Still chilly here at the 45th this morning. Around 0 degrees, which is warmer than it has been these past couple of days. Warmer weather is coming, but will be moving in slowly. Each day is a bit warmer than the one before. Once that NW wind gets gone, that will make a big difference.
Not a heck of a lot going on around here right now. Mostly just monkeying around the place. Finished up all my little craft projects, so not going to start anymore right now. Gotta do some house cleaning around here too
, like that's really exciting news 
The only news I did get on my front was from one of my co-workers that I bumped into at the store yesterday. She and our lead ranger are close friends cause their families do things together a lot. Was together with each other this past weekend and she told me that it became official, we now have a new boss coming. The manager from Brimley State Park in the Upper Peninsula will be taking over. Not sure when though, but I suspect that it will be before I start back to work. Although it sounds like a long way for him to relocate (Brimley is about 130 miles from here), it's actually closer for him as he lives 50 miles roughly north of here. Also bumped into another co worker whom I haven't seen all winter and we chatted in the parking lot for a bit. There is a bit of nervousness running through all of us I think. This will be the 4th manager I have worked for in the 15 years I have been there, one being an interim manager. But after rawhile, we will see what his management style is and he will see how we operate and it all comes together. Change as we know is enevitable and without it, we would not grow and learn.
So today after I clean the house, I am going to take a run over to the park and see what's up and also run down to the Ice Cream shop and pick up my Girl Scout cookies I ordered. The which of, will promptly head for the freezer till camping season. And no I am not having an ice cream either. I gave up sweets for lent and have not touched, cakes, pies, cookies, ice cream and what not for over a month already. And have to say I haven't missed them either. Been eating strawberries, watermelon, jello etc.
Might make some firestarters today too. Good quick project for while I am waiting for temps to warm up and snows to melt away. Got enough egg cartons, wax and sawdust to get started. For those of you who might be interested in what I am doing with all of that, it's an old throwback to my Girl Scout years and is still used by some today. You get some cardboard egg cartons, fill the hole where the eggs go with sawdust, then melt paraffin wax and pour it over all the sawdust till it has soaked into it and the surrounding cardboard. Once it dries and hardens, just close up the carton and store till you are ready to make a fire. Some folks use small Dixie cups for the same thing. Break off a couple pieces and put one on each side of your twigs, leaves or whatever you use for tinder. When you have your kindling and wood added and are ready to start the fire, just light them and they burn like a candle for quite awhile. Gets a fire going in pretty quick order. I melt my wax in an old coffee can set in a pan of boiling water on the stove. Then I can just reuse the can the next time I make more. Another tip for you too. When you are raking your yards etc. in spring, keep some of the leaves and twigs and put them in a bag for your tinder. That way you will have dry tinder rather than scrounging around looking for some. And if there is any construction or remodeling going on around your area, grab some of the scrap wood they throw out. Excellent kindling. I've gotten to where I wlll stop and pick up scrap wood in some places if I happen to see it tossed out for the trash pickup
Have a great day all.
