Playing The waiting Game...

 "Waiting is the hardest part."  Tom Petty sang that in a song some time ago... And it is so true!   One of the greatest life skills the Army ever gave me was learning how to wait.   "Hurry Up and Wait!" was the unofficial Army Motto.   And it was so true.  Having a sense of Urgency while maintaining a "constant State of Readiness" seems like a contradiction to people outside the military.   But to us... We learned its meaning and value.  

So...   Dave and I have set up residence in yet another host family's house.  That is to say, another family was gracious enough to give us shelter while they were away.    So  here we are...  Thankful yet again for shelter, while also trying to figure out a more permanent solution.   I have to tell you,  being "homeless" is rather stressful!   And it is beginning to creep up on me...  Ever so slightly...

But the best way to combat that feeling is to stay active.   Or at least... Occupied!  And I find that running at a small trail system here in Racine has been a welcome distraction.   Sure, it is only a couple miles..    And I skip out on much of my typical work outs... But it is outside and active.  And the weather has been nice enough to keep it mostly enjoyable.

And then there is the fishing.   I have been hunting down all of these little pockets of water that are used as retention ponds and seeing what I can catch in them.   The exploring is part of the fun.   

Today, I went to a gravel pit nead where we are staying and played around there.   I only caught a few bluegill and small Bass,  But later, a guy came in and was catching trout!  Apparently, they plant them in there  every year and you can catch the ones that are left over.  All of the ones he caught were "barely legal" and almost all the same size.   And they were much deeper than I could reach with the fly rod.  Hatchery fish are also a challenge because they are "not Normal" in their feeding habits.   They eat corn, pink marshmallows, and Rice Crispies! So basically, only the kind of food they are used to eating in the hatchery.   The guy was using wax worms with great success.  

But I headed out to another location where I had some success yesterday.  A small drainage pond near some power lines.   The pond was Filled with chubby green sunfish!   And they were more than eager to take whatever I was offering.  At the very least, the action was fast and furious!  Sure,  Green Sunfish do not fight as well as a bluegill of similar size, but the hunger and willingness to take a fly more than made up for it.  

I was even greeted with a few bonus nature sightings.   A Muskrat made an appearance and did not seem to mind showing off.   

Speaking of nature sightings.   While nature walking with my "Hostage Dog" this afternoon,   I was able to grab and hold onto another chipper!  Ladybird is an eager and willing hunter...
 
 But she SUCKS at the actual location.    She notices the movement and gives chase, but the chipmunk can literally climb onto my hand and she will not notice. A  missed opportunity for her, but a special moment for me. 

It also looks like the Robins are developing nicely.   Pretty soon they are going to be hopping out of the nest and onto he branches above us.    

The Mushrooms are finally making an appearance on the forest floor.   I found Megalaspora,  Black footed Polypores, and an Ink cap.  There were also a number of new oyster mushrooms, but these guys had the brown gills.   and I have read that those are not the best one to consume, as they may make you sick and have a foul texture.  So... Take a picture and leave for the bugs and animals. 

I also found a fairly fresh Dryad Saddle.   I would have thought they would be finished by now, but I guess there are always those late bloomers.   They also begin to pop up later in the Fall. 

Tomorrow is Sunday, and then Monday is the Haribo thing.  I have been able to put it out of my mind for the most part so I don't get nervous or over-think it.   I still have two weeks of grace with Zebra if things do not pan out, so  that is a little reassuring.   Still, I don't want to count chickens before they hatch OR jinx myself with an overly optimistic view of things.  I shall try to focus on one thing as it comes.   And then make decisions as the information comes in and expands. What else are you going to do?   You can only "Be Here Now" and make every second count..