Berty's update

Wow! this blog was ignored FOREVER!

It is December 11th now, and I have been done with my internship on Maveric Heritage Ranch for over three weeks. I am very glad for my experience at Maveric, as I am much more comfortable with animals and have learned quite a bit about food quality in America. It is poor, to say the least, but we can change this situation. I am a little sad that I did not learn more on Maveric, but I think I may pick up some important knowledge at the next place, wherever that ends up being.

Where might I end up in the next year? The usual options are still floating around in my head: Worland WY, Somewhere with the Peace Corps, or Santa Fe NM at St. John's College Graduate Institute. This I know to be true, I either have some income to pay back student loans, or get a situation where I can defer them a little longer. :) The usual graduate dilemma.

I am forming pictures of other things I want to do in my life. Last week I discovered WWOOF--World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms--and now I want to become a WWOOF volunteer on a farm in France. Before I do that, I need to actually contact a farm in France directly and try to make arrangements. Before I can do that I have to visit the French WWOOF website and select a farm. Before I do that I have to learn French, because the website is published entirely in that lovely language. Hmm. Rosetta Stone for a couple years while I live at home, garden, work, and pay off student loans? Sounds like a plan. Then, move to France and learn about farming, parle le francais couramment, and partake in the food and culture of France. Sounds pretty good in theory.

Currently, I am living at home in Worland WY. My main occupation at the moment is watching over Grandma during the week. She is becoming very forgetful and needs provision for a lot of daily things. I do not know how long it will be before she needs to be in an assisted living or nursing home. It could be a matter of weeks. I also have the pleasure of helping out at the house by spliting wood, cooking, cleaning, and helping Denise with schoolwork. I like it all just fine, and my family likes it too, especially in this crazy holiday season when Mom and Dad don't have time to breath with all their community and music involvements.

That's my update. Don't know what is happening in my future as usual. I do have a summer job with the American Conservation Corps again. That begins May 17th. I will be a crew leader, but don't know if I will be stationed in Rocky Mountain National Park again. I am hoping for that or the Rahwah Wilderness near the Wyoming border.