If anyone had asked me 20 (or 30) years ago what I wanted to be when I grow up, and I'm sure they did, I doubt I would have come up with anything related to any aspect of my current life.
Married? nope, I never thought I wanted that.
Kids?? definitely not what I planned.
3rd career, thinking about my 4th? doubtful.
Weather Observer?? not in a million years.
My life is good, actually it is very good, and I wouldn't change anything about it. But, seriously, Weather Observer?? Yup, here I am, working for the Blue Hill Observatory and Science Center, getting paid (sort of) to look at clouds and measure snowfall. In fact, I am one of only about a half a dozen people in the world who can do the job that I do. I have learned more about our planet and atmosphere in the past four years than in almost three decades of school, and I have come to know some amazing people through my work up on the hill. It's strange how life works.
So why am I starting a blog? I am sitting in my kitchen/office trying to figure out what I want to do "when I grow up" and it always helps me to talk to friends about these decisions. But my funny looking cat is the only one here, and she's not much help. So, I'm thinking out loud - 21st century style - with a blog. Everybody else is doing it, right?
I spent one day last week helping count biocontrol beetles with Carly from NEPRWA and then went over to another site in Canton with Ale from DCR to release weevils that will help control mile-a-minute. It was the best day I have had in a long time!! I felt energized at the end of the day! I have been having lots of great discussions with people recently about changes I'd like to make where I currently work, specifically with the WINS program. Every time I find myself talking about this program, I feel inspired and motivated. So, why can't I just pick something to do and do it? I don't know. I feel like there are road blocks at every junction.
Today, I looked at some job postings. One was for a Part Time Trail Planner for the Appalachian Mountain Club. Another was for an Outdoor School Instructor at REI. Then I read about a plan to extend the Neponset Greenway trail in Milton and Mattapan. That sounds like a great idea, maybe they will need some help with that project. I read through the job and intern postings for FableVision, wouldn't that be a dream job? Getting paid (or not) to find and follow my own North Star!
Will I ever figure out what I want to be WHEN I GROW UP? I hope so.
Spring is finally here! The vernal pools are alive with lots of frog and salamander activity. Here is a wood frog Ale and I saw when visiting a vernal pool near the Quincy quarries. The season has been slow to arrive with few warm days and below average precipitation.
Yellow spotted salamander eggs are amazing to see. They are beautiful and almost luminous. These photos were taken in the Blue Hills at various vernal pools.
