The Work Begins
In preparation for my first deployment, we spent days planning, reading, packing, and waiting, and waiting. All of my experienced NCOs told me before hand about hurry up and wait and how to prepare for it. That saving our strength for the work ahead would be critical and that patience would be the better part of valor in these cases. What they didn’t tell me was once the waiting was over how much would have to be done almost instantly and simultaneously. Cargo to load and unload, reports to fill out, security info to file, field reports to read and present to troops. All with jet lag to overcome and PT to be done in the 104 degree, windy and sand filled base we were operating out of. In some ways the shift in seasons reminds me of those day and sadly miss them.
Now that the seasons have begun their turn, the spring work has begun with a vengeance between the freezing days that start the process all over. We began our personnel transplants indoors weeks ago and have started the next set only to have to wait on our hardening due to upcoming freezing days. We are set to move some blackberries and raspberry bushes for the same reason. We completed our first animal enclosure and fenced in a few plots but have delayed turning the soil due to heavy rains and upcoming freezing temps. So here its hurry up and wait and hurry and wait and hurry and wait while waiting.
In the mean time we have been helping an old veteran who is recovering from COVID. We spent a few hours last week cutting and harvesting about a cord of wood from his land to split and stack for next year. The experience was a lot of the usual except for so additional help that showed up with poorly maintained and frequently lent out equipment. Our saw ran smoothly cutting the oak and maple logs with consistent ease. In comparison the other saw cut slowly and broke down after about 15 minutes of use. It showed that a little PMCS or maintenance keeps things working well (which reminds me I need to sharpen that blade). Anyway, I hope your projects and planting is going according to plan for you and that the hurry up and wait doesn’t drive you crazy. Deven Little