June bugs

When I worked at the Union County Landfill, I was privileged to see so many different types of insects. NOT. I hate bugs. Recent visits to landfill facilities for environmental management system audits have reminded me of that fact.

One year at the landfill I directed, there was a particularly robust "hatch" of June bugs. They were attracted to the nightlight and swarmed there - especially near the drive through for the household hazardous waste facility. I didn't like the noise made when people would drive over them - all those tiny bug screams. No not really - but they did make an icky crunchy noise.

So I would use the large shop broom and the hose to clear them out of the drive. But no! They were like zombie bugs - marching towards me. I'd dream about them. I'm glad I don't work in the wilderness any longer. I hate bugs.

Team Thor - DNR Audit Team with Carroll landfill in the background

It's a busy time of year at work! We are making site visits around the state each week - across the northwest to the southeast corners. Despite arachnids and insects, I quite enjoy visiting the landfill, recycling and household hazardous waste facilities. The employees there are doing such good work - above and beyond mere trash and recycling. They are working on clean water and are reducing energy usage too. This week I'm off to Fort Madison.

Paul and I have been getting out more too now that the weather has warmed up. Monday we rode our bikes to Saints - yay the trail is open under the Interstate! Thursday we attended Teambuilding at the Locust Street Tap - finally opened again after being condemned.

Paul - building the team at the Locust Street Tap

Jud and Kara arrived from St. Louis in Friday. A sorority sister of Kara was getting married the next day. We took Jud to the Farmer's Market for a breakfast burrito - courtesy of Prescott folks. It's practically a suburb of his hometown, Creston. Later that night we went to a movie and the kids attended the wedding near that pumpkin farm by the Interstate west of DSM. Jud ran into a High School classmate. They partied at a bar in West Glen later and ran into most of the ISU men's basketball team.

Paul and I  had a nice bike ride early this morning. I saved a tiny turtle from the wheels of some unsuspecting bicyclist. I spotted him - he'd floated out with mulch during the hard rain in the storm the night before. Paul placed him gently back into the mulch.

 

After a big breakfast, Kara and Jud headed home. We're glad we get to see them again when we head to their place in a few weeks. I heard from Amy today - she's on her way to New York City with bf Corey who will be working there this week. Amy will hang out and work too. They'll squeeze in some tourist stuff too. These kids are hard to keep up with!

Another week flies by

If this is how time flies by when I'm 55...I'm not sure what it will be like at 80!?! Maybe at some point it slows down again.

In a way, I like it that way. It makes me feel alive to be on this pace. Some of my Facebook friends tell me "you are busy all the time!" That's not really true. I just don't post pics of myself doing nothing! "I loved that cool photo of you changing the sheets on your bed!", said nobody ever. (Though I did just learn how to do the sheet corners the proper way from Diana McKim).

I walked down to Jimmy John's in the East Village at lunch one day, and through Governor's Plaza on my way back to the Wallace Building only to discover a whole new Holocaust Memorial. How have I not noticed it before now?

New memorial

 

I need to go back when I have more time to read it, and the light is better.

On Thursday I participated in an Environmental Management System audit at Metro Waste Authority's (MWA) landfill in Mitchellville - east of Des Moines. Our audit team talks to their staff to make sure the staff there is covering all the bases of EMS. MWA does some cool things.

Audit team members and staff looks at a leachate evaporator

Sara points out highlights of the constructed wetland at MWA

Later on Thursday, Paul and I attended the NRCS (his work) teambuilding meeting - a post-work, elbow-bending session at Embassy Suites. The restaurant there is closed, so we sat outside in the comfy chairs. I've been to enough sessions I'm actually getting to know some of the people.

We headed up the street to the Locust Street Tap on our way back to the car. I'm always fascinated by the artwork and decorations at the place. I drank water and took photos and chatted with Paul and Gillespie, a Creston High School grad who works for the Department of Agriculture. Paul's had some fun fishing and hunting with Jim.

Franken Berry!

Paul's work friends

 

I think my sis has been here...

The bar -Barbies on top

School started in the Des Moines area this week, and of course the weather is sizzling hot now. I don't know what the rush is to start school in August - and then get out so early in the spring. I don't know how many years it took for me to quit feeling like I should head back to school myself! And then for years it was "Back to School" time for Amy and Jud. Amy was always so fired up - she loved putting her name on each and every item (and Jud's name on his stuff too!).

I enjoy seeing all the pics on Facebook of the "off to school" kids - whether it be to pre-school, grade school, high school or college. I can understand the tears - by parents and students! I wasn't usually one of the parents who cried though. I was more excited for the kids - for the milestones they were reaching, than for the losses and changes I was undergoing. And my kids are still reaching them today. I miss them - but am proud and happy that they're doing fine without me!