Remember last week when I mentioned that I was waffling between returning to Imperial NWR or not for next winter? Well, yesterday, I went in to talk to the refuge manager about returning. I shouldn’t have wasted all that time weighing pros and cons. As I entered his office, he got up to close the door. Not a good sign. He then told me he had decided not to invite me back for next year. I have to say that I was shocked. This is the first time I’ve been told I couldn’t return as a volunteer to a refuge. I was speechless. It kind of knocked the stuffing out of me.
His reasoning was that I was not a self starter. What? Once I learned what all the duties were in the VC, I think I did them all. Up until the first of the new year, we did not have very many visitors so there was a lot of down time. He said he wanted someone that could find things to do. I don’t know what else I could have done. You can only clean so much, etc. I asked for more things to do, but was thwarted.
When there were no visitors, and nothing left to clean, I resorted to playing solitaire on my I-Pad. I guess that was a mistake. I should have just read a book. That seems to be more acceptable.
I suppose I could have pointed out the extra things I have done, like the first ever bird tours, but what’s the use? The man’s mind was made up. Besides which, I felt like I’d been punched in the gut. Do I think there are other factors influencing this decision? Yes, I do. By what the manager said at the volunteer meeting last night, cuts will be made in visitor’s services and environmental education services to school children. I feel he wants to cut his volunteer staff down to three couples next year even though there are seven RV sites. I, of course, don’t have a spouse that can work maintenance…
I may be all wet in those assumptions. Who knows? I just needed to vent about this situation. It sure has made me think about truly retiring and giving up this volunteer lifestyle. I didn’t sleep very well last night, and today my stomach was still upset.
Luckily today I met Betty and Joe in Yuma for lunch today, and was able to lay some of my troubles on them. Thanks you two for lunch and a friendly ear! Guess I’ll just spend the next two months like a ‘lame duck’ working for a boss that thinks I’m under par…
On the way home from lunch, I stopped at the Gonzalez Farm Stand for some fresh broccoli after getting a hair cut. Got a couple of heads for a buck. As I handed over my dollar, Mr. Gonzalez said, “ Thank you sir.”
That seems to happen every time I get a hair cut. I just chuckle. Then he looked up from the money box, and said, “I’m so sorry, I see now that you are a Ma'am.” Yep, I do have bazooms!
Thanks for stopping by… talk to you later, Judy
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