Thursday, August 1, 2013

Goodbye July

So long July.  The rushing around, hurry up summer is half over month. It doesn’t feel like July or August in Minnesota.  It is unseasonably cool with daytime highs about 75 F or 23 C and overnight lows around 50 F or 10 C.

The cool temperatures bring more people into the museum.  I have more interruptions and get less done.  I met a gal from another museum last week..she couldn’t believe that I was the only person on staff.  She clearly understands what it takes day to day to run a museum. They have three people on staff and one tour guide.  Peachy.  They also get six times the funding from their county.

I accidently ran into all the County Commissioners exiting the building next door, I stood there and shook their hands like a good politician would, one of the A$$ holey ones was on his phone..I stood my ground and made him shake my hand anyway.  I invited them all to the museum, of course they won’t show up..they are too busy with the many million dollar renovation to their building…and I cannot get freaking carpeting or new door jams.  The door jams are a big tripping hazard…someone will break a hip someday.

I am getting burned out..can you tell?  I have eight weeks and three days left until I close the doors for the winter.  I still don’t have a contract in place…the Board is still working on it..I think they must be in a deadlock about the raise I asked for last APRIL.  They are real movers and shakers.  One of the Board members wants to continue monthly evening programs throughout the winter. I said “Go for it.”

So goodbye July..Hello August.  I am ready for you.

The small grains are turning color. 

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The Common Milkweed and the Goldenrods are in full bloom.

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I am not seeing Monarchs or Monarch larvae at all this year.  There is plenty of Milkweed…I wonder what happened to them all.  I will collect some Common Milkweed pods this Fall because I saw a cute Christmas Ornament that uses the empty pods:)

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22 comments:

Linda Reeder said...

The word wistful caught my eye as I was about to comment. I guess that's sort of how I feel about August. I hate to see the freshness of summer go dry and dusty in August as the days grow shorter and there are more foggy mornings. The trade off is that August is the "dog days" of summer, and laziness is expected.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful shots. You deserve a raise - hope you get it!

Anonymous said...

Their priorities are all in the wrong place, for sure!
Happy that you can see the "end" in sight.
Love your pictures. Can't wait to see the Christmas ornament.

Rae said...

I think this cooler weather may be a harbinger of things to come. I'm wondering if we aren't going to have an early winter. Those stubborn old board farts need to give you that raise, a bonus, and more.

Meggie said...

Have you written a post about the museum? I'm fairly new to your blog and love what I read. It is still very hot here in Texas...over 100 again today.

DJan said...

I am amazed that you have hung in there for as long as you have. I remember when you applied for the position and got it, and how excited you were. You've made a huge difference to the museum and they need to pay you more, that's just all there is to it. :-)

Travels with Emma said...

I have seen very few monarchs also, and was wondering where they might be. The milkweeds are waiting for them.

Dreaming said...

You are such a true champion of the museum. They are so lucky to have you. How hard it must be to do what you do and try to squeeze every penny and make something out of nothing.
Time marches on.... I'm feeling that 'almost end of summer' panic - even more so since we have been gone so long.

Intense Guy said...

My mom texted me last night saying, "The days are getting shorter" -

Seems to be in a rush to get to autumn!

I hope the museum board people's brains start working with the cooler weather!

Karen said...

You have given your heart and soul to that museum. I think you need to give them a deadline as to meeting certain of your requirements, and if they are not met, hand them your notice. Take a year off, make them realize what a gem they have. Reassess taking on the job again the year after.

We have had a wonderful summer, it's hard to see the nights closing in and know that Fall is getting pretty close.

Laura said...

I was just going to say something similar to Karen above me.
I saw my first and one and only Monarch just the other day. I was always sad to see August come because I hated the start of the school year. I'm one of those parents who liked having my kids home for summer (even though they were busy all summer with scout, sport, and band etc. when they got older).

Harriet said...

Here in southeast Michigan, I've seen very few Monarchs. If you get a chance...this winter and haven't done so....read Barbara Kingsolver's "Flight Behavior". Our newspaper had an article several weeks ago, a natural planted area also had no Monarchs. I miss them.

Country Gal said...

Lovely photos ! I read that the Monarchs are in danger of extinction due to the crazy weather we have had the past few years ...I have seen one here as in the past we would have hundreds in the fields . Yes we are also having cooler weather for this time of year but I like it ! I like your header . Yup commercials are already pushing the kids back to school lol ! Hope the board there bucks up for you ! Thanks for sharing ! Have a good day !

Red said...

I sing from your page. Museums are a tremendous asset to a community. they take an awful lot of work and are chronically underfunded. Our city spent ten million dollars over 5 years and you should hear all the crabbing.

Ryker said...

Good thing you have such lovely nature to calm you after all the political BS!

LindaG said...

Sorry to hear you have so many problems with the museum. I guess they don't have the sense GOD gave a seed.

*hugs* ♥

Jacqi Stevens said...

I can't believe you are the only person on staff, either! Your county doesn't know how fortunate they are to have you!

L. D. said...

I haven't seen many butterflies down here. On to be exact, a red admiral. We just don't have them here. I hope some will fly through during the migration.

Rita said...

I wouldn't blame you if you said adios to the museum--even with a raise! I know the museum needs you and you have done wonderful things with it already but on the other hand, life is short, you know? If you are truly more unhappy than happy there...when that scale tips...

No monarchs!? That worries me. Could be the unusual weather all over the place. I am loving the early fall-like weather, but it's not normal. I'm sure we'll get some more hot and steamy before we get cold and snowy. ;)

Terry and Linda said...

I so echo Rita --- stopping might be for the best. And I know you don't stop really.

Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com

Kay said...

This is interesting and a little worrying. Another blogger also mentioned how she's not seeing monarchs either. We used to have clouds of them in Hawaii, but I never see them anymore. Sad.

Nancy/BLissed-Out Grandma said...

I have seen only one or two monarchs in a yard full of flowers they love. I'm just finishing Barbara Kingsolver's "Flight Behavior," and loving it. She paints a pretty vivid picture of what could be happening to them, though her version is partly fictional. Meanwhile she creates some great scenes about miscommunication in families and communities and between city and rural, comfortable and poor, etc.