Tropical birds in the frozen north

Flamingos at the Como Park Zoo and Conservatory

Sister Peaceable and I walked about 6 miles today -- half a mile with the dog, who started flagging, so we turned around and returned her home. And then another 5 miles, round trip, to a favorite store of mine, the Bibelot. A very pleasant walk, ducking into the shade of the ash and oak and locust trees along Summit Avenue.

I've been in the Midwest for just over a month now.  I had intended to be here for 20 days -- so far it's been 35.  I haven't got my ticket home yet, but I expect to leave about 12 days from now.  Once I get home, though, I'll be just packing my car and driving back to Minnesota.

I called a friend up shortly after I arrived, to ask if he wanted to meet for dinner or something. He responded, "Yes, that would be nice, but really I have a job I need filled and you can have it if you start tomorrow."  Or something like that. It actually took a week to get from first indications to first day, but it felt to me as hurried as all that.

I am once again working for my old Minnesota company, 3M.  This time, I am a free agent, under my business name, which means less pay, no benefits and the possibility of being turned off without notice.  And I'm much happier that way.  The job is temporary -- three to six months to get them on their feet, after which I'll return to Portland. (Possibly earlier -- some of the work, after an initial month or three, can be done remotely -- so I could telecommute.)

The project involves taking a prototype that is currently held together with "duct tape and baling wire" and making it into a product that can be on the market, ready for thousands of customers, within six months -- they need help, lots of it, fast. My particular contribution will be technical communications -- translating notes and half finished white papers into documents and training materials. I am thrilled to have a job as "technical writer" on my resume, and I'm hoping I can use this to get other work. I've already worked three full weeks -- the shock of 6:30 a.m. mornings and 10 hour days with no lunch break has worn off. I'm hoping perhaps this coming week to have enough energy in the evenings to catch up on the cattus dommus news (as compared merely to my own news).

In the meantime, I get to visit with Mater once or twice a week, and Peaceable and Mr. Peaceable have welcomed me into their home. I have my usual room at the back of the house, quiet and outfitted just for me with a small desk and a chest of drawers.  At first I had nothing to fill the drawers with -- I had proudly packed especially light when I came for my visit, and I brought only a few vacation clothes for very hot climates -- that is, sundresses and sandals -- not business wear.

Honestly, the first thing that ran through my head when he offered me the job was not, "How much might I earn?" nor "How will I be able to help this project, and this friend?" but "I can't start tomorrow -- I've got nothing to wear!"  However, Miss Peaceable and I did some emergency shopping -- and with a daily raid on the closet of Miss Peaceable (who has a marvelous collection of fancy cardigans and jewelry, not to mention shoes my size, too) -- I have rustled up about 7 quite peacock-y outfits -- purple and blue and pink and gray -- all marvelously accessorized, much more groomed than I am normally. I am dressed well, and comfortably set, but still feel a long way from home.