Ecology of a Cracker Childhood

This story was interesting.  The message I got was about how the turtle was the center of the ecosystem.  When the turtle was taken out of its ecosystem,  it does not survive.  The turtle in the story makes the perfect example of a keystone.  The junkyard bit was odd with the comparison of an ecosystem.  I have been in many junkyards and can relate to the feeling that there are many different "species" living in one and they can be their own wilderness.  I didn't understand how the two really related together though.

Walden

The point of this story is about giving up all the modern day comforts and become more in touch with a simpler lifestyle.  His claim is pretty effective as he goes into detail about how he can live off the grid.  He makes the connection that he is more in tune with nature.  While he doesnt seem to live entirely on his own, he does mostly support himelf.  The detail of nature helps to make you feel that you are really there.  But the detail can be a little overwhelming and  detracts the reader form the piece.  Also the poetic sound of the writing makes the reading hard to follow.