Got to work today B4 JT. So, I open up the nature center, put food out for the birds (squirrels), and look on the calendar to see if we have anything scheduled. I was pretty sure we didn't but thought it wouldn't hurt to double check. Nothing. And, there's still no sign of JT. TD comes in. She kind of bounces around between the different county parks, but her office is there. She did't know anything about JT not being there, so we check the answering machine. Well, JT decided to take a sick day. OK, that's fine, I don't mind in the least-but she didn't leave any work for me! So, I decide to go out in the canoe. I wanted to check out the back of the lake to see if the water level was up enough to canoe in the one section-it's not. Plus, I wanted to check out to see what kinds of trees we have growing on the far side-mainly white, black and southern red oak.
I go back across the lake, and paddle along the edge. I saw some fishing line all tangled up in the trees, so I removed it. It was getting close to lunch time, so I paddle up to the beach and get out. I'm met by both the heads grounds keeper and one of the rangers. I lock up my canoe, and start heading up to the equipment closet to put away my stuff. There's a woman there w/a couple of kids. She asks the ranger if he knows what birds are normally there. Both he and the groundskeeper say, "Ask her". So, I start telling her the different birds I had seen that day as well as ones that are normally around. Then I ask her if she wanted to know anything else. Well, she has a group coming over on Friday and is planning on having a scavenger hunt. So, then she wants to know what's growing. So, I start naming the trees, pointing them out, as well stuff as stuff growing along the side of the lake. I don't think either the ranger nor the groundskeeper realized I knew so much!
I was talking to the groundskeeper later, and he tells me I'm too good to be working at the park in the capacity I am! He thinks I should be working someplace as the senior naturlist.
I know he's not the best one to judge that type of ability, but it sure was nice to have someone telling me that.
ETA: Oh, and in case you're wondering, oak leaves are NOT the best substitute for toilet paper!
My mom has been making them for the holidays the past 2 years and I could eat a whole one by myself! 
