Here we go.  Blessings of good fortune, animal well-being, enlightenment, and peace for us all.

                                                                   Good Blues.

On a hot, sunshiny day today in Clarke County, there was a lovely event to give to, learn about, and celebrate our wild animal brethren.  Over a hundred people, I think,  came out to join us...and gave two truckloads of supplies and a generous infusion of cash.  And I can now say US with full devotion - heart, mind, focus, and employ.  To be part of the advocation for the amazing creatures that share this world with us and depend on our respect, love, and care is a charge I am honored with beyond measure and words.

                                        Belinda releasing a juvenile red-tailed hawk, found caught in
                                         a steel trap and who lost a toe (and talon) as a result.  But, after care,
                                          this beautiful bird flew into the woods with another chance - 
                                                     and full vim and vigor.  She was ready to go!

                 
                                                                 Home Office?!.


DESKS.

Windexed the one tonight that I moved into position 7 years ago to stake my space and central operating system at the home of CCHA.  We were both confused and hungry then and shone with careful love when we parted today.  Manuals on display, files organized, drawers pristine.  And a beautiful blooming African Violet reminding to be cared for on the unstable bookcase i put together in 2005 to hold my close things - printer, certain books and paper, checks to be written.

My new desk is in mind, hope, and mission.  Not sure yet of its legs and system.  

Miss Millie is a good reminder of how to be, this week anyway.

                                                   The Burwell-Morgan Mill, fall 2010.
                               

Coming and Going.

I wasn't looking forward to my 27th day in a row on the job and my fourth consecutive Saturday at the Burwell-Morgan Mill.  The second day the artists come pick up their unsold work, always a bit of a melancholy time and one that doesn't need a lot of "administration," seemed excessive.  But there I was, for lack of other volunteers who know it's not a lot of fun, having artists sign a sheet to claim their unwanted.

But there I found a cheerful, angelic helper named Kathy upstairs and the excitement of the millers downstairs, lining up the two big millstones and pouring freshly cracked corn between their crushing  power, and the sound of that big oak wheel moving a whoosh! of water, and I soon recognized that I was where I should be.

The six hours went quickly and more art show volunteers appeared throughout the day, helping to get the place in shape for the rest of its season better than ever before... not a stray task undone.  The "boys" ground 300 pounds of grain, resulting in 135 two-pound bags of freshly ground cornmeal, grits, and 9-grain!

Winding down the day, I went up the attic stairs for the umpteenth schlepping when i discovered a pigeon standing on the attic floor.  Didn't want to fly but walked fast enough to get away from the bucket i tried to shooo him into.  Then I scared him into walking between two very narrow, tall, long walls.  "Oh god, I've done it now.  He'll never come out, he's a goner.  I've failed miserably already in my wildlife rescue skills" ran through my exhausted head.

I implored him to go out the other end of my imagined death maze, and he did.  I shooed him to a stair - he was so weak and slow - and after again failing to get him in the bucket, reached down and easily picked him up with bare hands.  I thanked him and the good lord and, plumped up like a proud hen, waltzed down the attic stairs.  ("A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush"  has only come to mind in hindsight.)  "What have you got?" someone asked and i announced I was On The Job.  Down the stairs to the first floor, the millers were at rest and witness to my catch as well.

I took the bird outside to the far side of the head race and set him on the stone wall near the waterfall.  He immediately started picking at the little weeds growing out of the mortar - he was hungry!  Dear crazy old Ed thought to get some just-ground 9-grain to feed him and we did.  I watched for 10 minutes as he poked around, snacked, looked for his friends (roosting on the other end of the Mill), and didn't go far.  For the next half hour, I checked on him out the window to see him toddling around, still getting bearing.

I walked down the stairs and said good-bye to the Mill for my final time in its employ.  The millers gave me a sweet send-off and a free bag of grits.  And the pigeon had flown away.

         
                                                 Common Rock - and Mill - Pigeon (not my photo)

                                            A barred owl I named Eva, for my grandmother,
                                            released by BRWC at my house in summer 2010.  
                                            I like to think it's her I now hear hoooing in the woods.


Today marked a public saying goodbye to my work life of seven years and further nudging into my new one.  An e-paper article about it hit the web this morning and tonight about 20 people gathered at my boss's lovely home to celebrate the occasion.  Many friends saw the article and sent e-mails or 'Facebook love.'

My future boss was at the gathering tonight and I find her to be one of the most interesting, calmly passionate, humble, and delightful people to be around, just like her father.  She is a model of what I respect and admire, as were all the people I was surrounded by tonight.  I am so blessed.

"EVERYONE loves wildlife!" one dinner guest (of the so-called choir) exclaimed, suggesting it should be easy to get this message - and money - across the table.  Wellll, not everyone.  Some people hit animals on the road intentionally.  Some shoot them because they are "a nuisance."  Some do not see suffering.  Some are careless.  Most of us need a lot of education and always a bit more compassion.

In midst of the flurry of excitement, encouragement, and confidence, I am humbled with the reality of the challenge, frustration, heartbreak, unending patience, and dedication that lie ahead.  I have been preparing for this, and now it's here.  But it will only be in the doing, the day to day disappointments and triumphs, the long hours, the pushing of intellectual and emotional boundaries that will reap these seeds of possibility.

In love, gratitude, and respect-

                                           Red-shouldered hawk in the flight cage preparing for release, 
                                                     looking ready to launch!  (And lunch!:)

                                                                          Diamonds!

15 May 2012
Swimming On the Sun.

Readying to embark on a new path following Mother Nature.  Been leaning this way all my life and am now falling head on, heart full, and spirit alive.  To be able to find (paying) work learning about and advocating for something I feel so close to and respectful of is a dream come true.  I just hope I do the best job I can ever possibly do....the only way i'll be disappointed is if I don't.

So, let's do this thing!