Textual Lineage #3

I found this poem that hit very close to heart for me! We lost our beloved pony, Bobbie McGee, early this spring. The words of the poem describe the way that my family felt about or horse and loosing him. I don't have a video of my pony but have found and added one of his breed to this posting!

I Only Wanted You

They say memories are golden, well maybe that is true.
I never wanted memories, I only wanted you.
A million times I needed you, a million times I cried.
If love alone could have saved you, you never would have died.
In life I loved you dearly, in death I love you still.
In my heart you hold a place no one could ever fill.
If tears could build a stairway and heartache make a lane,
I'd walk the path to heaven and bring you back again.
Our family chain is broken, and nothing seems the same.
But as God calls us one by one, the chain will link again.

Textual Lineage #2

 I am a huge fan of country music! I love Miranda Lambert and the words of her song "The House That Built Me" are ever so true. I really relate to this song. It reminds me of how I became the person I am and all the memories that I grew up with. Luckily, for me, I still live in the same house and now raising my daughter there. It is lyrics like these that make perfect sense and allow people to relate!

I know they say you can't go home again,
I just had to come back one last time,
Ma'am I know you don't know me from Adam,
But these hand prints on the front steps are mine.

Up those stairs in that little back bedroom,
Is where I did my homework and I learned to play guitar,
I bet you didn't know under that live oak,
My favorite dog is buried in the yard.

I thought if I could touch this place or feel it,
This brokenness inside me might start healing,
Out here it's like I'm someone else,
I thought that maybe I could find myself,
If I could just come in I swear I'll leave,
Won't take nothin but a memory,
From the house that built me.

Mama cut out pictures of houses for years,
From Better Homes and Garden magazine,
Plans were drawn and concrete poured,
Nail by nail and board by board,
Daddy gave life to mamas dream.

I thought if I could touch this place or feel it,
This brokenness inside me might start healing,
Out here it's like I'm someone else,
I thought that maybe I could find myself,
If I could just come in I swear I'll leave,
Won't take nothin but a memory,
From the house that built me.

You leave home you move on and you do the best you can,
I got lost in this whole world and forgot who I am.

I thought if I could touch this place or feel it,
This brokenness inside me might start healing,
Out here it's like I'm someone else,
I thought that maybe I could find myself,
If I could walk around I swear I'll leave,
Won't take nothin but a memory,
From the house that built me.

Textual Lineage #1

"Paul, listen to me. The Phantom's not a horse. The Phantom's a piece of wind and sky. That's why we *call* her "The Phantom. "

*This came from the movie NOT the book! I couldn't find my book at home or online!*

Marguerite Henry's series of books about the wild ponies of Chincoteague Island were some of the only books that I enjoyed reading while growing up. I have been riding horses since before I could walk so I guess that liking books that have stories written about real horses makes perfect sense! The images that had in my mind seemed so real. Though Chincoteague Island has changed since the 1940s, I was still able to visit some of the places talked about in her books when I visited there a few years ago.The above quote makes me think of clouds that look like horses. Ones you could see but never touch!

Double Entry Journal #1

“Walter Ong argues that scribal culture cannot exist until an alphabet is created, and a form of writing standardized.”

As an artist and person who had studied art history, I must say that I strongly disagree with this statement. Before the time of a standardized form of writing there were various ways of written communication in my opinion. There were the ancient hieroglyphs of Egypt, as well as, other art forms such as paintings and sculptures that date back to ancient times. As a creator of art, I know that every piece I make tells a story or makes a statement. During ancient times, these were the only ways of written communication. For example, the ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs were the only way that the people of Egypt had to record events, happenings of daily life, etc… If this is not a form of “text” then I guess I am just crazy!

“The basis of our government being the opinion of the people, the very first object should be to keep that right; and were it left to me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers, or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate for a moment to prefer the later.” 

I really enjoyed reading this portion of the article! I think that Thomas Jefferson said it well when he made this statement. After all, the right to freedom of speech is one of the things that makes our country’s government unique. If it was not for newspapers, politicians and other government leaders would not know what the people were thinking or how they felt about what was going on within the government.

“There are more online publications, journals, newspapers, magazines, and businesses than ever before. While this brings society closer, and makes publications more convenient and accessible, ordering a product online reduces contact with others.”

Growing up in a society of ever changing technology, I still never thought that I would see the day when I would talk to others online, share photographs almost instantly with family that were hundreds of miles away! Now these actions are a part of everyday life for me, as well as, completing courses online. (Something else that I never would have thought of doing while growing up) The above quote sums up what changes have came about from the advancement of technology. It is this advancement that has caused the use of paper copies to become greatly reduced.     

Multi-Genre Literature: Autobiography

What are your earliest recollections of reading and writing?

I can recall the recognition of restaurant signs such as McDonalds or Pizza Hut as well as playing various games at a young age. Memory, Candy Land, and rummy were some of my favorites to play.

What are your earliest recollections of watching television?

I remember getting up and watching Saturday morning cartoons every week from the time I was four or five years old.

What are your earliest recollections of going to see a movie?

I cannot remember what the first movie I went to see was but I do remember that my sister would often take me and my friends when we were growing up.

What are your earliest recollections of music?

I cannot remember a specific time that I was introduced to music, but there is always a radio in our kitchen, and has been there since before I was born. Still, to this day, it is tuned to a country station. I am pretty sure that this is why I have a strong love for country music. Aside from this memory, I can also remember my mom, dad, sisters, and other family members singing to me.

What are your earliest recollections of using a computer?

My aunt had bought a MAC when they came out for the first time in the 80s. I was always allowed to play games or act like I was typing on it every time I was at her house.

Were you read to as a child?

I remember that my mom, sisters, or grandmother were always reading aloud to me. 

Can you recall reading for pleasure in elementary school?

Somewhere along the line, my early love of reading came to a halt. By the time I was in elementary school, I did not read for pleasure anymore.

Can you recall writing for pleasure in elementary school?

I do remember liking to write my own stories except, I didn’t always use text so to speak. My love was drawing, painting, or anything to do with art. It was usually through one of these forms that my stories would come to life.

What was the first book you loved (couldn't put it down)?

“A Dog Named Pup” and “Spring is Here” were my favorites!!! I don’t think that I could choose just one as a favorite.

Can you recall the first film or television show you watched over and over again?

This is easy! “Rainbow Bright” was a movie that I had to rent at least every weekend. I would watch it over and over and over again. 

What pleasures or problems do you associate with early memories of reading and writing?

I only have pleasures that are associated with reading and writing at an early age. I loved every minute of it and thought it was so much fun.

Is there a specific teacher (or several) who stands out in your memory as someone who had an impact (positivist/negative) on your reading and writing? Describe!

As I began to get older, I started to memorize the stories that were read to me. People that did not know that I had memorized the stories, especially my favorites and heard me read aloud thought that I was reading. At one point, a teacher who knew my family said that she couldn’t wait to have me in her class because I could “read”. While I did not realize it at the time, she was probably encouraging me to continue to read.

What are you currently reading? Writing?

 I am currently only reading/writing what is required for my courses.

What are you currently watching on T.V?

With a seventeen month old, I have a hard time regularly watching shows on t.v. When I do get a chance to watch, I enjoy Criminal Minds, Bones, CSI, or Law & Order.

What was the last great movie you saw?

I am pretty sure that Flicka was the last movie that I actually watch all the way through!  I am a horse person, so I loved it!

What is your favorite song right now?

Being a huge fan of country music, I would have to say that my favorite song right now is “Old Alabama”. Sang by WVs very own Brad Paisley!!!!

Introductory Post

Where you are from and what do you do?

·         I am from Buckhannon, WV and I am currently a student and full-time mom to my daughter, Katie, who is 17 months old.

What do you want to get out of the class?

·         I want to find a way to mesh the idea of the new media age with my content area of Art.

Your definition of what it means to be literate:

·         For me, being literate means that you possess the skills to be successful in the day to day aspects of life which include the ability to balance a checkbook, pay bills, apply for a job, read and prepare a recipe, the ability to navigate technology and make it work for you, lifelong learning, etc.

Go to YouTube and enter the search term "Literacy" and link me to a video that reflects your definition or understanding of what it means to be literate in the 21st century:

·         http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9ZRDRPqoXo