Journal Entry #1


    Following class today I had a walk home of a little over a mile. As I left Sadler hall, crossed University drive, and continued through east campus, I challenged myself to examine the flora of TCU which I have grown too used to to notice. Along the walkways and paths that weave through the library, Neeley, and the science building are various species of trees, shrubs, grasses, and flowers. Each seems to be thoughtfully placed in their specific area to create a feeling of luxury and serenity as you walk through campus. It is beautiful, but as I was walking I questioned if this is really “nature”. I couldn’t help but feel that these lovely paths are more of an intentionally curated experience than they are the way Fort Worth looked before we got here. I still ponder whether this excludes the plants and animals of TCU from what we consider to be nature. I passed the new construction project churning away with dozens of workers and 4 cranes overhead; a new experience being curated.

    As I continued past campus toward my house, things gradually became less manicured, but not necessarily more natural. Dust from the construction area covered the leaves of the shrubs and small trees that lined the sidewalks and streets. I continued another half-mile or so back to my house through the streets east of campus, and never really felt like nature was anywhere close to me. 

    This walk home really made me realize how little time I get to spend in true nature these days. In a whole month here at school the most natural beauty I will experience very well may be the landscaping of campus or a golf course. I wonder just how foreign the world that I live in every day might look to a Native American that was here in Fort Worth before any of us. Further, it made me wonder why our civilization has grown to value nature so little that I can go a month without experiencing real nature and not realize it until I’m told to think about it.

Comments

  1. williams.dan76February 3, 2026 at 9:21 AM

    Thanks for this first blog. You're right, of course. There's nothing natural about curated walkways and "landscaped" buildings. These settings are reminders of natural environments. I think most of us in our urbanized lives take nature for granted and don't think about it too much. Most times the outdoors seems so familiar that it becomes ordinary. Yet, like our first class, when we pay close attention, when we are most mindful, even the ordinary can be seem as extraordinary. I really liked your comments in your About ME concerning growing up in Minnesota. I am going back up to the BWCA in May.

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