Strikes, Balls, and Bunts – Trial and Errors December 10, 2009

 

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.

Rounding Third…Creating Logo December 10, 2009

After deciding the Train would be  my “thing,” I had to think long and hard about how trains related to each of my family narratives and entertainment. Back when I thought water would be the image in the center box, I was planning on using my snoopy fishing pole story as an allegory about good and bad always being present. “The web of our life is of a mingled yarn, good and ill together,” was going to be my metaphysics.  I also had my morality all ready. “Live Honorably” is the message I took away from The Little Mermaid. Even though good and bad are always present, one can choose to be good or evil. Living a good life, I believe, can be achieved by being an honorable person. However, by switching to trains, suddenly Snoopy didn’t seem like the best story to use. I was sorry to see Snoopy go.

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.

Morality-I think I can, I think I can… December 10, 2009

Perseverance is defined as steady persistence in a course of action, a purpose, a state, etc., esp. in spite of difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement. In a world that rewards hard work and goodness, it is important to never give up while in pursuit of your dreams.  Goals might not always be reached easily, but they will be reached just so long as you never give-up.  Perseverance in the face of difficulty is an amazing virtue, a virtue that Senator David Yulee demonstrates.

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.

Atmosphere – Training for Success December 9, 2009

 

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.

The Train’s the Thing December 9, 2009

Although trains are only physically present in one of my stories, it is a strong image that is applicable to all three.

 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).

The Civil War Fall Out – Part 2 December 9, 2009

At the age of 56, having spent 25 years in a distinguished public career, Senator Yulee commenced, and carried on for 20 years more the most strenuous work of his life: that of restoring to vitality that part of the railroad system of Florida in which he was personally invested.

Senator Yulee was the driving force behind The Florida Railroad, the state’s first trans-state line. It was his vision to unleashed the “iron dragon” and send it rumbling through the swamps and pine forests from the ocean to the gulf. Yulee’s railroad opened up the center of the state and planted new towns in the wilderness.

Senator Yulee was a true civil servant to Florida throughout most of his adult life.  He made significant contributions to my home state of Florida and to my little town of Homosassa. The Yulee Sugar Mill stands tall and proud as a reminded of his diligence to his state, my state.

The Civil War Fall Out – Part One December 9, 2009

After the Union burned Homosassa, all that was left standing was the Sugar Mill, which still stands to this day.

When the Confederacy vanished into history, the Governor of Florida appointed Senator Yulee one of a commission to go on to Washington, DC and confer with the President, as to Florida’s reestablishment into the Union.

During this trip, Yulee was arrested and charged with treason for his support of the Confederacy.  He was imprisoned at Fort Pulaski, Georgia (near Savannah) were he was interrogated for six months. Gen. Grant intervened to get Yulee out of prison.

David Yulee and the Civil War – Part 2 December 9, 2009

 The Sugar Plantation was run by 1,000 workers. For two years, the Yulee family lived comfortable in Homosassa. At the end of two years, the whole family went off to visit Captain Taylor, a “neighbor” some fifty miles away. The family was enjoying their stay when, one morning, two of the Homosassa people appeared and told a startling tale…

The servants at the Yulee residence, alarmed by barking dogs, saw coming through the gloom of the night a large boat rowed with muffled oars. The servants had to act fast. They took a few belongings to a boat on the other side of the island; they hurried up to the plantation, 3 miles away and sounded the alarm. The croppers took command. Torches flared through the darkness, wondering mules and oxen were hitched to dozens of sugarcane wagons, bedding, children, cooking utensils, and odd treasures heaped in confusedly. As dawn came, a long line marched rapidly away from the strangers known to be bearing their freedom towards a loved and trusted master. 

On the second day, four caution scouts went into the empty residence, finding a heaving box similar to the one used for silver–but really containing books–and carried it to their boat and started upon their return. Unfortunately, a navy launch appeared from a branch river. They were able to escape the ship by turning down a narrow creek. 

The Yulee’s home was destroyed and the family relocated to a cotton plantation near Archer.

David Yulee and the Civil War – Part 1 December 9, 2009

Months before Lincoln’s election, David Yulee addressed a public letter to his political allies announcing his intention to retire from public life and devote himself to the development of the state.

At the beginning of the war, Senator Yulee and his family lived at Fernandina on the Atlantic coast, but, for safety reasons, his wife and children were subsequently sent to live on the family’s sugar plantation called Homosassa (Indian – Little Pepper) on a small river flowing into the Gulf of Mexico.

Later, he rejoined his family when Fernandina was capture by the Federals, who open fire on the train in which he was escaping. During this time, several attempts were made on Senator Yulee’s life.  For some time a couple of companies of infantry were, at Senator Yulee’s expense, kept on the river to guard against the destruction of the sugar mill. When the troops were withdrawn, there was nothing left to tell the tale of the great war except the news brought by the post which toiled slowly in twice a week.

Antebellum – Part 1 December 9, 2009

 

David Levy’s father, Moses Elias Levy, came to Florida after the War of 1812 and became a pioneer in its settlement. At the age of seventeen, David Levy moved to live on his father’s plantation outside Micanopy, Florida. While there he made many trips to St. Augustine and developed strong friendships with several Spanish and East Florida families, including some officials of the federal government. Through these contacts he was able to met and eventually study law with Robert Raymond Reid, who was later governor of the state and a federal judge. After being admitted to the bar in 1832, David was successful at practicing law in St. Augustine. He began his public career by becoming a delegate to the State constitutional convention in 1838 and clerk to the Territorial Legislature in 1841.