The first half of this blog greatly affected how I approached the second part of the assignment. For instance, my Family stories and my Entertainment had so much in common: the water, birthdays, mermaids, an underlying struggle between good and evil. I was so sure that finding my Image of Wide Scope would be so easy…Error #1.

When I was done with my Community post, I realized that David Yulee and the Civil War didn’t mesh as easily with my Family stories and Entertainment as my Family and Entertainment meshed with each other.Sure, the Homosassa River was present in my Community Post. The plantation needed the river because sugar cane grows along the riverbank, so it was the river that brought the family here in the first place. Also, when the four scouts went back to the Yulee’s home after the Union showed up, they had to escape from enemy soldiers by paddling down a narrow creek. However, despite the presence of water, I didn’t feel as if water was that powerful in the Community post.

Trial: Were do I go from here? Since all my original ideas were contingent on water being the “thing,” I had to go back and see what sticks out as an image and as a symbol. The Yulee Sugar Mill, for example, definitely stands out as an image. Unfortunately, it doesn’t really have any significance inside the story or symbolic meaning.  Then I thought about Yulee’s involvement with the development of the Florida railroad system. Could I connect the meaning of trains to a Family story and Entertainment?  

As I thought about what trains mean–travel, mobility, power, speed, strength–it seemed to me that trains fit my stories about water, mermaids, and birthdays much better than any water symbolism could fit the story of David Yulee.  Suddenly, I went from merely drifting down a river to charging at this assignment with all the power and force of a stream engine locomotive.

The process of creating the second half of this blog (community, emblem, logo, with some additions to forum) was easier, only because I now know crafting a Mystory and Image of Wide scope is one of those projects that does not make perfect sense until it is complete.  This time around I had more trust in the creative process. I worried less about everything being just so.  I had accepted the fact that, until all the posts have been written, I wouldn’t know if what I created was anything insightful…or even good.

However, I found that Community was the hardest of all the categories to write about. Selecting David Yulee was an obvious choice. I am so very proud to be from Homosassa. It is a small town not to many people have heard about (which is their loss). Homosassa is my home and heritage, and that makes it wonderful. David Yulee was one of the first settlers, and the sugar mill that was once apart of his plantation still stands today. It is a major historic landmark that I drove past at least twice a day, five days a week, when I was in high school. 

Unfortunately, there wasn’t an abundant amount of information about Yulee.  Pretty much everything I found was either A) too dry or B) written in the early 1900s and almost too colorful to be considered wholly accurate. It was difficult to condense his life into three individual slices. I wanted to focus on the Homosassa stuff, even though his family only lived there for two years.  Since his family’s stay in Homosassa was directly related to the Civil War, it made since to fashion my Community narratives around pre-Civil War, during the War, and post-Civil War.

I didn’t expect my Image of Wide Scope to capture an accurate impression of me if I didn’t use water as my “thing”. I grew-up in Florida; I have always been around water.  Fishing, swimming, and boating are some of my favorite activities. My blog address is seawilcox for goodness sakes (I picked the blog address before I even new what the blog was suppose to be about).  However, I knew that if I were to choose water, it would be forced and unauthentic. While trains might not—on the surface—seem all that relevant to my life, the attributes and atmosphere surrounding trains are very fitting.

So once again, I am shocked and amazed at how it all came together. I am sure if there were a part three to this assignment, I would be equally blown away at what a clear and candid image it reflects

My No Name Storm story was my most compelling alternative.  I thought about the power of this storm and how the magnitude of this storm is a lot like the power of a train. If a car gets stuck on the train tracks when a train is coming, the car is going to be totaled–without question. Similarly, floods can destroy whole towns: homes, cars, businesses, everything.

So I had my three stories set: The Little Mermaid, The No Name Storm, and David Yulee.  Now, how are they supposed to correlate to one another within my Logo…

When I think about my fifth birthday during the storm of the century, I think about my mom. She handled everything so beautifully. My father was at work, so it was just my mom managing everything: the terrifying weather conditions (although water never got into our house like it had my grandmother’s and great-grandmother’s home, there was no way for her to have known that at the time), calling out-of-town birthday guest to inform them of the extreme weather conditions, getting her family from one side of the road to another, bringing what would have been birthday  food to the church for those in need, plus having two small children to entertain and comfort. Just look at that list. My mother is amazing. She never seemed flustered. I can’t say it was effortless, because a list like this demands effort (even from a super-human-puts-Wonder Woman-Bat Girl- and-Super Girl-to-shame kind of woman like my mom). My mom was able to roll with the punches and come out on top. 

The way my mom acted reminded me of a little saying she is always telling me, “Do the best you can with where you are at and with what you have got.” Just like that, my motto was solidified.

I went back to thinking about trains. I have always associated trains with persistence, diligence, and steadfastness. Probably because of my fondness of the Little Engine that Could (I think I can, I think I can, I think I can…).  Trains are one of those few man-made objects that could just barrel though anything.

The Little Engine tha t Could reminded me of the Little Mermaid, in an odd way. The Little Mermaid pursued her goal of being with the Prince and gaining a soul without hesitation.  She suffered and sacrificed without complain, because she knew that is what it took to be on land near the Prince. However, the mermaid revealed  her strength of character, on the night of the Prince’s wedding to someone else, the mermaid’s sister told her the only way to  save herself and return to the sea was to take the life of the Prince who had forsaken her. Yet the mermaid could not harm the Prince, even though it meant the end of her life. It was this act of goodness, coupled with all her efforts and sacrificed to be on land, which caused the sisters of the air to take notice of the mermaid. The mermaid joined the sisters of the air, giving her the chance to earn a soul by completing good works—like she has been doing all along.  From here I pulled my Metaphysics, “Hard work and goodness is rewarded”.  However, this mentality is also shown in the No Name Storm story.

Yulee had a little bit of my Mom and the Little Mermaid’s fight in him as well. He was a self-made-man, working his way up in Florida politics, earning the title of Florida’s first US Senate, only to have that title taken away the following election. Did Yulee give up? No, he ran the year after and won. Then the Civil War happened, and Yulee left his position is the US Senate to dedicate himself to the state. His home was destroyed during the civil war, yet he never lost heart. When the war was over, he rebuilt like my mom, the little mermaid, and the Little Engine that Could, Yulee never gave up in when faced with an obstacle: he had perseverance.  

Looking back on everything, I was a remarkable good kid. I didn’t pout about not having my big birthday party. I understood that there were a few things out of my mother’s control, such as the weather. I wasn’t scared either. I just think that at five years old, I was oblivious to the severity of the situation. If I felt anything, I felt confused. However, once everything settled down, I saw that the storm happening on my birthday was an unexpected blessing. We were able to help so many people by donating food. Also, it was a Saturday. Had this happened on a weekday, would any one be around to make sure Granny got to higher ground safely? So my attitude or mood was confusion, and later understanding.

The image I chose to use to express my “thing”, was an actually picture of the railroad that once ran though Homosassa. It was called the Mullet Train, which is more than fitting for my little fishing village.  It was really important to me to find a picture that showcased the real Homosassa, because Homosassa is important to me. I altered the coloring though Photoshop to give the image a more antique look, but other than that it is an authentic depiction of my town, back in the day.

I saw my mother insure that all of our family was together under one roof, I saw her send my brother to fetch fire wood, and I saw her send all of our excess hamburgers and hot dogs (what would have been served at my birthday party) to a local church, so that people who were most in need would have something to eat. I watched my mother work diligently to see that everyone and everything was taken care of, and her efforts were rewarded, though I couldn’t see that at the time.

I now understand that the storm happening on my birthday was a blessing. We were able to feed so many people because the party was rescheduled and we had so much extra food.

One my logo, I have my motto as, “Do the best you can with where you are and with what you have got.” Sometimes, you can’t always see the end of the road. No one truly knows what the end result is going to be until we reach the end.  In life, the only things you have control over are the decisions you make. You cannot control the choices of others. You cannot control the weather. All I can do is work hard and do my best, and trust that my goodness and efforts will ensure that everything will fall into place as it should.

David Yulee wanted to be a faithful servant to the state of Florida.  He was a US Senator for two non-consecutive terms. In 1845, David was elected as Florida’s first U.S. Senator; however, he lost the re-election. Rather then quit and give up, David Yulee rallied in the face of hardships. And was able to win a Senate seat the following election.  Had he given up after the first loss, he would never have experienced the sweetness of victory.

I believe this is how the world works. If you are hardworking, earnest, and kind, then things will work out the way they are suppose too. The Little Mermaid is a perfect example of this.

The Little Mermaid wanted to live on land with the handsome Prince and gain an immortal soul. So the Mermaid did what she had to in order to live outside of the sea. Although she had to sacrifice her voice and with every step her feet ached as if she were walking on glass, she kept doing what she had to do.

However, the Little Mermaid was unable to win the Prince’s love. On the evening of the Prince’s wedding, the Little Mermaid have they chance to returned to the sea, but only if she killed the one she loved. The Mermaid refused, and her good deed was ultimately reward with an immortal soul. Had the mermaid shed the Prince’s blood, she would have lived a long life, but she never would have earned a soul. One must work hard and do the right things, it can’t be one or the other.

 The Little Mermaid did have each of her dreams realized. She lived on land with the Prince and she was able to attain an immortal soul, albeit not exactly as she had hoped. The Little Mermaid shows use that by working hard and doing the right things, one will be rewarded.

The Train represented Perseverance. Not unlike ”The Little Engine that Could”, David Yulee put forth constant effort into everything he pursued. He won, then lost, and then won his US Senate seat. It takes a special kind of person to rally after a defeat and comeback stronger. Yulee is that kind of person. Despite all his hardships: having his home destroyed during the Civil War, his turbulent political career, and his time in jail, David Yulee kept working diligently towards his goal. He just kept chugging along… 

The Little Mermaid also practiced this steadfast diligent behavior. She knew what she wanted (the Prince) and she knew what steps she had to take (become a human) in order to have him. Although she had to sacrifice her voice and with every step her feet ached as if she were walking on glass, she kept doing what she had to do. She kept going along the track at full speed.

Trains are powerful. Trains make me think of Superman. What do they compare him to? Is he more powerful than an airplane..Please, like that is an accomplishment. More powerful than a locomotive…Now that is some power! Even Kryptonite can’t stop a Freight Train.

Trains are a sign of technological advancement and progress. Trains were a sign of growth, progress, and technology in the 1800s. For the first time ever, people were able to travel across the country comfortably.  That was a huge step towards connecting a nation broken by civil war. Trains helped to heal those wounds. 

Trains are steady, persistent. Trains are always on time, running like clock work. Trains are a mode of transportation you can depend on.  Trains can carry on in the rain, wind, snow, hail, anything. Trains do not get helped up, delayed, or cancelled.  Trains are just always there, chugging along.

Trains are classic, traditional.  Trains have a sense of nostalgia one just does not get with any other mode of travel.  Although not the most popular way to travel, trains still produce positive imagery: The Little Engine that Could, Thomas the Train, model trains…the list goes on and on. Trains are just so wholesome and so All-American.  

Trains are fast…they don’t call it a bullet train for nothing.

Trains are Metal. Steel. Strong. Streamline. Efficient.  

Trains are safe. Trains  are on the ground, on tracks. It is difficult to derail a train. Odds are if something is standing in front of a train…the train is going to win.  

Trains are dangerous. If you not in a train but on the tracks, and suddenly you hear  “Chugga-chugaa-chugga-WOO-WOO” then yes, you have something to fear…

Trains are logical and systematic. There are train tracks and train routes. You know exactly where a train will be going, no detours, and no confusion. It is a nice quality. Comforting.

Trains are symbolic of adventure. Think of 1930s vagabonds, gypsies, and youths, sneaking onto an empty train, off to see the country. Trains are emblematic of a journey.

 Expanding the Florida Railroad system was David Yulee’s life work both during and after the Civil War. The railroad provided mobility to all of Florida. It single-handedly enable new cities to be developed, allowing the state of Florida to grow more prosperous. 

In great storms, tornadoes are said to sound like a great train. Trains are so powerful and so forceful, like a flood. Trains are capable of causing severe damage, just like severe weather is capable of causing severe damage.

Trains are also about mobility-the ability to go somewhere you have never gone before. The Little Mermaid longs for mobility between her world of the sea and her beloved prince’s world on land. While trains can cross bridges, traveling across swamps, forest, rivers, and countries to connect people, the little mermaid is without any vehicle that could help connect her to both her home and where she wants to go.  Because she cannot have both, she is forced to choose.

Also, the train that ran though Homosassa, was called the Mullet Train–which I think is pretty fantastic. In some ways, the Mullet Train helps to bridge the gap between my Community Story (which is largely based on land) to my Entertainment Story (which takes place primarily in the sea), with my Family Story (on land but surrounded by the sea).