nature writings for those who love to read about little furry animals. But it really is neither. The purpose of Walden is to argue for, explain, and demonstrate Thoreau’s philosophy of life, a philosophy that is practical and poetic, personal and universal. Thoreau developed his own sense of economics, an understanding that differs greatly from that of Karl Marx (communism) or that of Adam Smith (capitalism), an understanding that can free an individual from a life of toil and worry. But in addition, he developed a purpose for life, something that the communists and capitalists overlooked, a purpose more important than economics. Rather than seeing the acquisition of wealth as the goal for human existence, Thoreau saw the goal of life to be an exploration of the mind and of the magnificent world around us.

Wow. Who knew?  I’m going to try and reread Walden. 


(via Instapaper)

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My friends, love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we’ll change the world.” — Jack Layton, 1950-2011

Just A Test From Elements

This just a test

Don’t be alarmed this is just a test of the Elements Tumblr posting system. It is only a test.

If this were a real post you would be directed to jeffmadison.net. But this was only a test.

Camping with BSA Troop 242

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Relaxing
After a 6 hour service project resting was the answer to the question, What are we going to do now?

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Relaxing 2
Jordan, taking it easy after working hard


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Fishing
After resting, fishing was the answer.

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Caught One
After a 6 hour service project resting was the answer to the question, What are we going to do now?

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A Little Too Small
Maybe we could use it as bait?

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Like a pro!
Casting backhand, like a pro. There was some brush and tall grass that would have interfered with an overhand cast.

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A view down the pond
This view is from the North side were the berm is.

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Another One!
We caught a bunch of bass this size.

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The Mighty Fisherman
Here’s Jordan the mighty fisherman. It’s always better to catch and have to throw back than to not catch any!

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Eek a Spider!!!
When you’re out in nature sometimes you encounter nature.

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The Sky at Sunset
Here’s what the sky looked like at sunset.

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Cooking Supper
Dutch-oven pizza.

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Almost Ready
Jordan checking the pizza to see if it’s done.

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