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Borrego Springs, CA

Thursday, March 1, 2012

A minor mishap dealing with HLS

Diana and I were manning the Visitor’s Center today.  In between visitors it can get a little boring, so we decided to work on an assignment that I had volunteered for last week.

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The Blue Goose Passport Book is similar to the National Parks Passport Book, but the Blue Goose book lists every National Wildlife Refuge separately by state.  The idea is to get a stamp for your book at every refuge that you visit.  Most refuges have a stamp like the one in the lower right (Aransas NWR).  Before the advent of hurricane Ike, Anahuac NWR had a rather unique stamp that I really liked.  Very few refuges have unique stamps.

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These are the stamps that are currently available at the two sister refuges here in Mississippi. 

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The stamp being used here only went up through 2011, so a new one was needed.  I suggested that a new stamp be developed that would be unique and not dependent on a date limitation.  That’s how I got this assignment.  Doug, the volunteer coordinator, suggested I also develop a new stamp for Grand Bay NWR.

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After getting a tutorial from Diana on how to find and adjust images on the computer, I chose a sandhill crane for our refuge, and pitcher plants for Grand Bay.  These two images depict the essence of each refuge in my opinion.  Then, between the two of us, we got these designs made and sent them off to the stamp maker company.  The Blue Goose is the symbol for all National Wildlife Refuges, but I feel each refuge has something special about it, and these images will bring back specific memories of a visit.  I’m pretty proud about the results.  It will be just one little thing that I’ve left behind…

And now for the minor mishap.  It was warm enough this morning that I was finally able to wear shorts today for the first time since last October.  Since I don’t wear my glasses when I first get up and get dressed in the morning, it wasn’t until I was at work that I noticed my yearly onslaught of HLS (Hairy Leg Syndrome).  It does seem to be a malady that I talk about once each year upon discovering my pale legs sticking out from my shorts.  Winking smile 

After work today, Emma and I sat outside as usual and, as I exercised the generator, I decided to get out my battery run shaver to rid myself of the HLS.  As I was peacefully listening to all the birds as I ran the razor up and down my leg, I felt a slight twinge.  It seems that one of the thin metal coverings to the roller blades had split, and the razor like sharpness of the break had sliced three slim gouges in my leg.  There was a bit of a delay before I felt it.  So now it looks like a three-toed sloth has scraped the front of my left leg.  Ugh!  Guess I’ll have to resort to carefully using a regular razor tonight to finish the job.

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                                                   I leave you tonight with a sunset on the bayou.

Thanks for stopping by… talk to you later,  Judy

31 comments:

  1. Love the two designs for the stamps. But, Judy, at some point, just let the HLS have its way. If guys can have hairy legs, why can't we?? Where does it say we have to have bald legs!! At this age, who the heck cares any way. LOL Ann

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  2. OUCH! That doesn't sound very pleasant. But your description of HLS is pretty funny. Great work on developing those stamps. It's nice to know that you have left something in perpetuity so to speak.

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  3. Love your stamps. Got a laugh from the HLS. Take Care!!

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  4. Great work on those stamps. They are really neat. I wear capris (no shorts for these fat legs) and here in AZ I wear them most of the time so the HLS has to get taken care of on a regular basis. Just can't let it go like Ann suggested.

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  5. Those stamps are just another example of your many great talents!

    Here's another that you might develop... a European accent ~ HLS taken care of!

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  6. Great idea to have new special stamps! I love the new designs. Good Work, Judy!!

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  7. At least HLS has never had a fatality--yet! ;)

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  8. Love the idea of unique stamps. I think you now must go around to every single NWR and get the essence of each and create a stamp for them. I'll come behind you and get by Blue Goose book stamped with your new stamps.

    I use a straight razor for HAS but forget HLS, the older I get the less hairy they are and when I am old I will not shave my legs........or was that I will wear purple???

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  9. Maybe you could tell your coworkers that you were attacked by a rare bird ;)

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  10. Love the stamps.
    Sorry about the leg injurey. I don't have to shave my legs. The hair just quit growing about 15 yrs ago. OH wait I get one on each chin.

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  11. I'm not sure if failing eyesight is a blessing or a curse. Put the glasses on, I see my own HLS. Take 'em off, I'm blissfully ignorant until the wind blows.

    Roxanne
    The Good Luck Duck

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  12. I don't think there is any end to your talents. The stamps are really beautiful.

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  13. Love the stamp designs....thought of you yesterday when I treated myself for HLS!

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  14. I am not sure whether I got more of a chuckle from your post or from reading some of the comments...I sure would like to sit around a campfire with these imaginations. What a hoot! Judy you are not only an artist but a stand up comedian.

    Just BS!(Bob and Sue)

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  15. I like the thought that you will be leaving your mark in a special way for many years to come!

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  16. HLS?..well in the winter once the pant legs get too tight you know it's time to break out the razor!!..
    nice work on the stamp design!!

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  17. Love the new stamp design. The other refuges are going to be jealous. You may have started yourself a whole new career.

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  18. Those HLS stories are always good for a chuckle. Nice stamps you created there. We've gotten stamps in our US passports from some of the really special we've visited ... now to get the Blue Goose and the Natl Park passports for our adventures here. Of course, that means we'll have to revisit the places we've already been to ... but hey, I'm not complaining ... it will be just another excuse to go back to these places.

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  19. loving the new design...the first one kind of reminding me of a machine gun..Ha! My mom used to not shave her legs all the time..used to drive me nuts. Now I have become my mother in more ways than one!

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  20. Great Stamps! I use "America's National Wildlife Refuges" by Russell Butcher as my "stamp" book.. I think we must have just missed meeting you as we were at Anahuac on April 1, 2008. My stamp for Mississippi Sandhills is dated January 20, 2004. This book wasn't published until 2003... maybe we'll get a chance to go back and "collect" some stamps we've missed.... and get your new stamps as well.

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  21. Great stamp designs and thank you for my morning chuckle--I can just picture you sitting outside using the electric razor!

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  22. I totally love the stamp designs...You did a great job!! As for HLS...I shave my pegs in the shower, trying to prop myself up while I rest one leg at a time on the shower wall...I haven't fallen yet, but came close to it...Never lean on the shower door while shaving your legs..I almost ended up OUTSIDE the shower on the bedroom floor..I guess you had to be there.

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  23. Good thing it wasn't your neck you were shaving!! Great job on the stamps.

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  24. Great designs! You are very talented. Rick's comment was sort of funny. I believe I remember reading your HLS story last year. If I waited a year, I'd be looking like Sasquatch.

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  25. WOW, I am impressed -- the stamps are AWESOME...you are blessed with so much talent. As far as the HLS, unfortunately I can relate:o(

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  26. Great job on the stamps. Such a creative lady you are! ~wheresweaver

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  27. Great Stamps. We will get one of those passports.

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  28. Great stamps! You are so talented, except with a razor...

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  29. The stamp designs are wonderful. HLS is the bane of all woman, you could make up some great outdoor story to explain the scratches in your leg, might be a fun exercise.

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  30. Well done on the stamps, & wow, what a gorgeous sunset photo on the bayou! Sorry about the biting razor though. Ouch.

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