Women in the Outdoors Event

Last year I was invited to have an adventure by attending the Women In The Outdoors event at Jim Edgar State Park/Panther Creek in Illinois. It was a BLAST!

This year the DeWitt County Longbeards Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation will host their 9th annual event on Saturday, July 23, 2011 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in rural Elkhart, IL. There are a variety of classes offered over a four-session day. Classes includes Birds, Butterflies & Bugs, Duck Decoy Carving, Gun Safety, Dutch Oven Cooking, Nature Walk with Plant ID, Self Defense, Trap Shooting (beginning class in the morning, intermediate and advanced class in the afternoon), Nature Crafts, Beginner's Macrame, Canning & Preserving, Outdoor Survival (one I need to take!), Fly Fishing, Basic Handgun, and Dealing with Nuisance Animals. A fabulous lunch will be served, as well as snacks and drinks. There will be a raffle, door prizes, and a silent auction and the option to purchase gifts. The memories and friendships made will be priceless!

The fee of $45 (for nonmembers...$20 for members) includes admission to the day's events, lunch & refreshments, a one year subscription to Turkey Country magazine (a high quality publication) and use of equipment and supplies.

If you would like more information on this event, or would like to donate items for the day, please contact me ASAP. Registration deadline is July 18, 2011.

Join me...we'll have a blast!

shel

Back After a LONG Absence

Hello, my long-lost blogger friends. I'm sorry to say that I am STILL on dial-up (although we are supposed to be getting broadband to the area very soon) and STILL going six different directions at once.

I am planning on having a weekend of fun. On September 10 and 11 I will be attending a "Women in the Outdoors" event. There are many educational (and enjoyable) classes offered. I think I'll take Intro to Shotguns, Nature Crafting, Outdoor Photography, Self Defense, Tree and Plant ID and Outdoor Survival. (Oops, that's too many...how will I ever be able to narrow down my coices?) It's been a long, long time since I've gone camping. I hope I can remember which way the tent goes! Any suggestions for what I should take to the potluck Friday night?

My gardens are in horrible shape. I had been getting up around 5:30 a.m. to water, deadhead, etc., but I have been naughty lately and have slept in. On Monday I went out in the evening to water my container gardens and found a nest of wasps inside of my watering can. OUCH. The little devils got me on the back. I was able to take two Benedryl right away, but my throat still constricted. Now I'm afraid to go outside. My poor containers are failing. (I can almost hear them...."heeeelp us, we need water!!!!") Somehow my heart just isn't into gardening this year. Maybe it's just exhaustion talking (well, that. and the fear of being stung again....I don't have an epi pen yet!)

My job will end on Sept. 30. It is a position that has given me much food for thought. In the 10 years of living in this town, I had never really opened my eyes to the poverty in the area. Yes, I see the world through rose-colored glasses. Now that my stimulus job is coming to an end, I realize just how much "need" there is in the area. I have always given to charities and fundraisers, but most of them were for clubs or catastrophic events (Hurricane Katrina, for example.) Now I realize that the need is also in the immediate vicinity, and I hope that I will be able to continue to help in any way that I can.

My weight loss journey has been successful. I've lost 8 lbs a month for the past two months. Tomorrow I weigh in again. Good thing my friend Vicki and mom and dad are keeping me supplied with tomatoes, as I've had tuna and tomato for two out of three meals just about every day. MMMMM, good!

It's 10:30, and I absolutely MUST get up early tomorrow morning to give my suffering containers another chance at life. Rest well, my friends.

shel