Update. Still here.

 The smoke around our place is just over the top.  The air quality is at 453 right now.  The scales top measurement is 500.  We basically are breathing toxic crap at this point.  Both Husband and I have allergies, so we have an air purifier, thankfully. Basically, we are sitting in our living room, with it on 24/7.  When I go out to feed, I wear my only N95 mask.  Don't know how long it will help, since I am reusing it a lot, but it's better than coughing myself silly.

Checking on family in Level 2 (get ready to leave) area, so far no one has had to jump and run.  Haven't heard from family in the Level 3 (GO NOW!) area, been checking Red Cross information, will try some other stuff and see what happens.  

Trying not to "doom scroll" but it isn't easy, when almost all the things I look at are giving updates, and a lot of them are not so great. On the good side, though, there is a Cowboy Convoy moving feed, animals and supplies.  I am donating some leads and halters from when I  had my llamas.  I have to keep out of things as much as possible, my Dad will be having surgery later, and I will be driving.  So I can't be around doing anything more than necessary, so I don't end up sick.  So much fun...

Then, just for general chaos and craziness, one of my hens had chicks, and more or less rejected them. So, you guessed it, we have new tanker chicks!  I don't know how many are going to make it, but, we will have quite a few, if all this goes okay.  Presently, we are okay.  We have things packed to go, in case, but are just staying put and keeping watch.  

 Sorry for the downer post, I wish I could just say all is dandy, but we are in a holding pattern here.  Guess that's better than a crash landing, however...

Case of the Concealed Chicks

I was reading my morning literature, when Husband came in.
"Did you pick up the eggs outside the hen house?"
I looked up.  "No, Salt had went right back to the nest, so I just let her set."
"Well, there's no eggs, and I don't see her, either."

Uh, oh...

I set down the comics, to follow Husband out to the back of the hen house, where there was one bedraggled egg, and nothing else. Oh, dear. But no feathers, no smashed eggs, or torn up shrubbery.

Strange.

I walked around, fearing the worst, when we found a dead chick.  I told Husband that meant she might have fought off something. (We have a multitude of wild critters around.) No hint of her anywhere outside. I decided to feed, to get the other chickens out from underfoot.

I had just cleaned out the area around the feed barrels, and Husband had put a piece of plywood by them to store.  I opened the barrel, and heard a chicken growl.  That is a distinctive "Mama Chicken" sound. Knowing that Edgar was outside, it clicked that there was someone else with chicks.  I listened carefully, and heard the growl again, and peeps.  I carefully moved the plywood back, to find Salt with 4 chicks!

I tried to get Husband's attention, but he couldn't hear me. I turned to put the plywood back, and realized Marshmallow was off the nest.  I walked to her, and SHE growled, and two little heads poked out from under her wing. 

So we took care of the one dead chick, then looked over the rest.  Most of them are Maran types, cute little black puffballs.  One or two are yellow white puffballs. 

I had talked about buying some chicks this year to Husband.  Looking at the 11 we have at this point, he grinned and quipped, "and you wanted to buy a few chicks!" And laughed! 

The saga is continuing, too, as Auntie Bird is still sitting. I had given her three eggs to work on.

Last time I checked it, there was about 10.

I will never learn...     :)

A little bigger.

This is a picture I took of the Tanker Trio, yesterday.  They do NOT like the camera flash, and were not entirely sure about the camera itself! (Photo at bottom.)

The little black chick is completely healed, and will have a pronounced scar, but seems like it doesn't cause any problems.  I think when it gets feathers, rather than the "chick fuzz", it most likely won't even show, or at least not be glaring.

The other two are a yellow and white, like Edgar's babies.  So. I thought great, 5, that will be a nice replacement for the ones I've lost this season, (mostly due to old age), and that would be that.

And the Universe cracked up...

I couldn't find Salt. Oh, crud.  Did she get eaten? Run off? Why couldn't I find her?

I had just finished mowing, when Husband called my attention to a little spot behind the henhouse.  There sat Salt, just quietly glaring at us. 

Oh. She's setting. Okay, a few more is fine, I suppose.

I had a chance to count eggs when she went for a quick bite.

Am I rotten to really hope all 18 eggs do NOT hatch?  Yoiks...

The Universe is just screwing with me...

Okay, I have been working on making my eating habits better.  One biggie, REALLY big biggie, was that I gave up chocolate.  Long story short, I was having a reaction to the meds the doctor put me on, and so I am trying to eliminate things that make me break out.  Chocolate is a HUMONGOUS one.

It isn't too bad, most of the time.  I have baked with chocolate, (I don't seem to have a problem with this, I guess because I am not supposed to eat when I cook?) and Husband has eaten same around me.  As long as I don't get a big whiff of it, I do fine.  But I still like the stuff, and sometimes the temptation... Urk!

Husband and I donated blood Monday, and it was a normal one, with the exception that they were working on a new system.  They had a few minor hiccoughs, but nothing outrageous, and Husband and I finished nearly the same time.  We went over to the snack table, sat down, and started perusing said snacks.

That's when the lovely coordinator brought over BIG CHOCOLATE BARS.  Like, twice the size of a normal bar, with a big "You are AMAZING" written on the wrapper. 

With a rather dejected sniff, I handed my bar to Husband.  I then had trail mix.  Now, trail mix is good, but it isn't a chocolate bar.

But it went okay.  So, this morning, I saw he'd eaten nearly half of one.  Great!  That means it won't be around to bug me so long.

Then I came into work, and sitting on the desk?

Chocolate covered cherries.

SIIIIIIIIIIIIIIGH...

The geek flag flies proudly here!

(Two quick things, I managed today to do my excising, with NO coughing, and almost back up to the normal 'thing' for me, and to those who caught the fact that I said Marshmallow was a rooster, sorry.  I was busy while typing, and meant to type Jet Puff. Marshmallow is Jet Puff's Mom...)  

Hopefully I am not repeating myself, but I didn't see where I'd typed it before... So.  If I did, please forgive me.  This happened somewhat recently, and I thought it was funny.

Husband and I get up early.  Like, it's dark, and we wait for sunrise early.  So, I get ready for work at the sub, and one of the things I do is go out to feed.  I did this, rather uneventful... I walk back in the house, (remember, still dark), and realize, I see red flashes outside the window.  Oooh, crap...

When there is red lights outside the window, and it isn't the bus picking up the kid next door, it's generally NOT a good sign.  Example: a woman with Alzheimer's walked away from her house, and the red light was from the Search and Rescue vehicle dropping off searchers in front of our place, or when a deputy had to stop traffic on our lane, because a black cow got out, and someone plowed into it.  Now you know why the red lights got my attention, Pronto...

I turn the inside lights out, so I can see outside, and open the blinds.  Yep, red lights. In my neighbor's driveway...  !

Wait... Red lights don't bounce and swerve.  And these lights are... Long?  HUH??

So I watch...

Turns out it's the kid, and his Uncle, engaged in a rousing Star Wars Battle by the front of the drive, with two red light sabers...  I watched for a bit, and they were having a great time...   The bus showed up, and between the light sabers, and all the lights with the bus, it looked like a discotheque had materialized out front. 

Uncle grabbed the kid's saber, kid went on the bus, and Uncle then used the sabers like you would direct a plane, pointing the way the bus was going with both hands... 

May the Force be with the bus?  😉

I had a good chuckle that morning!

Quiet... Good and... Well, guess it's good...

I am sitting here again, doing my usual Tuesday Volunteer Receptionist gig.  

And no one has come in, or called.  This is really a good thing.  Really.

Since I work at a substation, people frequently come in with reports of, oh, theft, driving problems, disputes with neighbors, and so on... This generally means, I take information, call dispatch, and a deputy has to come out and take care of the problem.  

So if I am doing nothing, I am not adding to the workload of the group...  Although, there are folks I can help with problems, like directions, (most of the time), boating manuals, or paperwork that people need for various things like getting permits, or signing up for things.  And just the occasional one or two that need someone to talk to... 

But, I am sitting here typing, looking over at the phone, which is dark.  Dark means it hasn't been activated (i.e. ringing, or my making a call) for much more than 30 minutes.  

I try not to be grumbly about this, I know when the various deputies come in and ask how it's going and I say "Very quiet", I generally see a large grin, "OH, GOOD!"  Not that they don't want anything to do.  Far from it, they are usually coming in to get the latest umpty-umpth report taken care of, or a quick bite to eat... Which I have seen more than once, they walk in, ready to have lunch, they get a call, run over and grab a handful of candy, or an apple from the snack area, and say, more philosophically than I could, "Lunch!", and run back out the door.  

I have asked, there is a shortage of Law Enforcement nation wide, how about here?  Yep... Sigh. Oh... 

So, I am teased a bit about my "Bag of Tricks" that I bring in.  I generally have writing paper, knitting, a book...  And I know one or two of the other volunteers do the same.  One has knit several hats and small blankets.  One has read most of the Tom Clancy and Clive Cussler books...  

We don't have much to do on occasion, but when we do, it's nice to help.  But you know, I keep thinking, maybe I should see about getting a few of my DVD's out... ; )

Surprise...

One of the deputies and I get along quite well.  I enjoy talking with him, and he is closer to my age, so the "Yes, Ma'am" stuff doesn't happen.  Which is nice. 

Ma'am.  Yick. 

Anyway.  I knew he was one of the longer serving deputies in this office, which is why it shouldn't have surprised me, but it did.

I saw a notice that he'd retired as of the end of the year.  This was the same deputy that gave me all the cool goodies.  I was much dumbfounded, usually I hear that Dep. Whatsit, or Det. Suchnwho will be leaving, sometimes they even have retirement potlucks or some such. 

Nope, just left.  I checked his cubby, sure enough, all his personal stuff was gone, it was just a blank wall and a computer.

Odd.  Maybe he didn't want the party, or just didn't have time.  That has happened, too, when they have to get so much finished at the end of things, they are just spending all sorts of time just writing up things and preparing to leave. 

Either way, bummer.  I would have liked to wish him Happy Retirement.  I do know he lives fairly near me, so perhaps I will see him doing retirement 'stuff' later, and can say hi.

That's one of the funny things about working here.  I have seen lots of the ones that are here, be NOT here after a while.  Some go to the main office in different capacities, like Detective or some such, some retire, some go to different parts of the county to work. 

Life goes on.  Just sometimes interesting when it does! 

Light up my... Christmas...

I love Christmas lights.  My Husband is a definite Meh about Christmas in general, but he has surprised me by taking me to the highest hill in the area, and parking so I could see the lights.

Um.  Yeah... Lights are up.

(eternallifestyle.com)

I have since found out this really ticks off the neighbors in that area, and so we don't do it anymore, but it was fun while it lasted.

I like to drive around and just look at lights.  In a neighboring city, the folks have since 'retired' from doing it, but they had a long D driveway, and set up several thousand lights, little displays, and just wanted folks to enjoy.  Sometimes one of the family would stand at the exit, handing out candy canes.

Another place is a bottling plant, they have some lights, but they also have... displays?  dioramas?  Whatever they are, they have active shows, the various cut out displays can move and things blink and do things.  Our local fairgrounds do, as well.  In fact, my Dad helped with one display, I think it was to make Beauty and the Beast dance. 

I know that several of the gardens have light displays, and if I want to drive to Portland, they have mucho light displays, both on land, (Grotto, PIR, The Zoo, Peacock Lane) and water (Willamette Christmas Ships)... 

The Christmas Ships even rescued someone this year...

I think the captain's name really should have been Clarence... Captain Ron? Really???

But I think lights probably have always been my favorite part of Christmas.  Any thoughts on what your favorite part is?

We all live in a...

I am not a huge Beatles fan, I like some of their music, don't care for some of the others.  But I had the radio on, and Yellow Submarine came on.  It always brings back a memory that makes me smile.

I remember one of my bus drivers, she DETESTED rock music.  We were allowed to have the radio on the bus on, ONLY if it was Western music.  And we are talking (even at that time), classic, classic stuff.  Most of us didn't care, and quite a few of us liked the Western stuff, so it worked out okay.

But she did have this one day...

To this day, I do not know what possessed her to do this, but when I got on the bus that morning, the speakers were playing... Rock?  Yes, it was rock music!  Driver was smiling, and several of my friends were rocking out in seats to the music. 

I sat down, and then, not too much later, the DJ pipes up,

"This is a request from Frannie, bus #25, here you go, have fun!"

Then the song "Yellow Submarine" came on.  Fortune would have it, it was not a really cold day, because someone got the idea to open the windows, and we all waved in time to the music trying to make it look like the bus had wings, I guess.  The parents, and folks driving by the bus, were probably wondering what in blazes was going on, if they couldn't hear the music.

Although, about 40 some odd kids bellowing the words probably helped them get the gist...  We were all singing, waving, and cracking up by the time we entered the school grounds. 

I don't remember her EVER doing anything like it again, (and I rode the better part of 5 years with her as my bus driver), so I think I witnessed a bus driver miracle!  :)

Memories.

Hiding in the big Forsythia bush, reading a book, in my Secret spot. 

Walking with Dad in the field, the grass coming up to his knees, and my chest.

The power being out, and Mom and I "camping" in the trailer, because we could have heat.  (Tomato soup and hot dogs, too!)

The smell of my Grandpa E's Roses, when we went to Portland to visit, while listening to jets take off overhead, since they were in the flight path of the Portland Airport.

Squirreling up in the hay bales, playing with the kittens, watching the cows come in and nose the hay and grain in the manger.

Grandma E letting me butter toast for the family breakfast.  I don't know how many I buttered, but I know it was a lot.  She had a six slice toaster, I think, and there seemed to be a lot of people there that morning.

Better yet, when Grandma E would make fry bread.  Have that with butter and honey, oh, it was just awesome...

Helping Dad put in fence posts.  I was old enough to move the truck forward, he would have the big hammer (a pipe with a length of log on the end), and  he would smack the fence post in with maybe one or two strokes, then tell me to move forward...

Helping Mom with Thanksgiving dinners, getting all the dishes, and spoons, and forks all in the right places, so we had something to serve with when things came to the table.

Helping Grandma M in the garden, as she would throw out ashes from the firebox, before she would go in and start the fire for the next day.  Then getting permission to go out in the woods, with the admonition that I was NOT to touch the Foxglove, or I could poison myself.  (She had this thing that Foxglove was the origin of Digitalis, and I guess thought I would have a heart attack?)

Grandma and Grandpa E's water in Portland, that would come out the color of milk, and then fade to clear, because of bubbles.

Grandma and Grandpa M's water, which was from the hill, and going out to put a screen so that it would not gather leaves to plug the water pipes... And then needing to paint the screen black, because the shiny screen would attract bears, who would mangle it, thinking it was a fish...

Picking over 140 quarts of tomatoes, because Dad didn't think we quite had enough in the container.  Mom did a LOT of canning that year! 

Feeding cows, feeding cats, feeding dogs, learning to drive a tractor, learning to fish. 

So, what kid memories do you have? 

Enjoyment.

I love tea.

Not Earth shatterning, I realize, but I find that it's one of those things you like, or dislike.  Most of the folks at the sub, they love coffee.  I don't care for it.  (Oddly, though, I like to eat coffee beans. Whole coffee beans.  Had to stop, as I found out that's basically mainlining caffeine for me...) 

My Mom loves avacados.  Not my thing in the slightest.

 Dad and Husband detest Dr. Pepper, and I very much enjoy it. 

My Auntie loves, just ADORES bananas.  Yuck.  On the other hand, she finds mushrooms utterly revolting.  Which is why I don't invite her to a Chinese restaurant I like, where one of the items is... Buttered mushrooms, which I could eat way too much of...

Several of the deputies really like Monster Energy Drink, or Mountain Dew.  I keep wondering if it's for the taste, or for the outrageous caffeine jolt.  Either way, not for me.

I had a family member that loved his steak well done.  I actually asked if I could try a taste. 

Have you ever eaten a charcoal briquette?  Yeah, pretty much.  But, I am guilty the other way.  I like mine rare.

I keep wondering if there is any food/drink that everyone could agree on. 

Water?  Oh, wait, nope.  My boss only likes filtered water, the stuff from the tap just makes him cringe.

Hmm.

Well, as one of my dear friends used to say, "That's why there's Chocolate and Vanilla."

Then, there is the occasional Tutti-Frutti type, too...

Heh...

Rain.

I live in the Northwest, specifically, Western Oregon.  This means that for a major portion of the winter, we generally get rain.  And spring.  Sometimes early summer.  A good bet in late fall.

In other words, a lot of the time.

Now, I have lived here my whole life.  This, it's normal.  I know that once the bright days of July, and August are finished, you have to remember where your gum boots and rain slickers are.  Or just not worry about getting wet...

I remember a commercial for travelling to Oregon, that I can NOT find online, darn it...  It had, June, with a beautiful sunrise, July, beautiful sunrise, August, Beautiful sunrise, September, beautiful sunrise, October, and juuust started to show the sunrise, then in big block letters, Never mind.   Well, except that the heavy rain season can happen in September, it's more or less true.  There is a theory  about why people are so creative in Portland, there is so much rain that they have to stay inside and do something, or go stir crazy.  Or that they already are, and that it comes out with the unique and items they come up with...

The weather forecasters hedge bets when talking about rain here.  There is a rain/sun thing, sort of like two sports teams.  More often than not, the "ad lib" part, where they chat, usually ends up with at least one of the news people saying they don't like rain... Um, then why are you in one of the rainiest areas around, except for Washington??? 

There is a standing joke, that in the fall, the rain starts, and our 'webs' can get wet again... I guess I like the rain...

I know that when I have been to places like Arizona, it was hot, and dry.  I bet folks that grew up there probably would think being power washed  3/4 of the year is terrible.  But, going to where there is sun 300 days of the year, and temps well over 90 for a lot of them, is not for me.

So.  I hope the weather that you have where you live is what you like! 

People.

It is... a unique experience working at the Sub.  I deal with all sort of folks.  I had a few recently that were, um, memorable. 

A gent walked in, and tossed 4 life jackets  on the counter.  I said, "is this a donation?"  (We have people that check the jackets for safety, we also have a donation program.)  He looks at me as if I have brayed like a donkey, and pipes up, "Well, you have the boat program, and I don't need these  d*** things." Snorted, and walked out.  I tossed a quick thank you to him for the donation, if not the attitude. 

Another gent came in and needed X thing.  Basically acted as if I was invisible.  He saw one of the plain clothes deputies, who came over to see if he could help.  Well, no more than that, it was, yes, sir, no, sir, I would like this, sir...

Meh. 

I went and sat down, as I knew said gent wasn't going to give me the time of day.  He got what he wanted, I thought, and left.  About an hour later he comes back in, and says, where is Deputy Guyperson?  I tried to be polite, and said, Guyperson went to a meeting, I don't know what time he will be back, but probably more than an hour out. 

"But, Honey, I need to talk to him.  Sweetie, could you call him?"

I tried not to growl.  "No, I don't have his number, and I told you, he's out of the office for at least an hour."

But, Darling, I need this information. 

I looked up, barely managing to be polite, and told him, if it was urgent, he could always call dispatch, or go to the city police.  He waited for a bit, then asked if I had something to eat.  Turns out he was homeless. 

I was still not impressed with the Honey, Baby crap, but I told him that no, we didn't have any lunch service or such.  He then turned to the coordinator that had walked behind me, who is male, and ASKED THE SAME QUESTION.  And received the same reply.  I went back to my desk, and started typing.  He stood there, trying to get me to answer him, Honey, Sweetie, ad nauseum, and I just decided to say Uh-huh.  Finally, after about 15 Uh-huhs, he got the clue, and wandered out.  Didn't see him the rest of the day, don't know if he went to the city police, got the info from another source, or what, but you know... I am not sure I care. 

Meh...

A gent came in and had a big problem with someone, and was shaking.  He was rambling on for a bit, and I finally asked him to stop for a moment.  Do you need some water, or need to sit down?

He actually stopped for a moment, and then said, no, I am okay, I think, but... And was off again.  I stood, while he described his problems in excruciating detail.  When he finished, he was nearly in tears, I am sooo sorry, I must be wasting your time.  I told him, no, that's what I am here for, besides, it sounds like you needed to tell someone.  He leaned over the desk, took my hand, and said, thank you so much, a lot of people just tell me to shut up.  I told him what to tell the deputy, so that is was (a lot) shorter, and he was able to settle down quite a bit by then.

A gal came in, and she was just shy of being in tears.  She was getting harassing phone calls, and there was one that was supposedly from the FBI.  I tried to explain that it was most likely a scam, but she was so freaked out, I don't think she entirely understood me.  I got her a tissue, and she asked if I could get her some water.  I did, and called dispatch.  Turned out, she needed the city police, which I then called.  Her phone was buzzing non stop, and she whimpered, "what do I do?" 

I asked for her phone, and looked.  As I suspected, it was an out of country number.  I hit the "ignore" button, and told her to do that until the city officer showed up.  When he did, he explained to her that it was indeed a scam, and how to delete the number from her phone.  I then explained how she could tell an international number from a US number.  She said, I am not going to be arrested?  We both assured her, no, they were playing mind games with her.  She snorted, then deleted the number, under the officer's watchful eye.  She smiled, and then said, "Thank you, you two just made my day a lot better!", and was smiling when she left.

One thing about helping out here, it's never the same day!

More knitting stuff, sigh.

I had this great idea to knit up a long vest for a trip Husband and I will be taking in the future.  I printed out the pattern, picked out the yarn, with a bit of help from Mom (thanks!!), and proceeded to work on it. 

First thing, I put on my circular needles, and POP, one side came off.  This was not terribly out of the blue, I had trouble with the needle before, but it still meant I had to find some way NOT to lose stitches, and ask Husband to please fix it, if he could.  He did, (thanks!!). 

So, while he was doing that, I scared up another circular needle, so I could see if I could keep up the momentum.  Which was great.  At first.

Knit, LOTS of stitches.  This does seem like a long, long row.  Huh.  Well, the pattern is going well...One whole section finished.

Knit the  next row... 5 stitches?  There is supposed to be 4.  Uh, oh. 

For anyone who doesn't knit, lace is more or less a big math problem.  When one stitch is off, it can make the whole pattern go wonky.  So, I ripped the row, and started over.  Finally, it's correct.

Reading the blasted pattern, it was about 4 point, 6 point tops print, and so I had to keep picking up the pattern to read it.  But, it looks nice, and I am just... 6 stitches?  WTH??!?!?  Ok, rip, and knit again.  Dang, this thing seems to be large.

I showed it to Mom, and she agreed.  I still thought I had worked it out correctly, but decided to get a "for sure" measurement.  After a bit of awkwardness, Husband told me the measurement...

Oh. Crap.  I mis-measured, and had a full two sizes larger than I needed.  Bah.  Okay, not the end of the world, rip, and start over. 

And so I did.  Looks a bit less daunting.  Knit, knit, yes, this looks good, knit, now to the lace... You know, I am going to type that nonsense up where I can read it from a distance of more than an inch or two.  That's better, now back to knitting.

Okay, all set.  Knit, knit, knit, crap. 5 stitches again.  SIGH.  What is the problem?  I know the pattern is fine, I did the first section with not too much problem.  So, ripped again. Knitted again.  Then I notice that I made one loop, about 2 rows down, way too large.  It didn't come out as a nice lacy opening, it looked more like a tear.  Hmm.  Then I notice I am SIX STITCHES OFF AGAIN...

Ok, that's it.  I was genuinely thinking about what lighters or matches I had in the house.  So, I very carefully ripped it out, completely, put it in a sack, and put it away for a bit. 

If I don't finish it by the time I leave, well... I have other things to wear.  But I was hoping this would be a nice thing for my trip.  But having my eye twitching, and Husband enduring some extremely  unladylike language when I discovered my mistakes, does not make for a good experience for either of us.

So, I am working on a basic hat, and a basic sock. 

Haven't screwed those up yet...

siiiiiigh...

One of those calls... And Faire

I do receptionist work on Tuesdays.  I try to be polite, professional, and generally do what I can to make the calls or contacts as pleasant, or at least easy, as they can be.

Then there are the ones...

Had a call this morning.

Hello, ... this is Cat, how can I help you?

I WANT A LEVEL 11 OFFICER AT MY HOUSE NOW, OR THE LEAD SHERIFF! I WANT A LEVEL 11 OFFICER AT MY HOUSE NOW, OR THE LEAD SHERIFF! I WANT A LEVEL 11 OFFICER AT MY HOUSE NOW, OR THE LEAD SHERIFF! 

Sir, just a moment, what do you-

I WANT A LEVEL 11 OFFICER AT MY HOUSE NOW, OR THE LEAD SHERIFF!  I WANT A LEVEL 11 OFFICER AT MY HOUSE NOW, OR THE LEAD SHERIFF! 

Sir!

I WANT A LEVEL 11 OFFICER AT MY HOUSE NOW, OR THE LEAD SHERIFF! 

I just put the call on transfer, I hope that dispatch could get him to listen...

It isn't that terribly unusual to get folks who don't listen, but this was odd, even for the usual stuff and nonsense.  I have to assume that there is a problem, but that doesn't help me getting a bit of information to him.  And I guess I am really curious, what in the heck is a level 11 officer?  And we only have one Sheriff, so that didn't make a lot of sense to me either.


In other news, I went to faire for one day with Dad.  I don't know why, but it was okay.  Not great, but okay.  I enjoyed being with Dad, we chatted, and wandered around, but I felt... Off.  I wasn't in costume, Dad and I thought it would be a lot easier, and, well, it was.  But I slipped into Fairespeak, and tried to help a couple folks, and they brushed me off.  Odd sensation, that.  Was able to see a few friends, but it was a crazy time for the bunch of us, so Hail Fellow Well Met, was more, Hiyo, I am trying to get crap done, bye.  And with me in full Meh mode, that didn't help...

We decided to leave early as it was getting hot.  BIG mistake.  I didn't time it right, and poor Dad had to drive through the Oregon State game being released.  It says something when they A) turn off all the traffic lights and use people to direct traffic, and B) turn all the roads around the area to one way OUT, which means we were driving and where we would be on a two lane, two way road, with a double yellow line, they had made it ALL GOING ONE WAY.  Reminded me of the news reports of Hurricane evacuations, just smaller.  But, we made it out of the area okay, Dad did NOT get a leg cramp (THANKFULLY!!), and we made it home fine.

I do have to deal with a full day of dust and dirt, creating faire boogers... Eeeew, to put it mildy.  When you blow your nose, and it's black, you know you have dealt with a large amount of dust!

Attitudes.

I was in line.  You know, the too few clerks for the amount of customers, so queue up thing. 

I was bored.  I read a bit on my phone, but really don't like to get too engrossed, as I have found when I read, book, phone, heck, cereal box, I tend to not pay attention to what I should be doing.

I people watched for a bit.  The line crept forward.  I saw a little one, and waved.  She didn't want ANYTHING to do with me, and hid her face.  A couple more tries, and I gave up.  I think someone needed a nap. 

I am sure the little one did, too...

Looked at the ads.  Yeah, not going to be buying any of THAT stuff.  Hey, that's interesting... Oh, doesn't work with my stuff, sigh... Not going to buy a whole new set up, just so I can get it, poop on that! 

Did the line move?

YES! 

Ah, and these two are together!  Oh, crapitz.  They are trying to set up something. New customers?  Oh, how long is this going to take?  Grumble.  I look out at the weather.  It's weather-ing.  Nothing special.  At least it's not hot, or humid. 

That's when I click.  I am being a grump.  And I have been trying to be mindful of it. Not always successfully, probably much less than I should be, by a lot, but I do try to not snarl and bite folks, at any rate.

So.  A bit of situational awareness.  Doing fairly well, except that my feet are a bit sore.  Ah, stop focusing on the bad.  Hey, getting things finished quickly, mostly, it's rather pleasant in here, no ear bleed level music... Sounds like the couple are opening a new store. Hmm.  Close by, and sounds like something I might enjoy. 

Ah, the line moves again.

Don't have much to do here, just bill pay.  Check the bill, oh, good, this will be quick, have all the stuff I need... 

Huh, that woman has a pretty set of earrings.  I don't wear earrings, but I think it's fun to see all the different kinds...

And... Hi, can I help you? 

I actually can smile, yep, yes you can.

And my feet didn't hurt too much after, either!

The junk drawer blog post.

Lots of little things, but didn't have enough to make a long post, so there might be a few little non sequiturs, but things that I can get onto the blog...

I guess the fiber we should be getting for the computer is SLOOOOOOOOWLY happening.  I had been under the impression it would be here by the time school started.   Um. No...

But...

It was about 90 or so, and humidity was hideous, when I went out.  There was a gent looking at the power poles, and he had a contract sign on the vehicle.  I asked what he was up to, and he told me he was finding out if the poles could handle another line, he thought it was BigGreenLogo company.  I said, well, we are supposed to get fiber from LittleLocalnet... He shrugged, well, uh, whoever it is, yes, that's what I am checking for.  I let him know about the two "oddball" lines near our property, he thanked me, and I went back in the house.  I pitied him needing to do that... But it does sound like they are working toward us having... Something! 

I had my Dad over the other day, and he was glancing over across the couch.  I asked what he was seeing, and he said it was my "eruption light" with a grin.  I think that's a cooler name than lava lamp, myself!  But I think the original probably has a better foothold...  :)

My cat Buzz did an odd thing.  This was intentional, as far as I can figure, but I've never seen a cat do it before.  I had been playing with her, and she must have wanted me to pet her belly. (That is the one cat that I have never seen object to a belly rub.  Most only tolerate, or in a few cases, try to tear off as many fingers as they can filet...)  Anyway, I was petting her neck, all the sudden, she dips her head, and does what I can only call a forward somersault, landing upside down on her back, where she then pulls my hand to her belly.  (Which is a hazard, for me, she has very, VERY sharp claws!) And after a VERY careful extraction of my hand, she did indeed want said rub...

It is the 10th, I believe, of September.  I have given up complaining about how early items for holidays show up in the stores.  But I came into the substation... And someone had decorated the front counter with Witches, candles, and all the nonce that would show Halloween.  Bleah.  I moved them to the side counter, I am sorry, October first, sure.  But geez, I find it just a bit early... Plus, I am not fond of spiders, which was also in the mix. Ick. Meh...

I have been working on changing my diet, no chocolate or Coke, as they trigger my Rosacea.  I am surprised.  The chocolate hasn't been much of a problem... But, boy, oh boy, it is really a nuisance, I have wanted a Coke, several times.  And having other sodas just doesn't quite cut it.  I must say, it's helped.  I think the "Flexitarian diet" that I have been on, has helped, too.  But sometimes, I just want a Coke and a bag of Cheetos.  But I don't.  Sigh.  

Ok, that's it for cleaning out the junk drawer...

Sheriff's spare.

Getting ready to go do the faire thing, again.  I will be helping a friend this year that lost his wife.  I think he should be okay, his kids will be there, (even the one who doesn't like faire all that well), and I think most of the faire folk will be within earshot, as he is a very popular, and cared for member of the event. 

So, to that end, I asked Husband to get the trailer out and I could do some cleaning, and basic packing, (things like blankets, clothes, stuff that can keep for a bit, and I don't have to drag out at the last minute.)  He said sure.  I told him I needed to clean out the drawers, cupboards, and the "trunk"*.  I mentioned that I would have to see what was IN the trunk, if anything was around the spare tire.  Husband looks up, and says, no, the tire isn't in there anymore. 

It's not?

Don't you remember? We took it out when we changed the tires, and I carry the spare in the truck that I bought from the Sheriff?

Guh?  Noooo...

Wait... 

Yeees, I do think I remember you saying something about that...  Husband had gone to the Great and Mighty Craigslist for a spare, and this gent had one.  He showed up, and had mentioned that he looked familiar, and the Sheriff chuckled and said that he got that a lot.  After introductions, Husband and Sheriff (he had retired) had a nice long chat, and he bought the tire.  (I suspect my husband could have a polite chat with dang near anyone.  Me?  If I have a purpose, like when I doing the receptionist gig, I am fine.  General polite chit chat? Not so easy...)

So, now my trailer has the "Case of the Sheriff's Spare", to go all Perry Mason...




* I call it the trunk, because it's in the back and the bottom of the trailer.  It's just a big containment area, that's accessible from the side, and the inside, of the trailer.  And, like a trunk, it has gobs of stuff to keep the trailer usable, from jacks, to containers for liquid...

Early birds. No, really...

I went out to feed and water before I went to work at the sub.  This is just a bit before 6 am.  I open the door of the chicken house, and poof, out come the flock o' chickens, flapping, clucking, little taps of toenails on cement as they run to be first to the food. 

I put the feed out for them, and see the little... Chickadees? Sparrows? zipping to the trees nearby.  After the chickens finish, they swoop by and check for leftovers.  (I am surprised there ARE leftovers, the chickens try and get every last crumb...)

And then I hear "Sqwaunk, sqwaunk", nearly over head.  I look up to see a small group of Canada Geese, just going like thunder, honking and flapping to wherever the next water hole or patch of lawn grass is. 

Then, up from me, I hear crunching and skittering.  Our neighbors have turkeys as temporary visitors in their trees.  I watch as they launch off a branch, then glide to the ground.  Then they look about, see me, and frantically call to warn the others, "the crazy lady is out again!"  I watch as they all get down and do a sort of bowing walk, ostensibly so I can't see them.  It reminds me of Groucho Marx doing his cigar waving walk. 

I go back to the house, and see Martins checking out our bird houses.  We have several, and the Martins seem to be choosing juuuuuust the right one.  Flit in, flit out, run off someone else, flit by, check out the next house, repeat.  Pretty soon, we'll see one bird in, and another doing food runs, then the babies.  That's always an interesting time, the parents sometimes get a bit irked with us for being outside.  Oh, well.

I leave, the sun getting a peak over the pass, but not quite ready for full sunny-ness.  The crows are hopping by the oak tree, looking for bugs, and the occasional acorn.  They don't appreciate me when I go to the car, and caw loudly, from the safety of a branch high up... 

I take off, and see vultures up ahead.  Most people I know, don't think too much of vultures.  I don't exactly think they are lovely sorts myself, but I have always thought they have a strange dignity in the way they carry themselves.  Every move seems to be prefaced by a slow deliberation, as if they want to make absolutely sure they are going to plot every outcome before they act.  The ones I see are in a nearby field, I think checking out a small creature.  They look up as I go past, and one seems to hop up on the fence.  I don't think I would even call it flying... And he stares as I go by, almost seeming to look as if he's expecting me to show a reservation for coming by there.  I pass, and it flies over the car, to get a good look at me as I leave. 

I am seeing more birds as the season changes, I saw my first hummingbird a day or so ago.  I am planting a bird and bee garden soon, so hopefully, I will be able to tell you of more birdy escapades...

The grand plan for blogging again... Really! Honest!!

So, I have a great plan on getting back into blogging.  Let’s see if it works… 

I figured I needed something to give me the impetus to try for doing daily blogs again, and I was drawing a blank.  Then, after Thanksgiving dinner, we were chatting a little bit about Christmas.  Hmm.

Christmas.
 
Need to get out my Christmas ‘stuff’.  Have to have Husband help me get down all my cups.  My collection of them.  How many do I have, anyway?  Well, as he was getting them down, I have either 27 or 28… So!

I will use that as a jumping off point.  I love Christmas cups, because they are fun, and useful.  So I will work on putting up a photo a day of each cup.  I had one cup I sort of counted as a Christmas cup, I called it “Starbucks' Red”, because I picked up a plain red cup, during that whole controversy on how Christmas-y the cups were, or weren’t, that year.  BUT, the darn thing got a bad chip in it, and so will not count this year for the collection.  Maybe I can pick up a plain red one again sometime in the future.  But the ones I will be showing you are from mildly Christmas-y, to Ugly Sweater, what-was-Santa-smoking Christmas-y, and all in between.

I will blog on the normal doings and nonsense in my life, too, so it won’t just be a picture, but that will at least make me think to do it!  Right?  I hope?? Heh…

The garden is put to bed, all the raised beds that don’t have over wintering items are covered with cloth and leaves, or shred paper.  The llamas are enjoying hay, when they don’t managed to sad eye beg me into giving them chicken feed. 

The chickens are doing pretty well, I lost 4 of the new hatch to a hawk, but it seems to have found someone else to tick off…  Marshmallow had a chick, I called it Jet Puff, it is getting adult feathers, but it is TINY!  I don’t know why, but it is only about a third of the size of the others, and it should be getting some growth.  I don’t know that I care, it seems healthy, and it is feisty as all get out.  I have picked it up to check it, and have yet to get away without being bitten or scratched.  As tiny as it is, that isn’t a horrible fate, but it still gets my attention, if I am not careful.

The cats are fine and fuzzy, family is doing fairly well, and as I think of more things, I will post in the next blog. 

But for now… Good night!