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Borrego Springs, CA

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

“Knock on Wood”

Nothing much that is exciting is happening in my world right now, so tonight’s blog is just a mix about the ordinary things of the last two days. 

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                                                                            Juvenile white ibis

Tonight’s photos are some I’ve taken around the refuge since I arrived.  I actually took no pictures yesterday or today.  Like I said, it’s pretty lack luster around here right now.  I worked yesterday at the VC, and spent some time roving.  I did check things out at the Chesser Homestead since I’m assigned there for a couple of days next week.

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                                                             Little blue heron in the swamp.

I did stop in to the VC in the morning to give another call to the Mayo hospital in Waycross to see if a surgery schedule has been set up yet for my doctor in December since they said last week that a calendar should be set up by today.  No luck there.  They said to call back next week.  I ignored that suggestion, called again today, and was told the same thing.  Uf-dah!  I’m anxious to get this surgery over with.  This is literally a pain in the hip!

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                                                                          Toothache Grass

It’s believed that toothache grass was used by Native Americans to help out with their dental maladies.  I did read that if you chew the lower stem, it produces numbness.  I wonder if I could rub it on my hip?  Confused smile

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The seed head of this plant is pretty distinctive.  I’ve only found one batch of it so far in my wanderings here.  It is native to the coastal wetlands of the southeastern United States.  I recognized it from my times at Mississippi Sandhill Crane NWR.

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                Mama alligator barely visible.  Very little sun and warmth for her to bask in the last week.

After doing a week and a half’s worth of laundry this morning, I headed into headquarters to submit my bird tour proposal.  They’re slightly formal about these things at this refuge.  I’m pleased to report that my “Knock on Wood” tour was heartily approved by the powers that be.  I’ve heard that this isn’t always the case.  Sarcastic smile  I’m going to gloat a little here and say, “You’re not dealing with an amateur here.”  (shame on me)

Knock on Wood?  Yep, it will be a bird tour highlighting the eight species of woodpeckers that can be found on the refuge including the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker.  I must admit that I had thought of some other titles for this tour about peckers that weren’t exactly politically correct.  Surprised smile  Can you guess what they were?

Thanks for stopping by… talk to you later,  Judy

24 comments:

  1. Come on Judy, tell us the other names of the tour. Add some spice. Sure hope you can get that hip surgery scheduled soon. It's so hard when you are in pain and you just want to get it over with. I feel sorry for that poor Mama alligator - not getting her sun. I'd be grumpy too if I didn't get my sunshine.

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  2. I have never heard of the Toothache Grass.

    What a clever name for your tour...“Knock on Wood." Great job, Judy. Looking forward to hearing more about the tour.

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  3. Yes, I can guess. Since the powers that be at the NWR are a little formal, it's probably best you didn't submit any of them!

    Hope you get the hip surgery scheduled soon.

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  4. I could use some of that toothache grass this AM for my neck...I DO literally have a pain in the neck...But I know it can only get better from here...BATTER UP!!

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  5. those powers that be don't know who they are dealing with!..great title, Knock on Wood!!

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  6. Getting your tour approved sounds a little like the process for a college grant proposal:)

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  7. Congrats on the acceptance of your tour proposal. I bet it's going to be wonderful even though you can't include all the peckers. So sorry to hear about the continuing scheduling problems. Frustrating!!!

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  8. You are so funny, Judy. Your sense of humor shines through your "pain in the hip". You'll have to heal in a hurry...what will we do without your beautiful pictures. Keep us posted about the date of surgery.

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  9. I've seen that toothache grass in a couple of places and wondered what it was, it's so different. I hope you get your appointment set up soon - it's hard to wait like this. I don't know why they don't get their calendars started earlier. I had a dentist that did that and it didn't make sense to me.

    I'm looking forward to the photos from the woodpecker tour. I've always thought they were an interesting bird.

    Pretty quiet and uninteresting around here, too. Just the same ole, same ole. Not very blogworthy right now. Sometimes that's a good thing, I think. :)

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  10. Great title. Will arouse interest in tour and little else. heh. You would think they would set up schedules earlier; I mean, this kind of surgery requires some advance planning for the recovery period. Hang in there.

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  11. They are very wise to take you up on your tour offer. . .NO AMATEUR indeed! Way to go. . .Knock em' dead. . .

    Janice
    ReadyToGoFullTimeRVing Blog
    FaceBook.com/ReadyToGoFullTimeRVing

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  12. Happy to hear your tour got approved... it will probably be booked solid. If we lived closeby I'd sign up for it in a heartbeat. Again... hope you get that hip scheduled soon.

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  13. It's great that they approved your proposal, it will give you something to look forward to during your recovery after the surgery. That plant is interesting looking.

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  14. Your ordinary day blog certainly is more interesting than many of my ordinary days. Great pictures as usual.

    Congrats on the tour. I'd love to take it. Have they decided they will let you stay to convalesce at the refuge so you can do the tour when you are able? Hope so!

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  15. Great name for your tour. Sorry you are having such a frustrating time scheduling your surgery.

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  16. Now if you can get that date "approved" you will soon be back to normal. I know , since I had the knees replaced I am now active again pain free.
    Pictures are great as usual?

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  17. Previous comment. That was a statement not a question. Just a slip of the thumb!!

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  18. Great name for your tour - I'm sure it will be a huge draw and extremely popular.

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  19. Add me to the list of people who would love to take that tour. Knock on Wood is a great title, but it's a shame to have to be so politically correct and throw perfectly fine titles out of the running!

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  21. Nice Pictures with great title named as Knock on Wood!! Even i would like to go for that tour. Thanks for sharing your adventures journey experiences with us. Looking forward to hear some more about the tour with a great title. Travel Market Analysis

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