G. Go Directly to Jail. (Just Visiting)

(Before I go into my blog, if you are in the US, we will be having a test of the Emergency Alert System, all television stations, and radio stations will be participating.  It will occur at 11 a.m. PST, so adjust for where you live.  No "War of the Worlds" scenarios, please, this is just a test...)

Headed off to the Sheriff's Office to do my Ambassador bit today.  I like to think of it as enabling coffee addicts.  Let's just say that several of the people must have very little blood in their caffeine system, they are drinking coffee from the time they come in, until they leave.  Some even show UP with coffee, and refill when I bring the coffee pot in!  Anyway,  we had a representative from Search and Rescue, then had Forest Patrol, and ended with Livestock Investigation.

The Search and Rescue (SAR) was fun, if for no other reason there was one of the 'kids' there.  Why is this fun?  Watching a gal stand at parade rest for an hour, and not so much as scratch her nose the whole time. (Our search and rescue is made up of volunteers from the high schools, age 14 to 21.  They are rated one of the best SAR groups in the state, and it shows...)  Lots of videos of the training.  One of the trainers is a former marine, so it's not exactly sitting on one's tush eating bon bons.  In fact, one of the videos shows the group sloshing through a culvert, and coming out about the consistency and color of cow plop.  Others show them climbing walls, carrying a log (the deputy said they carry it about a mile), wake up time, which consisted of several deputies setting off M-80 type firecrackers outside the tents of the trainees.  Let's just say, if they make it through, they are tough.  There is training on tracking, using a compass, things like that.  They are a great group.

The second class was Forest Patrol, which was held in the jail, in a meeting room.  This was because the SWAT team was using the room for a meeting where we were.  We told them we'd be happy to stay and watch, but they said no.  They filed in with battering rams and shields.  We went out to the jail.

This was interesting for yours truly, the doors open one, then it closes, then the next opens, so that if there was a problem, it is contained.  What I didn't know, is that if I am next to the door, and it closes, it will continue to close, even if my tookus is in the way.  I moved rather quickly, not wanting to be one with the wall...

I had to stay near the back of the group, to make sure that everyone got to the meeting room.  What I didn't know, was that the inmates were in the kitchen, and had a good view of me.  I was in no danger, but I haven't had so many wolf whistles, and comments for a long time.  I put it on high ignore, and then the deputy in the kitchen walked in front of the window, and all comments and whistles stopped, thank goodness...

The Forest Patrol is the best smelling class... They bring samples of things that are cash crops they have to monitor, such as Fir, Cedar, Bear Grass, and Salal.  It smells sorta like Christmas!  Lots of pictures of marijuana grows, (no, no samples of that, that's for the class with the dogs), and the last two pictures were an accidental comedy.  One showed a young elk, surrounded by opium poppies, and the next showed 4 kit foxes, all looking intently at the camera.  One wag pipes up, elk eats poppies, the foxes just wait for it to get stoned so they can have lunch!  The whole place cracked up!

The last was the Livestock Investigation Team.  Sadly, this group was formed because there was a LOT of animal abuse in this area, especially with horses.  It has improved, some, but with the economy, there are people that figure, well, the animal can fend for itself.  This means that a woman with 116 horses on 12 acres gets a visit from the Sheriff's Office.  This means that a man that had 6 dogs inside a single wide mobile, that never let them outside, got a visit.  This means a woman with 40 dogs, who had so many that they were dying, and to keep them from stinking, she was storing them in the freezer, with her food, got a visit.

I always find it amazing that the deputies can do some of these jobs,  I was just looking at pictures and was physically ill.  They have to deal with going into places where it's not just filthy, it's so filthy they have to use breathing gear!  But it does make me give them a lot of respect.

Next week is the final class, the graduation, if you will.  The deputies really, really enjoy this one.  I can't imagine why.

Oh, right, potluck.  Food is involved, yep, that is always a draw.

I will be there, and last time I took photos of the graduates.  I might do the same thing this time.  Please, pray that the %$#@ camera works this time...  Telling the Sheriff that none of the pictures came out after a half hour of photographing doesn't do well.  For anyone.

But there will be food!

Returning. In which I compose a blog. Or compost one...

I actually had written "compost" to begin with.  Not exactly an auspicious start, I would say.

Eh.

So, what have I been doing? Well, faire, obviously, since that's what the last (long, LOONG, LOOOONG ago) blog was about.

I finally took a make up class for the one day I had missed in the Citizens academy (cough2008coughcough), and then have been an Ambassador for a class.  Which means that I make GALLONS of coffee, for a lot of very intense young (mostly male) people.  Where I have seen several of the classes, people are chatting, interacting, and generally seem to be enjoying themselves, this group takes copious notes, and looks like there will be a pop quiz that is half their grade at the end. (One detective even commented on it during class. Only the other deputies laughed, and me.  The class took more notes.  Strange...)

I went to a fiber fest.  Husband would probably have been upset had I brought these home... Actually, I think my ride might have too, since we were in a Prius, with a baby in the back...  (But, Honey, it's yarn on the hoof!)  

I also saw several llamas.  I was surprised, there were some babies, but the only llamas for sale, were adult males.  This cutie kept flirting with me, I suspect he thought I had food in my carry bag.  Or he has a thing for plump gals making goo goo eyes at him...

 

My usual shift at the substation.  We had the computer melt down, so this month has been re-writing the newsletter from scratch, which includes digging up logos and such.  That has been a bit of a challenge.  One of the days I was there, I had a woman nearly demand I look up a license plate, because... 

She wanted to buy the vehicle in question.  (No, the Sheriff's Office, Police Department, etc. do not do this.)

I have picked quite a few vegetables, found out the kohlrabi is a hit with a friend of mine, so much so, that one day when I was gone, Husband offered several of the remaining ones to him.  Uh, Husband, THOSE WERE MINE... Sheesh.  There is a couple left, so I at least will get a little try of them...  However, I do have several cups of vegetable soup from my garden that I have frozen for winter.  Quasi-recipe, for any that want it:

Lazy Gardener's Veggie Soup.

5 cups water.

Vegetable Soup Mix (I used Knox)

Tomatoes.

Beans (I used Navy and Pinto)

Onions

Zucchini

Crookneck squash

Carrots

Cook beans until tender.  Remove skins from tomatoes and chop.  Chop all other veggies from garden.  Put in pot, simmer until tender.  Add beans, mix. Freeze.  Add Garlic powder if Husband doesn't catch you.

Like I said, lazy.  There may even have been more stuff than that, but that's what I can remember.  

I finished an Edwardian Cape and matching hat for a new baby and her older sister (pictures to come.)

Finally got some blackberries picked and, for lack of a better term, mashed.  I now have several cups of juice that Husband loves dearly on ice cream.  I now only wish I had picked more...

I also picked apples...

(Tea box for scale.)  I have most of this batch made into applesauce, and then I have some more to pick and sauce-ify.  Then I can work on my Walnut trees, if I can beat the deer, squirrels, and turkeys.  

And the rainy season is starting here, just in time for it to warm up, figuratively speaking, for Halloween.  Most costumes match the raincoats, around here...  Halloween falls on a Monday this year, I have decided if I get my act together, I might go as a hippie this year.  We shall see.  

Baby Hal has been (frantically knocking wood), doing quite well.  There seems to be some problems behind the keyboard, but it has been improving, and it certainly does much better than our TV.  Our news has almost entirely been from the computer of late, which tells you the quality of our reception here... 

I also started a Twitter account, but it looks like it will probably be as hit and miss as the regular blog.  I guess I have to realize that I have to actually WRITE something for it to show up, since I can't blog or tweet by telekinesis.  Pity, that.

I am also knitting...  A scarf or two, and a blanket, for my charities.  Some socks for myself.  A present for Mom.  A baby blanket for a different charity.  A new sweater for me.  

And I am still working off and on on my book.  Right now more in my head than on paper, but it's still in the queue, at any rate.  

That doesn't take into account the normal I have to get groceries, my spinning days, and just running around when we need something.  

Still exercising, too, Rudee is getting arthritis, so I am doing some things to supplement, as we can't walk as much.  Well, he can't anyway.  

So, I guess, perhaps I should shut up, and check some other blogs...  Certainly been away long enough! 

SHHEEEESH!

And just 'cuz, more pictures of veggies.

Finally, time to get the pics up, and Blogger agrees!

So, I wanted to put up the pictures of the State Free Fishing Day, (I didn't get any pictures of the day I caught salamanders, more's the pity...), but I thought I would share these.

A fishing group has this huge fish set up as a combination fun house/teaching aid.  Inside, the fish life cycle is painted on the walls.  I didn't get in there, as I was really supposed to be helping out at a different area, but had to take at least ONE pic! 

This was a view at the edge of the lake, not the best view, but there was a line up all the way around the fishing areas, usually with a kid fishing, and an adult either behind or beside them.  Nice day for a family outing!

Smokey was the guest of honor, and he had an escort.  I didn't register why until I saw several small kids going missile directly at knee level, escort encouraged them with a blocking motion, and encouragement that while Smokey liked hugs, he really wanted them to be careful!  (And just a note, Smokey really needs to lay off the honey, he had a MAJOR muffin top going there...)

This was the wooden fishing pool, the kids caught the fish by putting magnet "hooks" in the water, which tagged the bolt on the front of the fish.  Some were catching several at once.  One girl had to be convinced that she couldn't take those fish home, however!

And coming soon, Beeeees! 

This? Oh, that? Wait... What? Hold it!!

Went to the lake where I was going to fish with a kid (or two).  So, my ride and I arrived early enough to see the arrival of the group.  The motorcycle cops led, lights flashing, followed by a city car with lights, then a truck (no lights, might have been Child Services), then the bus with... the kids! 

They scrambled out of the bus, and were more or less lined up for us to take out.  We were handed one or two kids, and were to put life jackets on.  I should have figured what the day was going to be like when the little guy (he said he was JUST 8 years old) zipped right past me, ran down to the lake, and then couldn't understand why he wasn't fishing.  I managed to get him in a life jacket, grab a pole, and get him back to the lake. 

Whereupon I had to remind him to watch out for people casting, and not to walk in FRONT of people fishing.  Dodging at least three casts myself, trying to keep up with him, we made it to a tiny dock, far from the others... And the fish, oh, there must have been at least a dozen or more.  It was a nice shaded area, and the fish were just lazing about!  I picked up the bait cup... And there were 2 eggs left.  Where did they-?  That's when I noticed the little guy was studiously taking each egg out and squishing it between his fingers. 

Why are you mushing the eggs?

What's in 'em?

They are fishing eggs.  It's just a... Could I have that egg before you squish it?  We need it for bait.

I don't like fishing.  I am hungry.  Is there baby fish in a fish egg?

About that time one of the 'cooks' came by with cookies.  He took three, pocketed at least two more, while I managed to finagle the egg onto the hook and get it in the water. 

Where it fell off. 

So much for my fishing prowess. (Sorry, Grandpa.)  I grabbed the last egg, while the kid was still munching cookies, and baited, cast, explaining that no, there wasn't a baby fish in the egg, and told him he could fish now.  He took the pole, looked at it, asked, what does this do?  Then pushed all the levers and buttons, which made the line pay out, fast. 

And, of course, that was the exact SECOND that a fish bit.  He handed the pole back to me, and said, I don't want to fish.  I grabbed the line, and tried to stop it.  Not being familiar with the pole, I was trying to lift the bail (which stops the line), with what I thought was the right button.  Turns out, that was a protruding gear, which did nothing but put a tiny bit of grease on my fingertip.  I managed to get the right lever, and stop the payout.  Reeling back in, I don't know what I caught the line on, but it broke.  The kid is watching this, eating yet another cookie.  I am NOT going to lose that fish, and grabbed the line.  And the darn fish managed to loose itself. 

Can I go catch salamanders?

I look at the disheveled wad of line, in a hairball that would impress a large cat, and sighed. 

Sure. Let's go get a cup.

Another child gave him a salamander, which was promptly named Nickolaus, and he proceeded to introduce him as Nickolaus the Sea Urchin. 

Hon, it's a salamander.  Sea Urchins are spiny, and I think, purple colored.

(To the officer busy reeling in a fish)  Hi!  See my sea urchin?  I call him Nickolaus!

(Yeaaah... Got that one through, all right...)

Several shades of wet shoes (his), and ducking interesting casts (me) later, he went over to a smaller boy, and showed him his "sea urchin".  The officer looked up, and said, are you going to be with your brother?

Sure!  Can I catch salamanders, too?

!!?!

I couldn't blame the officer, he had his hands full with three kids under ten, and I had just one, (now two), that weren't.  I proceeded to chase a just eight year old, and his four year old brother allll over the place. 

The boys discovered:

When you are in the bathroom, yelling WHOOO-HOOOO  makes an echo. Repeating it makes the walls ring.  I had to remind them that we only had one bathroom, hurry (WHHOOOOO!) up.

Salamanders that are grey don't move much, but are really easy to catch. (I had to explain that it was also, very, VERY dead...)

Maple bars and Mountain Dew makes your butt sticky when you wipe your pants, and then you get this really cool camo look from the dirt when you sit down. (I am so sure the bus driver loved this observation, let alone foster Mom.)

Even though everyone wore a badge of some sort, we weren't all allowed to sit on the motorcycles.  They were surprised to find this out, even more so when I told them that they weren't allowed either, unless they knew which officer to talk to.  (Fortune would have it, some one came up with more salamanders, and they lost interest in the bikes.)

If you run up real fast and say please, you can get lots of cookies, maple bars, and at least two sodas before the gal trying to keep tabs on you can say no. 

My discoveries:

If  I have these kids for any events again, I will absolutely have NO need to exercise, because I will certainly get my fast walking in...

I need to ask about the pole we used, and try it a few times BEFORE going fishing next year, so I am not learning, while doing.  On the job training with kids isn't the best learning period when doing this activity.

I thought boys became walking stomachs at the teenage years.  This young boy was proof positive that endless gut must start early. 

"BUTTERFLY!" is a good way to stop two little boys long enough to catch up to them, (they were fascinated with the Monarchs by the lake), when used in moderation. 

Giving an explanation of why you have to wash your hands after handling salamanders, stringer lines, at least one deputy's pant leg and shoe, and a large rock, just isn't worth it.  Just let them know they wash, or don't eat.  Explaining why they have to get out of the bathroom, between WHOOO-HOOO's, doesn't accomplish a lot more, but does mean I will use the word "Potty" more times than I think I have in the last several months, including talking to my dog, who was trained to the word!


So, that was the great 2 1/2 minute fishing extravaganza...  I had fun, I think the boys did, too.  I was sort of surprised at how much the DHS gal kept fretting that they were so hyper.

I guess I figured: little boys + outside + mondo sugar= running around having fun.

They kept coming up with hyper.  I told them not to worry so much.  Most of the officers and deputies looked highly relieved that I was with these little guys.  Maybe there was something to it, when guys that at random times have to run down and catch people, are just as happy to pass on the duty...

I do know that the just 8 year old will make a great fisherman when he grows up.  He heard we were getting ready to go, and picked up a stringer in the lake with about 7 fish, and would show it to all concerned with a lusty,

"I caught all these fish!"

This is a test. Sigh... Fishy biz.

See the picture of the fish? 

That means, I suspect, the trouble I am having getting things to work, is in my computer.  I will check on Husband's computer, later, but I figured this would give me the "for sure" check, that it wasn't Blogger's fault (this time), because now, on top of not being able to write on all of your comments, not being able to respond to MY comments, now... I can't download pictures.  At least not on my computer.  I can UPload them, they just won't go on the blog!  I tried this at the computer at the substation, all is well. 

Snif...

WAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!

So, I will check on Husband's computer later.  If it is the case that my computer is dying has some technical problems, I will have to bum off his.  I really don't want to do that.  His computer is for business, and it makes for some interesting dances when we share.  I learned really quickly to hit the save now after nearly every sentence, in case he needed to check emails or get a file download.  He's very nice about it, but still, I am selfish enough to enjoy having my own computer... Eh.

So, I will regale you with non-picturfied stories of Ambassador's doings.  Now that I have actually BEEN an Ambassador...  Ironically, both were my 'fishing' trips, and I did get to fish.

About 2 1/2 minutes...

The first event I didn't do any fishing, and didn't really think I was going to.  We had a game for the kids during the state's "free fishing day", where you can fish without a license. 

There were lots of kids, and they had some NEAT displays and interactive things for them, (which I would love to show you pictures of, maybe later... sniffle...), they had a 50 some odd foot fiberglass fish the kids (and adults, if so inclined) could climb in, with the life cycle of salmon painted on the inside.  Outside it was a mondo huge salmon, on a trailer.  Others included how to tie knots for fishing, which I should really learn. 

There is a limit to how many times you can substitute an overhand knot for all the others...

A fishing game for little ones, where they had a fish pole with a magnet "hook" on it, and they caught wooden 'fish' that had a bolt on the top.  This led to some figuring out you could catch more than one if you swung the pole around just right.  One or two of the older ones were coming up with stringers in one catch!

The Fish and Wildlife people had a question and answer session and showed off a self-inflating life jacket, sort of like this one.  I referred to it as a "Mae West", (which comes from her... er... notable attributes...), and the Fish and Wildlife guy was impressed.  He said I was the first one he'd heard call it that that was under 60.  I suspect that females might be a tad less likely to call it that, as well, but I don't know. 

But they inflated the things about 3 or 4 times.  I thought it was fun, and wondered why they didn't do it several times, as it got a big crowd, and they were able to give out a lot of information.  He told me the canisters were about 80$ to replace, and the only reason they could do it at events like this, they saved 'expired' canisters, because they couldn't be safely used (I guess there's a chance they won't work after a certain period), and they need to dispose of them.  They just chose a flashy method of disposal, is all!

One neat thing from the Fish and Wildlife guy...  I had found a feather while walking on the place, have it on my hat, and he asked me if I knew what it was from.  I told him that no, I joked that it was an Aardvark feather, because I had been asked so many times.  He told me it was a flight feather from a great horned owl. 

He then asked if I had taken it from roadkill.  I was rather shocked by this, and said, nooo, it was from my property.  He then explained, owls are symbols of wisdom, but they are really kind of stupid.  The great horned owl is prone to chase small vermin, especially when they are in good light.  That is, sadly, when said vermin is running in front of a vehicle's lights.  The vermin gets by, but the owl... Usually doesn't.  And then folks take the feathers.

Oh. 

Urk.

Please let me be clear, all of the feathers I have had on my hat have been found on my place, from when I have been walking.  Just so you know... 

Our thing was for younger kids, we asked safety questions, and then they could toss a ring into a bucket for a prize, being a Junior Deputy star sticker, a pen or pencil, balloon, or mints.  The kids seemed to enjoy it, and we found out that some kids in this area have a dang fine pitching arm!  I think my favorite question of the whole day, though...

Little girl, 3 years, according to her fingers, and we asked a safety question. 

"Do you listen to your Mommy and Daddy?"

Beautiful, big green eyes, and she very seriously responds, "No..." 

Dad pipes up, "Dam*, Truth hurts!", while nearly busting a seam laughing.  She also tossed pretty well!  We all had a good laugh with it, and she seemed to gather she was not in trouble, so it worked out...

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I will put up the great 2 and 1/2 minute fishing adventure tomorrow.