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Borrego Springs, CA

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Last workday this season

I finished the last day of my commitment to Tamarac NWR today, and said, “I quit!” on my way out of the office this afternoon.  I have enjoyed my time here, but I’m ready for a little vacation.  Of course, I’m returning next year, so you know I must have liked it here.

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That being said, I’m not leaving here in the morning.  Let’s just say that the fridge hasn’t been fixed yet.  I really don’t want to go into that tonight.  So I’ll just show you some pictures I took yesterday as I worked on an assignment to gather ‘treasures’ that might be found along the trails by kindergartners later this week.

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The milkweed pods are sending out their seeds for next year, so I thought collecting some of these pods would work with the little ones to compare soft to hard.  When I was little, my mother always called these seeds that blew around on the winds ‘money stealers’.  Don’t know where that came from, but that’s what I’ve always called them too.  With the expenses I’ve had this summer, I guess they’ll leave me alone.  Winking smile

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I found other treasures along the way, but some of them I couldn’t collect.  After our rains last week, mushrooms are popping up all over.

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I decided yesterday to just use my little Canon Power Shot X280.  I’m not totally comfortable with it, and will probably always prefer my Canon Rebel DSLR’s, but I was pretty happy with the results.

IMG_0305It’s just on the edge of prime leaf peeper season here, and the sumac was just brilliant yesterday.  With my repair delay, I just might be here through the prime time for fall colors.  I’m thankful that the refuge is allowing me to stay as long as necessary to get things taken care of.  I’m trying to go out each day to notice the changes and sooth my anxieties.

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While Emma and I took a stroll through the woods in the afternoon, we encountered some interesting shelf fungi.  Tomorrow’s another day, and I hope to make some progress towards my departure.

Thanks for stopping by… talk to you later,  Judy

27 comments:

  1. Well this is a real disappointment to read that your fridge has not been repaired. One day you will be able to look back on this pothole in the middle of the road. Sure hope that day is real soon.

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  2. Beautiful photos of those mushrooms. Your new camera is pretty sharp with a lot of detail in those images.

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  3. Lovely photos...I too prefer my rebel over my power shot...I'm lost without a view finder!

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  4. Hope that fridge gets fixed soon. I love the photo of the sumac changing, in the north country that is a sure sign fall is here and soon the rest of the colors will appear. I do love fall.

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  5. I love Autumn! The colors are just beautiful. The pictures in your post are absolutely awesome. I just cant seem to get the hang of it...I need lessons...mine never turn that clear.
    Glad your work for the season is over. Enjoy your time while you wait for the fridge repair.

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  6. I hope your fridge is fixed soon. It's hard to stay in a place when you've been looking forward to the next adventure. Well.. at least you're relaxing and getting some great shots. :)

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  7. The delay must be beyond frustrating having to deal with a problem you thought was fixed. Beautiful shot of the sumac.

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  8. Today was my last day of work also. The bosses took me out to a nice Greek restaurant for dinner after work. They want me to come back to work here. I won't work here in the summer again, but may come back some winter. Good luck with the fridge.

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  9. Looking on the bright side, if your fridge repair runs into winter, the lack of cooling will no longer be an issue. I know, I'm full of it...encouragement, that is! :cD

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  10. I know you wanted to be on your way on Thursday, and you sound disappointed. I hope your fridge gets fixed soon! The Sumac is beautiful! :)

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  11. Wowzers. That Sumac is just stunning. Enjoy your time off and I hope the frig thing works out with no more troubles.

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  12. I think you really must have enjoyed your time up there. Nice to know you are appreciated and they want you back.

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  13. Your photos show exactly why I like autumn so much. Beautiful!

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  14. Must be veru frustrating. Yet you were kind of sad that you'd be leaving before the fall color came in...so now maybe you'll see a little of it. Plus it is kind of cool to be on vacation in such a beautiful spot! Still...hope the darn fridge is repaired soon!

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  15. That sumac is gorgeous and the picture turned out nice. I'm still trying to get used to my Canon Rebel. I have a really good informational DVD that came with it and I REALLY need to take the time to watch it and see what I can learn.

    I hope the refrigerator gets fixed soon,but like Paul said, if you don't head south soon, it might not be an issue.

    I don't know if I've missed it, but where are you headed for the winter? Do you have another workcamping job? If you're in our area (north Georgia mountains) come see us. We will have a site for you and I'll only charge some photo lessons!

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  16. I love the first photo. Is it a spring house?

    Looking forward to seeing some of those fall color photos.

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  17. Beautiful photographs. I especially like the milk week. Looks like a contest winner to me. Just laughed at your "I QUIT". Must have brought down the house. Great of them to allow you to stay until you get the refrig thing worked out. Hope it won't take too long. Seem like very nice people and a job you enjoyed if not the best summer weather.

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  18. Very interesting photos. Sorry to hear about the fridge. Hope there is a fix coming soon.

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  19. Love the 'shroom shots - you must be pretty agile to get down to ground level for those shots!

    Dang fridge - don't let it get you down, down, down. Enjoy your autumn!

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  20. We have a TigerEye Sumac here at home in our yard, but it gets orange,not red...Love that foliage..Those milkweed pods bring back memories. My mom use to gather them after the seeds flew away and spray them silver and gold for Xmas decorations in a vase...Hope your "frigid" troubles are solved soon so you can enjoy the foliage on your way South in Minnesota..

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  21. Hoping for a fast repair on the fridge, and wanted to say that the photos are fine!

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  22. I didn't know the term "shelf fungi", but have seen them many times. Good shot!

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  23. Howdy Judy & Emma,
    Sorry about you delay, but now you'll get to see the colors changing from TOP to BOTTOM of the 'map'.. The 'shoe-mac'(TEXAS pronunciation) is so brilliantly RED; because of the drouth ours are kinda 'dirty-brownish-orange' !!!! You could offer to paint some more sign posts, while sitting around waiting to get the freedigerator repaired or REPLACED!!!!!!
    Hope you & Emma have lots of HAPPY DAYS !!!!!

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  24. I have been watching and reading this blog for a year now, and it was just this minute that I figured out that Emma is the dog! I always thought Emma was the writer. Duh!

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  25. Just visiting your blog for the first time, Judy. Your photos are stunning, the writing is fun and I'm tickled to learn you are coming back next year!

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