Wednesday, August 30, 2017

Getting to Work for Labor Day Weekend!

Done with work tomorrow at noon.  Heading south.  Improvements thus far to the Franch home include; a giant mirror (48 x 80"), a bed frame for the free king size bed mattress and springs, a dining room set with 3/4" round glass table. 

Saturday will be the apex of activities.  Jim and Jess  and kids are coming Saturday.  Coralia and her kids too.  Maybe Todd and Janet!  We'll have a pile of people.  For those of you not connected, if you want the user name and password to our camera viewing the scene out the front door, just let me know!  It is really cool to see the horses and mules walk by - live time!!  There should be plenty of activity come this weekend...

I may disc.  I may drive the tractor with the accumulator.  I may cook.  I will drink!  And I will celebrate this new and wonderful place!! 

Sunday, August 27, 2017

First Crop!

As I write, Mike is running his swather back and forth, round and round, the field of first year alfalfa.  He sent me this shot from the cab.

 
 
This is a big day on the franch!  Yesterday, friend Tom made a visit and helped fix all the machinery.  Thank you Tom!!  With the acquisition of this farm equipment, farming is going to be 75% mechanic and 25% farming for a while!!
 
It is hot outside (the cab has no air conditioning....) and dry and perfect for cutting hay! 
 
He must be roasting in that cab! 
 
I am on duty and stuck in Teton County.  How I wish I was watching this show!! 

Wednesday, August 23, 2017

You Can't Make This Stuff Up!!

The title of this blog is a phrase we often use in emergency services when things happen that are just hard to believe!  This report, just read off the state-wide news, made me laugh.  I hope you will laugh too!  

Read this story by clicking on the text You Can't Make This Up!  I can totally imagine this happening!

Yesterday was wonderful.  The day ended with Brahm's Violin Concerto; sweet notes swirling around my tired head as I cooked another meal - you guessed it! - in my Insta Pot!  Cooking is "flow" for me.  All the worries of the day are chopped up in the onions, grated finely in the garlic, and sauteed to a crispy brown in the burger.  Prior to dinner, I got in a nice walk, albeit, a hot one.  Took off early from work and got fairly caught up with the work which had accumulated while we awaited Totality.  

From my greenhouse, pictures of pride!  This was a better-than-last-year for tomato growing.  I can smell the bacon cooking.....!!




Tuesday, August 22, 2017

Eclipse Diaries, The Day After



Magic.

This is the best word to describe how it was.  Totality was magic.  Watching the light change as the moon eased its way over the sun's path, seeing the sun whittle to a sliver, and then - totality.  There is nothing like it.  An eclipse is neat.  Totality is magic.

We got out lawn chairs and eclipse glasses.  A flock of four sandhill cranes flew over, squawking their gravely vibrato.  Minutes later, three elk - including a yearling from this year - crossed the highway just to our east viewing point.  The darkening of the sun had just begun.

Yellows changed to silvers as time ticked on.  Shadows became sharp-edged and the dried flowers standing a foot off the ground looked 3-D.  The radios and pagers were hushed as everyone had settled in for the show.  Cars and people were everywhere they could be under this umbrella of totality.  The park was packed.

An early morning kidney stoned called one ambulance into service.  They were able to return in plenty of time.  There would be no county-wide calls for fire or ems until far after the 11:36 totality.  Thank you everyone.  Thank you all so very much.

A firefighter gave up looking through his telescope to make some pictures happen.  I wanted to get an image showing how emergency services were ready during this magical event.  Three firefighters jumped into their gear, rolled the engine up into the parking lot, and charged the master stream for this unique image.  The photo went viral, locally at least.  I spent most of totality (we had a bit less than 2 minutes in our north location) adjusting shutter speed and f-stops in hopes to get one good image.

Mercury popped up in the darkened sky.  The light was very similar to that just at dawn, although the horizon was bright all the way around - north, south, east, and west.  Despite being completely blocked by the moon, the amount of light from the sun was surprising.  As I worked through various shutter speeds, to expose for the engine and firefighters, my lens accumulated the sun's light.  The dark pin hole shows the eclipse.  It is hard to be prepared for photographing an eclipse!!

Here, a series of images from the brief two minutes of totality.  Two minutes and a memory of a lifetime!!

Interesting image, but not what I was looking for!! 


Thank you Lieutenant Preuss and Lamoureux and Firefighter Schweitzer for giving up your Totality Time so we could have this image! 


Here, a local news reporter mixes up his fire stations!!  This was not taken in Hoback and the firefighters from Station 4, I am sure, are not pleased.  Still, nice to give a shout-out to many who were ready to answer the call the day the moon passed the sun's path.

Standing By article, click on words to read.

Monday, August 21, 2017

Eclipse at Station 4!!!!

Very Cool!!



Eclipse Diaries, The Big Day


Stationed up north and briefed up for the morning.  We standby and hope there are no emergencies to distract us from the event!!  Here is a webcam of the sun as seen here in the Tetons.  Watch the Eclipse!

Sunday, August 20, 2017

Eclipse Diaries, Day Five

We prepared for a lion.  So far, kittens are all that have shown up.

Another quiet stretch of time with minimal events leads all of our organizations to consider ramping down.  A tough decision for leaders.  We all know the switch could still get switched on.  There is risk to sending folks home.

This morning's pre-briefing starts at 0630.  Ugh.  In order to get in some hot tub time, shower, and coffee, the alarm clock breaks into my deep sleep at 0500.  The hot tub lid flops open, breaking the morning's hushed silence.  Orion sits on the eastern horizon and Pleiaides bunches its triangle formation just above.  Clouds creep across the darkened sky.  A hummingbird zips by on its way to the feeder; early riser too.  Mike and I soak and quietly talk about the day ahead.  Shared moments are few for this couple during these long days of summer.

My crew today is on the west bank of the valley.  I load up their breakfast and lunch bags and journey over the Snake River; the official dividing line of the valley floor.  Somewhat like the Mason-Dixon line, crossing the river takes one to the high-end side of the valley.  The line's divider is well-known amongst locals.  The crew's briefing format is relaxed.  They chatter, all over the place on topic selection; I let them wander about in their conversation before directing a more formal overview.  An hour later we finish and I head out to get a glimpse of Teton Village.  Driving through the residential areas, every driveway has a car.  Cars are parked along roads.  This place is filled up.  There are bikers, runners, walkers, and para-gliders dropping from the sky.  Orange cones are every where; fluorescent predictors of a road to be closed tomorrow.

Traffic on the main road is not bad and I easily enter my lane without delay.  A drive south to the town of Wilson.  There are people out the door and lined up for breakfast at the famous Nora's Fish Creek Inn.  Their huevos rancheros dish, topped in homemade green chili sauce, is the best.  I want to tell them their wait is well spent.  Roll up that warm flour tortilla, dip it in that hot sauce and grab a mouth full of over-easy eggs and you will understand why the wait was worth the time!

Settled in at the desk at Fire Station 2, I join a conference call arranged by the Incident Commander.  We are briefed on the weather for today - low humidity and stronger winds will contribute to wildland fire behaviors, should we get a fire.  Grand Teton Park is opening a section of road from the main highway to the town of Kelly at 0500.  One way traffic with parking adjacent could be a very popular ticket for Eclipse watchers.  A traffic jam is anticipated.  The road is directly below the path of totality.  Had I not taken my oath years ago and be free to do what I wanted to do for the day, I think I'd get in line.  It will be a great place to be and a 5 mile tailgate party!! I'd throw the grill in the back of the pickup and pack the fixings for bloody mary's with eggs and bacon!  Or maybe I'd be in the hills on my mule....

Instead, I will leave Hoback at 0430 to try to make the 47 mile drive north and get to Moran Fire Station 4 by 0700.

Here is what we are hoping for tomorrow.  It is going to be an amazing experience.  I love how the weather station got this pre-view made for us!  Check it out at What It Is Like To Watch a Total Eclipse 

We wait.  We wonder.  The anticipation of the thing has us collectively holding our breath.  Worry, concern, some fear, and a whole lot of excitement continues to build!



Saturday, August 19, 2017

Eclipse Diaries, Day Four

Today, on duty as a second Deputy Branch Director, personal life keeps brushing into the Eclipse work.  Nothing is happening.  There have been no calls, no fires, no nothing.  Being somewhat down the chain of command in this position, it is easy to run off to get a battery in my watch changed, take the 13 ears of sweet corn grabbed from the Farmer's Market down to the fridg in Hoback, and set down at my work desk and make this entry.  Too bad the Re-Store is closed today!  Nothing is happening.

We have pretty much planned for the end of the world on this one!  The Emergency Operations Center is running full force with key positions occupied.  There are easily a thousand people working to ensure this is a safe event across the county.  The forest service ordered crews in from Grand Canyon.  The local police have officers from all over the state.  We have super-staffed for when all hell breaks out.

And nothing is happening.

Of course, we all wish for a Y2K event.  This would certainly be the best outcome.

So, since nothing is happening, I will show you my blue ribbon garlic crop of 2017.  I am very pleased!  The addition of a thick layer of horse manure might have just been what turned this crop into the big clove harvest.  Every one of the 48 heads is beautiful!  Looking forward to doubling my crop next year given a farm to plant them on.....


Eclipse Diaries, Day Three

How does the man on the moon cut his hair?  E-clipse-it!!!

I took the day off from the eclipse yesterday.  Mike and I made out way down south to celebrate a special day.  Almost to the day, three months ago, we bought the place and yesterday, we sat on the font porch of the big house for the first time.

A whole mess of things have happened in the last three months. Four tons of garbage have been hauled to the dump (with at least another ton or so to go),  a new septic tank installed, a field of alfalfa planted, irrigation pipe stepping its way down the field watering the hungry plants (with Mike's help, of course), new floors on the main floor of white house along with cove heat, Nest alarms, new paint, new light fixtures, upgrades on the dishwasher and refrigerator, new windows where old had lost their seal, new bathroom sink top, and all the while, working on weed mitigation, lawn maintenance, and brush removal.  The congratulations go out to Mike.  He has been working like crazy and although there is still much to do, about a year's worth of work got done in 3 months!  Next up - the hay needs cut and the utility room needs a new floor.  No rest for the weary.


We brushed up to the topic on a back road drive to Thayne.  Marked in glowing yellow signs was the word - painted in hot pink paint - ECLIPSE CAMPING.  The signs directed campers to a large field for eastern viewing.  Everyone is trying to make a buck off the event.

The evening ended in Hoback with a Insta Pot of chili.  Turned out very good, if I might say so myself!  Followed this recipe at Darn Good Chili  The recipe says you can put non-soaked beans in and cook, but they were a bit crunchy so I'll soak them next time.

The  humming birds are making their last visits to the feeders.  We make the mix strong with sugar as they prepare for their southern migration.  Sandhill cranes are heard sqaulking in the surrounding fields getting ready for their flights south.  It was, indeed, a ten minute summer this year.

Thursday, August 17, 2017

Eclipse Diaries, Day Two

Driving home from the Moran Station 4 training last night (Moran sits at the north end of the valley, Hoback sits at the south end; the drive is about 47 miles through Grand Teton National Park and the Town of Jackson), I pondered the black dark sky.  Days are getting shorter, the mornings are cool, and fall is in the air.

The stars pinned light holes through the black velour skyscape.  How will the two minutes of darkness on Monday differ from the darkness of the night?  This morning, I looked up to the sun's position at 10:30 after a morning briefing with the Forest Service.  Brightly shining in a clear, blue sky, I tried to attach the sun's position on my internal compass for Monday bearings.  

This once-in-a-lifetime event brings up all kinds of deep emotions.  A once-in-a-lifetime event stirs up thoughts of mortality and brings a layer of depth and real meaning to the event.  Looking up to the sky rustles up the wonder of the universe and how stupidly small we ego-bound, self righteous humans can be under a galaxy of planets, stars, comets, and this eclipse.  Like our concerns mean anything!  We are mere molecules in the vastness of it all!

Today is a day of agency briefings for me.  Finishing up one, preparing for the next.  The Forest Service facilitator noted 100,000 people are expected to descend upon our mountain town.  Everyone is planning.  Patience is the key word as we watch our streets and highways condense their lanes with traffic.  A gas station ran out of fuel yesterday.  The grocery stores are a mess.  I have heard that gas, ice and booze will be the commodity items as this continues to intensify.  I have a bet with a friend about grid lock.  She doesn't think we will grid lock.  I say we will.  We are not sure how to put rules on this bet, but we both are sure we will know who the winner is by next Tuesday.  I win a eggplant Parmesan meal.  She gets to pick the meal of her choice, should I lose.  Both meals will be graced with ample bottles of big, red wine and we will look back on the Great American Eclipse.

You can watch in live time how busy the downtown intersection is getting and how many people are walking around the square by checking out Jackson's Web Cam (just click on the words and it will take you right to the web cam).

Tomorrow will be one day closer.  Close to the eclipse, closer to the eclipse being over, and closer to the things we don't yet know of what is coming.

May the Universe be With Us!!

Wednesday, August 16, 2017

Eclipse Diaries

I do not have time for this.  But I will make time.

For the last two years, many of us in this county have been planning for this Monday's event, the total eclipse of the sun.  There have been meetings and more meetings to the point of ad nauseum.  Rooms filled with overstuffed people and inflated egos, passing out paper and chewing on chocolate covered donuts.

Unlike most events, no one can predict what will happen.  Take a car crash.  You expect highway blockage, the need for one or two medic units, bleeding and stressed out patients, the possible need for extrication.  But this event.  This event is unpredictable.

Rumors abound.  300 people climbing Sleeping Indian Mountain to watch the shadow race across the valley floor.  Masses of people driving into the valley from the three ways in Monday morning.  Cell phones are anticipated to fail.  Radio repeaters are already down with frenzied repair technicians repairing lightning damage from last week; just discovered.  I have packed 4 walkie talkies and three packages of AAA batteries to feed them, just in case.

It has been personally verified that the grocery stores and their associated parking lots are a war zone.  Produce is wiped clean from display cabinets.  Customers are surly in their angst to make sure they get their goods.  A sense of anxiety it thick through the barren aisles.

Also verified, the increase of traffic on all streets.  Grid lock is expected.  There are air resources ready for responder and patient transportation.  Civil Air Patrol will fly the darkening sky the day of the eclipse to provide updates for highway congestion.

I am sad Mike and I will be separated in distance during this remarkable event.  He will be in Hoback ready to respond for calls out of his station and I will be in Moran, acting as a North Division Deputy Chief.  I wish we could share this together.  Our commitment to this community pulls us apart.  We swore the oath years ago.

Baring the lack of internet, I will make a daily entry into this blog, noting my observations on The Great American Eclipse event about to happen here in Teton County, Wyoming, the Path of Totality going right through the airport.

It won't be something we forget.  It will challenge us and push us to work together.  And it just might be so amazingly awesome that we sit back and say, wow, that was really something!

Here are two great articles - if you have time for reading - that are worth the reading. Join The Crowd!  and a bit longer, but exceptional piece Annie Dillard's Writing   Enjoy.





Tuesday, August 15, 2017

White Farm House Make-Over

Mike has been working hard on the white farm house getting ready for the new renters who will be moving in tomorrow.  There will still be work to be done after they move in, but not nearly as much as there was one week ago!  Here is the new kitchen floor.  The two bedrooms, living room, ,and front entry got a new pecan laminate floor.  Things are looking good!!



Monday, August 14, 2017

Monthly Photo

The smoke finally went away and stormy skies made for a beautiful Sunday at the farm.  Mike, Mom, and I made the final touches on the white farm house, readying it for the new renters, arriving this week.  The day of work was a break after Saturday's busy Hoback BBQ picnic, feeding over 1000 people.  It is such a huge effort on so many peoples' part - pulled it off again.  It seems to get just a bit easier every year.


Pictures from the Picnic....Mom's "Solar Eclipse" quilt went for $4,500!  It was so wonderful to have her present and able to witness this community's generous support!



This week, we all take a deep breath and get ready for the big, solar eclipse event coming up in one week.  After next week, life should settle down a bit.  Many of us are looking forward to the break!!  

Stay safe out there.

Monday, August 7, 2017

Perfect Rice!!

Yup.  Another Insta Pot recipe.  Someone told me these things were getting sold on TV in those commercials everyone dreads.  If this is so, I am really glad I do not have a TV.  I would have never bought one!  Clearly, I love this thing.  Here is another recipe to try!  This cut from my adventures using OneNote.


Thursday, August 3, 2017

Mac & Cheese, Made Easy

  
 
Noodle cooking is usually a mess for me.  Preferring gluten free noodles, they get gummy, stick to the bottom of the pan and each other.  I'm never very proud of my noodles.  
 
They rave about noodle cooking in an Insta Pot on the web.  What is there to lose?  I give it a try..... 
 
Here is the simple step by step process: 
 
Put 1 pound of noodles in the Insta Pot.  Add 4 cups of water, 3 tablespoons of butter, and 2 teaspoons of salt (unless you add ham, as shown above – then no salt needed).  Put on the lid, set to high pressure for 4 minutes and release the steam to find perfectly cooked noodles inside.  
 
Throw in 1 cup of heavy whipping cream (oh my, oh my!!) and 2 cups of shredded cheese.  This will all ooze and melt together, stir a bit, add some pepper and be very very proud of your perfect noodles!!   
 
PS  After this batch, I made another for the folks selling tickets tonight for the Hoback Volunteer Firefighter BBQ picnic happening Saturday, August 12 noon – 4pm at Astoria Hot Springs – join us for delicious (non Insta Pot cooked) BBQ ribs and the fixin's and the fun!   $15 gets you in and then you get a $20 gift card for the Hoback Market – how can you go wrong with that kind of a deal?   
 
PSS  After the second batch, I made a red lentil soup.  It's about to be finished..... 
 
This is what the mac & cheese looks like, when the lid comes off!!
 
 
 

Tuesday, August 1, 2017

Today's Insta Pot Discovery

This morning........rolled oats oatmeal out of the Insta Pot in 4 minutes!!  Check it out at Oatmeal for Breakfast!!  I'm getting some steel cut oats next!!  Did I tell you about the baked beans I made for our Sunday night party?  Delicious!!

Off to see Yo Yo Ma perform tonight at GTMF .  Should be awesome!!