General update

[luzula]

I am home from 1) spending Midsummer with friends who have a farm, also my crush was there visiting at the same time (take the pining as read), and 2) camping out and doing forest surveys for a week.

I lost a bag of stuff on the train trip which it seems I can't get back. It meant I spent ten days without a working phone, since my charger was in there. But I had another one at home so that's not so bad. The most irritating thing I lost was my loupe, which I really need. : (( It's my tool for examining species in the field. I doubt anyone stole it, because they wouldn't realize it's worth about 300$. I borrowed another one, but an expensive loupe with excellent optics and a LED light is ten times better than a cheap one with so-so optics and no light. I'll order a new one and probably get some of the money back on insurance, but it means I'll probably have to spend the summer with a bad loupe. : ((( (Today's product endorsement: if you need an excellent loupe, buy a Lichen Candelaris.)

The forest survey week was excellent. We were four people who turned out to be a great team, and we had good luck with the weather: almost no rain and lots of wind (= less mosquitoes and midges). Also we did lots of skinny-dipping. We met only one other human being during that time, even if we stayed at beautiful lakeside places with windbreak shelters that were probably built by fishing clubs. We did meet a bear though! I've never seen one before. It was a young bear, though not a cub, that ambled along by the roadside when we were driving. It was a very bear-dense area, but humans being injured by bears is not common in Sweden, though it does happen.

The forest surveys themselves went well. I love feeling relatively skilled at something and teaching other people, while knowing that there is still so much to learn, and doing my best to learn it. We also have a case against the company that I am turning over to another person who is experienced at the certification complaints process. Collaboration FTW.




Next up: I am home for a week and a half (except for going to a tree climbing camp this weekend). I am now preparing for a nine-day mountain hike with all that entails: planning food, thinking about equipment, acquiring a rented satellite warning unit since I will be alone and also off-trail for half the trip. Looking forward to it!

Comments

[falena]

Lovely pics, thanks for sharing.

[luzula]

Glad you enjoyed!

ETA: And hey, I have followed you now--I somehow missed it before. I see you have lots of booklogging which I enjoy. : )

[falena]

Yay, I'm happy to have new subscribers, but I'm afraid I'll be a disappointment - currently staying at home with an infant and a preschooler, I feel like my brain has atrophied, haven't been reading much. So, basically feel free to un subscribe, I understand.

[mergatrude]

It sounds like you're having an excellent summer! \o/

[luzula]

I am! Sometimes I see friends who stay home over the summer and grow much of the food they'll need for the year (like my farming friends), and feel bad I'm not doing that. But I hope I'm doing other useful things. And I'm having fun, anyway.

[seascribble]

Summer off to a good start, except for the lost tiny expensive thing.

[luzula]

Yes, definitely! Have you been exploring Canadian nature any?

[seascribble]

Hahaha, I was when I lived in Nova Scotia, I would scrambled along the shore rocks. Here in Mississauga, it's all concrete. There is a river behind my house, but the path is very small, only about 500 metres. There must be more but I haven't figured out where yet.

[luzula]

...I still kind of picture you in due South-style Canada, though I know that's not the case. : )