Today was a good day. I spent the last couple of weeks tied to a PC, building a PowerPoint for my boss to present at a conference in Houston this week. He left yesterday. Today I headed out in the field, a beautiful Pennsylvania Autumn morning. Met up with an Inspector and a water quality specialist and together we spent the morning looking at wetlands and stream crossings. I got a chance to use skills in species and soil identification I haven't used in awhile. Felt good. Also felt good to teach the new guys something and the inspector taught me a few things as well.

I don't ever want to stop learning. There is so much out there, so much exciting stuff, so much interesting stuff, that sometimes I get sad knowing I will never have time to learn it all. Life is too short.

I get the love of learning from my parents. My dad is 90 and he still gets excited when he learns something new or finds the solution to a problem. My mom is 81 and beginning to suffer from the onset of Alzheimers. Still, I see her struggle to remember and to pass on the things she has learned and experienced in her life. They truly have been one of my major influences and inspirations. I know their time is short and I have been extremely lucky to have them in my life as long as I have, but I can't bear to think of not having them here.

The other major influence in my life has been my wife, Linda. We have been married 15 years, and while we have suffered some painful experiences in our journey, they have only served to make us stronger and more committed to each other. I did not understand what love was until I met her. She was the one that opened my eyes to life and love and who ultimately broke through the writing wall that I had been hiding behind for almost thirty years. I am lucky. More lucky that I deserve.

Boy has this turned sappy.

It was a good day. I saw hawks and deer and I laughed. Laughter is good. I am recharged now. Good night everyone.

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OK, so I've finally been convinced (read that, strong armed) into doing a blog. Frankly I hate the name... it conjures up visions of '60's B horror movies with silly- putty like beasts devouring the local movie theatre. Hmmm, considering the quality of movies lately, it might not be such a bad idea, but personally I'd rather go with "The Night of The Lepus".

Why are we so wrapped up in acronyms and such? Why do we feel it necessary to add words, such as blog, and now I understand vlog (video blog), to the already overcrowded english language? Oh well, I guess we've been doing it for centuries and will probably (read that hopefully, though I have my doubts) be doing it for centuries more. In some ways I guess it beats grunting. I mean, a grunt could mean just about anything. Sure could lead to some confusion if you grunt to signal your constipation and some neighboring neanderthal takes it to mean you want his woman. Of course, the ensuing physical activity could very well solve the constipation problem.

See, it's dangerous in my head.

As a writing exercise I fully recognize the value of blogs and if the truth be known I'm more than a little envious of the folks out there getting their blogs (read that columns, and when does a blog become a column?) published on large scale internet sites. No offense Writing. com, but you have a ways to go to compete with MSNBC or USAToday. Still, I suppose, even here there are enough of us misguided miscreants clicking away that an occasional errant mouse click will guide an unsuspecting reader to my blog lair. If so, and you are one such beast, my apologies, for I truly have nothing worthwhile to say. That said I will endeavor to say as much about nothing as I deem worthwhile. Ouch, that gave me a headache. Until next time, keep your eyes sharp and your powder dry.