Oh-Em-Gee. Where is this month going? I know that Feb is a short month but it's already the 12th? How did that happen?
I had one of the best Winter Weekends ever. I loved being outside and in the woods. And always learning new things. OTOH, I think Scott is going to blacklist me from all future hikes he leads. I ask too many questions.
I have done this hike with him a few times already, but I find new things to check out and explore each time. And ask a ton of questions. Oops. I know you know this-- but I am saying this tongue-in-cheek. *wink*
When we made it to overlook point, we took a break and I went around to check out some of the trees along the edge. I noticed a tree that had what looked like tiny round pinecones but it was definitely not an evergreen. On some other branches, it looked like there were small, long pinecones. I bugged the other Ranger about them and he wasn't sure and called Scott over. And Viola! I have a new term in my vocabulary. Catkins. Male and female flowers-- catkins-- on the same tree help to pollinate it. This tree was an aspen. Chalk up another hint in tree ID.
Seriously, my friends, I love this. All of it. The outdoors, the learning, the teaching, the time with Scott, meeting new people. Most importantly, a sense of purpose. Scrubbing other people's toilets doesn't give me a sense of purpose, in case you were wondering Bwuhahah!
Plus, it's sheer joy seeing your kid doing something he loves. I could hear other hikers say how nice it is to have a group leader who really gets into it. ♥
My self-esteem is also getting a huge boost from this. My main boss, Anne, called Scott on Saturday to tell him how much they love what I am doing at Weis. I can't remember exactly how he put it but he said it was awesome hearing someone speak of his mom in such glowing terms. (Back at ya, dude. )
Here's the group shot from yesterday.
No big plans for me today, lots of little things to catch up on. We are supposed to get a bunch of snow tomorrow- close to a foot. Grrrrrr. Coloring Crew is this afternoon and I am going to figure out how to make knots. Not handcuffs. Simple knots
HAGD!!!♥