mesquites for miles

 

After two weeks of clearing out some chinese privet, the Fort Worth nature reserve sent us out to the mesquite. It was a hot day outside and a sliver of shade that soon disappeared as we cleared more and more bushes. The mesquite were definitely harder to take out then the privets as there branches were more resistant to the tools and they had plentiful thorns to protect them and poke us. Because it was so hot out, we definitely took more breaks as a class together to drink some water and stay hydrated. I did not know what to expect enrolling in this class, but I definitely did not envision this last spring when I enrolled. I am now even more glad I signed up because I would never had known about any of these restoration efforts and nature sites had it not been for this class. I am glad this class has pushed me to be more present, be outside, and make the most of every situation. Even though it was really hot and tiring this week, I still had an amazing time with the other students chatting and chopping. I feel like there is nothing that bonds people more than shared trauma and suffering. I remember bonding with fellow students my freshmen year through countless hours in the library and weeks of way too little sleep. I would definitely not say that this is even close to that kind of suffering but it is very fulfilling and hard work. I am glad I am leaving this class with not only a colloquial credit but new friends and memories I never would have thought would be in my life. I have found through talking with everyone and the experiences in this class that there is way more that I don’t know than do know. I lack a lot of knowledge about the world and preserving nature, and I really hope to learn a lot more and help in my future. I also have really enjoyed being in a class where it truly feels like an honors class. Everyone is so enthusiastic and hardworking, and they really inspire me to put forth my best work despite being tired or lazy. So, thank you mesquite for being tough and spiky but teaching me such a valuable lesson about life perseverance.