Busy days

Last Saturday a big box arrived at the refuge with my name on it. I knew what it was, but its size and weight surprised me. It took two of us ladies to manhandle into the back seat of my car. I had ordered a new 4” memory foam topper for my bed. What I’ve been using is just one of those cheap foam things for the last five years, and it was ready for the dumpster.

Today was the day to try to get it out of the car and into the rig. What a job that turned out to be. I finally got the box to the patio, and then took the unwieldy topper out of the box. At one point I got stuck on the stairs trying to get that long heavy thing into the rig while the high winds kept trying to slam the door shut on me. It was folded in thirds and wrapped in plastic, but seemed like it was ten feet long. The directions said I should allow up to 72 hours for it to expand to its optimal size. Fat chance of that! It’s not like I had an extra room to store it in to allow that to happen. It went on the bed, and I did wait eight hours before I battled putting the sheets on. When I finished, I noticed that when I stand next to my bed the top of it comes up to my waist. Good thing I have one of those little steps to get into bed at night. Makes me feel like the Princess and the Pea! I sure hope it makes for a more comfortable sleep.

Earlier this week it was obvious that there was a fire burning over near the Imperial Dam Long Term Visitors Area (LTVA). The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) called in some of the refuge fire guys to help contain the fire. Some people thought it was a prescribed burn, but it was not. By Christmas, it had been contained.

We had our volunteer Christmas dinner on Thursday, and I offered to provide the ham so I could have my once a year treat of raisin gravy. My mother always made raisin gravy for Christmas, and I’ve carried on the tradition. That also means I get a chance to use one of my favorite inheritances. This silver gravy spoon was my grandmother’s.

I have always loved this spoon with the thistle buds on the handle and in the spoon part. I carry silver polish with me so I could shine it right up!

I’m sure no one else even noticed this spoon, but it was special for me to feel the connection to those loved ones that I can no longer share a holiday with. This spoon will probably end up at Goodwill or somewhere when I’m gone, as the raisin gravy tradition has not caught on with any of my kids as far as I know. Guess I’m feeling a little melancholy tonight…

On a cheerier note, I added a new bird to my life list (I really don’t have one, but you know what I mean) last night. An Abert’s towhee came Cha-Cha-ing through my site. Do you remember the Cha Cha dance? Well that’s what towhees remind me of when they’re looking for something to eat. Kind of bouncing back and forth to kick up insects.

I think I’ll leave you tonight with a little Emma vignette. She is always on guard…