A Faster Pace

I can't figure out how it's happening, but it seems to me that time is passing by faster and faster all the time. Here it is, nearly the end of April and it seems like 2009 just arrived a few weeks ago. In fact, spring is in full effect and there are flowers all around, along with leafs on the trees, and it seems like I have hardly slowed down to notice the simple things lately.

The past few weeks have been a blur it seems. I suppose if I had to sit down and retrace my footsteps I could do it rather easily, but it might take a few moments of thought......

As far as work goes, we started out April with a prescribed burn in Gosper County. For anyone that hasn't been around a prescribed burn, if you get the chance to help with one you should take the opportunity. Not only are they a lot of fun, but they can do a lot of good things for the land and habitat. Most of us grew up with Smokey the Bear and the thought that every fire should be prevented. In recent years the logic has turned to 'if it isn't going to hurt anybody then let it burn.' Depending on who you are, both sides might be a little too far stretched, but I tend to think that Mother Nature uses fire to 'flush' the old stuff and let new growth sprout. It's good to have a renewal now and again.

The middle of April I was out running around the district checking static water levels. A pretty simple task, but we have over 200 wells we measure, and there are only two of who measure water levels - so it can become a long drawn-out process. Especially when you figure we were driving upwards of 175-200 miles everyday (not includind my drive to and from work). We have a program at work which has been in place for 30 years - checking water levels twice a year to monitor the groundwater levels - the wells are spread throughout the district. The way to measure them is to take a lead weight tied to the end of a steel tape measure (designed for groundwater measurements) that is 300' long and apply chalk to the first 4-6 feet and drop the end of the tape down into the well. Once you think you have hit the water level, you check the tape measure and remember the depth, reel the tape back up the well and if you did it right, there will be a clear wetted area (cut line) on the chalk at the end of the tape. Some simple math and you have the depth to water. Seems simple, but there is a lot that can go wrong, and there is a lot that does - but it's all part of the experience. However, the fact that I can be out of the office (especially since I have been cooped up inside all winter) is a great way to get out and start enjoying the spring.

Emryk has taken to his feet and started walking around - A LOT. He isn't walked unaided however - we have to hold his hands but he goes along like a little rocket ship. Running from one place to another. He loves his walker on the kitchen tile, well I guess its linoleum so it's even easier for him to run around on. He really likes to run across the kitchen and crash into whatever he finds on the other side - it doesn't matter if it is the cabinet or the back of your leg, he hits it at full speed and laughs the whole time.

The warmer weather has been great to take him out in the stroller for a run - it gets him out of the house which keeps him happy and it lets us get some exercise and that keeps us happy. The past few days have been a little cold and that has kept us indoors, our cabin fever didn't take long to return and we are ALL ready to get out of this tiny little apartment and get outside to stretch out! Perhaps some geocaching could cure us...

Until again

-=Nolan=-