Wookie and I are settling into our new environment (and time zone). It is quite different than where we came from. It is considered the mid-west and sometimes labeled one of the fly-over states. The latter label can be considered offensive or derogatory depending on who uses it. I didn’t realize that until I did a little research. I want to reveal the wonder and necessity of it. I have never had the opportunity to see it from an aerial view, but always imagined it would be beautiful from an airplane. I can tell you that it is an absolute beauty from this perspective. We are here at a time that the crops are deep green in color and picturesque. We should still be here to witness the harvest. I wonder if that will compare to the pictures that I have seen in magazines, books, and on jigsaw puzzles…..There is water everywhere -lakes, rivers, creeks, ponds, etc. (something that is very different from where we came from). The only thing that might outnumber the water sources are the irrigation pivots in the cornfields. I have never seen so many in my life.
We were fortunate to find a wonderful place to park the camper. I was not able to find a typical arrangement for an extended stay. Instead, we are parked on a lake at a fishing and hunting resort. This provides us endless trails and areas to explore. One thing that is the same here is the amount of deer and the close proximity to them and their habitat. They are everywhere and Wookie likes to “point” them out. He is SO happy to have grass again. He is also excited about the bunny rabbits. They are everywhere and he is fascinated, mostly by their bravery. They come right up to the camper near him instead of running away. He sits and stares at them much like he does our cat at home, confused about the relationship and role expectations.
We made a trip back home to Texas! It had been almost 4 months since I had been home. I was only able to spend 24 hours there, but it was so nice to see a few friends, some family, and all of my animals (dogs, sheep, chickens, ducks, cats, and a donkey). Our bloodhound mix was insistent that he leave with me (sad face). He got in my car and would not get out. He has NEVER, not once, ridden in my car. He can’t make it 8 minutes in a vehicle much less 8 hours, but he doesn’t know that. He just knew he didn’t want me to leave.
Three days into the assignment, I found myself with the state surveyors on the door step of the facility. I was hoping for a little more time to perform a full assessment, diagnose challenges, and implement strategies before they showed their sweet faces, but here we are.
I may have a different approach than the staff are accustomed to, but they are very receptive and have expressed gratitude, repeatedly. They have reported that there has been a lack of direction historically and they are very appreciative to have it now. I have already been accused of having a back bone again (that was fast). It doesn’t have to be a negative thing and I don’t consider it so. Reba McEntire said that in life you need a “wishbone, a funny bone, and a back bone”. I think that is legit, it covers all the bases, if you ask me.
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