Well, some time has now passed since my grandson passed away, and with time the pain eases. While still just a little bit in shock over it, I, as well as others, must move on and continue living till we're not.

With that in mind, I recently got a call from the folks at Yellowstone National Park and had to take a typing test. It was an online test and I still don't know what the exact requirements were, but I passed. After that there was a phone interview and at the end of the interview I was hired to work in the phone reservations section, which takes reservations over the phone for lodging and activities within the park. It seem I will be sitting before a computer, within a cubicle, talking to people over the phone. A lot. It is possible to have a schedule of 4 10 hour shifts, with three days off, which would be a great schedule to have. Then I would have 3 days each week in order to explore, hike, camp, fish, ride my motorcycle, ride the mountain roads in my Jeep, and Geocache to my hearts content.

I have yet to find the fly in this ointment. Yes, the lodging for employees is a dormitory setup, with roommates and shared bathroom facilities, but I've been there before while in the military. Not a deal killer. The meals are served in the employee dining facility, three meals a day, small deduction from your pay for the room and board. The pay is just a little more than minimum wage, but you can make more the better you do and the more you train to do more aspects of the job, so there's that. But it looks like there is little to no downside to this setup. I am to report in April and work till maybe the end of September, but there are full time year round jobs to be had if you can get one. Have to wait and see about that.

On top of everything else, the owner of my current residence is happy for me and willing to let me out of my lease early, with no damage done. Granted, he's keeping my security deposit, and I'm leaving a brand new washer and dryer, as well as a brand new refrigerator, to make up for breaking the lease, so I'd say we are all coming out ahead. In fact, I can't see how this could be going any better at this point. In one week and a few days, I'll be in the wind.

I'll have two and a half months to wander around before I have to report to work. Time enough to spend some time just relaxing and doing nothing, or something, or whatever I want to do.

I'm off to hunt for motorcycle trailers tomorrow, wish me luck!

Mac