Very Wet Land in Everyday Ramblings

We have a flood warning locally again tonight. Access to the first place we went to go birding this morning was under about 6 to 8 inches of water and I appeared to be the only person in the group wearing waterproof boots. We tried another access point but it was on corporate land and they didn’t want us in their parking lot so we went down the road to another spot, Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve.

It is a wonderful educational center and, well, wetland. They had this huge covered deck overlooking the preserve and for a birder a roof is a very luxurious thing to have. The class is the perfect level for me. I can ask basic questions without embarrassment and everybody in the group is interesting and nice.

Seriously. I am not just saying that. :) Beginning birders are my kind of folks, curious and smart and funny and practical. Particularly those of us who take classes.

It was such a good thing for me to get away and focus on something I am interested in. And the day had it’s own particular foggy beauty. We spent time learning specific things about particular birds and I enjoyed that. For instance, we learned how to tell Violet Green from Tree Swallows. (I love swallows and am so happy they are coming back.) Kes and I worked on this last spring out in Pacific City but here we had the opportunity to observe a few near nest boxes so they kind of sort of stayed put, at least long enough to see where the white on their faces started and stopped.

I could go on… but I will spare you.

My oldest sister is really struggling. She is still in the hospital and probably will be at least a few more days. She is too weak to stand or move on her own. Slowly they are restoring her ability to retain vital fluids and electrolytes but her circumstances have been traumatic for her and her immediate family. Kes is making a huge difference and learning a lot about herself in the process. She’ll come home Monday and one or the other of us will go back towards the end of next week to provide advocacy and logistical support.

Thanks for all your good thoughts her way. I know it helps.

I start training my big work project on Wednesday. I think Saint Joe could probably handle the training the following week if push comes to shove. We are training out four weeks in a row now. Plus I have a sick guy of my own at home and classes to teach. It will be interesting how this all unfolds. I could handle a Wednesday to Friday morning shift up in Seattle week after next if can give my cat sitter enough warning.

With the time change tonight I am going to try to get to sleep early so I don’t miss that hour quite so much. Other than so very wet streets we should be fine here. I am at some modest elevation.

And! I now have rain pants. So there weather. No more wet muddy pants like I have experienced three times in the last seven days. I am thoroughly done with that. Amen.