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Borrego Springs, CA

Thursday, October 3, 2013

‘Shroom City

With cooler temperatures and wetter weather, the mushrooms are popping up all over.

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                                        All of tonight’s pics are from the yard surrounding my rig.

There’s not much going on around here as I sit and twiddle my thumbs waiting for next Monday’s refrigerator appointment.  With the government shut down, there is next to no activity on the refuge.

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                                                                “For Whom the Bell Tolls” ?

Before making my trip for ice and propane yesterday, I did meet a fellow blogger for lunch at Ice Cracking Lodge.  Had an enjoyable meal chatting with Connie of Far Side of Fifty fame.  She manages the Historical Museum in Fergus Falls, and is very familiar with the refuge and the wildflowers that bloom on it.  I wish I had her knowledge of wildflowers.

IMG_0326                                                                                   Twins? 

I struggled with getting the heavy extend-a-stay propane tank out of the car this morning, but I managed to get it to the side of the rig and hook it up.  With a predicted high of only 45* on Saturday with high winds and showers, I want to be sure I can be comfy inside the rig without putting on my winter coat.  Winking smile

It takes a village to raise a child

                                                           “It Takes a Village to Raise a Child”

Refuge Manager, Neil Power, stopped by the rig today, while I was crawling around taking the mushroom pictures, to see how I was doing.  We’re the only ones here since the shut down.  He is considered ‘essential staff’ so that’s why he’s still working.  I’m not sure if he’s getting paid, though.  We had an interesting conversation.

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It seems his duties have changed some since there is no support staff.  Besides patrolling the refuge daily, he’s had to walk down the driveway to collect the mail daily, and had to be in charge of watering the new sod at the remodeled headquarters building among other things.

Personally, I think that is a good thing.  Kind of like an episode of “Undercover Boss”.  He’s had to do a lot of the things that the worker bees on the refuge do.  It should help him appreciate all the work that goes on under him.  I don’t think he’s had to paint any posts though. Surprised smile

73 Tamarac NWR, 201332There’s another miserable forecast for tomorrow, so I think I’ll make a trip to Fargo.  With being stuck here longer than I’d planned, I’ll make another trip to the Breadsmith store.  Perhaps another malt on my way back?

Thanks for stopping by… talk to you later,  Judy

23 comments:

  1. I like the idea of a malted milkshake. Do they give you a cookie with the milkshake? The drug store soda fountain I visited as a child did so.

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  2. We haven't seen our refuge mgr since the shutdown started, though his personal truck is here every day. All he's doing is patrolling; they are not allowed to even turn their computers on.
    The intern left for the weekend to visit some friends so we're here on our own.Of course, if the predicted storm hits around here, there may be some activity. I suspect (and hope) it will just be a lot of rain and some wind.

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  3. Not to mention some of that "special" chocolate candy you swoon over...

    Hopefully you get the fridge repaired and on your way before mushrooms start growing on your Adventurer! :cD

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  4. What gorgeous pictures of mushrooms Judy. I can just see you crawling around to get these great shots. We've been tossed out of Assateague National Seashore as of this morning. I have a feeling the shutdown is in for the long haul or at least until the debt ceiling crisis. They seem to be seeing who can hold out the longest. What a way to run a country. I wish you would stop mentioning these malted milk shakes. My mouth is watering. If you show a picture of one I may swoon.

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  5. A malt sounds like a good way to spend a lousy day. I just cannot believe this is dragging on and on. I like your seeing something positive come out of it - like the boss having to actually do something besides go to meetings and do paperwork.

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  6. They are like kids in a sandbox throwing sand at each other, they need to get back to business. Hope the refrigerator finally gets a fix. We could use some cooler weather here in Hot springs AR, has been in the 80s with high humidity this week, some cool nights would be welcome.

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  7. I have the malt, I have the chocolate, but what I don't have is ice cream. Hmmmm I think I feel a warm malted milk coming on. Loved the mushroom pictures.

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  8. Great mushroom photos! I wished I worked in Fergus Falls..they are open year round and have heat! Park Rapids is where I work no heat or air..and closed for the winter! I saw the notice this morning that the festival is cancelled for this weekend what a bummer, it sounded like great fun! Go by Carol Widmans Candy Shop in Fargo and get some of those Chocolate Covered Chips and everything will be all better! :)

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  9. So, must be boring sitting around watching mushrooms grow.

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  10. Having lived in the SW so much in the last decade I've forgotten the names of most of the mushrooms in your photos. Gotta find out what that black one is in the next to last collage... it's a beauty! Rick Doyle just posted about seeing mushroom hunters... wonder if yours are the "magic" kind?

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  11. Your captions are hysterical. Thanks for the morning humor.

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  12. I'm so glad you and Connie had a chance to meet. Wish I would have been there too!! I've not seen those types of mushrooms before, interesting. Today, I'm going home. Rehab is going well, I am confident about getting in and out of the truck for the trip. Before that I had lots of apprehension. Will do rehab as an out patient, closer to home for the next few weeks. Hope the weekend brings a little excitement in your life!!!

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  13. Enjoy your trip to Fargo--maybe some of that candy you like so much, too??

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  14. A trip to Fargo sounds like a great plan! Hope all your issues are resolved soon so you can head south before that white stuff starts flying!

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  15. I think another malt is definitely in order. I hope the refrigerator gets fixed so that you can head south before it gets much colder.

    On the bright side, there is Tropical Storm Karen headed somewhere between Louisiana and Florida. Maybe it's best that you were delayed?

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  16. Beautiful 'shroom photos. It's amazing how amazing the world is when you look for things. With all this extra free time it might be time to begin the next "Great American Novel" or at least read one! mary-pat

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  17. Too bad you can't eat any of them 'shrooms! This morning we woke up here in Yellowstone to a frosty 28F. We're leaving tomorrow!

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  18. Thanks for the great pictures of mushrooms, Judy. Just goes to show that there is beauty in everything. I'm looking forward to meeting up with some mushrooms when I have more time to take pictures. Found some beautiful, orange, flower-like ones yesterday while hiking, but my camera didn't focus on them.

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  19. What great mushrooms. They are so interesting.

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  20. What a wide variety of mushrooms. Unique perspectives.

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  21. Very interesting pictures...I can see you on your hands and knees maybe even laying on the ground to get some of those shots! Way cool!
    Enjoy your malt!

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  22. yep mushroom pics and captions are great. lets hope they can get that darned frig working

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