As many of you know I didn’t get my job as a Park Ranger at Grand Canyon back last summer due to yet a different government snafu than mentioned above. I’ve now been unemployed for over a year. That in itself is hard to take. In 2018, I mourned the loss of my job and best friend.
This year is different
I’m trying to get myself out there, into the world outside my four walls. Good place to start that, my local community of Yarnell. Last Thursday I volunteered for the first time at our Yarnell Regional Community Center thrift store. Hey, I know about second-hand stuff, how to work a cash register, and can even count back change. It was a fun five hours working with Rebecca, a friend and fellow photographer, chatting with locals, and even enjoyed a free lunch.
It doesn’t stop here
On Thursday, January 10th, at 2pm I will be presenting at the center, How the Grand Canyon was formed, complete with a slide program, but sadly no Park Ranger hat. Can’t wear uniform parts when not working for the service, sort of like being in the military but I’m guessing way more fun.
Because I usually present this talk along the rim having the canyon as a prop I had to create a slide program to help tell the story. Surprisingly, that took way over 40 hours of fun work. If you’re able, hope you’ll join me.
I am excited about sharing the canyon’s geologic history. I always hope it’s easier for people to love a place if they understand it better and can connect and become part of the story. Now if I could just figure out how to take this show on the road, and get paid for it. Yea, sorry, I’m still on that making an income thing.
And another thing
Last night I attended a free presentation by photographer and writer Colleen Miniuk-Sperry on Finding your Creative Voice at the Wickenburg Arts Club. We’ve been friends on Facebook for a little while and I admire her photography and her style. Colleen is exuberant, and crazy by her own description, sharing her story to find her creative voice was inspirational. She has one spot left in the Death Valley photography workshop in February that I would dearly love to attend. Yet being a Park Ranger but without the hat, also means no income and therefore the workshop is out of my budget.
Maybe someday, I can lead workshops myself and continue to be like a Park Ranger but without the hat.
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