actually i woke up this morning singing. singing the song "sugar sugar" to be exact. it has been on repeat in the soundtrack of my life most recently, but that still doesn't explain why the moment i opened my eyes and began moving into a deep stretch, i bust out "honey (do do do do do doo) ah sugar, sugar (do do do do do doo)..." josey loved it. i'm hoping that it's a sign of good things to come today. or maybe it's just a sign that i am well rested...
i can say that it's 7ish here and i'm annoyed at the eastern time zone. almost all my people are central timers. so my desire to call my sisters at 7am became even more ridiculous when i remember it was actually 6am for them. hmm. i am feeling extremely peppy this morning.
"pour a little sugar on it honey, pour a little sugar on it baby. i'm gonna make your life so sweet, yeah yeah yeah..."
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Saturday, June 13, 2009
my week in pictures...
so i got my wish. the rain finally let up enough for some much needed prescribed fire. the result was one long, tiring week. but in the midst of all the sweat and frustration there were also jokes, good, hard work, and a love for what i do.
a rosemary "bald"--scrub habitat dominated by Ceratiola ericodes
me posed next to Chapmannia floridana--a species we're studying in a new research project. see the yellow flower?
a burn on USFWS property. they used both ground and aerial ignition. note the helicopter in the midst of the smoke. not only does the helicopter drop flaming "ping pong" balls to ignite the vegetation, while we were in the burn unit they would fly over to spot us--keeping us safe and away from the fire.
post fire at the same site as above. we buried electronic data loggers to measure fire intensity (aka temperature) at our research sites. here olivia and i are recovering a hobo.
the datalogger aka the "hobo" we use for the fires.
another USFWS fire. they just started lighting. we're not allowed to participate in the burn so we spectated instead.
stacy and i posed next to a very burnt Quercus geminata. we're wearing our official nomex fire gear. even "post fire" some areas are still burning:)Wednesday, June 3, 2009
i've seen fire and i've seen rain...
it's raining. again. a nice thunderstorm complete with loud claps of thunder and bright flashes of light. not newsworthy for florida in the summertime, but i still can't get over it. i love the noise and the smell.
if only it would dry out enough for a burn or two...
if only it would dry out enough for a burn or two...
Saturday, May 2, 2009
now that's a story.
in the hustle and bustle of my april the most ridiculous thing happened. i locked myself out. twice. in one night. more specifically within the span of two hours. i blame it on the distractions of life, a compulsive habit of always locking the door, and the reoccurring number theme of "2" in this crazy life i lead (the punch line of many sarah stories is "TWICE!" you know...two dance flips, two cokes gone at reed, and now two lock-outs).
lock out #1. just got home from work. talking to becks on the phone while attempting to relocate the dead armadillo from my yard into the nearby scrub. so i'm balancing this guy with two golf clubs and slowly moving him to his new resting grounds. i succeed (with some difficulty), wash the clubs, and attempt to enter my home to let my dog out and run around in the now-armadillo-free yard. the knob won't turn. i locked it behind me and my hidden spare is no longer hidden but lying on the kitchen table. luckily my phone is in hand (as i was talking to becky) and i'm able to call Landlord Gerry who sends over his son and i am saved.
lock out #2. did i mention i was headed to texas the next day? i have a long list of things to do before i'm ready to go. besides the typical packing, i'm cleaning for my dog sitter, mowing the substantially overgrown yard, and cooking lasagna (need to use those ingredients before they go bad). well after completing the dirty cleaning and mowing tasks, i need a shower, but in the interest of time, i decided to prep the lasagna first and shower while it's in the oven. i do a quick clean up (so i'm not disgusting while handling food) which involves washing up and removing my sweaty clothes so that i'm now cooking in a tank top and underwear. the lasagna is going well. my tomato sauce is simmering. already added the garlic but realize basil and oregano would be a great addition. a quick step outside to the backyard to snip some leaves from my herb garden and disaster strikes. once again, the knob won't turn. hidden key still on the kitchen table (to be handed off to the dog sitter).
remember my cooking attire? yep. you got it. tank top and underwear. like something straight out of a tv show or movie, i'm locked out in my undies. first thought is "oh man, i can't call Gerry. i already bothered him once today." then i realize a) i don't have a phone this time and b) i'm in my underwear! i can't call my landlord over when i'm half naked. next thought: walk to stacy and brent's, my friends who live a couple of blocks away. yeah right. there's that whole underwear issue again. i scan my screened in porch for anything to save me. a towel! josey's muddy towel i use to wipe her feet, but still a towel! i wrap it around my body and contemplate walking to stacy and brent's in a towel. not that desperate yet. to the windows!
there are two windows i did not attempt to open during the first lock out because i never open them, figured there was no way they would be unlocked. and i was right. they were locked. BUT one was locked improperly and i was able to jam it open (though it kept falling on me). new problem--it's five feet off the ground. i find a chair, struggle to hoist myself in, break a few things, balance half-in/half-out while trying to figure out how to get in without falling on my head, slowly pull over a chair from inside, collapse on it, and roll onto the ground. there's my dog, sitting innocently with a look that says "what the hell mom?"
new plan: spare keys everywhere. including one stashed at stacy and brent's house. and a towel on the back porch at all times.
lock out #1. just got home from work. talking to becks on the phone while attempting to relocate the dead armadillo from my yard into the nearby scrub. so i'm balancing this guy with two golf clubs and slowly moving him to his new resting grounds. i succeed (with some difficulty), wash the clubs, and attempt to enter my home to let my dog out and run around in the now-armadillo-free yard. the knob won't turn. i locked it behind me and my hidden spare is no longer hidden but lying on the kitchen table. luckily my phone is in hand (as i was talking to becky) and i'm able to call Landlord Gerry who sends over his son and i am saved.
lock out #2. did i mention i was headed to texas the next day? i have a long list of things to do before i'm ready to go. besides the typical packing, i'm cleaning for my dog sitter, mowing the substantially overgrown yard, and cooking lasagna (need to use those ingredients before they go bad). well after completing the dirty cleaning and mowing tasks, i need a shower, but in the interest of time, i decided to prep the lasagna first and shower while it's in the oven. i do a quick clean up (so i'm not disgusting while handling food) which involves washing up and removing my sweaty clothes so that i'm now cooking in a tank top and underwear. the lasagna is going well. my tomato sauce is simmering. already added the garlic but realize basil and oregano would be a great addition. a quick step outside to the backyard to snip some leaves from my herb garden and disaster strikes. once again, the knob won't turn. hidden key still on the kitchen table (to be handed off to the dog sitter).
remember my cooking attire? yep. you got it. tank top and underwear. like something straight out of a tv show or movie, i'm locked out in my undies. first thought is "oh man, i can't call Gerry. i already bothered him once today." then i realize a) i don't have a phone this time and b) i'm in my underwear! i can't call my landlord over when i'm half naked. next thought: walk to stacy and brent's, my friends who live a couple of blocks away. yeah right. there's that whole underwear issue again. i scan my screened in porch for anything to save me. a towel! josey's muddy towel i use to wipe her feet, but still a towel! i wrap it around my body and contemplate walking to stacy and brent's in a towel. not that desperate yet. to the windows!
there are two windows i did not attempt to open during the first lock out because i never open them, figured there was no way they would be unlocked. and i was right. they were locked. BUT one was locked improperly and i was able to jam it open (though it kept falling on me). new problem--it's five feet off the ground. i find a chair, struggle to hoist myself in, break a few things, balance half-in/half-out while trying to figure out how to get in without falling on my head, slowly pull over a chair from inside, collapse on it, and roll onto the ground. there's my dog, sitting innocently with a look that says "what the hell mom?"
new plan: spare keys everywhere. including one stashed at stacy and brent's house. and a towel on the back porch at all times.
hmmm...where to begin?
i'm having a great saturday. my first saturday at home in four weeks. in fact i haven't had a lazy saturday in the whole month of april. been traveling you know. nashville to visit roommate. tallahassee/panama city for work. college station for diana and bryce's wedding (plus orchid research!). i'm loving the relaxing morning...
slept in until 8. took josey out. watched josey chase rabbit into the scrub. made breakfast. but more importantly made coffee. sat down drinking my coffee from my "new" old china. called sister amy wishing she were here with me. chatted with said sister on and off for most of the morning. now blogging with josey curled up under the table laying on my foot.
it's nice to be home.
slept in until 8. took josey out. watched josey chase rabbit into the scrub. made breakfast. but more importantly made coffee. sat down drinking my coffee from my "new" old china. called sister amy wishing she were here with me. chatted with said sister on and off for most of the morning. now blogging with josey curled up under the table laying on my foot.
it's nice to be home.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
to everything turn, turn, turn
People come into your life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. When you figure out which one it is, you will know what to do for each person.
When someone is in your life for a REASON . . . It is usually to meet a need you have expressed. They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically,emotionally, or spiritually. They may seem like a godsend, and they are! They are there for the reason you need them to be. Then, without any wrong doing on your part, or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do somethingto bring the relationship to an end. Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away. Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand. What we must realise is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled, their work is done. The prayer you sent up has been answered. And now it is time to move on.
When people come into your life for a SEASON . . . Because your turn has come to share, grow, or learn. They bring you an experience of peace, or make you laugh. They may teach you something you have never done. They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy. Believe it! It is real! But, only for a season.
LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons; things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation. Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person, and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life. It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.
Author Unknown
this was sent to me by Jaime. she knew i could relate to it and i'm sure others can as well.
When someone is in your life for a REASON . . . It is usually to meet a need you have expressed. They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically,emotionally, or spiritually. They may seem like a godsend, and they are! They are there for the reason you need them to be. Then, without any wrong doing on your part, or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do somethingto bring the relationship to an end. Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away. Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand. What we must realise is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled, their work is done. The prayer you sent up has been answered. And now it is time to move on.
When people come into your life for a SEASON . . . Because your turn has come to share, grow, or learn. They bring you an experience of peace, or make you laugh. They may teach you something you have never done. They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy. Believe it! It is real! But, only for a season.
LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons; things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation. Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person, and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life. It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.
Author Unknown
this was sent to me by Jaime. she knew i could relate to it and i'm sure others can as well.
Monday, March 30, 2009
knock knock...
on our second attempt, stacy and i made it over to dorothy's. she's a spunky 80-something lady who works in the plant lab. dorothy has a faaaantastic native garden, complete with several endangered species. most of it is natural too (she's done very little planting).
dorothy's front yard. native yellow sand scrub.
stacy and i rode our bikes over, had the official dorothy tour, and then got to work pulling "weeds." dorothy hasn't been able to keep up with the garden lately and it's a pretty big area so it didn't take long for stacy and i decide to make it a weekly event.
i have to admit...i got a little nostalgic for grandma's yard. remembering pulling many a weed along side her. thinking about the upcoming spring flowers. made me miss home but all in all it was a beautiful nostalgic evening:)
dorothy and stacy.
dorothy's front yard. native yellow sand scrub.i have to admit...i got a little nostalgic for grandma's yard. remembering pulling many a weed along side her. thinking about the upcoming spring flowers. made me miss home but all in all it was a beautiful nostalgic evening:)
dorothy and stacy.
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