Planting Crew

Day 19: If each of us planted as few as twenty trees today (and I know I planted at least two dozen), Ohop Valley is richer by no less than 600 young saplings representing 8-10 different species of wetland-loving plants destined to provide future habitat for critters of all sorts. This was one of several planting events which will be held on the former Burwash property, and is just a single facet of a multi-tiered restoration program which also includes reestablishment of the creek's natural meander. Portions of the creek have already been reditched, adding a mile or more of shoreline, improving drainage and controlling erosion with engineered log jams.

Thirty volunteers turned out for the Nisqually Land Trust's annual Hallowe'en event, some in costume and others not, but all willing to get down and dirty in the mud for the occasion. Many were returnees back for a second, third or fourth year on this long-term project. They came prepared for any weather, with smiles on their faces and shovels in their gloved hands. For three hours, they dug holes and filled them with plants, lovingly packing the soil around the roots and often giving a final word of encouragement to their charges as they moved on to the next in line: "Grow up tall, little snowberry!" and conversations flew all around as they laughed and shared their experiences.

As always, it was a delight to work with such a dedicated crew. Thank you all for your work today.

Mistress Of Disguise

Day 17: It came up in conversation a couple of days ago that I have very few "real" clothes in my closet other than my uniforms, and while that isn't accurate in the purest sense of the phrase, there are only half a dozen items which could do double-duty as everyday wear in, say, an office environment. As a matter of fact, I consider two of these images more frightening than the rest because they call to mind the expression, "There but for the grace of God go I." They are the anti-Crow, the antithesis of who I really am.

There are elements of the spy, the villain, the schoolmistress, the sorceress, the puckish woodland spirit, the aborigine and the entertainer in my makeup, and a healthy dose of pirate as my readers know, but there is no trace of the household drudge nor (horrors!) of the fashion-conscious businesswoman. In those two photos, I am in costume more than any of the others, playing a role so foreign to me that I am glad I did not have to carry a speaking part. When I think that I might have become either of those sad and lifeless beings had my educators been able to stuff me in their molds, I cringe. Scary stuff, that! Give me ghoulies and ghosties any day, but spare me the heels and handbag. That's where the real zombies are.