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Borrego Springs, CA

Friday, May 30, 2014

Almost no one fell asleep!

I put on my dancing shoes this morning and headed out early to drive to the Cormorant Lake Community Center to put on a bird power point program for about twenty some senior citizens.  Earlier in the week, I had looked over the power point program I had been given, and decided that about half of it was too dull for this audience, and eliminated those parts.  I changed it up, and added some of my bird photos from the refuge, and it seemed to work.

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I wish I could have included this photo of a yellow-bellied sapsucker, but I found this beauty this morning as I dropped off my Netflix disc in the refuge mail box on the way there.  I also noticed that I guess I had missed painting this post last summer.  Sad smile

Anyway, I had a lot of audience participation in this presentation, and only one man briefly nodded off.  A great improvement from my bus tour at Anahuac.  There was a big pot of coffee flowing with some delicious cookies as well, so that surely helped.  One woman even said that Detroit Lakes should hire me to give a presentation at next year’s birding festival, as this one was so much better than some of the speakers they had two weeks ago.  I highly doubt that, but it was nice to hear she enjoyed herself.

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Afterwards, I was given an envelope with this check inside.  I, of course, declined any remuneration.  The person in charge insisted I take it and do with it whatever I wanted.  I’ve decided to cash it and add the monies to my ‘tip’ pouch.  I’ve given quite a few talks, and many tours over the last eight years, and occasionally people have insisted on giving a tip.  Many times, I just put those monies in the donation box of whatever refuge I’m volunteering at, but sometimes I’ve just added it to this pouch.  This check would almost double the amount I’ve hidden away.  I’m saving this money for something special that can be contributed to some National Wildlife Refuge.  Early on, my friend Diana also put her tips into this pouch from tours we gave together.  I bet she thought I had already spent it.  Not so.  I make this public so that my daughter will know my intentions for this little nest egg, in case I should ‘kick the bucket’ before I find that special need.

Of course, I’m not the only RV person volunteering at Tamarac this year, and some of you may know my partners in crime. Winking smile

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John and Bridget Hatch, arrived a week ago and last night we had a little tournament.  I can’t remember the name of this game (I think it’s golf something), but I’ve only played it once before.  They’re pretty good at it, and I got royally beaten.  I had a lot of fun.

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And I’d be remiss if I didn’t include a picture of their pooch, Fred.  Doesn’t he just look disgusted with me trying to get his better side?  I like Fred.  He’s not the wild maniac that Emma is.  Oh for a calm and sedate dog…

Thanks for stopping by… talk to you later,  Judy

30 comments:

  1. What a wonderful and I am sure well deserved compliment.

    What a very thoughtful person you are Judy to save your tips for such a worthy cause. Kudos to you.

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  2. Of course there will be 100 of us telling you that the game is Ladder Golf....LOL

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  3. Congratulations on keeping almost all of them awake! I'm sure it's rewarding to be given tips, and I congratulate you on using it for the good of wildlife refuges.

    I think I remember John Hatch from a few years ago in the RV Dreams Chat Room. Please tell him Gypsy said hi to him and Bridget, although he probably doesn't remember me.

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    1. Sure I remember you. I haven't been in the chat room in a while. Sometimes my computer will let me in but most of the time it won't. We missed you here last year by a week or so. Safe travels

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  4. Gotta love Beagles.

    On occasion we are offered money to help for gas, etc for our volunteering with NOMADS. We accept it but pass it on to our administrator to be used as funding for projects. This is our mission, as your is at the various NWR's.

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  5. I love Beagles. Had them in pairs all my adult life until we went on the road after the last pair died. They are my favorites. I've even had "beagle sightings" on my blog. So give Fred lots of scratches behind his ears for me. That's a great yellow bellied sap sucker picture. The colors are so distinct. What a terrific shot. I knew your program would keep those seniors awake. LOL at your wanting your daughter to know your intentions "just in case". You mean you haven't formally put this in your will. :-)

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  6. So glad you had a fun time with the seniors! Beautiful picture of the yellow-bellied sapsucker. Nice savings for that something special.

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  7. Come on, what would you do with a calm sedate dog :-)

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  8. I know what you mean about a calm dog. Our one and only dog ruined us for dogs. He only calmed down when he became old and decrepit! We just enjoy other peoples dogs and always remember our dog Blue when we get the urge to get a dog.

    Fred looks like a sweetie.

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  9. Would love to see your presentation. We always learn a lot from you and your knowledge and passion come through. I am glad you took the tip and will be looking forward to see what you find to do with it.

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  10. Its good that have some folks to play with this summer. Maybe Fred's calmness will rub off on Emma.

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  11. hMMMM You got the wrong end of Fred for "The End" !!!

    ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
    Karen and Steve
    (Blog) RVing: The USA Is Our Big Backyard
    http://kareninthewoods-kareninthewoods.blogspot.com
    ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

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  12. I'm sure your bird presentation was a great improvement over the powerpoint you were handed!

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  13. Would have loved to have heard your talk! Not surprised that you are saving your tips for a special cause…You're a terrific lady, Judy! We are all proud to know you...

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  14. Would love to listen to one of your presentations and see your photos. Your news of mosquitoes reminded me of Grand Teton two summers ago after the winter of heavy snow--couldn't sit outside or hike stream-side trails. This Texan would surely like to find the right summer RV "home"

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    1. From what I have seen most of Texans with RVs are in Colorado in the summer. I tend to avoid the state during the summer because they have reserved most of the Park spaces.

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  15. Love your fox picture. Have you ever put the bird calls into you show? Does help to keep people awake.

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  16. Judy, you certainly know how to keep a crowd on the edge of their seats and wide awake. Something you must have learned in your math teaching days... ;c)

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  17. Would have loved to been in the group. I think Marilyn has a great idea to include bird calls.

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  18. What a wonderful idea for your tips! I know you'll find just the right place for that donation.

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  19. I bet your presentation was great....it helps when the presenter has a passion for the subject. Emma keeps you young with her wild child ways. You aren't a sedate old lady yourself.

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  20. It sounds like you gave a great presentation. I prefer speaking to adult audiences as they choose to come to the talk because they are interested in the subject. I'm struggling a bit with some of the school groups at our park because their attention span is so very short and they seem to be used to non-stop, constant entertainment!

    Fred looks like a cutey!

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  21. What a nice thing, Judy! I would love to hear one of your presentations... "only one man briefly nodded off' ... hahaaa

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  22. When I read your previous blog about your talk for seniors I thought you had a high school class at the end of their school year... what a challenge that would be to keep them interested in anything except getting out of school! Sounds like your presentation went well.

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  23. A job well done to have a speech for seniors and not have them doze off. You must have had an interesting presentation. Kudos for slipping in some of your bird pics...makes it personal for the participants.

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  24. I hope you gave the guy who nodded off the seat-belt award:)

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  25. A PowerPoint presentation with only one person dozing off is a minor miracle, Judy, congrats! My presentations were better than Sominex!!

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  26. A great idea of what to do with those tips...very noble cause!

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  27. I'm so glad that the seniors enjoyed the presentation. I know that you put a lot of work into it!

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  28. Sounds like a great presentation! I had a yellow bellied Sapsucker the other day too! Had to look it up! :)

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