The first of three visits I took him a Frosty. We sat and talked as he ate it. Then we walked down the hall to a room where activities are held. There we played with Legos. He dozed off and I slipped out.
The second of three visits he couldn't really walk and was in a wheel chair. We shared a Hersheys chocolate bar together and talked a bit. I told him several times I was going to BYU to teach. Then I wheeled him out to the room with the others, and left to go teach.
My last visit was this evening. He can't talk now, or sit up, or do much of anything. He did open his eyes a few times - they were fixed on something, or someone. Maybe several people. There are a lot of people waiting for him. I played hymns for him on his fathers old violin. It was his fathers fathers violin, and is who knows how old. He really enjoyed the last time I played it. And I think he enjoyed it this time as well. All his children were there this evening along with some cousins and siblings of mine.
I think that may be my last visit with Grandpa. I haven't been in the presence of someone so close to leaving to the other side of the veil before. But you can tell and feel it's close. He's close.
I'll miss him. He was such a gentleman. A real gentleman. Goodnight Grandpa.
Friday, April 09, 2010
A New Blog
I have a new blog - my professional blog. Woooo. It's where I will share my life as a landscape designer, educator, artist, and community contributor.
www.lorienhall.com
Check it out. And welcome.
www.lorienhall.com
Check it out. And welcome.
Thursday, April 08, 2010
Tuesday, April 06, 2010
Are you a good designer?
Today I was asked if I am a good designer. I answered in the affirmative, as I was needing to be affirmative in the situation. But the more I think about that question (which I feel will be looming over me for years now), the more I wonder if I really am. I mean, I could be like that girl who thinks she is a great singer, and everyone around her tells her she is a great singer, like her family and friends, but when she tries to go big time and audition for American Idol Simon tells her she's wasting her life if she thinks she will ever be able to make it in the entertainment industry.
That girl could be me! I don't know!
I once read somewhere that successful people do things that other people don't want to do. So today I asked myself, aside from if I am a good designer or not, if I do things that other people don't want to do. Getting up early to study, focusing relentlessly while studying, staying late to solve a situation, going the extra mile...all those little details that nobody likes to do really, but that are necessary to achieve a certain level of excellence. Do I do those?
Not really...
...and that's disappointing to me.
In the design world, you can't be lazy or neglectful, or you get left behind. And maybe you don't get left behind, but you never rise above and become. Great design does not reward the slothful. The design world is all about becoming, breaking through barriers to reach a certain level of understanding. For me, it's not about prestige or being better than all the other designers - it's about expanding your potential and discovering beyond yourself, which lifts those around you, fellow designers included.
Good design makes people happy.
I taught this afternoon. With my train of thought as it was, I asked myself, am I a good teacher? I don't know. I have never been evaluated. I don't know if I am really helping my students understand the material I am supposed to be teaching. I do know I could do a lot more and teach in a much more effective manner.
I don't know
Am I a good friend?
Am I a good person?
I don't know.
Is it going to snow again tonight?
I don't know. I hope not.
That girl could be me! I don't know!
I once read somewhere that successful people do things that other people don't want to do. So today I asked myself, aside from if I am a good designer or not, if I do things that other people don't want to do. Getting up early to study, focusing relentlessly while studying, staying late to solve a situation, going the extra mile...all those little details that nobody likes to do really, but that are necessary to achieve a certain level of excellence. Do I do those?
Not really...
...and that's disappointing to me.
In the design world, you can't be lazy or neglectful, or you get left behind. And maybe you don't get left behind, but you never rise above and become. Great design does not reward the slothful. The design world is all about becoming, breaking through barriers to reach a certain level of understanding. For me, it's not about prestige or being better than all the other designers - it's about expanding your potential and discovering beyond yourself, which lifts those around you, fellow designers included.
Good design makes people happy.
I taught this afternoon. With my train of thought as it was, I asked myself, am I a good teacher? I don't know. I have never been evaluated. I don't know if I am really helping my students understand the material I am supposed to be teaching. I do know I could do a lot more and teach in a much more effective manner.
I don't know
Am I a good friend?
Am I a good person?
I don't know.
Is it going to snow again tonight?
I don't know. I hope not.
Saturday, April 03, 2010
For April
Okay folks - you are finally getting some light shed on your Visual Media Exercises. These exercises come from Eric Maisel's Creativity for Life. This book has been a real eye-opener for understanding the artist and the creative personality. It's helping me understand myself better and to resolve personal challenges that I have as a creative individual - there are so many times I read a paragraph and think "YES! That is me! That happens to me and that is how I feel! Finally, someone understands me and my emotions... "
The title of this post is "For April" because she might have been the only person to have completed all 4 exercises. That I know of anyway. I hope this is as enlightening and revealing of an experience for you (the plural form) as it was for me, and that you all have kept your exercises seeing how it's been so long since I posted the exercises.
(If you haven't completed the exercises - and want to benefit from the answers - quickly go to the post and finish before reading on, or redo them for a fresh analysis. I think you will be pleased to have done so.)
Okay.
Here we go. Here are your answers. And I am going to get personal here and share my exercises as examples. So here's to holding nothing back...
***************************************************************************************************
#1 Close your eyes and fantasize about a chasm. Design a way of crossing that chasm, imagining that you have every means known (or unknown as yet) at your disposal. Then open your eyes and draw your solution.
Observe your solution silently. Note the size of the chasm (the problem) and the inventiveness, efficiency, and safeness of the solution. If there is a rope bridge across it, is it tied securely? If the chasm is huge, does that represent how you feel about the problem? Did you reach the solution with little thought, or did you give it a great deal of consideration?
Observe nonjudgmentally. See if you can reach new conclusions about crossing this chasm; see if you can come up with new, more varied ways of coping with problems.
I was not extremely creative or inventive while designing a way to get across my chasm...and as you can see, my chasm or problem is not very wide, but it is very deep, and if I fall I will fall a long ways. Not even a rushing river at the bottom - just dust and pebbles. I desire a safe and sturdy solution to resolve my problem (whatever that is), one that has a solid base and sides to keep me from falling off. (Note the metal bands holding the base together, and the very high protection on each side).
I guess I want to feel safe and secure in resolving problems. If I feel safe and secure, then I can cross any chasm of any depth. So now I need to discover what makes me feel safe and secure. Or I need to become more inventive in how I solve my chasms.
(I can imagine if my brother in law KC did this - he would have a picture of himself flying over his chasm...he's like a superhero or something).
*******************************************************************************************************
#2 Fold a large piece of paper into quarters. Silently draw in the first quarter a symbolic representation of "Where do I come from?" After a few moments, draw a symbolic representation on the second quarter, "Where do I want to go?" Next, draw a representation of "What is in my way?" Finally draw one of "How am I going to overcome my obstacles?"
Look inside yourself and be very honest with each of these questions. The results are always best when one is honest with oneself.
Grow aware of what you perceive as the obstacles confronting you and of your solutions to overcoming those obstacles.
This is my story. It is called "Star Catcher"
This star is a special star. It comes from a certain region of the universe where it learned to laugh; laugh and cry. Every time it laughs it twinkles and glitters. And every time it cries, its tears polish itself, making it even shinier and brighter.
Now how did such a star end up in a pond only to be caught on the end of my fishing line? Well, it turns out I wasn't fishing in an earthly lake, but a heavenly sky.
*********************************************************************************************************
#4 Create two animals on one piece of paper. They don't have to look like anything you have ever seen. Take about 10 minutes to do the drawing. Describe the animals you have drawn. Write down three adjectives that describe them. Note the animals' expression. Can you make up something that the animals might want to say to each other? Can you write a free verse or fantasy about what the animals say or do?
The second animal often has qualities that contrast to those of the first. This exercise generally reveals polarities, contrasts, or conflicts within a person; it will show different, sometime opposing facets of personality. The absence of mouth, for example, suggests difficulty in communicating. Observe and learn from the fantasy animals you've created.
Well - now that you all know the depths of my soul - here we get even deeper. I was so surprised to find that I had indeed drawn two completely different characters. And I was so surprised to find that they both represent me very well. Ha.
Me. version #1: goofy, gullible, and brilliant. That is exactly me. I am goofy. I am gullible - and I'll admit - I am brilliant. Lol. And just look at that guy! His style reminds me of myself when I was in elementary school - something that is aching to manifest itself again once I have some money to spend on clothing. He's excited, full of energy and adventure! He wants to go find a watermelon for crying out loud! That's great! I like this version of me. Even if the gullible side can get a little frustrating for me.
That last sentence lends itself perfectly in observing...
Me, version #2: ignorant, frustrated, teachable. This guy looks a bit "Eeyorish" in personality. He probably just had some McDonalds and M&M's. And what is on his head, I don't know! But I can be ignorant - oh yes. It's true. It may tie into the gullible part of me. (Which can lead to an overtone on mistrust on my part, unfortunately). Frustrated. Yes - I can get that way with so many things in my life and with myself. BUT - this guy is teachable. That's redeeming. Sometimes I feel exactly how he looks and is behaving.
This particular exercise was uncanny for me. A real treat even - it helped me realize my two opposing sides that yes - I do indeed have. It helped me see what qualities I enjoy possessing, and helped me recognize some attitudes that I have been carrying that I would like to work on leaving behind.
(Note, they both kind of have big mouths, hmmm...maybe I over-analyze or emphasize communication - or maybe communication is a big deal to me, not necessarily a great thing depending on the situation...)
How did it turn out for you guys? You don't need to get personal or share specifics like I did - but I am curious if you felt this was as successful for you as I felt it was for me. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
The title of this post is "For April" because she might have been the only person to have completed all 4 exercises. That I know of anyway. I hope this is as enlightening and revealing of an experience for you (the plural form) as it was for me, and that you all have kept your exercises seeing how it's been so long since I posted the exercises.
(If you haven't completed the exercises - and want to benefit from the answers - quickly go to the post and finish before reading on, or redo them for a fresh analysis. I think you will be pleased to have done so.)
Okay.
Here we go. Here are your answers. And I am going to get personal here and share my exercises as examples. So here's to holding nothing back...
***************************************************************************************************
#1 Close your eyes and fantasize about a chasm. Design a way of crossing that chasm, imagining that you have every means known (or unknown as yet) at your disposal. Then open your eyes and draw your solution.
Observe your solution silently. Note the size of the chasm (the problem) and the inventiveness, efficiency, and safeness of the solution. If there is a rope bridge across it, is it tied securely? If the chasm is huge, does that represent how you feel about the problem? Did you reach the solution with little thought, or did you give it a great deal of consideration?
Observe nonjudgmentally. See if you can reach new conclusions about crossing this chasm; see if you can come up with new, more varied ways of coping with problems.
I was not extremely creative or inventive while designing a way to get across my chasm...and as you can see, my chasm or problem is not very wide, but it is very deep, and if I fall I will fall a long ways. Not even a rushing river at the bottom - just dust and pebbles. I desire a safe and sturdy solution to resolve my problem (whatever that is), one that has a solid base and sides to keep me from falling off. (Note the metal bands holding the base together, and the very high protection on each side).
I guess I want to feel safe and secure in resolving problems. If I feel safe and secure, then I can cross any chasm of any depth. So now I need to discover what makes me feel safe and secure. Or I need to become more inventive in how I solve my chasms.
(I can imagine if my brother in law KC did this - he would have a picture of himself flying over his chasm...he's like a superhero or something).
*******************************************************************************************************
#2 Fold a large piece of paper into quarters. Silently draw in the first quarter a symbolic representation of "Where do I come from?" After a few moments, draw a symbolic representation on the second quarter, "Where do I want to go?" Next, draw a representation of "What is in my way?" Finally draw one of "How am I going to overcome my obstacles?"
Look inside yourself and be very honest with each of these questions. The results are always best when one is honest with oneself.
Grow aware of what you perceive as the obstacles confronting you and of your solutions to overcoming those obstacles.
As you can see from my lovely graphics I came from a place of light, and I want to go to an even greater place of light. What is in my way?
Well, it is apparent that cookies and cakes and M&M's are. I LOVE M&M's - the peanut and peanut butter variety. They even have a new coconut version out! But candies and cookies make me sick, which makes me unproductive and unpleasant and that does not lead to progression.
Also McDonald's is getting in my way. I LOVE their $.79 burger and fries. It's my little obsession in life. And their $.99 sunday with extra fudge gets me every time. These aren't horrible things - it could be worse, but again - these types of food items give me fuzzy heads and bad moods and then I don't get stuff done. I need to keep these under control.
The pillow represents sleep. Sometimes I have a hard time getting out of bed. It's hard to grow in life if you are not living life. And laying in bed too long is again - not productive and won't lead to success. Those little rocks I drew represent everyday obstacles that I face, that we all face. Sometimes our days are just hard and a lot of little blocks can get tiresome and annoying.
How am I going to overcome my obstacles? As I drew it - I am going to laugh out loud to feel good about life. I am going to pray for help and look in the mirror and think positive thoughts and say nice things about myself. I am going to love, and be a strong woman. Study and exercise will help too. I figured these items will help me resolve my obstacles which is depicted to the left, and help me get where I want to go, which is depicted directly above.
******************************************************************************************************
#3 Take a fantasy trip with closed eyes. Walking along a country road with a fishing pole over your shoulder, you come upon a stream. Cast the line into the water and, after a few moments, reel in what you have caught in your fantasy. With your eyes open draw what you have caught. Now write a story about the object at the end of the line (it doesn't have to be long).
In a sense you will be talking about yourself and how you feel about your life at the moment. How do you see yourself?
This star is a special star. It comes from a certain region of the universe where it learned to laugh; laugh and cry. Every time it laughs it twinkles and glitters. And every time it cries, its tears polish itself, making it even shinier and brighter.
Now how did such a star end up in a pond only to be caught on the end of my fishing line? Well, it turns out I wasn't fishing in an earthly lake, but a heavenly sky.
*********************************************************************************************************
#4 Create two animals on one piece of paper. They don't have to look like anything you have ever seen. Take about 10 minutes to do the drawing. Describe the animals you have drawn. Write down three adjectives that describe them. Note the animals' expression. Can you make up something that the animals might want to say to each other? Can you write a free verse or fantasy about what the animals say or do?
The second animal often has qualities that contrast to those of the first. This exercise generally reveals polarities, contrasts, or conflicts within a person; it will show different, sometime opposing facets of personality. The absence of mouth, for example, suggests difficulty in communicating. Observe and learn from the fantasy animals you've created.
Well - now that you all know the depths of my soul - here we get even deeper. I was so surprised to find that I had indeed drawn two completely different characters. And I was so surprised to find that they both represent me very well. Ha.
Me. version #1: goofy, gullible, and brilliant. That is exactly me. I am goofy. I am gullible - and I'll admit - I am brilliant. Lol. And just look at that guy! His style reminds me of myself when I was in elementary school - something that is aching to manifest itself again once I have some money to spend on clothing. He's excited, full of energy and adventure! He wants to go find a watermelon for crying out loud! That's great! I like this version of me. Even if the gullible side can get a little frustrating for me.
That last sentence lends itself perfectly in observing...
Me, version #2: ignorant, frustrated, teachable. This guy looks a bit "Eeyorish" in personality. He probably just had some McDonalds and M&M's. And what is on his head, I don't know! But I can be ignorant - oh yes. It's true. It may tie into the gullible part of me. (Which can lead to an overtone on mistrust on my part, unfortunately). Frustrated. Yes - I can get that way with so many things in my life and with myself. BUT - this guy is teachable. That's redeeming. Sometimes I feel exactly how he looks and is behaving.
This particular exercise was uncanny for me. A real treat even - it helped me realize my two opposing sides that yes - I do indeed have. It helped me see what qualities I enjoy possessing, and helped me recognize some attitudes that I have been carrying that I would like to work on leaving behind.
(Note, they both kind of have big mouths, hmmm...maybe I over-analyze or emphasize communication - or maybe communication is a big deal to me, not necessarily a great thing depending on the situation...)
How did it turn out for you guys? You don't need to get personal or share specifics like I did - but I am curious if you felt this was as successful for you as I felt it was for me. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Thursday, April 01, 2010
Thursday Musings
Today is Thursday.
Some of my students just don't listen.
Snow is on the ground,
and having to resort to dollar frozen-dinners and .44 frozen-burritos is not tastefully delightful.
Rent is due.
I was the lucky host of Peter Lassig this afternoon. He's very well respected in the garden and design world and is the mastermind behind the gardens at Temple Square. He's been retired for a while now and is working on a book. (!) I have been to his house before, to talk Japan and give him photos. But today he came to MY house. I was so pleased. I gave him a tour of chez moi: front room, "office", kitchen, hallway, bedroom, bathroom, then I showed him some of my design work and art work - which he was happy about - which made me happy.
He's a wonderful individual and I am lucky to be his friend.
Thursday used to be my favorite day of the week. Now it is Wednesday. Change is good.
But that means I'm feeling the post-favorite-day blues but thank goodness tomorrow is Friday.
Time to call a land surveyor.
Some of my students just don't listen.
Snow is on the ground,
and having to resort to dollar frozen-dinners and .44 frozen-burritos is not tastefully delightful.
Rent is due.
I was the lucky host of Peter Lassig this afternoon. He's very well respected in the garden and design world and is the mastermind behind the gardens at Temple Square. He's been retired for a while now and is working on a book. (!) I have been to his house before, to talk Japan and give him photos. But today he came to MY house. I was so pleased. I gave him a tour of chez moi: front room, "office", kitchen, hallway, bedroom, bathroom, then I showed him some of my design work and art work - which he was happy about - which made me happy.
He's a wonderful individual and I am lucky to be his friend.
Thursday used to be my favorite day of the week. Now it is Wednesday. Change is good.
But that means I'm feeling the post-favorite-day blues but thank goodness tomorrow is Friday.
Time to call a land surveyor.
Saturday, March 27, 2010
The Bathroom Sink
The bathroom sink.
Did I mention it has a clog? Yes - it stopped draining well a few weeks ago. And after two applications of liquid plumber, it still backs up regularly.
Me and home appliances and repairs. We have such a great time together.
I mentioned this to Gloria, my now friend who owns this house and who lives below. This morning we spent some time trying to unclog it.
When us two get together to try to do any "around-the-house" stuff we usually get along just fine and figure things out. It's fun and I like to learn about this type of stuff. But sometimes you just need a man around. There is a third tenant to this house. He is male. But...not the man a woman needs when her sinks are clogged and the dishwasher is broken and the pipes are frozen, or the snowblower won't start. He just resides and is. That's about it.
This time we were not successful in our Saturday morning fix-it's! In fact - we made it worse! Lol. Now the sink is full of standing, dirty water and won't drain a bit. Before it took only a couple of minutes to drain. We tried plunging it. Worse. We tried unscrewing the pipes (Kim, did you get my voicemail?). Worse.
Eh, we'll get it figured out one of these near days.
I am very grateful I am friends and live in the same house as Gloria. She makes me feel like I don't live alone. We like to keep tabs on each other. It's always nice when someone wants you to know where they are at. It makes you feel needed and wanted. Yes, I am glad we are friends.
Did I mention it has a clog? Yes - it stopped draining well a few weeks ago. And after two applications of liquid plumber, it still backs up regularly.
Me and home appliances and repairs. We have such a great time together.
I mentioned this to Gloria, my now friend who owns this house and who lives below. This morning we spent some time trying to unclog it.
When us two get together to try to do any "around-the-house" stuff we usually get along just fine and figure things out. It's fun and I like to learn about this type of stuff. But sometimes you just need a man around. There is a third tenant to this house. He is male. But...not the man a woman needs when her sinks are clogged and the dishwasher is broken and the pipes are frozen, or the snowblower won't start. He just resides and is. That's about it.
This time we were not successful in our Saturday morning fix-it's! In fact - we made it worse! Lol. Now the sink is full of standing, dirty water and won't drain a bit. Before it took only a couple of minutes to drain. We tried plunging it. Worse. We tried unscrewing the pipes (Kim, did you get my voicemail?). Worse.
Eh, we'll get it figured out one of these near days.
I am very grateful I am friends and live in the same house as Gloria. She makes me feel like I don't live alone. We like to keep tabs on each other. It's always nice when someone wants you to know where they are at. It makes you feel needed and wanted. Yes, I am glad we are friends.
This past week has been full of grey days. Very overcast. I'm afraid that some of those grey tones have seeped inside. I've lived in my place since last November. Since then I let a really nice AC unit fall out of a second story window, the vacuum fried up on me while I was using it - kaput, it started smoking and everything, and this week I might have broken the dishwasher due to my stupidity. What's next? I have laughed at all these mishaps - but today I have become tired of laughing at myself. It's getting expensive. I was suppose to hear back on a bid today - a job I desparately need. I didn't hear a word. Maybe Monday. Until then I'm crawling into bed and staying hidden under the covers until the sun decides to come out. Besides, then I can't break anything.
Friday, March 26, 2010
Transcript
I stumbled upon my college transcript the other day while I was working on my student's grades.
I graduated with a Bachelors of Science: Horticulture with an emphasis of Landscape and Urban Horticulture. As I was going through my grades for the major, I had to laugh.
Living with Plants: B-
Residential Landscape Design: B+
Interior Landscapes: B
Landscape Bidding and Estimating: B+
Principles of Accounting: F (and that's not for "Fantastic")
Spreadsheet skills: F
Soil Science: C
Soil Science Lab: B+
Autocad/Drafting: W
Arboriculture: B-
Field Botany: C+
Floral Design: C-
Plant Material : B+
(Did you get any A's????!!!)
Yes - a few:
Plant Community Design: A
Landscape Design Graphics: A
Landscape Structures: A
(All of the above courses were taught by the same professor, take note)
Oh - I also got an A in:
Fly Tying
Violin Lessons
Basic Equestrian
Tennis
Canoeing
Bluegrass Ensemble
It's funny - my professors remember me as an "A" student - never mind taking off school for two+ weeks to go to Brazil during competition. I don't think I'll remind them that I likely pulled a B or a C in their class (I did that the other day - eeehhhh....)
Well - four years later and I am running my own business in my field, and back at BYU...teaching. So yeah, grades are overrated. Just love what you do. Unless you are going to grad school and want to get into a great program....then yeah - you probably wouldn't want any "F's" or "C's" your transcript. (Although I was more or less verbally accepted to a program for an MLA if I wanted to get a graduate degree, meh).
I graduated with a Bachelors of Science: Horticulture with an emphasis of Landscape and Urban Horticulture. As I was going through my grades for the major, I had to laugh.
Living with Plants: B-
Residential Landscape Design: B+
Interior Landscapes: B
Landscape Bidding and Estimating: B+
Principles of Accounting: F (and that's not for "Fantastic")
Spreadsheet skills: F
Soil Science: C
Soil Science Lab: B+
Autocad/Drafting: W
Arboriculture: B-
Field Botany: C+
Floral Design: C-
Plant Material : B+
(Did you get any A's????!!!)
Yes - a few:
Plant Community Design: A
Landscape Design Graphics: A
Landscape Structures: A
(All of the above courses were taught by the same professor, take note)
Oh - I also got an A in:
Fly Tying
Violin Lessons
Basic Equestrian
Tennis
Canoeing
Bluegrass Ensemble
It's funny - my professors remember me as an "A" student - never mind taking off school for two+ weeks to go to Brazil during competition. I don't think I'll remind them that I likely pulled a B or a C in their class (I did that the other day - eeehhhh....)
Well - four years later and I am running my own business in my field, and back at BYU...teaching. So yeah, grades are overrated. Just love what you do. Unless you are going to grad school and want to get into a great program....then yeah - you probably wouldn't want any "F's" or "C's" your transcript. (Although I was more or less verbally accepted to a program for an MLA if I wanted to get a graduate degree, meh).
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Big Horn Sheep Tracking
Last Saturday I drove out to Tooele to track Big Horn Sheep. My good friends dad tracks them as a part-time job and he was gracious enough to let me come along for the adventure.
We headed out - probably later than a Big Horn Sheep Tracker would prefer.....(10 a.m.)...me, Brooke (7 months pregnant) Mr. White...the owner of the tracking device, and their dog (oh my I forgot his name, but he eats icecream cones in record time).
While we were driving out to the Stansbury (?) Mountains I was able to ask any question I wanted to in relation to the Big Horn Sheep. It was very educational and I was delighted to learn more about these amble creatures.
Once we got near the mountains we pulled out the tracking sheet and the tracking device.
I got to be the record keeper for the excursion and write down where we found the signal for each BHS, and the strength of the signal. All the sheep have collars on them with a tracking device, each programmed to a different station. We scanned through the stations until we heard a beep that would come every second. If it was double that, the sheep may be dead.
We never heard a double beep.
This is where we found a bunch hanging out. It took me a second to adjust to being able to find them through the binoculars...
Brookie and her pops.
These BHS were transported via the air from Antelope Island - they spread them out to avoid inbreeding, diseases and the like. There are basically two different phenotypes, and the "type" a sheep ends up being is dependent really on the environment in which they live. I think the first type is considered "Maintain" (Oh my - if you are Brooke's father and you are reading this I am embarrassed that I forgot). Basically this sheep lives in a place of little food. Therefore, he adjusts his habits and "lifestyle", if you will, to these conditions. He is more conservative. He lives within his means. As a result he may live to be a ripe 16 years old! The other phenotype is "Varied" (I could be making the name for this "type" up too). This sheep lives in a land of abundance, more or less, and is pretty carefree (except predators of course). They are more rambunctious, liberal, and roudy. These guys have a shorter life span - maybe 12-13 years.
All Big Horn Sheep have yellowish eyes.
We went to the East, North and West sides of the Stansbury Mountains - and found all but a few of the sheep that were on the list.
Compost in action! Always a fun sight to see.
When we got back to Brooke's, there was a delicious lunch waiting for us - then we talked about bees. Brooke and her dad are bee charmers! I got to see their hives and learn more about bee keeping. Something that I would love to take up as a hobby.
We headed out - probably later than a Big Horn Sheep Tracker would prefer.....(10 a.m.)...me, Brooke (7 months pregnant) Mr. White...the owner of the tracking device, and their dog (oh my I forgot his name, but he eats icecream cones in record time).
While we were driving out to the Stansbury (?) Mountains I was able to ask any question I wanted to in relation to the Big Horn Sheep. It was very educational and I was delighted to learn more about these amble creatures.
Once we got near the mountains we pulled out the tracking sheet and the tracking device.
I got to be the record keeper for the excursion and write down where we found the signal for each BHS, and the strength of the signal. All the sheep have collars on them with a tracking device, each programmed to a different station. We scanned through the stations until we heard a beep that would come every second. If it was double that, the sheep may be dead.
We never heard a double beep.
This is where we found a bunch hanging out. It took me a second to adjust to being able to find them through the binoculars...
These BHS were transported via the air from Antelope Island - they spread them out to avoid inbreeding, diseases and the like. There are basically two different phenotypes, and the "type" a sheep ends up being is dependent really on the environment in which they live. I think the first type is considered "Maintain" (Oh my - if you are Brooke's father and you are reading this I am embarrassed that I forgot). Basically this sheep lives in a place of little food. Therefore, he adjusts his habits and "lifestyle", if you will, to these conditions. He is more conservative. He lives within his means. As a result he may live to be a ripe 16 years old! The other phenotype is "Varied" (I could be making the name for this "type" up too). This sheep lives in a land of abundance, more or less, and is pretty carefree (except predators of course). They are more rambunctious, liberal, and roudy. These guys have a shorter life span - maybe 12-13 years.
All Big Horn Sheep have yellowish eyes.
We went to the East, North and West sides of the Stansbury Mountains - and found all but a few of the sheep that were on the list.
Compost in action! Always a fun sight to see.
When we got back to Brooke's, there was a delicious lunch waiting for us - then we talked about bees. Brooke and her dad are bee charmers! I got to see their hives and learn more about bee keeping. Something that I would love to take up as a hobby.
Maybe
I haven't wanted to post in a while....I guess since February 09th. I am always writing in my head - I post a lot there...but whenever the thought of sitting down to tap tap tap (tapioca everybody!) it out on the keyboard, I become like dredge.
DReDGe........blaaahhhhhh.
I am really tired of dark colors. I walk into my closet and find a lot of cold blues, cold browns, cold greens, cold purples, cold blacks.....those are my staples and I want to throw them all out!
But then I would be like the emperor. Although, I am sure being an emperor he could afford some new garb.
My blog template was a reflection of my wardrobe. Dark. Cold. Deep. Sometimes a bit too reflective. You know what I mean? It's like - okay already! You've thought long enough! It didn't make me happy anymore when I logged in to write something.
So I switched. (But there's green and brown and blue in your template still!)
Ya ya. But there are monsters! And there's a heart, and birds, and stars. And it doesn't feel gloomy. That's the main point. We'll see how long this template lasts - I might look for something a but sunnier. But for now - I love it. And I hope you love it too. And that the little red devil reminds you that sometimes when we are not our best selves, it's really just a costume and not the true us. Because really, we are an awesome blue monster underneath that red devil suit.
DReDGe........blaaahhhhhh.
I am really tired of dark colors. I walk into my closet and find a lot of cold blues, cold browns, cold greens, cold purples, cold blacks.....those are my staples and I want to throw them all out!
But then I would be like the emperor. Although, I am sure being an emperor he could afford some new garb.
My blog template was a reflection of my wardrobe. Dark. Cold. Deep. Sometimes a bit too reflective. You know what I mean? It's like - okay already! You've thought long enough! It didn't make me happy anymore when I logged in to write something.
So I switched. (But there's green and brown and blue in your template still!)
Ya ya. But there are monsters! And there's a heart, and birds, and stars. And it doesn't feel gloomy. That's the main point. We'll see how long this template lasts - I might look for something a but sunnier. But for now - I love it. And I hope you love it too. And that the little red devil reminds you that sometimes when we are not our best selves, it's really just a costume and not the true us. Because really, we are an awesome blue monster underneath that red devil suit.
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