These Are a Few of My Favorite Things

When I think about my favorite things to do, I think of two very broad categories: land and water. Since arriving in Menomonie, I’ve experienced amazing connections with both. I’ve hiked with my fellow researchers, smelled the fresh soil on a farm, and taken bike rides around town. I’ve also swam in Lake Menomin (twice!), which many people have called me crazy for. I love the experiences I can have on both land and water, but I’ve been thinking a lot about the way water shapes my life as of late.

Alexa, play Can You Canoe by the Okee Dokee Brothers

I've always felt a natural pull towards rivers.  One of my first childhood memories is of my mom teaching me how to skip stones over the Maple River which wound it's way through cornfields just outside of my home town. After learning to ride a bike and getting over my fear of riding on the highway, I would make trips down to the river on my own just to watch the water flow by. As I grew older and moved away from Good Thunder, I found myself sitting on the banks of the Minnesota, Cannon and Mississippi Rivers.  This past year has brought me many opportunities to sink into my river rat identity. I've had the opportunity to go on my first canoe trip and have recently begun my career as a canoe guide.

The Art of Economics

I love playing my clarinet. The combination of a dark and earthy tone, the feeling of vibrating wood on my fingers, and the sight of notes on a page gives me a sense of familiarity that is relaxing and centers my focus. When playing solo or in an ensemble, I am applying the many hours of practicing and learning to continuously analyze my sound and create a musical experience for myself and any listeners.

Why I Love Water

A few years ago, I picked up the sport of rowing, and that really kick-started my passion for lakes, rivers, streams, oceans… really any body of water. They’re so tranquil, beautiful, and serene, and I always feel better when I’m near water.  I now row for Indiana University, and throughout our season I see lakes in all sorts of conditions. I’ve rowed on Wisconsin’s own Devil’s Lake, which is so uncontaminated that there are special rules about cleaning all the boats before they can touch the water. On the other hand, I’ve also rowed in the river running through Oak Ridge, Tennessee, a place also known as the “Secret City.” If you haven’t heard of it before, Oak Ridge was one of the main sites of the Manhattan Project. Unfortunately, Oak Ridge put their nuclear power plant right on the banks of the river now used as a race course, and, as you can imagine, the water is polluted beyond belief. There’s very little life in the river, and my teammates and I all get a weird rash whenever we go there. This year while we were in Oak Ridge, a doctor actually pulled me from racing because I had too many cuts on my hand, and “if that disgusting water gets in the cuts you’ll get a terrible infection that would probably need surgery.”

Exploration, in all of its many forms!

As spring turns to summer and fall already looms on the horizon, a multitude of things come to mind when thinking about the ways in which I often fill my time. Compiling a list of my favorite things to do is a bit difficult because I feel like my interests fall over a wide spectrum, however here’s an attempt at capturing a handful of ways I like to spend my time...

As my partner (both in LAKES and in crime),
Esther and I understand it's imperative to build a fort before map making.

Research With A Touch Of Inspiration

        I would like to begin this blog by bestowing gratitude upon my furry friend, Alise, who assisted in the composition of this post at Tabby’s Catfé by sitting on my laptop keyboard. Writing in a room full of cats makes for a pleasing work environment, and allowed me to adequately reflect on what it means to incorporate research into a well-rounded summer experience. I have thus far stumbled upon many favorite things to do, including spending time with friends, visiting new places around town, and working in a variety of scientific work spaces. One of the days I felt most engaged with my research this past week was in the greenhouse, preparing plant samples of duckweed, cedar, and rushes. I felt that working in an interactive space facilitated constructive communication within my research team. Combining lab work with field work has really allowed me to embrace numerous scientific disciplines. I was also able to realize that science should be approached with an open mindset, and that complex issues are difficult to solve if you do not consider input from everyone. 

        Spending time in Menomonie has inspired me to care more about my research and its consequent impact, as the people that live here are directly affected by the aquatic health of both Lake Menomin and Lake Tainter. Additionally, visiting both dairy farms and listening to farmers’ perspectives was enlightening, as I became more informed on methods of sustainable agriculture, conservation, and providing healthy habitats for animals. I believe this directly relates to my research as it is critical to consider how nutrient pollution can be influenced by local operations, and how ecological health can be improved as a result of direct action. Finally, spending time with the girls helps me to understand how much we as individuals can contribute to large-scale problems. We all bring something different to the table, and we can bounce ideas around while still having fun. Now that research is in full swing, I can’t wait to see what the remainder of the summer brings.

Greenhouse Sample Preparation

Boat Adventures

Baby calves at Alfalawn Dairy Farm