Saturday, November 3, 2018

painting again...

... on little faces today when I have a volunteer job at a nature center on the south edge of town. The facility is run (and possibly owned) by Columbus State University, at least that is their primary funding source, though I believe it was initially developed and supported by the city/county government and possibly various environmental organizations. Designed to preserve natural habitat for study and protection of some of the native species, there are a number of animals (incarcerated) for visitors to see, observe, possibly interact with in the sense of stroking or petting reptiles that might be considered fairly inert. Amphibians such as turtles, insects like hairy spiders, reptiles that might be (harmless) snakes. None of which I will be in the proper frame of mind to handle.

My job assignment is to help' man' a booth/table representing the local Master Gardening group, sponsored by the University of Georgia School of Agriculture. There is a good likelihood there will be printed matter that provides info. about various native species, habitat, environmental preservation as well as promotional flyers to recruit for the next class of gardeners, sponsored by the county agent's office. I will go and answer a few questions, and refer others to the people who are much more active andbetter informed, with me being one of the few volunteers who is still employed rather than retired.

The purpose of this event is awareness, to invite the community to come and visit the site, learn more about the programs, entice them to return and support the facility. This day in early November has been identified in the past as "Insect-ival", but apparently the theme has been slightly altered to be more focused on Harry Potter lore. Which I know virtually nothing about, other than it involves going to Majick School. My plan is to take that same box of acrylic paints, brushes and my little poster with several design choices and offer to put spiders or bugs on faces or hands. Mostly the same choices as the attendees of the Fall Festival/Plant Sale at the Botanical Gardens had last week, with the subtraction of pumpkins and ghosts, and the addition of  a caterpillar and butterfly.

You can get a green slippery slithery snake with a red sneaky tongue, or a purple spider with brightly frightening yellow beady eyes. A bright red lady bug with dots on her back, or a wiggly multi-legged caterpillar inching along your arm. Bright orange butterfly with wiggly feelers and long tickle-y black legs or yellow " :)" on your cheek, all of which will probably be gone long before you get a soaking in the tub at bedtime.

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