Such a busy next few weeks...
Moving--back into the park!
Furlough--don't know for how long.
Christmas, New Year--and all the "joys" they bring
Back to work at some point...perhaps February.
Friday, December 4, 2009
Saturday, October 31, 2009
TV
Some people think that living in a park must be great. You are surrounded by Nature all the time. They come to the parks to get away from it all, but I am pretty sure they are happy to get back to their "conveniences" of home.
One of the things that I missed most while being a seasonal was not having TV. I know there is not a lot on most of the time, but still it is nice to have some idea about what is going on in the fictional world of your favorite series or have some frame of reference for current pop culture. I was quite fortunate that this year my sister decided I needed TV, and provided me with a little financial "incentive" towards getting it.
After waiting until my EMT-B was over and done with, and after weeks (or months) of looking at packages, I made the jump. Satellite TV, one of the larger packages, local networks and DVR. I am so glad I did! I have found out there are still a number of shows on that I have no interest in, but I have been mindlessly entertained for hours with some of the new series and educated by one of my favorite channels--the History Channel. The best part of the entire decision was the DVR. I work varying schedules and don't get to watch a lot of "live" TV, so the DVR is probably my favorite part of the whole thing.
And this is not just me talking. Numerous seasonals have spent hours in front of their laptops in WI-FI areas watching prerecorded shows, or frequent the one facility in the park that has a public TV (even just for the opportunity to watch the commercials).
Nature, books, hiking and movies by mail only get you so far....sometimes you just need TV.
One of the things that I missed most while being a seasonal was not having TV. I know there is not a lot on most of the time, but still it is nice to have some idea about what is going on in the fictional world of your favorite series or have some frame of reference for current pop culture. I was quite fortunate that this year my sister decided I needed TV, and provided me with a little financial "incentive" towards getting it.
After waiting until my EMT-B was over and done with, and after weeks (or months) of looking at packages, I made the jump. Satellite TV, one of the larger packages, local networks and DVR. I am so glad I did! I have found out there are still a number of shows on that I have no interest in, but I have been mindlessly entertained for hours with some of the new series and educated by one of my favorite channels--the History Channel. The best part of the entire decision was the DVR. I work varying schedules and don't get to watch a lot of "live" TV, so the DVR is probably my favorite part of the whole thing.
And this is not just me talking. Numerous seasonals have spent hours in front of their laptops in WI-FI areas watching prerecorded shows, or frequent the one facility in the park that has a public TV (even just for the opportunity to watch the commercials).
Nature, books, hiking and movies by mail only get you so far....sometimes you just need TV.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Winter white wonderland
No, not quite. Being from somewhat warmer climes, or at least an area where we have the good sense not got go out in this kind of stuff, I was not "exicited" about driving to work this morning--It had been snowing since about 2 am, anyway, and is currently doing so, at 10:22 am. I am sure I will be fine, however it is the "experts" that have 4-wheel drive, who think they can still go 65 mph that scare me. It is supposed to move through the area, so good speed to it!
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Latest Halloween News...
On a local network affiliate's website, one article posted a link to this year's top Halloween costumes and also had the following:
Plus: Find Fun Halloween Recipes For Kids
(trying to cut back, thanks)
Plus: Find Fun Halloween Recipes For Kids
(trying to cut back, thanks)
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Sometimes...
...on a slow day I read.
I may read online newspapers, online books, paper books, magazines, online magazines, blogs, websites, etc. You get the idea...
Today I have ventured onto the National Parks Traveler website: http://www.nationalparkstraveler.com/
There are some interesting stories here, and some lovely photos--I know it is possible to take a bad picture in the National Parks, but usually that involves human error of some sort.
I ventured into the site a little deeper than I usually do, and came across a list of blogs written about the National Parks. One, in particular, caught my eye--It was entitled, My Handicap Parking
http://www.myhandicapparking.com/
The author of the blog, Preston Filbert, has polio and so, experiences the parks in a different way than most visitors. The first sentence of the blog caught my attention: "National Parks make me think, which makes we write."
What a great statement. The parks have long inspired photographers and painters, but it was not often we saw an individual who was inspired by the parks to write (historical explorers and modern bloggers aside.)
The parks tell a story to anyone who will listen. The men who had the foresight to set aside these lands did so with the intention that everyone could enjoy them, not just the wealthy and elite as was the case in other countries. Mr. Filbert is just one of thousands of visitors who are able to experience the National Parks each day in spite (yes that is what I meant) of a physical challenge that just a century ago would have seen them abandoned or hospitalized.
In case you didn't know, the Federal Agencies offer what is known as an "Access Pass." The Access Pass is "A free, lifetime pass - available to U.S. citizens or permanent residents of the United States that have been medically determined to have a permanent disability - that provides access to recreation areas managed by five Federal agencies [National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, Fish and Wildlife Service, Forest Service]." For more information about the Access Pass or any of the National Park Passes, visit:
I may read online newspapers, online books, paper books, magazines, online magazines, blogs, websites, etc. You get the idea...
Today I have ventured onto the National Parks Traveler website: http://www.nationalparkstraveler.com/
There are some interesting stories here, and some lovely photos--I know it is possible to take a bad picture in the National Parks, but usually that involves human error of some sort.
I ventured into the site a little deeper than I usually do, and came across a list of blogs written about the National Parks. One, in particular, caught my eye--It was entitled, My Handicap Parking
http://www.myhandicapparking.com/
The author of the blog, Preston Filbert, has polio and so, experiences the parks in a different way than most visitors. The first sentence of the blog caught my attention: "National Parks make me think, which makes we write."
What a great statement. The parks have long inspired photographers and painters, but it was not often we saw an individual who was inspired by the parks to write (historical explorers and modern bloggers aside.)
The parks tell a story to anyone who will listen. The men who had the foresight to set aside these lands did so with the intention that everyone could enjoy them, not just the wealthy and elite as was the case in other countries. Mr. Filbert is just one of thousands of visitors who are able to experience the National Parks each day in spite (yes that is what I meant) of a physical challenge that just a century ago would have seen them abandoned or hospitalized.
In case you didn't know, the Federal Agencies offer what is known as an "Access Pass." The Access Pass is "A free, lifetime pass - available to U.S. citizens or permanent residents of the United States that have been medically determined to have a permanent disability - that provides access to recreation areas managed by five Federal agencies [National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, Fish and Wildlife Service, Forest Service]." For more information about the Access Pass or any of the National Park Passes, visit:
http://store.usgs.gov/pass/index.html
And may you be inspired to think...
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Approaching Winter (season)
What happens to a park when all of the visitors leave, the employees start thinning out, and the facilities start to close?
It does not just go to sleep, I can guarantee that! Time keeps passing by, perhaps a little slower. The leaves continue to lose their soft, green clinging life, and begin the brown brittle journey until they lose the last bit of "strength" that sends them to the ground to be tumbled by the wind and whirled by passing cars. Grass and plants go from green to yellow to brown to gone. The animals which hid from the hordes all summer venture out cautiously, curiously until their presence becomes a constant. Life is settling in, settling down, preparing for the coming months ahead where white blankets the world and ice clings not only to the places where the leaves did, but all structures.
Human life takes on a different quality, a different atmosphere. Friends, roommates, coworkers leave for the winter months, in search of another job, another year of education, another life. Those left behind unite in a force that forges through the winter, the dark hours, the cold, the blizzards.
And then, just as every year, it starts to turn around. The days get a little longer, just a minute or two at a time. The nights are not quite as cold. The snow melts a little faster. The seasonal employees begin their migrations back to the park, in preparation for the migration of visitors. Yellow grasses turn slowly to green, shoots of new plants come poking up through the brown and red and black soil. Buds grow and grow until they turn into the green leaves or the white and yellow and pink and red blooms. Once fat bellied does, then graze cautiously watching the bouncing bundles of brown and energy and white and life spring through the canyons and across the mesas.
And so the cycle goes.
It does not just go to sleep, I can guarantee that! Time keeps passing by, perhaps a little slower. The leaves continue to lose their soft, green clinging life, and begin the brown brittle journey until they lose the last bit of "strength" that sends them to the ground to be tumbled by the wind and whirled by passing cars. Grass and plants go from green to yellow to brown to gone. The animals which hid from the hordes all summer venture out cautiously, curiously until their presence becomes a constant. Life is settling in, settling down, preparing for the coming months ahead where white blankets the world and ice clings not only to the places where the leaves did, but all structures.
Human life takes on a different quality, a different atmosphere. Friends, roommates, coworkers leave for the winter months, in search of another job, another year of education, another life. Those left behind unite in a force that forges through the winter, the dark hours, the cold, the blizzards.
And then, just as every year, it starts to turn around. The days get a little longer, just a minute or two at a time. The nights are not quite as cold. The snow melts a little faster. The seasonal employees begin their migrations back to the park, in preparation for the migration of visitors. Yellow grasses turn slowly to green, shoots of new plants come poking up through the brown and red and black soil. Buds grow and grow until they turn into the green leaves or the white and yellow and pink and red blooms. Once fat bellied does, then graze cautiously watching the bouncing bundles of brown and energy and white and life spring through the canyons and across the mesas.
And so the cycle goes.
Friday, October 9, 2009
October? When did that happen
So at some point it became October. I know it comes around eventually, yearly as a matter of fact, but did not realize it would be this soon.
I have harvested the garden--about 2 weeks or so ago, and the only thing out there still are two pumpkins. We have had some really cold nights--i.e. the 20s, so I got out there after it got that cold the first time and picked everything. I was still worried about the tomatoes, but they have ripened nicely, so I have been enjoying those and have other stuff put away in the freezer. It was a nice little garden for my first real attempt, and I am excited about next year.
The leaves this year have reflected the cool temps in fabulous ways. In my 5 years here, this is the best variation of color that I have seen so far. It is starting to fade a bit, and the oranges and reds and browns (a lot of browns) are starting to take over. The tops of the mountains around us are a different color all together---WHITE. I know it is a sign of things to come here, but I hope it is not too soon.
I have harvested the garden--about 2 weeks or so ago, and the only thing out there still are two pumpkins. We have had some really cold nights--i.e. the 20s, so I got out there after it got that cold the first time and picked everything. I was still worried about the tomatoes, but they have ripened nicely, so I have been enjoying those and have other stuff put away in the freezer. It was a nice little garden for my first real attempt, and I am excited about next year.
The leaves this year have reflected the cool temps in fabulous ways. In my 5 years here, this is the best variation of color that I have seen so far. It is starting to fade a bit, and the oranges and reds and browns (a lot of browns) are starting to take over. The tops of the mountains around us are a different color all together---WHITE. I know it is a sign of things to come here, but I hope it is not too soon.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
End of August?
How can it be that this is already the end of August? I thought that the summers use to go by fast when I was having to go back to school, but this one has been even faster I think.
With August comes cooler weather--This has me a little nervous. My garden is doing pretty well. I have been getting beans, peas, and squash. Still to come are the tomatoes--I literally have like 100 tomatoes, but they are all green, green, green. I also have peppers that should be ready to pick soon. And there are some plants that I am pretty sure are pumpkins that are really starting to put fruit on. It has been fun. I have actually given most of it away, because it is hard to fix all that up for just one person. But I am looking forward to next year's garden!
Not sure if it is the cooler weather or "drought stress," but the brush in the area is turning. The sunflowers are dropping their petals, the jays are back...yeah, pretty sure fall is on the way.
School has started and so things have really started to slow down--not that it was really ever that busy this summer anyway. The seasonals have been leaving too--school, jobs, etc. It is that time...
Not a whole lot else going on up here in the world on top of the world. Not at all.
With August comes cooler weather--This has me a little nervous. My garden is doing pretty well. I have been getting beans, peas, and squash. Still to come are the tomatoes--I literally have like 100 tomatoes, but they are all green, green, green. I also have peppers that should be ready to pick soon. And there are some plants that I am pretty sure are pumpkins that are really starting to put fruit on. It has been fun. I have actually given most of it away, because it is hard to fix all that up for just one person. But I am looking forward to next year's garden!
Not sure if it is the cooler weather or "drought stress," but the brush in the area is turning. The sunflowers are dropping their petals, the jays are back...yeah, pretty sure fall is on the way.
School has started and so things have really started to slow down--not that it was really ever that busy this summer anyway. The seasonals have been leaving too--school, jobs, etc. It is that time...
Not a whole lot else going on up here in the world on top of the world. Not at all.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Garden
So (knock on the proverbial wood), the vegetable garden is doing much better than the herb garden did. I have Squash!!! Very excited about this. Also the beans, peas, and tomatoes are blooming. There is hope...for fresh veggies after all!
The only thing that survived in the herb garden is Cilantro--ie 1 out of 11 plants from seed. But it has good days and bad days. Even the lemon grass, which I have had for a few years now and a basil which I was given, seem to be putting up a decreasing fight. Ironically, two cilantro (?) plants have decided to make their way to the veggie garden (still not sure how that happened) and are doing quite well. Well, except for the fact they are growing under the squash plant...
Not a very promising outlook for rain. We are now at a "very high" fire danger. I counted 10 fires around us this afternoon. As the plants around the park are drying and wilting, I look at my garden, which though I do not water it every day, is still green and fairly healthy. It is incredible that so many people were able to farm in this environment for such a long period of time (without the ease of faucets and hoses especially).
The only thing that survived in the herb garden is Cilantro--ie 1 out of 11 plants from seed. But it has good days and bad days. Even the lemon grass, which I have had for a few years now and a basil which I was given, seem to be putting up a decreasing fight. Ironically, two cilantro (?) plants have decided to make their way to the veggie garden (still not sure how that happened) and are doing quite well. Well, except for the fact they are growing under the squash plant...
Not a very promising outlook for rain. We are now at a "very high" fire danger. I counted 10 fires around us this afternoon. As the plants around the park are drying and wilting, I look at my garden, which though I do not water it every day, is still green and fairly healthy. It is incredible that so many people were able to farm in this environment for such a long period of time (without the ease of faucets and hoses especially).
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Plants
The trip home was good. Left after work on Sunday and got back late Wednesday night. We wen to Bishop's Castle, which is near Rye--it was interesting. A multi-story structure of rock, concrete, and iron built by just one man.
When I got back it was interesting to see the change in vegetation--my garden seems to be doing pretty good! I have little-bitty (about the size of a quarter) patty-pan (the scalloped ones) squash, the beans are blooming, the tomatoes are blooming and the peppers look like they are just about ready. And a great crop of weeds.
The park was a different story. It is amazing how much things can change in just 3 days time. The vegetation looks dry, the wildflowers not as vibrant, and the bright yellow "HIGH" fire danger sign at the entrance was discouraging. As I came to work this morning, I noticed the smoke in the atmosphere, basically all around us. As it has been fairly "quiet," I can't help but wonder if this is going to be the year of "another big one"?
When I got back it was interesting to see the change in vegetation--my garden seems to be doing pretty good! I have little-bitty (about the size of a quarter) patty-pan (the scalloped ones) squash, the beans are blooming, the tomatoes are blooming and the peppers look like they are just about ready. And a great crop of weeds.
The park was a different story. It is amazing how much things can change in just 3 days time. The vegetation looks dry, the wildflowers not as vibrant, and the bright yellow "HIGH" fire danger sign at the entrance was discouraging. As I came to work this morning, I noticed the smoke in the atmosphere, basically all around us. As it has been fairly "quiet," I can't help but wonder if this is going to be the year of "another big one"?
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Weekend
So in honor of a couple of birthdays this month--as in within the next 2 and 3 days, I am going home for the weekend. I am pretty excited, it is the first time I have been home in a while-since Christmas.
The summer is already starting to wind down...I was shocked the other day when I saw school stuff out on display already. Kinda glad those days are over.
People are funny. The other day, I had someone call the information line. They said they thought they would get a recording. I said, no, I am here. They said something to the effect of do you have anything I can listen to with information. I said I could answer any questions they had. They again asked about listening to a recording. Apparently some people out there DO NOT want to "talk to a real person."
The summer is already starting to wind down...I was shocked the other day when I saw school stuff out on display already. Kinda glad those days are over.
People are funny. The other day, I had someone call the information line. They said they thought they would get a recording. I said, no, I am here. They said something to the effect of do you have anything I can listen to with information. I said I could answer any questions they had. They again asked about listening to a recording. Apparently some people out there DO NOT want to "talk to a real person."
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Wildflowers
The past few weeks have brought warmer weather up here and so we are getting wildflowers.
Currently there are primroses, lupine, balsam root, and a few paint brushes blooming. And of course dandelions.
The bushes are also starting to bloom--cliff rose and service berry are going right now.
Some rain a few days ago made everything shoot up. Right now everything is nice and green. The day temps are increasing and the nights are still cool. Currently we are at a moderate fire danger, so we will see how that changes in the next few weeks.
Inspired by nature, I tried to start an herb garden...which you will notice, I said tried. Some are doing well, some were doing well but are still hanging on, some I think are done for, and some didn't do anything. If this is a sign of how a veggie garden will grow, perhaps I would be better to just visit the farmer's markets...
Currently there are primroses, lupine, balsam root, and a few paint brushes blooming. And of course dandelions.
The bushes are also starting to bloom--cliff rose and service berry are going right now.
Some rain a few days ago made everything shoot up. Right now everything is nice and green. The day temps are increasing and the nights are still cool. Currently we are at a moderate fire danger, so we will see how that changes in the next few weeks.
Inspired by nature, I tried to start an herb garden...which you will notice, I said tried. Some are doing well, some were doing well but are still hanging on, some I think are done for, and some didn't do anything. If this is a sign of how a veggie garden will grow, perhaps I would be better to just visit the farmer's markets...
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
EARTH DAY 2009
My job requires searching for various things, at times, on the internet. I usually use Google, since it seems to give me a better variety and more options for items. Last year at this time, Earth Day, I posted the Google Earth Day banner, as it was the best one that I had seen all day.And today, the honors go to.... 
It's just beautiful...I love the creativity, the colors, and especially the theme (I swear I should have been born near the ocean!).
It's just beautiful...I love the creativity, the colors, and especially the theme (I swear I should have been born near the ocean!).
Thanks Google, for the beautiful banner. HAPPY EARTH DAY!!!
Monday, March 2, 2009
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Living out of the park
So, back to work. The commute is not too bad, so far. Seeing the sunrise every morning is kinda nice. Leaving home before dark isn't that great though...
Spring is on its way!!!Some of the deciduous trees in the area are starting to get a yellowish-green tinge to them. Temperatures are starting to warm up too (that is the best part). Gonna start getting ready to put a garden in soon--stores around town are putting their seeds out!
Spring is on its way!!!Some of the deciduous trees in the area are starting to get a yellowish-green tinge to them. Temperatures are starting to warm up too (that is the best part). Gonna start getting ready to put a garden in soon--stores around town are putting their seeds out!
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