Fish, Dogs, Mushrooms, Bears, and Zebras. Oh My!

I spent the morning fishing the same little pond in front of the Home2.  It was a beautiful day with wonderful breeze.   I simply passed the time catching and releasing the fish while enjoying the zen of Fly Fishing.  It is a  wonderful way to keep you occupied  so you  don't focus on negative things that are beyond your control.  

While I was out there, the Home2 Maintenance guy came out to talk to me.   Turns out, he fishes this pond as well!  And caught a HUGE bass out of it.  (19 inches!  He showed me the picture on his Phone!)  I could see several bass chasing some of the bluegills I was hooking, but they did not want anything I was offering.  Even my largest Woolly Bugger Could not tempt them.  

But it did not matter.   I was having a ball with the chunky bluegills.  I found that the bumblebee fly worked best and every one I caught was more beautiful than the last.   I eventually had to stop taking pics, because there were simply too many pretty ones.  

My depression and my lack of running clothes, and shoes have all conspired to keep me from my routine running regiment.   I have to find my running shorts. ( I know I salvaged them from the basement, I simply do not remember where they currently are!)
  Hopefully they are in my car and not stowed away in the holding garage with the tools.  But all that information is a lead up to say that I got some new running shoes today. 

My old shoes were not so good.   I ran the Half Marathon and had the worst case of Plantar fasciitis!   After the fire, I found ONE shoe.. and still could not find the other.   ( floated away somewhere, I guess.  I doubt it burned up...) It did not matter, because I was hesitant to put those shoes on anyway.   So I think  a fire, compounded with a missing shoe.. AND the fact that the shoes SUCKED are plenty of good reasons to buy new ones.  

And so I did.   The guy at Rogan Shoes was most helpful.   Turns out,  he is a runner!  And has run 11 Marathons and countless Half-ers.    He was even going to run the Racine  5 K lighthouse run this Saturday.. After his double bypass surgery.  ( Runners are CRAZY!) 

I settled on the Hoka Clifton 10.  He said that they allow the toe box to move in unison and the heel is Padded to take the punishment of a long distance.    I tried them, and several other shoes for comparison and chose  the Hoka one every time.   Now I simply have to put them to the test.  My plan is to run at least three miles tomorrow.

Having not run at all since the half marathon,  I think I'm starting from  zero.... and that is probably the best way to adjust to the new shoe.   I hope they work out for me and keep the foot pain away... at least during training. 

I continue to steal the dog and take her for walks and mushroom hunts.  And she continues to be the lucky charm I brag about.    Yesterday, we found an entire Log of Crowned Tipped Coral mushrooms!  

Looks what we found!

 I was euphoric!   I occasionally find a few here and there and toss them into the basket.   But it is a rare moment when I am able to find an entire LOG filled with them!   They are so fragile and tender.   I always describe them as having the texture of angel hair pasta with a crisp snap.( If you don' overcook them.)  We had them over steak once and they were to die for!  I gave them to Dave because he has access to a kitchen, ( I do not... unless a microwave counts.)   I hope he was able to cook them up and serve them up to the host family.   And that they enjoyed them!  (because wild mushrooms are so much more sweeter than the ones that are found in the store....) 

Resting after a long day!

The temps have been hot the last couple of days!  And Ladybird and I have been enduring the heat for a little exercise. ( She does not need it as much as I do... Currently)  But after trail blazing through the forest and finding all sorts of animals and insects.  We both are thoroughly exhausted after each hike.  I should also note that "insects" are more than just tiger beetles and butterflies.  Both of us have been bit by ticks!

Tall grass is where they hide!

Since finding two on me.. and a number of red marks on Bird....  I invested in some DEET this afternoon . (Along with Sunscreen... Turns out, I'm getting a lot of sun fishing and hiking during the day...)  We also are avoiding the tall Grass on our exploration expeditions.  Not only are there annoying ticks, but there is also Stinging Nettle and Prickly Spear. Not the most fun walking through that stuff with shorts on. 

And finally,    Haribo and Zebra.   Earlier this week, I completed all my tasks for Zebra and have been sitting on pins and needles. ( And Prickly spear and nettle....) waiting for them to reply.   Several people have asked me at least once a day if I have heard back from them.  ( Including Zebra Employees!) And what is taking so long....

But tonight,  I just got an Email from Haribo.   They are anticipating an opening on second shift and have asked me to come in on Monday for an assessment.  And since I have no current obligation  to ....Well...  Anyone at the moment....   I told them I would do it.   

The pay is better and I heard that the benefits ( if you count those) are just as generous as Zebra.  Like I mentioned before,  I was holding out for this job originally,  so it makes sense that I would still be interested.   And ultimately,  I have to look out for my own best interest at some point.  

Special thanks to one of my students teaching me AI. 

Still!  There is no guarantee I will be accepted!   I could mess up the evaluation ( I certainly hope not, but it is possible...)  And if things do not work out,  and Zebra eventually lets me know when to come in, I can still take it.   But currently,  I may end up having to choose.    And I do love the people at Zebra.   (And the culture...)  So it will not be as easy as some folks might think.  

So the next few days, I will have to be doing some hard thinking and praying.   I do not think it is a coincidence that this opportunity came when it did.   And, as always, I probably do not know the reason or the purpose of it.   Perhaps God wanted to see just how serious I was about finding a new job... Or He wants me to have to make a Hard Decision...  Of going back to the comfortable and known quantity...  OR the new and unfamiliar...  With all of the challenges that come along with uncharted territory.  But whatever I choose,  I know God will bless me and show me His way.  And this might be His way of showing me how to make every second count.