Live from Tormville!

Where the coons are the size of bobcats

My one blog reader ahemed me recently and asked that I please dust off my blog. 

I miss writing, I really do. I just feel like I haven't allowed myself the time to think about writing. Often my writing comes from a lull in the activity, a long walk, a space where there are no interruptions - and those moments have been few and far between.  I need to do a better job of finding those moments again. 

So. 

Back to the beginning of summer. 

Two days after my last day of the 20-21 school year, the year that I thought was going to go down as being the most exhausting work year ever - I went backpacking. I'm so grateful that it worked out this year. The time, the weather, the friends - all of it. The only thing lacking was my physicality - and I paid for that in PT costs up until just recently - but I'd do it again to be able to escape it all and sleep under the stars. 

This was my second adventure to Nordhouse Dunes. The first time was in 2018. 
As we did last time, we got lucky in weather, no crowds and no bugs. 

But we did have a coon. 

I was the first one to bunk down that night. My whole life I've struggled with not being able to warm back up once I get cold, so I'm very careful to hunker down before the cold sinks in. I'd already been asleep for what I'm sure was a couple hours when I could hear Denise, from the next tent over, yell "HEY! Get outta there!!" 

Of our nine tents, mine was the closest to hers and - as luck would have it - my one window was facing her direction, so I was able to provide adequate backup protection by way of my crouched position, flashlight and eagle eyes. I also had my knife handy.  Just.In.Case. 

My light went directly to a pair of eyes that was eyeing up Denise's backpack that was hung high up the tree, downwind from her tent. The size of the animal had me certain that it was a bobcat, but once it turned sideways, we could both see that it was the biggest racoon either of us had ever witnessed. It did scamper off and we both got a bit more sleep before we heard it rustling again. 

This time that coon managed to knock the heavy pack off the tree and pull it a good five feet into the brush and feast on some pistachios before we woke up. It wasn't as willing to scamper off the second time, having scored a food source.  A lot more hollering and commotion had to be done, which had all but two of us coming out of our tents (I figured the seven of them had it well taken care of, and...well....I get cold, and had single-handedly assisted in the first go around) 

It was in the morning that we were able to see the size of the prints, the drag marks and just how far that critter was able to tug that full size back pack into the brush after he'd pushed it off the tree. 

Other than that, the weekend was incident free and laughter filled and I can't wait until next year's adventure, whereever it may lead. 

 

 

Day 100/200

Today was swim #100 of his 200 swim goal. 
We got to the lake before 9am. It's our favorite time.  I've not swam with him yet this year, but I will. Soon.  He's got 100 more swims to get in, so I have lots of opportunities. 

On our way home, we had this random conversation as I was trying to explain to him who someone was. 

Mark: Is that the guy that looks like a lawyer? 
Me: Um. Well - I don't know - what, in your mind, does a lawyer look like? 
Mark: Well. A pointier nose and hair that's combed straight back in a way that you can see where every line of the comb was. 

 

Not a recommended competition

Brian still holds the family record, but I do need to give a little shout out to Kid #2 today.

 

As many of you have followed Wendy's journey, I know you will appreciate how far she's come. I've told her before that in time of immediate need, I truly believe she's capable of managing a gruesome, adrenalin filled, situation. She proved that when her and Kirk came home for Easter, and - despite my multiple warnings (!!!), Kirk sliced off the top of his finger with our mandolin. Our new mandolin. Wendy got him all bandaged up before she got the shakes.

Yesterday it was her turn. She got cut at work.

She's got a summer job that required getting her scuba diving license. She cleans the lilly pads and yuck out private ponds and lakes. Or, as I like to say, she cleans the muck of the rich.

 

Yesterday she slipped on some rocks and one got her good. The water was so swampy, she couldn't see the wound when she pulled her leg out of the water, but all she saw was blood. Lots and lots of blood.

 

She wrapped it tightly in a towel, and we talked while she was waiting for a ride to her car. (They ride out to job sights together in a work vehicle). She was doing fantastic.

 

Back at her car, and on the phone with me again, she verbally contemplated switching out the wrap before going to get it checked, but - too vividly remembering her history, I advised her not to since I had no way of knowing how bad it really was and because she was alone. She drove herself to the clinic, got a tetanus shot, and TEN stitches. While Brian still holds the house record at 16, I'm pretty impressed that she managed all that without blacking out, and then managed to drive herself to McDonalds for a kick of sodium (doctor recommended ages ago when we were working on eliminating her empathy/blood induced blackouts) and back home again. 

Sometimes it'll hit her hours or a day or so later, but so far so good. The doctor we had seen at the Children's Hospital in Detroit did tell us she'd outgrow it someday. 

 

It's been a long road of many appointments, counseling, worries/concerns and even a 504 Plan, so it's a very huge "Man, that feels good" moment. She can wear those ten stitches as a badge of honor.

 

And yes - I have before and after photos - but knowing how easily she was triggered will always be with me, therefore I don't have any intention of sharing wound pictures publically. 

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In other news - I'm really enjoying summer this year and I WILL get those Nordhouse stories posted. Soon. 

To the zoo .... or to the sky

Last evening, Greg started churning up ideas on how to spend Father's Day. 

"How about the zoo?", he said, somewhat predictably. 

"Well", I replied, "I actually have a surprise planned already" 

From there it went into guessing, and after several outlandish suggestions from the boys, I ended up telling him. Greg loves to research, so a little heads up allowed him to look up some videos, history and facts. 

It was a few weeks ago that I had bid on a glider flight in an online charity auction. Unfortunately, I had a meeting during the final hour, and was outbid right in the end. 

I waited a bit to see if anyone would reach out, as they sometimes do, to see if I'd like to match the donation if they could offer another prize. 

Nobody reached out, so I contacted the pilot myself. 

I explained how I was outbid, but that by then - I kind of had my heart set on giving this experience to Greg. Greg worked helicopters when he was in the Navy, has a knack for understanding all the language, mathematics and other stuff that is involved with flight, and loves the sky. 

I received a quick response, and the answer was perfect. 
Let's get Greg in the air, and I'll send my bid in as a donation to the charity. 
PERFECT. 

The original plan was for last Saturday, but the evening prior - Greg asked, "Do we have any plans for tomorrow? Charlie asked if I'd like to go to the Grand Prix" 

Um. 

A quick email to Sam, we rescheduled, and Greg got to enjoy both the Grand Prix and a flight in the sky.

I love that this worked out. 

There are no engines in glider planes, so they get lifted and let loose once all the variables are correct. I had NO clue that the passenger sits in the front seat. Bonus! 

The pilot sits on the nose when the passenger gets out, else it'll give like a teeter totter does when a kid jumps off the low end. 

Now to rest up and get ready for a new week. 

Also - a little out of order, but I will blog last week's backpacking trip soon.  We're rocking summer over here this year. 

Happy Hot Air Balloon Day!

Mark has one of those calendars that daily tell him what day it is. This morning he came downstairs and said, "Mom, did you know today is Hot Air Balloon Day?" 

My favorite day!! 

The pandemic kept us grounded last year, so we are all appreciating this year just that much more. We flew twice this last week, and on Thursday I was lucky enough to go up.  I still work for another week, but my summer mood starts the day the kids get out - and I can say that Summer 2021 is pretty awesome so far. 

This isn't the school that I work at, but I spent a lot of time here this last year photographing events. By my count, I photographed 141 events from August - May, and I loved every moment. It was a great way to get out and be active when the options were limited. Besides, it was my stress relief. 

I loved being able to shout to the drumline to play something, knowing they had no clue who was requesting, and then sending them an immediate picture. I had the thought that I should have recorded them (they sounded fantastic) but then remembered - HAH - the burner doesn't make for good audio background. (wink) 

It's always fun to fly with other balloons.  Sometimes we stick close together, other times we end up being pulled in different directions. The directions can vary depending on the altitude.  Dennis (the balloon on the left in the second picture) took off more East pretty quick, while Joey stayed closer to the path we were on.  Joey's grandma subs in the office and library for us at Three Fires, and got to the launch in time to wave me off.  

I plan to ask her to sub for me next year (For Real! I am!) but today I used my perfect attendance bonus to purchase some new photo equipment that I'm pretty excited to play with.  

Happy Sigh 

The lake you see is the one that Mark puts in a lot of his swims. He did the pool this morning for swim number 69 of his 200 swim goal, but since it was so warm today - he went for another swim in the lake after dinner. 

At this point we were looking for a place to land, and had our eyes set on that subdivision just past the church. 

Roof is looking good. 

Joey is still tracking pretty close to the same path we are. 

The subdivision ended up not working out. We came down low, talked to a few people, skimmed between a few homes and had to pop back up. We had picked up speed at that point, and between that and numerous fenced in yards, the conditions were too risky. 

By law, we have to be out of the sky by sunset. 

By personal choice, we prefer to be out of the sky before the dew starts getting the grass wet. When we pop up and see mostly trees we reflect upon past experiences and think this could get interesting. The wind likes to play and it often pulls us just out of reach of perfect landing spots, or teases us with what look like fields - only to find that they are wetlands or crops. 

Until we find something - we just enjoy the moment. 

Here we yelled, "HEY JIM!"  No response.  Then we tried, "HEY TOM!!"  
Still - no response.  Either it really wasn't them, or they were ignoring us.  They seemed pretty focused. 

Right on target towards a perfect landing spot. The first flight of the year was a pretty rough landing, but this one was probably the smoothest that I've ever been a part of.  The grass was dry, the landing was smooth, the owners were helpful and even brought us ice cream. 

Life is good. 

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In other stuff: I'm going to work towards getting back into a blogging routine now that I'm back in summer mode.  It's my family that gets on me if I lapse too long. 

Also hoping to share some kayaking, backpacking, travels, balloonfest and maybe a brain drain or two as the summer goes on.   

The other thing I almost do

I am a Victim Service Advocate. 

It's not a title that I feel I've completely earned yet. It's not something that I've shared out to very many people. I have told the people that live under the same roof, as that seems somewhat warranted being that the on call lifestyle  will affect the way we do things. I know for a fact my neighbors and even some of my extended family are learning this for the first time if they are reading this post. 

Let me start by sharing a little timeline. 

• Fall 2018 - I went through the Citizen's Academy at the Sheriff's Office. It was during that time that I learned about the Victim Services Unit. While many counties have had their units for 12-20+ years - we, in Livingston County, are just starting ours. During the class in which it was brought up, I instantly got those goosebumps and that all encompassing feeling that this is my next chapter. There was (is) no doubt in my mind. 
  I applied
• August 2019 - I was interviewed by the Undersheriff, the Lieutenant and the Administrative Secretary. 
• September 2019 - I was taken on as a Victim Service Advocate and began attending the required bi-monthly training meetings. 
• January 2020 - I attended the mandatory three day training up in Petoskey, a training required to go out on calls.
• March 11, 2020 - I attended a bi-monthly meeting and got the go ahead to start carrying my on call bag/uniform. I headed straight from that meeting over to what was going to be the last basketball game of the season. 
• March 12, 2020 - morning - I hung my uniform and go bag in my car before going to work 
• March 12, 2020 - evening - all units, statewide, were put on hold

It's been a long year. It's been a frustrating year, hearing calls and and knowing of calls and situations where my training could be helpful, but not being cleared to go. I've continued with my required continuing education hours (12 CE's a year), and went on a lot of walks and took a lot of photographs. Taking pictures has been my way of keeping my mind off what else I could/should be doing. 

This past week I had a five hour meeting at the Sheriff's Office. During that meeting we discussed our roles, organized materials and began preparing for when we will starting going on call outs. (June 4th) 

During that meeting we discussed what my tasks will be beyond going on calls. As one of three leads, one of my roles will be finding ways to recruit and build our unit (the reason for this post), logging CE hours, and making sure our advocates are aware of trainings and requirements. 

A little about the role itself.  

As a Victim Service Advocate, we are with the victims of tragedies during their very worst moments. We are in homes and at crime scenes and suicides when the news is fresh and the feelings are still very very raw. Our job is to be with the victim, helping them in whatever way is needed and walking them through the steps of what is happening. By being there and doing this we are freeing up law enforcement to focus on their jobs. I'm aware that I will be seeing things that I will never be able to unsee, and - as we are taught in our trainings - that it is very possible that I could be comforting a suspect of a crime. It is also very possible that I may unexpectedly find myself at a scene of someone I know. 

I'm going into this with eyes wide open, and we have all the help tools in place to assist in the processing of these situations. I believe in the system, and have told those closest to me to monitor me - to let me know if I begin to lose my humor or if the light goes out of my eyes. Keep me in check and remember me in your prayers.

With all my heart, I feel the rewards are worth it. 

The other reason that I share with you now, is because I need you to know that if - God forbid - I happen to end up in your home as a Victim Service Advocate - whatever is learned and/or shared there is completely and one hundred percent confidential.  What happens there is only between the team (advocates always go out in pairs) and the victim(s). Period. If someone asks me if I was at a particular scene, I will neither confirm or deny, but remind them that my job is confidential. 

In many ways, I feel like my training as both a parapro and an office clerk has better prepared me for this chosen path. As a parapro, we quickly learn not to take things personally, and as school office staff we practice confidentiality daily.  Likewise, the training that I've had as a Victim Service Advocate has given me tools that I use in my job at the school. 

Add to that, my being gifted with the skills and opportunity to take pictures at school is my go to stress relief. Other people may exercise, but me - I take pictures. While those volunteer hours may be fewer than they are this year, and it's quite possible I could be called away from the game right before the final buzzer - I hope to always continue my role as photographer for yearbook and the Communications Department. It's my sanity check. Besides, I'm already getting excited for Friday night football. And band. And basketball. And and and and......

I have the best of all worlds. 

In closing, if you feel like this might be something that you could do or that you are meant to do, let me know and I'll put you in touch with the right people. 

Be Good. Be Safe. 

Happy Friday!

This past month has been a whirlwind with Easter company, school, sports, quarantines, Mark's daily swim goal, archery, meetings, learning M-STEP organization, etc....

I like whirlwinds. 

BUT - I don't like falling behind here. So - a quick bullet point rundown: 

• Wendy and Kirk came home for Easter. 
• No. They are not engaged. 
• They've been very patient, know that I've been busy, and haven't even asked about these Easter afternoon pictures. 
• Kirk introduced me to a new fun gadget that I think I'm going to order this weekend and hope to implement some playtime into my photography stuff.
• Both boys are currently quarantined.
• Quarantines skyrocketed after spring break. 
• The sentencing time changed again yesterday, so both boys will be back to school sooner rather than later. 
• Mark is still keeping up with his daily swimming goal, despite the fact that being quarantined won't allow him use of the pool. 
• Yesterday morning we woke up to snow. Yesterday afternoon he was in the lake. 
• I had my meeting at the Sheriff's office this week, and after a prolonged wait due to the pandemic, I will be officially on call beginning 6/4.
• (more details coming, as one of my roles is recruiting and building the unit) 
• The timeline is perfect. My last day of school is May 28, and my last day of work for the school year is 6/11. 
• I'm still out taking pictures nearly six days a week.  
• Last night had all games canceled due to quarantines, and I was pacing.....not knowing what to do with all my free time. 
• (I did laundry) 
• Wendy got a new job!  She's passed her written scuba diving test, and now just needs to pass the swim portion.  She's going to be cleaning the muck out of the lakes of the well to do.  As many people have told her, uh...that's where Prince lived!  
• I can't wait to hear her stories. 
• Wendy tells great stories.
• Barring any quarantines, Brian will compete in archery nationals a week from tomorrow. 
• We've been driving more, again.  Our Secretary of State is closed, again. 
• I'm scheduling him for the summer. 
• Allan is still at home, and working more.  He was on the waitlist for an apartment, but it fell through when the current renter changed their mind and renewed their lease. 
• Any leads on affordable rentals of any sort - appreciated.  
• Greg is still working from home a couple days a week, and in the office a couple days a week. It's sporadic and not predictable. 

Time for me to put my stuff together and get to work. 

Happy Friday!!

District Champs!

My photo isn't the best quality. 
I was struggling with timing and a lens change, and - as things happen- the moment was over before I had everything in place. 
It happens. 

We'd lost to Hartland twice this season, and Saturday's game had all the elements. The score was tight, the three pointers were sinking, there was at least one technical foul, and at one point I almost couldn't watch anymore as the Hartland team was gaining momentum and we were losing our lead in the 4th quarter.  My stomach was in knots, and I lost a few key photographs for it. 

But this one is my favorite, out of focus and all. 

Why? 

For a few reasons I suppose.  I'll look at it and always remember the energy that that game held. 
I'm grateful that, despite all the politics and all that goes with it, that winter sports were able to finish their season this year. 
And I love their smiles. 

I had to sit on my fingers Saturday night when the paper posted their article, and the lead picture was a picture of just the Howell team on the sidelines and two of the six pictures players with their masks slipping. Not off. Not all the way to their chin. Just slipping.

Within minutes there was a snide mask comment made. 

Not a way to go team comment. Not a congratulations on defeating the team that you lost to twice this season.  Only an impolite comment on the masks. 

I typed out at least three responses, deleted them all and crawled into bed. 

But it's weighing on me. Because I'm at those games.  I have seen those boys put on a fresh mask before they hit the court, only to come off a few minutes later and have to wring the sweat out of them into a garbage can. 

I have seen them, repeatedly, pulling them up during and after a play.  I've seen them pulling them away, not down or off,  from their face as they try and catch their breath

I've been witness to masks so drenched, they lay on their faces like a soaked sweaty sock. They. Are. Doing. Their. Best. They should be commended for their efforts and how well they've adapted.  

Now we are requiring them to get tested several times a week, and some of them are already getting tested twice a week if their job requires it. This is a fact. We have teenagers that are getting tested four times or more a week, so they can play. And work!  Give them some grace.

As for this picture - I love their smiles. They spend more time with each other this time of year than they do with their families. Their team IS their family. The eat pre-game meals together, play together, go out to restaurants together to celebrate their wins, have classes together, get tested together and hang out together during their off time.  

Let them enjoy the game. 

Tonight they take on Walled Lake Northern in the Regional Semifinal. 

Go get 'em Boys!  

 

 

Fifty-One

My husband is fifty-one today. 

Greg doesn't show up on here very much. He doesn't have social media, he's not a game chaser like I am, and he can most often be found out in his garage working with his hands. He still carves, he's built his own forge and likes to experiment now with metal by making knives and plant hangers,  he plays with his lathe now and then and he can still fix pretty much any problem we have with our home or vehicles.  And he cooks! 

While he's never been interested in my plus one ticket to the games, he's always been supportive of my going. In fact, he's been supportive of every single thing I've tossed out over our 33 years together, 29 of those married. 

Me at 23: Hey - I have an opportunity to live in Finland for a year
Him: That sounds like an amazing experience
Me, newly married: I joined a woman's hockey team. 
Him: That sounds like a blast. 
Me: I always planned to stay home, even after the kids went to school - but I there's an opportunity available. 
Him: Go for it.
Me, in the past: I may apply for a new job, but it would mean more days/hours. 
Him: It sounds well suited to you. 
Me: I changed my mind about that job, the cons outweigh the pros. 
Him: I trust your decision. As long as you're happy. 
Me: I've applied for a volunteer position that I feel very strongly about, but it's going to put me in high risk situations, and I'll be on call - so it will be a change of lifestyle. 
Him: That sounds very rewarding. 
Me: I want to go to a game tonight (and the next night, and the next night, and the night after that) 
Him: Have fun!
Me: We could use your robotics knowledge, do you think you could coach Brian's (and then Mark's) robotics teams? 
Him: What days and times? 
Me: They are looking for more coaches for archery, would you be interested? 
Him: How do I begin? 
Me: I want to paint the living room. 
Him: Tell me when and I can help move the furniture. 
Me: I want to replace your La-Z-Boy
Him:  NO

Grin. 

I am  blessed. 

Pandemic Banquets

Pandemic banquets are weird. 

Both boys had events last night.  Brian had an archery award ceremony last night - zoom style. They had to be present to win. Or not. 
As the slide show began, I was wondering if we were in the right zoom, as I didn't recognize any of the archers. I hadn't picked up on that it was a slide show and award ceremony for one particular hosted tournament and not specific to our team.
What I did pick up on is that when you have a lot of teens in a zoom meeting, at 4:30 before many parents are at home, there is a lot of chatter, scribbling on the presentation and attendees posting messages to please stop scribbling on the presentation. 

From his event, it was a quick dinner and then to Mark's Swim and Dive banquet award ceremony.  No food can be served during pandemic award ceremonies. Nobody beyond the athletes and coaches can attend - so it was a quick drop off, then back home to watch the live feed while guessing if it was going to finish early to send a driver back to pick him up. 

Only during pandemic banquets ceremonies does someone get awarded with "Most Likely to Get Quarantined" 

My husband: There is a lot of talking at this banquet. It's loud. 
Me: It's a middle school event with no parents. 
My husband: AAAAaaaaah! 

Best Team Player was the award given to Mark. 

Food in the form of pre-packaged treats were passed out at the door as they exited, an approved way of providing food at a banquet. Short and sweet and clean up was a breeze.