A Different Mindset

Thanks everybody for supporting this change.  I had hoped to email each of you individually but as usual, ran out of time.  But I so appreciate your thoughts/comments.  

Tomorrow morning, bright and early, I leave for the field.  I actually may have internet connection periodically over the summer so it is possible you'll see me once every couple of weeks.  We'll just have to see!

The time leading up to a field season is push, push, push...no matter how much you prepare in advance, somehow it is still push, push, push up to the last minute.  When you take animals out to the field, when your study sites are relatively large, and when you have a crew of 5 or 6 people, there are a lot of details.  John and I have done this for so long that we can easily split the responsibilities...and almost work on autopilot.  This year though, it is not John and I out there...it's a graduate student and myself.  It's daunting and scary doing this with someone who has no experience or understanding of what she said yes to.  And it is daunting doing this without John...my normal support system in the field.

Though this is technically our graduate student's project, it is my main responsibility to make sure the project is successful.  Our funding sources gave us money only with the promise that I would do whatever it takes to make the project a success.  It's a weight that I carry every day and there are days that I wonder whether I can actually pull it off.   

Despite this, I'm trying to remember just that...it is not my project.  And the student needs to learn how to juggle field crews and deal with the inherent problems facing this type of work.  Because in all likelihood, next year she has to do it without my support (I'll be in Canada doing this with caribou). And because this is her PhD project...and PhD projects are supposed to push your limits to the breaking point right?  So while there is still push, push, push now...and while I'll still have 16 hour days with no time off until sometime in October...I'm trying to not let it consume me.  Biking has been part of that, but here is a little tease of some of the other things I've done to break away from the intensity a bit the past couple of weeks.  Wish me luck I can continue to squeeze in 'me time' in the field...

Taking time to visit baby Julian (and my brother, but Julian is the important one of course!  And my brother made some 'to die for' lime/goat cheese ice cream while I was there...now I think I'll be purchasing an ice cream maker when I get out of the field!).

Searching for great greys with good friends...didn't see any babies, but found 3 adults...great outing!

A forest floor covered with oxalis...such a sight.

Stopping to take notice of the flowers...this one in particular, we don't see very often because flowering shoots can be rare (Fraseria speciosa)

Remembering how I love my camera.  And remembering that sometimes looking at things from a different perspective can produce interesting, beautiful results (Lupinus spp.).

After a horrifically frustrating 'pre-field' day, I was still looking for the beauty around me which is a good sign.  I took this shot not just for the amazing shades of green...but also with the idea it would provide some dyeing inspiration this fall. 

I haven't had time to knit much, but did squeeze in another dishcloth for a friend...the yarn ball the kitten is holding didn't turn out quite like I wanted, but I still think it is pretty cute!

And of course, spending as much quality time with the girls as I can.  I can't even begin to describe how much I'm going to miss them this summer...

Have a great summer everybody...I'll check back in this space and yours as I have the time.  

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Now playing:  Little by Little by Susan Tedeschi

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