This could be an interesting summer

With the Festival of Birds going on in Detroit Lakes since Thursday, a number of staff and all the volunteers have been very busy.  Thursday morning I helped get things set up at the local junior college where all the registration and such would be going on.  In the afternoon, it was my mission to fill the nine kiosks located at various locations around the refuge with pamphlets, and get the refuge spiffy looking by picking up beer cans and other trash that unthinking people throw out of their vehicles.

                   Mr. Porcupine was way up high again in the quaking aspen at my site munching away.

Friday, I was one of the leaders for a group of about 50 alternative school teenagers visiting the refuge to learn about bird watching.  That was certainly interesting.  Not surprisingly, four of the youngsters disappeared from under the teacher’s nose.  My guess is they went for a smoke, or to experience their ‘natural’ tendencies in the woods.    Spring fever and all, don’t-cha know…

                                  A new bird for the Hard Rock Bird Café…the clay-colored sparrow.

This morning, I was at the Visitors Center by 6:30 in the morning to fill all the bird feeders and hang them out.  There are bears in these here woods, and the numerous feeders are taken in every evening.  Getting them all set up take’s about 45 minutes, and staff wanted them ready to go early.  One of the tours of the Festival was of the refuge, and all the birders would be stopping by early.  The birds cooperated, and put on a great show for all the visitors.

I had a real surprise when the mail was delivered today.  There was a package for me from Sharon of The Odd Essay fame. 

Inside were three boxes of Trader Joe’s Triple Ginger Cookie Thins.  Apparently Sharon remembered the Swedish ginger thins that I took a real liking to last summer when I was here, and sent me the Trader Joe’s version.  Thanks, Sharon!

When I wrote about Anna’s cookies last year, I told the story of how they are Swedish wish cookies.  You make a wish, put a cookie in the palm of your hand, and tap it lightly with your other index finger.  If the cookie breaks into three pieces, your wish will come true!  There are no such instructions on the Trader Joe’s cookies.

However, Trader Joe’s box does say that ginger has been considered an aphrodisiac for almost forever.  Hmm… With four boxes of wishes and aphrodisiacs, this summer could be a lollapalooza!!    Oh my goodness, Sharon, I hope I’m up for it!

Thanks for stopping by… talk to you later,  Judy