I have been learning all about Geology lately. I've been checking out books and CD's about volcanoes and have found them to be fascinating! I have also been following some of the earthquakes rattling the areas around the world. We have a ton of volcanoes going off all around the world. One of the most beautiful is located in Iceland. It is located under a glacier and the glacier ice in and around the crater is slowly melting. The lava from this volcano doesn't have a huge amount of silica so it has been putting on quite a show.
There have been some earthquakes in Southern Oregon as well that the scientists are keeping an eye on. I wonder if we will soon see a big quake there or some other form of activity. Only time will tell.
We were to have gone on a Big Foot hunt a few months back but it never got to take place. I had some health issues that came up and the new cabin or should I say "money pit" kept us here in Montana. We have been spending a great deal of time up there working on it, laying carpet and cleaning up. The roof was seriously damaged by a hail storm and needed to be replaced. There was so much to do at the cabin that we had a long talk and decided that we would stay home this year. It is looking quite nice up there but be have had a very difficult time getting someone to work on the roof of the cabin and the pole barn. Two companies pulled out at the last minute and left us without a new roof. Then, just a few days ago, the temperature plummeted and we had snow. None of us were ready for this to happen. It has been bitterly cold here and we have been staying close to home.
My company sold our building and moved us across town to a cleaner and more secure location albeit we are now sharing offices 3 to 4 to a room. It has been a challenge to not step on toes and get used to working together. My office mates are all great and one will only be with us until January. She has been with the Mental Health Center here in Billings Montana for over 28 years and will be retiring. Work has been quite difficult lately. I've had to deal with some very sick individuals and it is sometimes very hard to keep them stable. It wouldn't be so hard if I didn't like them so much. I have some very intelligent clients with whom I can have some very wonderful conversations with when they are stable. Unfortunately, when they are not stable, they are very hard to manage and keep safe.
I haven't been making jewelry lately as my CMC joints are pretty messed up. I have to wear braces at night when I sleep to keep the swelling at bay and I have to have injections every three to four months at the base of my thumbs to help with the pain. It affects my grasping of small items so it is very hard to work with the beads and makes tearing apart the old pocket watches very painful. Hopefully, I can get back to normal soon so that I can work on my hobbies again.
I have had some great times with my little granddaughter and there is word in the wind that another may be on the way. We don't know for sure right now and my daughter is being closed lipped about it all. I suspect that we will know for sure around Christmas.
We are hoping to take one small trip before bedding down for the winter. Not sure yet where we will go but we know it will be someplace warm. The house sitter is ready to roost as soon as we give the word.
Well everyone, I hope we won't be dealing with fire and ash here in the United States but it's all up in the air right now and with all the earthquakes and mountains going off, who knows? Alaska is getting their fair share as I write this with Pavlof tossing her cookies! I hope all of you have a great Christmas and a very happy New Year! Cheers! Freedancer
