Maybe the CrossFit shake up happened at a good time? Most of our group of maniacs are finding small ways to work out in the outdoors doing WOD's and adding fun things like car pushing, feed sack carries, and other fun things.
Small groups of as little as two are doing work outs together when they ...can as we wait for the next step ...and there is something in motion for that.
Our Coach has sent out workouts to do at home with no equipment! Very cool stuff. It takes real dedication to do that.
But in the face of the Coronavirus epidemic, pandemic, or sickness.
Working out at home, working from home, staying home, are all choices we have to think about.
I am pretty darned lucky to be able at this time to stay home and we are lucky that we are 'isolated' in a way.
We live in a very rural area.
That is not going to stop me from hiking. It won't stop me from enjoying the outside as much as I can now that the weather is nicer. But it did make me look at how my mom and Grandmother always had food stocked in dry form, canned form, or frozen form.
I used to joke that our family could survive the 'worst' case scenario.
Mom had learned from WWII and rationing. I think Grandma understood it well too after living through the 1918 pandemic, the Great Depression, and WWII.
Am I over reacting? Possibly!
But we got notification that the Nursing Homes are in 'lockdown' locally. School field trips are being cancelled. So is it over reaction? I live with an individual with compromised health. The regular flu could kill him. So why not take precautions?
The local VA clinics and the hospitals now have patients line up in the parking lot as they do screening before you enter for an appointment. They are asking patients to do video visits for common colds.
Any time I walk through the VA clinics I feel a bit cautious for my hubby. So many people with masks and without masks, a person just needs to look around to see the large population of very vulnerable elderly veterans.
So what to do?
Well.
Simple, but not so simple.
I will try to carry on with my more or less normal life. Continue with Master's Class. I will ask them if they have prepared for this scenario.
And wonder. Is this Coronavirus being overblown? Is it not?
Prepare in case?
What will happen to our economy? What will happen to people like my son and his wife who can't work from home?
We are entering a new and uncharted territory.
Things could get very interesting.
Thursday, March 12, 2020
Monday, March 09, 2020
CrossFit shake up
So this is just a jumble of things.
CrossFit:
I've had positive things happen with my CrossFit experience.
One of the misconceptions about CrossFit, is that you have to be an Olympic Athlete to do it.
Or that you will end up be a muscle bound freak. Or you have to dedicate your whole life to it.
None of that is true. In the 'Box' we are tall, thin, chunky, older, and younger folks. Just normal people who are working out together and liking it.
We sweat together, cheer each other on, and applaud each other's achievements. No one is better than another.
There are a lot of arguments that say CrossFit is TOO expensive!
CrossFit will probably cost more than the YMCA or any other fitness gym. But there isn't 'a trained and certified coach' at these places to assist you in figuring out the best way to for you to work out.
The coaches have helped me figure out how to deal with my shoulders which have always been an issue. My wrists are wracked by Osteoarthritis along with my thumb joints.
In 2008 I had surgery on the tendons in my right elbow.
When I started working out, I really had my doubts. How could I ever do a real push up? How could I ever do a handstand without screaming out in agony?
No way I'd ever jump up on the 'rig' and do any sort of movement that required use of my arms! Nope Nope Nope!
Lift weights or Kettle Bells? No way!
The coaches modified my workouts and movements so that I could do them and still get all of the benefits out of the workout.
That said. I have worked out with people that are in their late 60's, 70's, and a fellow who is in his 80's. I work out with those who have had replacement surgeries, who are recovering from major illnesses and even brain injuries.
I went to CrossFit at the urging of my oldest son. I started and decided to stick with it for a year at least. My goal was at least 3 times a week and more if I could swing it.
I did the math. If I went 5 days a week it was really affordable. Even at 3 days a week it was affordable.
Encouragement from those I work out with keep me going.
After a year passed, I purchased CrossFit shoes and my own jump rope.
Then some firsts started to happen. I did a handstand. I didn't stay in it, but I did it. Then I did it twice and three times.
I did one double under with the jump rope. I did it again.
Then Friday the unthinkable happened. The CrossFit members got a group email that said our Coach was no longer employed at the VMH Wellness Center and there would be no more CrossFit classes.
I was stunned, then angry, and then felt terribly lost. How could this happen? I started to consider my dismal options of the other two gyms in town neither which I wanted to go to. Coach Josh and the two part time coaches made our group what they were. Some of these folks had been with Josh since he started a fitness program over 10 yrs ago. I wanted to grab the phone and cancel my membership. But I didn't.
Something was up and if I waited, things might sort themselves out. Rumours said that the Coach would set up shop somewhere else in the future and like most of the CF folks I would gladly follow him. Except, what if he set up shop 30 miles away?
In the past year and a half, I've gained so much in personal and physical strength through being in a group of like minded people that love to suffer through workouts together and who always support each other. One member said we were like a cult. Maybe that is a strong word, but when members of the gym call each other up to show up at another member's house to help him move in to his new place? I call that something different. Support from another member is only a text or phone call away.
That is what this gym/box was all about.
CF asks a person to be dedicated. A good coach is not just a coach but a Life Coach. One who cares about every person he/she works with. That is why the email was so shocking.
Over the weekend people started sorting things out. Some members have partial home gyms and are inviting other members to work out with them. I'm meeting with the early morning crew and we are going to work out together without a coach. We may not do some of the weights, but we are working on keeping up our strength while we figure out how to follow our coach to a rumored new place.
If we remain without a coach or any coaches I will downgrade my membership so I can still visit our CF section with other members and work out together until we find out what is going on.
In the mean time The Coach has given those who don't want to go to the Wellness Center workouts that can be done without being inside a gym or box.
That is incredible. Workouts we can do at home!
Until I received that email on Friday I don't truly believe I understood exactly how much working out/socializing/sweating/laughing/helping/enjoying the work out with other people meant to me.
To be continued...
~~~~
I did have a great workout this morning. Not quite the same with the Coach walking around and nudging you and saying quietly to you: "You got this Val, you are doing great!"
But we did laugh, we did sweat, and we did workout.
What does the future bring?
Not sure yet.
CrossFit:
I've had positive things happen with my CrossFit experience.
One of the misconceptions about CrossFit, is that you have to be an Olympic Athlete to do it.
Or that you will end up be a muscle bound freak. Or you have to dedicate your whole life to it.
None of that is true. In the 'Box' we are tall, thin, chunky, older, and younger folks. Just normal people who are working out together and liking it.
We sweat together, cheer each other on, and applaud each other's achievements. No one is better than another.
There are a lot of arguments that say CrossFit is TOO expensive!
CrossFit will probably cost more than the YMCA or any other fitness gym. But there isn't 'a trained and certified coach' at these places to assist you in figuring out the best way to for you to work out.
The coaches have helped me figure out how to deal with my shoulders which have always been an issue. My wrists are wracked by Osteoarthritis along with my thumb joints.
In 2008 I had surgery on the tendons in my right elbow.
When I started working out, I really had my doubts. How could I ever do a real push up? How could I ever do a handstand without screaming out in agony?
No way I'd ever jump up on the 'rig' and do any sort of movement that required use of my arms! Nope Nope Nope!
Lift weights or Kettle Bells? No way!
The coaches modified my workouts and movements so that I could do them and still get all of the benefits out of the workout.
That said. I have worked out with people that are in their late 60's, 70's, and a fellow who is in his 80's. I work out with those who have had replacement surgeries, who are recovering from major illnesses and even brain injuries.
I went to CrossFit at the urging of my oldest son. I started and decided to stick with it for a year at least. My goal was at least 3 times a week and more if I could swing it.
I did the math. If I went 5 days a week it was really affordable. Even at 3 days a week it was affordable.
Encouragement from those I work out with keep me going.
After a year passed, I purchased CrossFit shoes and my own jump rope.
Then some firsts started to happen. I did a handstand. I didn't stay in it, but I did it. Then I did it twice and three times.
I did one double under with the jump rope. I did it again.
Then Friday the unthinkable happened. The CrossFit members got a group email that said our Coach was no longer employed at the VMH Wellness Center and there would be no more CrossFit classes.
I was stunned, then angry, and then felt terribly lost. How could this happen? I started to consider my dismal options of the other two gyms in town neither which I wanted to go to. Coach Josh and the two part time coaches made our group what they were. Some of these folks had been with Josh since he started a fitness program over 10 yrs ago. I wanted to grab the phone and cancel my membership. But I didn't.
Something was up and if I waited, things might sort themselves out. Rumours said that the Coach would set up shop somewhere else in the future and like most of the CF folks I would gladly follow him. Except, what if he set up shop 30 miles away?
In the past year and a half, I've gained so much in personal and physical strength through being in a group of like minded people that love to suffer through workouts together and who always support each other. One member said we were like a cult. Maybe that is a strong word, but when members of the gym call each other up to show up at another member's house to help him move in to his new place? I call that something different. Support from another member is only a text or phone call away.
That is what this gym/box was all about.
CF asks a person to be dedicated. A good coach is not just a coach but a Life Coach. One who cares about every person he/she works with. That is why the email was so shocking.
Over the weekend people started sorting things out. Some members have partial home gyms and are inviting other members to work out with them. I'm meeting with the early morning crew and we are going to work out together without a coach. We may not do some of the weights, but we are working on keeping up our strength while we figure out how to follow our coach to a rumored new place.
If we remain without a coach or any coaches I will downgrade my membership so I can still visit our CF section with other members and work out together until we find out what is going on.
In the mean time The Coach has given those who don't want to go to the Wellness Center workouts that can be done without being inside a gym or box.
That is incredible. Workouts we can do at home!
Until I received that email on Friday I don't truly believe I understood exactly how much working out/socializing/sweating/laughing/helping/enjoying the work out with other people meant to me.
To be continued...
~~~~
I did have a great workout this morning. Not quite the same with the Coach walking around and nudging you and saying quietly to you: "You got this Val, you are doing great!"
But we did laugh, we did sweat, and we did workout.
What does the future bring?
Not sure yet.
Saturday, March 07, 2020
Sunny mild weekend!
The critters can find dry spots to sleep and soak up the sun. They can leave this paddock and wander through the open field or go into the woods, but this seems to be the 'hot' spot.
I've noticed that I need to get after everyone with a curry comb. Eeeks!
Today I am taking hubby in to see his mom. After that I think I need a wandering.
Yesterday was tough. The VA/non VA hospitalization from 2018 is still unresolved. I spoke with the VA Patient Advocate yesterday and she is as frustrated as I am. She was upset at how the new Community Care Call Center seems to have really messed things up. That is a whole different blog. I'm not sure why people who have no back round in billing and coding or understanding of how that all works ... work in a Call center for the VA? I'm sure it is contracted out.
The Patient Advocate and I may be filing a VA Congressional Complaint and calling the 'White House' hotline. Does it really have to come to that? The charges had been approved locally almost a year ago.
The next thing I find out is that our CrossFit ...is done. Kaput. There will be no more CrossFit. Worst of all, there was NO warning. Just an email.
All of the members are outraged, upset, and feel as though they were left hanging by the Wellness Center. Everyone has pledged to follow our coach if and when he has a place to open a box. Comments are like this: If I have to work out in a hayfield in the rain, I would do so with Coach Josh.
Okay. Onto the weekend.
Warm.
Sunny.
Beautiful.
It should be free of stress.
I am getting the Unicorns out along with some other pocket critters and I'll pack them along on my Wander.
I need to gather materials to make a stable for those Unicorns!
No matter what, I will find a way to enjoy this mud, melt, and sunny weather!
Thursday, March 05, 2020
Scuds, Fry, and Marigolds
My dry notes from yesterday.
March 4th.
Temperature 39 degrees F.
Valley in the Drifless Region by a large spring.
Head of the spring.
Amphipod Scuds were emerging from the sandy area among the grasses and vegetation.
Fry: Just hatched brown trout found in the stream in several spots.
Egg sacs?
Trout spotted in various areas.
Evening saw and heard Mourning Doves.
Question: Do they migrate as I never here them during the winter in this area.
Now for how I write things.
I took off hiking with Charlie with the goal of going to the Big Spring in the valley. It is a rather long hike and I had to follow the snowmobile trail in part to get there. I should have brought my Yak Traks. The gravel road was mushy, the snowmobile trail was packed ice and the side of the trail is still nearly knee deep in places.
I made my way over 3 or 4 stream crossings as the creek meanders back and forth across the valley.
I found the remains of a doe that had been stripped by coyotes, birds, and probably 'possum.
At one of the crossings I stopped to just watch the water for a bit.
What I saw was pretty amazing.
From above, while standing, it looked like some tiny tadpoles trying to swim upstream.
So I got down on my knees [ouch] and got close with my little pocket camera and waited. I took a series of shots hoping to catch the little buggers and this is what showed up.
Not a tadpole. I think frogs may live in quieter ponds, but hey, I am just learning.
A Baby Trout! I found out later that the proper name is an Alevin which is still eating off the egg, then it becomes a Fry. I think this is a Fry. Trout Lifecycle.
Who knew I'd even get excited over this? See those little bubble like things? I think they are eggs waiting to hatch!
Charlie and I followed the tracks of the 4 wheelers. The snow where I usually find Skunk Cabbage was still over knee deep.
I finally made it to the Big Spring.
The spring flows out of this hillside and joins the creek. The water flows even in the coldest parts of winter and covers these mossy rocks with frost.
Below is the view from the wall looking towards the valley. This is where it gets exciting. This is where I've never really sat and 'looked' before.
Below the arrow points to the Marsh marigolds that are just coming up through the water.
Then at my feet....
I catch some sense of movement. Again I have to find a way to get down close to the water. These little bugs are flipping and moving in bits and pieces with the slow flow of the spring. Those are granules of sand below them.
It isn't until I get home and look closely at the photos that I see the ones buried in the sand or...are they coming out of the sand?
I know so little!
I discover that they are Amphiopod Scuds and there are quite a few varieties of them. These guys are notable because the jerk and swim sideways!
They roll up like a rolly polly and then spring open. Very fun to watch!
They eat everything dead vegetation, plant matter, and dead critters that are found in the stream.
They seem pretty insignificant except that they are only found in fresh clean water!
That makes sense. No one visits this place except me I think. The cattle left this land 15 years ago.
So.
The instructors want us to have a 'notebook' to present at class. So I am going to use a larger notebook and print the photos of the interesting critters I've found so far and glue them in my notebook. I am not going to try and draw these!
They would become Stick Figures!
I think I better print up some photos to glue in my journal!
Yes?
March 4th.
Temperature 39 degrees F.
Valley in the Drifless Region by a large spring.
Head of the spring.
Amphipod Scuds were emerging from the sandy area among the grasses and vegetation.
Fry: Just hatched brown trout found in the stream in several spots.
Egg sacs?
Trout spotted in various areas.
Evening saw and heard Mourning Doves.
Question: Do they migrate as I never here them during the winter in this area.
Now for how I write things.
I took off hiking with Charlie with the goal of going to the Big Spring in the valley. It is a rather long hike and I had to follow the snowmobile trail in part to get there. I should have brought my Yak Traks. The gravel road was mushy, the snowmobile trail was packed ice and the side of the trail is still nearly knee deep in places.
I made my way over 3 or 4 stream crossings as the creek meanders back and forth across the valley.
I found the remains of a doe that had been stripped by coyotes, birds, and probably 'possum.
At one of the crossings I stopped to just watch the water for a bit.
What I saw was pretty amazing.
From above, while standing, it looked like some tiny tadpoles trying to swim upstream.
So I got down on my knees [ouch] and got close with my little pocket camera and waited. I took a series of shots hoping to catch the little buggers and this is what showed up.
Not a tadpole. I think frogs may live in quieter ponds, but hey, I am just learning.
A Baby Trout! I found out later that the proper name is an Alevin which is still eating off the egg, then it becomes a Fry. I think this is a Fry. Trout Lifecycle.
Who knew I'd even get excited over this? See those little bubble like things? I think they are eggs waiting to hatch!
Charlie and I followed the tracks of the 4 wheelers. The snow where I usually find Skunk Cabbage was still over knee deep.
I finally made it to the Big Spring.
The spring flows out of this hillside and joins the creek. The water flows even in the coldest parts of winter and covers these mossy rocks with frost.
Below is the view from the wall looking towards the valley. This is where it gets exciting. This is where I've never really sat and 'looked' before.
Below the arrow points to the Marsh marigolds that are just coming up through the water.
Then at my feet....
I catch some sense of movement. Again I have to find a way to get down close to the water. These little bugs are flipping and moving in bits and pieces with the slow flow of the spring. Those are granules of sand below them.
It isn't until I get home and look closely at the photos that I see the ones buried in the sand or...are they coming out of the sand?
I know so little!
I discover that they are Amphiopod Scuds and there are quite a few varieties of them. These guys are notable because the jerk and swim sideways!
They roll up like a rolly polly and then spring open. Very fun to watch!
They eat everything dead vegetation, plant matter, and dead critters that are found in the stream.
They seem pretty insignificant except that they are only found in fresh clean water!
That makes sense. No one visits this place except me I think. The cattle left this land 15 years ago.
So.
The instructors want us to have a 'notebook' to present at class. So I am going to use a larger notebook and print the photos of the interesting critters I've found so far and glue them in my notebook. I am not going to try and draw these!
They would become Stick Figures!
I think I better print up some photos to glue in my journal!
Yes?
Wednesday, March 04, 2020
Being that Naturalist
The simple definition is: One who studies Natural History.
Or...
A Naturalist is someone who studies the patterns of Nature.
Oh, well now I feel better.
I am in the 'wonder' stage right now. Our instructor had told us to go out and just sit in a spot and wait for a while. Look around, use all of your senses, and just observe.
Okay.
I'm supposed to take a notebook and write what I see and draw things that I see.
I am SO much better with a camera.
However I decided to do just that. I was going to make my daily trip to the creek anyway with Charlie.
So I found a huge rock to sit on and did some pondering.
A Naturalist is someone who studies the patterns of Nature.
Well, I have been doing that for about 20 some years while living on this place. But now I had a chance to learn much more.
I started to pick out some of the green blue stones [limestone bits] that I wanted to use to make a 'fairy house barn' with. I watched Charlie wander around close by smelling the scents of the animals who had recently come down into the creek for water.
After a bit I just thought I'd look down and see what I could see.
Tiny rocks. Nothing exciting. There was one of those bluish pebbles I could use.
But...wait!
There was a funky looking almost clear bug moving around. If I hadn't just sat still and gazed at the water between my boots I would have missed this.
I didn't know what I was looking at, so I took a photo for when I got back home and could look up aquatic creatures in one of the Handouts I'd gotten.
Then I noticed these rocks that had little piles patterns of rocks the size of sand on them.
What was holding them together?
So I pulled one off a rock and pulled it apart.
Curious. A tiny larvae?
Some sort of living thing. Immediately I felt sort of bad that I'd opened it.
I had NO clue what it was. However I did recall seeing this sort of thing before and just ignoring it while I was seeking out other things along the creek.
Caddisfly larvae of some sort. They build stone houses around themselves and eventually emerge as a tiny fly that trout eat. Found in healthy and clean waters.
Wow. How cool was this? How many years have I walked right over these little wonders and never knew what they were?
I have to admit. I was pretty darned excited at this new discovery.
So now I was able to recognize what this was. Little houses for Caddisfly larvae on rocks that I'd walked over and glanced at. These are covered with silt.
Last but not least.
My love for rocks. I do love looking at rocks. When we were kids, Grandma used to take us Rock Hunting in a different part of Wisconsin. We'd hunt pretty rocks and often could find agates. I'm in a different geological region so I am still trying to learn what our rocks are.
I think this is a Stromatolite?
I could be all wrong about this. But now I am on a specific search for a really good example.
I think I have some rocks that have much neater fossils in them than this one in my garden but it is still under about 6 inches of ice and snow.
Well, I best get to my paper journal now and write that rather dry and factual entry.
I think I've been an informal Naturalist for a long time now.
I'm naturally curious about the woods, the creek, and the land around me. I enjoy watching the creek change over the years as well as the land itself.
Or...
A Naturalist is someone who studies the patterns of Nature.
Oh, well now I feel better.
I am in the 'wonder' stage right now. Our instructor had told us to go out and just sit in a spot and wait for a while. Look around, use all of your senses, and just observe.
Okay.
I'm supposed to take a notebook and write what I see and draw things that I see.
I am SO much better with a camera.
However I decided to do just that. I was going to make my daily trip to the creek anyway with Charlie.
So I found a huge rock to sit on and did some pondering.
A Naturalist is someone who studies the patterns of Nature.
Well, I have been doing that for about 20 some years while living on this place. But now I had a chance to learn much more.
I started to pick out some of the green blue stones [limestone bits] that I wanted to use to make a 'fairy house barn' with. I watched Charlie wander around close by smelling the scents of the animals who had recently come down into the creek for water.
After a bit I just thought I'd look down and see what I could see.
Tiny rocks. Nothing exciting. There was one of those bluish pebbles I could use.
But...wait!
There was a funky looking almost clear bug moving around. If I hadn't just sat still and gazed at the water between my boots I would have missed this.
I didn't know what I was looking at, so I took a photo for when I got back home and could look up aquatic creatures in one of the Handouts I'd gotten.
What was holding them together?
So I pulled one off a rock and pulled it apart.
Some sort of living thing. Immediately I felt sort of bad that I'd opened it.
I had NO clue what it was. However I did recall seeing this sort of thing before and just ignoring it while I was seeking out other things along the creek.
Caddisfly larvae of some sort. They build stone houses around themselves and eventually emerge as a tiny fly that trout eat. Found in healthy and clean waters.
Wow. How cool was this? How many years have I walked right over these little wonders and never knew what they were?
I have to admit. I was pretty darned excited at this new discovery.
So now I was able to recognize what this was. Little houses for Caddisfly larvae on rocks that I'd walked over and glanced at. These are covered with silt.
Last but not least.
My love for rocks. I do love looking at rocks. When we were kids, Grandma used to take us Rock Hunting in a different part of Wisconsin. We'd hunt pretty rocks and often could find agates. I'm in a different geological region so I am still trying to learn what our rocks are.
I think this is a Stromatolite?
I could be all wrong about this. But now I am on a specific search for a really good example.
I think I have some rocks that have much neater fossils in them than this one in my garden but it is still under about 6 inches of ice and snow.
Well, I best get to my paper journal now and write that rather dry and factual entry.
I think I've been an informal Naturalist for a long time now.
I'm naturally curious about the woods, the creek, and the land around me. I enjoy watching the creek change over the years as well as the land itself.
Tuesday, March 03, 2020
First impression of the Naturalist Class
Actually a Master Naturalist Class.
First impression.
5 out of 22 participants are under retirement age.
Most every single person in the room except perhaps 4 of us have had formal training in Biology, Ecology, or some higher degrees of study. Let's just say, as many listed their colleges and degrees and Masters degrees, I started feeling smaller and smaller....
wondering how I could crawl under the table when it came time to introduce myself.
Then I had to speak out to the others.
So much I wanted to say but after listening to all the degrees I just said:
My name is Val Ewing.
I came to this part of Wisconsin by accident. I met a fellow on a Wagon Train and fell in love and moved here.
I don't have a degree in any of this, just life experience.
Why do I have an interest in this class?
Hmmm, well the first year I had a tiny pocket camera I decided to go out and find every wild flower and plant I could daily and record where I found it, when I found it, and record what it looked like.
What was my inspiration?
[Goodness so many things to say but I picked the one thing that really stood out the most.]
My Grandmother Pearl was a Naturalist of sorts. She could hear a bird and identify it, she could walk past plants and tell you if you could eat them. She took us berry picking in the wild woods and we encountered bears. She knew her fish, and she knew wild life tracks. In fact, I was pretty sure she knew everything about anything in Nature.
I wanted to be like my Grandmother.
The fellow next to me didn't have a degree either but was eloquent in his little speech talking about how he liked to roam and stop to look at things and wonder why. [I wished I'd used that line!]
The binders we were given are worth the price of the class itself. But they are huge and weigh a ton! I've already found a hand out that I think Allison and I could really have fun with as a pocket guide.
Wonderful Wacky Water Critters published by the University of WI.
So it looks like I'm going to have to write a field journal. Most of the samples given are so dry.
Saw a Robin, 35 degrees out, sunny, ...date
and location...
Meh. You all know me. I just can't write like that.
More like.
I was wandering down to the creek when I spotted the first green leaves of a wild strawberry plant. I sat on a log to ponder it for a while and listened the the chickadee above me and I'm sure I heard a Robin. And of course I'd go off on a tangent regarding life in the forest and regrowth including wondering ...if the strawberries will be so sweet...and yadda, yadda....
Uh oh, I am in trouble!
First impression.
5 out of 22 participants are under retirement age.
Most every single person in the room except perhaps 4 of us have had formal training in Biology, Ecology, or some higher degrees of study. Let's just say, as many listed their colleges and degrees and Masters degrees, I started feeling smaller and smaller....
wondering how I could crawl under the table when it came time to introduce myself.
Then I had to speak out to the others.
So much I wanted to say but after listening to all the degrees I just said:
My name is Val Ewing.
I came to this part of Wisconsin by accident. I met a fellow on a Wagon Train and fell in love and moved here.
I don't have a degree in any of this, just life experience.
Why do I have an interest in this class?
Hmmm, well the first year I had a tiny pocket camera I decided to go out and find every wild flower and plant I could daily and record where I found it, when I found it, and record what it looked like.
What was my inspiration?
[Goodness so many things to say but I picked the one thing that really stood out the most.]
My Grandmother Pearl was a Naturalist of sorts. She could hear a bird and identify it, she could walk past plants and tell you if you could eat them. She took us berry picking in the wild woods and we encountered bears. She knew her fish, and she knew wild life tracks. In fact, I was pretty sure she knew everything about anything in Nature.
I wanted to be like my Grandmother.
The fellow next to me didn't have a degree either but was eloquent in his little speech talking about how he liked to roam and stop to look at things and wonder why. [I wished I'd used that line!]
The binders we were given are worth the price of the class itself. But they are huge and weigh a ton! I've already found a hand out that I think Allison and I could really have fun with as a pocket guide.
Wonderful Wacky Water Critters published by the University of WI.
So it looks like I'm going to have to write a field journal. Most of the samples given are so dry.
Saw a Robin, 35 degrees out, sunny, ...date
and location...
Meh. You all know me. I just can't write like that.
More like.
I was wandering down to the creek when I spotted the first green leaves of a wild strawberry plant. I sat on a log to ponder it for a while and listened the the chickadee above me and I'm sure I heard a Robin. And of course I'd go off on a tangent regarding life in the forest and regrowth including wondering ...if the strawberries will be so sweet...and yadda, yadda....
Uh oh, I am in trouble!
Monday, March 02, 2020
Toys on Trails
Last week on a whim while at the dollar store I picked up a small bag of Unicorns.
I mean, who doesn't love unicorns, right?
I thought it would be fun to put unicorns in my non Fairy Fairy Garden this spring and even more fun to try and 'create' a Fairy/Miniature Stable for the unicorns to enjoy.
My father once told me not to lose my sense of imagination.
After all my little village was getting larger and it seems it is filling up with wildlife.
I think there is room for a stable!
When my company arrived on Friday night I showed them the unicorns and of course my little houses. I asked the gals to pick a couple of unicorns to take with on our hike for Saturday.
We were going to go Ice Formation Hunting and enjoy the day out.
I wasn't sure how I'd handle the hiking, my knee was still bothering me enough so that I was walking slowly. The swelling was still there and stepping 'down' was pretty painful.
The doctor had said I could walk...on flat surfaces and of course I'd asked her where in my area would I find that? She told me to come to town and walk 'the streets'. Insert 'snort snort' here....
The Unicorns were a huge hit.
They appeared in trees....
They appeared behind ice formations...
I found one dancing in the snow...
Another one prancing along the trail ....
Aren't they cute?
These are my photos. The kids took quite a few also and I'd love to see theirs.
Oh what about the hikes? Beautiful.
Inside the ice... layers of melt and refreeze.
The large ice cave did not disappoint at all. It will dwindle now each day as the weather warms up and it will leave piles of fallen ice on the floor of the cave.
Is is any wonder why I love winter?
The view along Weister Creek.
The view from the other end of the creek looking back:
The days are growing longer, the ice falling and melting...
Time to start thinking about my gardens.
My first Master Naturalist class is this evening. I'm nervous and excited.
I mean, who doesn't love unicorns, right?
I thought it would be fun to put unicorns in my non Fairy Fairy Garden this spring and even more fun to try and 'create' a Fairy/Miniature Stable for the unicorns to enjoy.
My father once told me not to lose my sense of imagination.
After all my little village was getting larger and it seems it is filling up with wildlife.
I think there is room for a stable!
When my company arrived on Friday night I showed them the unicorns and of course my little houses. I asked the gals to pick a couple of unicorns to take with on our hike for Saturday.
We were going to go Ice Formation Hunting and enjoy the day out.
I wasn't sure how I'd handle the hiking, my knee was still bothering me enough so that I was walking slowly. The swelling was still there and stepping 'down' was pretty painful.
The doctor had said I could walk...on flat surfaces and of course I'd asked her where in my area would I find that? She told me to come to town and walk 'the streets'. Insert 'snort snort' here....
The Unicorns were a huge hit.
They appeared in trees....
They appeared behind ice formations...
I found one dancing in the snow...
Another one prancing along the trail ....
Aren't they cute?
These are my photos. The kids took quite a few also and I'd love to see theirs.
Oh what about the hikes? Beautiful.
Inside the ice... layers of melt and refreeze.
The large ice cave did not disappoint at all. It will dwindle now each day as the weather warms up and it will leave piles of fallen ice on the floor of the cave.
Is is any wonder why I love winter?
The view along Weister Creek.
The view from the other end of the creek looking back:
The days are growing longer, the ice falling and melting...
Time to start thinking about my gardens.
My first Master Naturalist class is this evening. I'm nervous and excited.
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