Midweek Update

 

Sometimes it’s not the post itself, but rather the title of the post.  It’s not like I can (truthfully, at least) state “Spelunking Saturday” or something like that since we are just living everyday Life and not traveling.  So there ya have it – “Midweek Update.”

Yesterday we had a visitor in the parking lot . . .

 

Turtle didn’t hang around long, but steadily – excepting brief periods of plopping down for a rest – made its way alllll the length of the lot, turned, headed down one of the other roads and into the brush.  Turtle appeared to enjoy one of those rest periods that coincided with a puddle of water in the rut of a road.  Ahhhhh . . . cool water.

Turtle looks very much like the one I saw last year on the same journey, sans the groove in its shell.  Looks like Turtle had an encounter with something, hopefully not the lawnmower. 

The day before this journey took place, another turtle was over in the grass on a spot of dirt for a long time.  It was dark-thirty, so I didn’t get a good look; however, I wondered if she was laying eggs.  I checked the spot the next morning.  Turtle was gone and there were eggs there, but . . . alas, they had served as dinner, midnight snack or breakfast for another critter.

I don’t think the two are one in the same – I would have remembered that groove, I think – but still it was sad to think Turtle was not going to see young ones.  All that effort and . . . no wee ones.

Today has been overcast with misting rain now and then and blessedly cool with highs in the 60s.  No complaints from me about that in June. 

Took a nice walk just a bit ago at twilight . . .

Our rig and office this evening

There was a symphony of birds singing good-night and frogs greeting the evening.  It was almost cool enough for a light sweater or jacket.  Can you imagine?  June.  Almost mid-June.  Love it.

Yes, Life is Guid!

Thanks for stopping by!

 

 

 

 

 

Two Geese Families

 

Last year we watched a Canada Goose family grow up literally right outside our door.  We suspected there were families around this year, but had not seen any young ones until this weekend.  It was so warm today, I took my walk this evening.  Two families have been hanging out together close by.  There are a total of ten goslings, five to each family.

 

Family #1

 

Family #2

 

Took the opportunity today - before it rains the next few days – to wash bed linens.  Yes, we have a washer and dryer, but I try not to do laundry on rainy days.  Carrying loads between the office and rig in the rain?  Rather not go there.  Clean, fresh sheets and duvets await us this evening.  Yay!

Indulged in a few more Mad Men episodes in between laundry loads.  Yes, I’m addicted.

Hope you’ve had a good weekend, too!

And now, something for Judy . . .

 

The End! 

Thanks for stopping by!

CERT Drill

 

Although my alarm was set for 6:30 this morning, I was awake about 5 AM, so I just got up and started my day.  This year’s CERT class was scheduled to have their search-and-rescue drill here this morning.  I was in training in 2013, so I had an active role in last year’s exercise.

Participating in 2013

That’s me in the front, again from last year.  They had a smoke machine, which made it more “interesting,” shall we say.  Zero visibility, searching on hands and knees for “victims.”

 

This year I had desk duty, in charge of getting folks signed/tagged in and out.

It was a much smaller class than ours; I can see the benefits of both sizes.  It was interesting to be an observer; one can always learn things without actively participating in the exercise.  Even the sign/tag in/out process is part of an actual call-out, so I garnered experience on the administrative side today.  At times it was a bit like herding cats . . . Teehee!

The weather today was not quite as warm or humid as the day of last year’s drill, or perhaps it just seemed that way since I wasn’t decked out in hard hat, protective eyewear, heavy gloves, long sleeves and dust mask.  Ya think?

I thoroughly enjoyed the event, seeing my team members again, meeting the newcomers and doing something of a community involvement nature. 

Where was Dave in all this?  He has a race next Saturday, so he was out riding the course this morning, on a bit of a recon mission. 

Everyone was off the property a bit after 1 PM.  I confess I changed clothes, ditching the jeans for shorts, cleaned up a bit and then spent some bonding time with my recliner.  Ha!  I recently started watching Mad Men on Netflix, which I have found to be thoroughly addictive, so I indulged in a few episodes this afternoon. 

Hope you’ve had a good Saturday, too!

Thanks for stopping by!

Celebrate the Small Things - A Blog Hop Post

 

 

It’s Friday and time once again to Celebrate the Small Things! 

I’m a little late in the day getting this post together, so let’s just jump right in:

• I just glanced out my office window and saw two smallish rabbits scampering around the large bush in the yard.  It really looks like they are playing.  I’ll certainly celebrate in thanks for the smile they just gave me.  This week I have also celebrated seeing robins extract earthworms from the immense “front yard” we have here.  Then there was seeing the two young groundhogs hanging out with their mom yesterday evening; that was a moment or two of smiling.

 

• Being out of Texas during summertime is also cause for celebration.  It may heat up here during the day, but not nearly as hot as in Texas, and it does cool down at night.  Today’s high was 75F and right now it is 64F out.  Today’s high in Brenham, TX (which I still consider the home of my Texas heart) was 91F and right now it is 88F.  Even during the peak of Summer here in NW New Jersey, the evenings give us a break from the heat.  Can’t beat that with a stick, folks, and it certainly is cause for celebration!

 

• Albeit a bit premature, I’ll go ahead and celebrate a fun morning tomorrow.  The CERT group will be here running the latest class through their final class drill, a search-and-rescue exercise here at the mill.  I attended training last year and was an active participant in the drill here, down on my hands and knees in “smoke” searching for “victims.”  This year I’ll be manning the sign-in sheets while still in my primary role as security team member here.  I’m grateful to be part of the CERT organization and be around good folks.

CERT trailer in our parking lot awaiting tomorrow’s drill

What are you celebrating today?

Sunny Sunday - National Cancer Survivors Day

 

We have been enjoying a quiet weekend.  Dave is in training for his first race of the season, a time trial in the local area.  He cycled the course yesterday on a recon mission and just now left for an easy recovery ride this morning.

Gorgeous weather!  Flower beds are planted!

I took advantage of the lovely days we’ve had lately and got the plants in the ground.

In front of our rig, just about right outside the door.  Doesn’t look like much now, but give it a few weeks.  Should be some nice splashes of color.

Dianthus which returned from last year

New Shasta Daisy and Marigolds

Now and then we hear, either directly or indirectly, compliments on the grounds from folks in the area – people who live nearby and/or drive past the property; my flower beds, the fact that we keep the grounds neat.  This is so nice to hear, both from a personal standpoint and the fact that it reflects well on the company for keeping the grounds maintained and not becoming an eyesore.  Being a good neighbor and all that.  Yeah, I get a kick out of hearing how people enjoy the flowers, flamingos and our cycling frog lawn decoration.

We were told there is an opening at the Massachusetts location; however, we opted to stay here.  We appreciate the opportunity, but going someplace with colder Winters and more snow . . . just can’t get enthused about that.  Besides, we’re comfortably set up here and are looking forward to some of the happenings that may be taking place at this location.

Clean the bathroom and vacuum or mow?  Clean the bathroom and vacuum or mow?  Decisions, decisions . . . sure is a nice day.  Perhaps I can have the best of both worlds and do both.  Don’t see why not.  Perhaps I’ll go do the cleaning while Dave is away and then mow later while he is doing some weedeating out front.

Do any of you other gals out there find it’s easier to clean house when the man is away?  That was a recent topic of conversation with a couple of my girlfriends.  Our answer, definitely yes!

Today is National Cancer Survivors Day.  Go hug a survivor! 

Thanks for stopping by!