Wild dog

Sulty ran like crazy tonight!!! It was nuts!! I got kind of scared. He ran more than he did last year at this time!!! Last year, he felt very weak. This year he is much stronger. I hope it's not a last gasp for life

It's so hard when you are dealing with an elderly person or a pet. You watch them with microscopic eyes analyzing their every move. Sheeze - I need a life.

Crazy weather!

We're under a tornado watch, thunderstorm warning, and a wind advisory. Hey, it's 72 degrees and I refuse to complain. This is nothing compared to Christmas Day in New Orleans. That was scary!!!

Went to McClay gardens in Tallahassee. Beautiful. Magnolias were pretty much on their way out. Camellias were half way done. Loved the variegated ones. Azaleas were coming into their own and were outstandingly beautiful.

Hohum

Just a quiet and peaceful existence - I know, I know, you would call it boring. For me, living in the woods is heaven - except for bugs and snakes. I just hike around, read, puter games, eat, drink, and often just sit and look at the trees and river. I getting plenty of exercise with my 20 hour a week "job".

I LOVE my induction cooktop - definitely my next stove at home. It cooks fast and with excellent heat control. It is awesome!

One of my fellow volunteers keeps bringing me things like lemon bars and brownies. Of course, I don't turn them down. She also introduced me to sweet garlic dills. A very unusual, wonderful taste.

Another perfect campfire

Well, there are only 2 of us with campfires in the park. I have one almost every night. The rest of the people are inside watching tv. Why don't they just stay home and save themselves some money? When I go camping it is to immerse myself with my environment. I don't need luxury - I have that at home. I live for the smells and sights and new experiences. I am so happy! Just a simple girl after all. Hey - I love to sail too - among other things. Just not cooped up watching tv. - er - until it rains.
Sulty and I went to St Marks National Wildlife Refuge today. It is HUGE and awesome. It has a gazillion birds and critters. We saw an alligator at rest. It's a bit chilly for reptiles to be active - thank you. The lighthouse is a historical lighthouse - charming as all lighthouses. Really nice afternoon.
Stopped at a cool garden place and bought a bay leaf plant. They have a wide variety of citrus trees and the orange trees were loaded with oranges. The lemon trees had the most fragrant blossoms. Really quite a wonderful place.

Blog comments

I wish google would make it easier to comment on their blogs. As far as I can tell, you need a gmail account and then you have to figure out how to post. There is a need for a more user friendly format.

40F degrees today - a bit chilly. Much preferable to the 5 degrees in MI and the -4 in Amana. No complaints here. Plus it's my day off.

Peaceful existence

Beautiful weather. Happy dog. Happy Janey. Campfire + good book on my kindle = contentment.

Warning - gross picture

This is what fire ant bites look like 2 days after the initial bite. It itches insanely 2 inches around it. I am using lots of anti-itch stuff. Nasty!!

The ants died yesterday. You hurt me and you die. It was them or me and I think I won. They are tiny little red ants with expanding mouths, huge pointy knife sharp teeth, and venom that would bring envy from the most poisonous snake. Be thankful for their small size.

Little critters

As I am lying in bed at 5 am trying to return to sleep, I hear this plopping sound. Something whizes by my head. Turn on the light. It's a tiny tree frog. Oh man! He's going nuts hopping all over. I'm not sure what to do. So - I'll just go outside, leave the door open, and get eaten by a zillion little bugs. I don't like this.

Day off?

Another volunteer couple had a power surge - or something-so I helped them with their duties this morning. Washed clothes - mundane crap. Sultys blanket really stunk. Embarrassing taking it into the laundromat. It's fine now.

Another fire ant bite!!!! Picked up a pine cone and he nailed me! Bastard!!! Not as bad as a bee sting, but bad enough. Gave me goose pimples on my back!!! I have some sting pads and they help a lot.

Hey! I think I had a not so perfect day!

Now I'll just relax by the fire and enjoy my gin and tonic.

Some people came to my campfire tonight for a visit They were freaked out by the smoke from the fire. They would keep moving around out of the smoke like it was poison. They really didn't seem to appreciate the campfire. Sheeze!!! It's the best part of camping. Warmth, cooking, entertainment, physical labor keeping things going, etc. What is camping without a fire?

Janey Shazly park host

This is a photo of my new site as camp host. It's nearer the showers. (Thank goodness).

The second, very scary, picture is a stuffed white squirrel in the rangers office. Awesome!

Sulty has become quite close with one of the rangers wives. In fact I've really enjoyed their company. They visit me quite often. Tiffany and Jason. Tiffany is a ranger at st George's sp. another awesome fl park.

The volunteers are also great. JB and his wife keep me supplied with the most delicious lemon bars. Dana is a retired supervisor of mine inspectors - worked for the Feds.

Today I met a author of children's books. She's writing one about the white squirrels.

OMG!!!!!!! 10 foot brown snake on the road near the garbage. ( well, maybe 4 ft - or even 3 feet - I didn't look too close!).
Eeeeeewwwwwwwweeeeeeeeeeee. GROSSSSSS

As I'm sweeping sidewalks around the bathrooms, this guy comes up to me and asks me a question - and says that I'm janey from Muskegon!!' Yup - it's me alright! He sailed with Fred Shorey in the 80's and remembers me from MYC. Sheeze that was a surprise! Very nice couple.

Peaceful night

I'm sitting in the dark listening to various frogs singing. The stars are so clear because I'm far from cities. I'm in my jammies and so relaxed - just so relaxed.

Yup - it's dark. Even though the picture is weird - think totally black.

Cool showers

If you look closely at the canoes, there are shower heads in the canoes. They are located at the group/scout camp areas.

This morning is have seen eight deer in groups of two. Such a life I lead.

The temp is 68, but there is a heavy mist falling. It's a bit dreary, but I don't care.

Wait a minute - at 2:30, the sun is shining and I put up the awning!! I am exhausted from cleaning bathrooms - I know, just the thought of it makes you need a gin and tonic - join me?

Shared a campfire with another volunteer couple. Very interesting. He is a retired NASA engineer. Way interesting to talk to. Wish I understood what he was saying about his various projects.

There is a damn mosquito buzzing me. Thankful it's not a snowflake.

White squirrels

Yup, it's really true. There is a breed of white squirrels in this area. They are not albino. We also have the black and the brownish gray varieties. Lots of birders come here because this is the only area for a bird that is slowly becoming extinct - the red cockaded woodpecker. Surprisingly, there are also black bears. They appear harmless because the locals leave their garbage outside and there is no problem. However, they do seem to get hit by cars every so often. Lots of other animals common to most areas. There are wild boars and armadillos.

Pretty berries

These berries grow on a small tree in the woods. It's about the size of a small fruit tree with th branches cascading to the ground. Such a lovely surprise in the woods. I'm not sure if they are wild or cultivated/feral plants. Sure are pretty.

Total happiness

It is getting late and my fire is dying - but I just don't want to go inside the Moho. Sometimes life can be so simple as a warm fire.

Enjoy a campfire with me

It's only (yes, I said "only") 59 degrees. Quiet, lovely evening.

My day started out so awesome - did my morning site update and checked for that villainous litter. Returned to my site and had leftover lasagna for lunch. Walked Sulty, then went back to the campground to clean bathrooms. I was rudely interrupted by a man who was in some kind of distress. I left but listened to groose, horrible chocking, gasping, barfing, ect sounds. It was horribly scary. I didn't know if I should go in and rescue him or just wait. I waited and when he came out asked him if he was okay - he said no - I asked him if I should call an ambulance and he said no. He couldnt even find his campsite. I told the rangers about his problem and they are keeping in contact with him.

He was like a hermit - dirty, smelly, just really repulsive. They didn't warn me about things like this. I am so worried about him.

More grossu stuff - the hot dogs I bought at Walmart were so full of fat they fell off the stick. Disgusting. The rest of them are in the garbage. Nasty.

First day on the job

29° 59' 54" N 84° 29' 4" W
Driving my little Gem around to do my
work. Fun - driving, not the jobs.

Would you believe we are still eating grouper every day? We paid $22 for half a fish. Sounds like a lot until you get 4 good dinners out of it. Mmmmmm