Thinking of fuel, working conditions, and backyard delights

Koi were circling like sharks in search of food last night.

What a difference ten degrees makes. We’re having a cool spell for a few days! Breathing is easy and I'm loving it.

So I fed them. For the first time in two or three weeks (I've lost count)the water temp dropped below 90. They propel their slippery selves up and out of the water when I arrive. A few of them are nearly a foot in length (dinner for two?).

Half of my flat of Snapdragons were finally planted last night when I enjoyed the warm sun, cool breeze. I ran out of potting soil and swore I’d not be lazy and buy just one bag of potting soil again. Next time I’ll buy ten although it doesn’t look like I’ll be planting anything until next spring. Our soil is only a bit softer than concrete.

Walked around campus for the first time in over a month and was excited to see the Rose of Sharon in bloom. I lost track of time watching a few hundred bumble bees floating from flower to flower.

Our director at work has encouraged us to work at home a day or two a week so save on our fuel costs. So far, I’m proud to say I have worked from home twice this month and actually accomplished “work” instead of gawking at the outdoors, nose pressed against the windows.

Fuel prices are affecting everything we do. College students are not attending classes as many of them live two counties away. Enrollment is dropping. News flash: The College is now proposing a four-day work week for all students and employees beginning spring semester 09. Classes will run Monday through Thursday but I think this change will be a scheduling nightmare. The college would realize significant energy savings by closing its doors three days a week. I’ve heard large corporations are already on a similar schedule.

Feeling the cool early summer morning and zooming in and out on the bees, I thought about the four-day work week schedule. Having off on Fridays will be great.

I’ve always desired a job with three-day weekends but I’ve never wanted to work four tens. Sometimes I work nine hours and go home whipped. Heck, I’m whipped every day.

After four tens, I’d need to spend half of Friday in bed.

It’s perfect to be home from work between 4:00 and 4:30 p.m., in daylight, as I have been doing for the last twenty-plus years. This is what scares me about the big four-tens:

During fall and winter months when the days are short, will I need to patrol for doggie poop in the dark?

Fill the bird feeders in the dark? Go four days straight without seeing backyard birds? There will be no time for blogging. Wow. I don’t know about this…

Why can’t they just give us the day off if we promise to get our work done, dammit? Research reveals that productivity plummets during the last two hours of an eight-hour workday so why add two more?

What a hopeless, pathetic dreamer I am.

The grackles have been offered safflower seed. Gee, I hope they spit it out! Only niger and safflower seeds are offered now. No nuts, suet, or other treats. The clean-up crew shown above seems happy.

I sat near the pond with spade, potting soil, and camera. The view was glorious!

Be still, please!

Have a great weekend, ya'll :o)