Journal

"It is estimated that between 9 and 10 million Americans are either alcoholics or problem drinkers." (Targeting Wellness, 246). What are some factors mentioned by Rodgers that influence the use of alcohol? How did alcohol help Rodgers relate to people?

Give a short description of the consequences of being addicted to "alcohol" that Robert L. Rodgers mentions in his letter. What additional consequences are mentioned by Ann Landers?

Gilbert says, "It is necessary to know the story of Guernica to understand its power." Do you think this is generally true of art? Does it help to know the background of the artist and the artwork?

How does Rita Gilbert feel about the way the Spanish government has chosen to exhibit Picasso's Guernica? What clues enable you to make this inference?

In the last paragraph, Hamill says that the tree covered with yellow handkerchiefs "stood like a banner of welcome."' In Vingo's case, what does the tree symbolically represent?

All of us make assumptions about other people just by looking at them. We also judge people by their friends. You can often tell a lot about a person from the people he or she associates with. What do your friends "say" about you? That is, what can someone tell about you from knowing or observing your friends? Write a paragraph about yourself from this perspective.

Bryson says, "Now imagine reading a nonfiction book packed with stories such as this -- true tales soberly related -- just before setting off alone on a camping trip of your own into the North American wilderness." Do you think this was a wise way to spend the time before his trip? Why or why not?

In the summer of 2001, many black bears came out of the mountains to invade towns and suburbs in a number of states. A spring freeze had killed much of the vegetation and the bears were looking for food to eat to fatten themselves up for their winter hibernation. They rummaged through garbage cans and trash bags. They also entered houses and climbed trees to eat the fruit. Some people found the bear invasion entertaining, but others were frightened by the bears. Bears mauled to death one elderly woman in New Mexico who may have surprised or cornered them. The police chased some of the bears back into the mountains. Others they shot with tranquilizers and returned to the mountains. In New Mexico, when they caught a bear, they would tag it. When they caught a bear for a third time, they would kill it. The building of human communities closer to wilderness areas has made it easier for the bears to come into contact with humans. Bears quickly become dependent on these human neighborhoods as a source of food. One proposed solution has been to have airplanes drop food for the bears into wilderness areas, but some experts respond that food drops would harm the bears by making them dependent on humans for food. How much of an effort do you think the police should make to return bears to the mountains? When are the police justified in killing a bear that has invaded a human community in search of food? What would you do to solve the problem of bears invading human neighborhoods?

What do you think of Pam Houston's approach to dealing with depression?

Compare and contrast Jackson's and Hailey's personalities. What does the narrator mean when she refers to Jackson and Hailey as "my two best friends, my yin and yang of dogs." Use specific details from the story to support your answers.

Have you ever felt as depressed as the narrator's description? What did you do to restore the "joy" in your life?