Abby Landes

Puzzles. When I think of reconstructing the past, I think of puzzles. Like a puzzle, what we know of the past, be it yesterday or 1000 years ago, is just pieces. When all of the pieces are disconnected, it doesn't make sense; therefore it must be assembled. It can be assembled by many people, or just one person; but the accuracy comes with discussion, contemplation, and careful placement. Unlike a puzzle, though, there is no physical evidence of an event actually happening. Unlike a puzzle, you cannot hold on to the pieces of a story to keep for when you are ready to put it all together. These pieces are different- they are in existence for but a second, and then they are gone forever; and what is left is just a memory left up to the interpretation of anyone who cares to try to figure it all out.

Our opinions and "truths" are generated from past experiences. The ideas that are our "truths" are what we feel we must live by and are the basis of daily life. This makes us our own historians; if nothing we "know" can be proven as true, since there is no physical evidence of the past events, then it almost makes history or the recording of it pointless. However, according to Becker, although the memories of past experiences cannot be fully correct to exactly how they happened, they can be useful in that they shape the way we make our decisions. These "vital lies" are necessary for our own confidence in our decisions.

Becker begins with giving a definition of history as "the knowledge of events that have occurred in the past (6)." But he goes on to explain that this is not a simple enough definition. He explains that the use of the word "knowledge" is not accurate without including the word "memory". I agree with him. Of course without one's own memory knowledge is wasted. I can think of many times when I have been disgusted with myself from the momentary lapses of concentration, giving into the temptation of distractions, or just simply not being able to pay attention and therefore giving up my right to a memory I could have so easily obtained. Because "events" are anything that have been said and done, the phrase needs to be modified. He also explains that the word "past" is misleading because everything is considered past up until this point. And even now, "this point" is past, which makes the word unnecessary.  Becker explains that "[history] is rather an imaginative creation, a personal possession which each one of us, Mr. Everyman, fashions out of his individual experience, adapts to his practical or emotional needs (14)."

Mr. Everyman is a fabricator. He has many memories of days and adventures from his youth, but among these memories are instances of things said and done that never actually happened. At first when I read this section of Becker's article I couldn't really relate. But I read further and as Mr. Everyman's sources of his "memories" are analyzed I thought of an example of how this is true in my own life. Many times, conversation with friends and family involves story telling. My brother, Grady, loves to talk and he often shares stories about his day. He sometimes has the habit of repeating his stories several times to the point of me thinking that I was actually there and experiencing what he is telling me. I think this directly relates to Becker's description of Mr. Everyman. Even though Mr. Everyman has memories that are probably very close to being accurate to how they happened, there are still others that never happened and somehow, he remembers them. This stems from the opinion that our ideas and truths are related to past experiences.

"Hoping to find something without looking for it, expecting to obtain final answers to life's riddle by resolutely refusing to ask questions . . . the oddest attempt ever made to get something for nothing! (19)." I think the most important part of addressing the challenges of reconstructing the past to reflect truth is to continue to ask questions. Continue to question the "truth", instead of accepting everything that is said to be fact, and continue to listen. Without asking questions, the world's great ideas and theories would not be known.  Without listening, the world's great ideas and theories would not have been heard. Question and listen to assemble the puzzle pieces of the past; to find the truth.

I DID finish the book!  Not quite within my alotted week but a few unscheduled events got in the way of my quality reading time... Oh well. What better time to write a book blog than the morning of move in day? (:

Tending to Eden..... As I read, I used highlighters- mostly pink, hence the title- to... highlight.... what really popped out at me. I found a lot of things Mr. Sabin wrote to be interesting and suprising and thought provoking and yada yada... Unfortunately, when I read books, unless the author is outrageously biased and rude, I find myself agreeing with a lot of what they say.. My point is this: Towards the end of the book Mr. Sabin began to talk about "global warming". Because he had not so far directly  mentioned "global warming" I was suprised. I've read articles and heard enough people's views that make me see how global warming makes sense, but I've also grown up around a lot of people who say that global warming is a lie and I can see how that side also makes sense. SO I guess I am still confused on the whole subject of global warming and I found that to be a bit distracting.

Luckily that distraction lasted only for a few chapters... Mr. Sabin brought up so many ideas that I could fully understand and see that regardless of what your beliefs on global warming or politics or even religion, the scientific side alone of creation care shows us that it is inevitable to care for the earth and those in it. Also, the connection between humankind and taking care of the earth seems so obvious but is something I don't think a lot of people understand, including myself. Besides the fact that everything God made is good, and so of course he wants us to take care of it, things really won't even work anymore if we continue to hurt our surroundings. I liked the description towards the beginning of the book about how the forest floors are like sponges and without that it is not possible for plants to grow.

So I've only ever really thought of how our actions affect others economically or politically... not so much about environmentally.. so that was interesting. Though I felt like some his statements were pretty generalized... can't think of a specific example right now. But I sure know I have some highlighted somewhere;)

It was nice to see see Sabin give many suggestions and examples at HOW to take action... sometimes it's so easy to tell people to take action, but I think being able to direct others on HOW is even more important.

WELL.

August has come upon me too soon... And so here I am, almost well into the last weeks of summer writing my very first entry. :S I did feel a bit of relief, though, as I saw that I am not the only one to be behind in this whole blogging thing (:

My name is Abby Landes and I am from Glencoe, Minnesota- a little town about an hour West of Minneapolis. The main and possibly only "claim to fame" is our football team.. otherwise you probably haven't heard of it, that's okay ;) Uh, I like... music, art, dance, exploring, coffee, good food, family, friends, meeting new people, Harry Potter, exercising NOT in a gym, banjos, laughing, reading.... I probably have too many interests. haha

 I have been thoroughly enjoying summer and I must say I have been wishing it just wouldn't go so fast... mayyybe the reason I haven't blogged yet? I don't know... But I AM finally getting into the college mode and am very much so looking forward to the upcoming school year!

Although this is only my first blog, I have at least managed to start the book! I am a few chapters in and I am liking it... Before this, I had not put much thought into the environmental side of stopping poverty- My mentality has been that providing education and schools will save the world! I suppose to a certain extent that is what the book is talking about so far- education about agriculture and the environment-  but this book is definitely doing a good job of reminding me that there isn't just one solution to "saving the world." (Besides Jesus of course..)

I'll finish the book this week- I am promising myself NOW;)