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Borrego Springs, CA

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

A productive day

I had Monday off, and it seems all the drama with the fridge and the challenging journey down here caught up with me.  I truly took the day off, and did nothing to speak of.  On Tuesday, I was back to work and put in a nine hour day.

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One of the things I did was to check out the damage the feral hogs had done to the area around the VIS.  In a week and a half we’ll be having the Anahuac Wildlife Expo.  All of the tents and demonstrations will be set up around the VIS, and the area surrounding the pond.  Feral hogs really did a number on messing up a couple of the venue areas, buy if they move on to another area I think we’ll be okay.

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I had today off as well, and after checking the forecast I decided to visit the Skillern Tract area of the refuge before taking care of errands.  The 1-2 mile road to the parking area has been paved since my last visit, and I wanted to check it out before the forecasted rains began.

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The trail meanders along the East Bayou.  Though overcast for the most part, the temps were warm and humid.  Perfect conditions for mosquitoes, and since I didn’t bring any bug spray it was a quick walk for me.

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The handicapped-accessible paved trail has the bayou on the east side, and the marsh on the west.  Other than the mosquitoes buzzing around, not much else was happening.  The remainder of my pics are from my walk along the way.

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When I first arrived here last week, I called my mail service in South Dakota and had them send my mail to the Winnie facility.  After a week, nothing had arrived so I stopped at the post office to see if I had to sign in or something.  I met the person who delivers on my route, and she produced a box and one Netflix movie.  She wasn’t sure what to do with them.  I got that straightened out, so now I’ve got my last two month’s mail and two Netflix movies to watch.

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Then it was on to Beaumont, TX, for a wine order.  Next was a stop at Walgreen’s to get my shingles shot.  Unlike some folks I know that are on Medicare and got the immunization at no cost, I had to dish out $91.  I’d rather do that than get shingles though.

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After that, I picked up a year’s supply of flea and tick medication for Emma and a new toy for her to play with outside.  I have no idea what happened to the two toys she played with in Minnesota.  She probably tossed them 30 feet into the brush and weeds around our site there.  I looked and looked for them, but couldn’t find them.

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Finally, I spent an enjoyable time at the HEB grocery store.  Many folks hate shopping for groceries, but not me, and it’s been two years since I’ve been in an HEB.  I even got a whole fresh pineapple for 97 cents!  Of course I came home with a number of items that weren’t on my grocery list, but since I’ll be here for six months I decided to live it up a little.  An apple fritter donut for tomorrow’s breakfast, a big bag of Texas oranges for fresh juice, one prime filet mignon, some Boar’s Head lunchmeats, and I’m feeling happy.

I’ll be back to work tomorrow to help Stephanie prepare for the upcoming Expo.  In the meantime, I’ve got a Netflix movie to watch, and I’d better pack a lunch…

Thanks for stopping by… talk to you later,  Judy

28 comments:

  1. I think HEB is my most favorite grocery store! I'm jealous you get all those fresh veggies and fruits really cheap :) Enjoy!

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  2. We discovered HEB last year and really enjoyed shopping there too. We'll be in the Houston/Galveston area for about the first two weeks in January. I think that's pretty close to you. Would love to come for a visit and see the refuge.

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  3. Saw a lady's post about a new heb down in Mission, TX Everything is in Spanish. I don't do Spanish. We will be going to Texashopefully in a few weeks. Won't be going there

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  4. My son in Cottonwood,CA ( near Redding off I-5, has had an almost ongoing battle with wild boars and the damage they do, particularly to his lawn - root, root, rooting. I love your photo of the dragon fly - and all the others, too.
    I'm in Texas right now - Amarillo - I 'd better start looking for a HEB.

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  5. That apple fritter wouldn't make it to breakfast around here! Enjoy!

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  6. Sounds like you're in hog heaven.

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  7. One of the benefits of traveling around like we do is being able to shop at different grocery stores; at least I think of it as a bene. I have "cards" from stores all over North America! HEB, lead me to it!

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  8. Busy week for you. Love HEB'S. Everything you need, including great meats, produce, AND wine!!

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  9. We enjoyed shopping at HEB too!
    Beautiful pictures Judy!

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  10. I focused on the wine order. That is an important part of the Mediterranean diet:) I am counting on that to keep me healthy:)

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  11. I got my shingles shot on my 60th birthday. That was before insurance covered it and it cost me $260. But I figured I was worth it. I don't think I've ever been to an HEB but I love going to the grocery store. There is just something comforting about wandering around all that wonderful food.

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  12. Beautiful scenery where you are now.

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  13. Do we have to get the shingles shot every year? Last year I got the pneumonia and shingles shots but maybe I should check with my doctor. I've never been in HEB but could anything be as good as Publix in the southeast?

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  14. I wonder what that pretty little Marsh Flower is called? Does the State put out any kind of a free wildflower pamphlet? Minnesota has one for the most common wildflowers. Good for you getting your Shingles shot!
    Feral hogs...maybe a BBQ is in order:)

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  15. Always love reading your posts and seeing the photos.... then I got down to the H.E.B. part. YES! If you buy a case of wine (or 6 of the 1.5 L) you get 10% discount. One more reason why it's my favorite store!

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  16. Love your marsh pictures. one of my favorite places. Beautiful dragon fly. Feral hogs are so destructive.

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  17. We have never been to an HEB, but I've heard good things about them. Wish I had an apple fritter right now.

    A 9 hour day seems a bit long for a volunteer position. I think I'd go on strike!

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  18. For taking the day off, you sure were busy.

    We love HEB. They always have so many tasting stations. Sometimes we go in hungry and come out full...lol Hope you enjoy your doughnut.

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  19. Sounds like the start of an exciting time for you and Emma..when we walked the Sink Hole trail at Silver Springs last week we saw a very large area where the hogs made a
    real mess...not pretty..have a great day and stay safe...donna

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  20. Good call on the shingles shot. You know, I'm still getting headaches from the shingles I had the first of September!! We've run out of mosquitoes in the Midwest!! :)

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  21. HEB is one of the few things we miss by not spending this winter in south TX. It's a great store.

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  22. Those hogs sure can do lots of damage.
    Love your pictures as always.

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  23. Some days we just need to rest. Are they hunting or trapping the Hogs? They are a really big problem for ranchers and farmers. Florida is also having a problem with them. I know in some parts of TX they are trapping and hunting them. . HEB is one of our favorite grocery stores.

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  24. Judy, we found a mosquito jacket very helpful when we volunteered at Brazoria NWR 2 years ago. Being so close to marshy, swampy areas that were prime breeding grounds made for a miserable 2 months for us. We found ours on the internet. Inexpensive too and so helpful. Everyone wore them at our complex.

    Love your pictures as usual and x2 for HEB. We will be in Livingston in a few days and can't wait to stop in for some shopping!

    Take care of yourself,
    Karen

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  25. It's funny, I don't really care for grocery-shopping at home but enjoy it on the road. I always feel like I get a little local color at the store. Even if it's a generic WMT!

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  26. I was running so late, I didn't even have time to call you. Sound like you were at work anyway. Hope our paths will cross again. Glad to hear the shingles shot cost you so little. My grandmother died of shingles but I found I had to pay $250. I need to check again. Have fun this winter.

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  27. Did you find the HEB-Plus in Beaumont? I was drooling over all the fresh produce and great selection of gourmet foods. Wish we had one in Kingsland, GA. The dragonfly might be a roseate skimmer. I am "into" dragonflies now - "the new birds" I called them in a blog post. http://cindymcintyre.wordpress.com/2012/07/30/dragonflies-are-the-new-birds/

    I see one of your friends will be at Oke this week! Wow I didn't know shingles could kill. I know it is a very painful affliction. I can't get my shot through VA until I'm 60. Don't you have Medicare Judy?

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