Expect the unexpected...

 

I woke up feeling awful. Didn’t sleep well last night because of leg pain and cramping. Didn’t feel like doing much of anything except returning to bed, but Gary and I were looking forward to going out to do something together besides shopping, so I dragged my body into gear with the help of coffee and Tylenol.

 

I’m not sure exactly what I expected to find at Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge this morning but it was not dry grass and water almost a mile out of reach. I suppose I’m still a California girl at heart, so it never occurred to me to connect the drought to the refuge. And perhaps I thought subconsciously that it might be maintained more like a public garden or a zoo- that through irrigation or levies or sprinklers or something, a portion of the marshlands would be maintained for the animals. But no…most of it looked as dry as my front lawn and there were no waterfowl to be seen or to be photographed.

 

We were quite disappointed, but did stay to see the wonderful new visitor’s center. And it is truly an asset to the refuge. I only hope that fall and winter will see the return of the rain and the birds.

 

On the way home I at least accomplished something. I have been craving almond butter and have not found it in any local markets. I bought some at the Peanut Shoppe north of Calera. Worth the wait, and the price!

Did our usual grocery shopping at Walmart and saw my dad in the parking lot. We didn’t have time to chat much so he came by the house later. While we were talking I saw a monarch at the window! No, I didn’t get a photo, but I was very encouraged to at least see one. Later I saw two cattle egrets, three dragonflies, a dove, and a mockingbird- more wildlife than at the refuge! I should count my blessings.

And I have to digress back to my return from shopping. I’m a bit OCD about some things. (Okay, my girls can quit laughing.) I like to put all of my groceries away before I do anything else. But today I was so worn out by noon that I only put away the cold stuff, made a quick lunch, and then napped for an hour!

Even now I feel like part of me is still asleep, so I plan to go to bed early. Today was definitely not what I expected, so I’m not planning anything for tomorrow! lol

Comments

[Megan]

I am sorry to hear how your day went. I have to say I was thinking that the wildlife park would have been maintained like a zoo too. How sad on a day when it takes such great effort to do something to find a continued reflection of the miserable drought you all suffer under.

I hope you are resting comfortably now. Pain days are so hard. We will include you in our prayers.