Winter Fun: Part One — The Early Years

While growing up in Rochester, Mich., winter-time fun was the norm. My sister and I were always outside building snow forts, ice skating, sledding or skiing. In our early years, three of our neighbors generously converted their shared vegetable garden into a community ice rink. This afforded us after-school and late-night skating parties without having to abide by open skate times or rules. As for sledding, our backyard was the place. We spent countless snow-days out there. Some of our neighbors even learned how to ski on our bunny slope.

 

As we matured into adolescence we graduated from backyard sledding to an unmarked hill near Stoney Creek Metro Park called Suicide Hill. The name ought to clue you in. The journey to this hill was part of the fun. We trekked miles through fields of deep snow barefoot with no coats, gloves or scarves. Once there, my sledding buddies and I laughed our cusses off. The steepness of the hill made for high-speed descents that often ejected us from our saucers before reaching the bottom. We were lucky. No one in my group ever broke bones or suffered concussions. Our greatest afflictions were sore muscles and wet jeans (because we were too "cool" to wear snow pants).

 
to be continued …

Urban Profiling?

I am a bit off track from my Friday to-do list. But, I couldn’t resist sharing a moment from my morning coffee break. 

While finishing my coffee, I was scanning FB. A college friend posted a link in her status for Living Social, which links visitors with daily deals relevant to their geographic location. The link she posted was for a pizza deal in Ann Arbor. Since A2 is home to several superb pizza joints (i.e. Cottage Inn, Marco’s Pizza, and Pizzeria Uno’s), I was curious to see which was offering the deal.

But, pizza was not what Living Social had in mind for me. Here’s my deal of the day…

Action Impact

BTW, does anyone want to sign up with me? For $49 we get it all: training, certification, and peace of mind that we're safer living near the "D".

Quickies

Emotional Tsunami

Last week was tough.  There were FB posts from close family members — including myself — who are struggling with a recent, untimely death. Another shared the story of a stranger who recently lost his wife and infant daughter to a car accident earlier this month. An e-mail message from a friend updated me on her mother’s recovery from the removal of a benign brain tumor. My son’s teacher called to inform me the classroom occupational therapist lost her father just that morning. As I offered my prayers, faith, thoughts and support, I also wished for some large dose of magic to lessen the pain and sorrow. But, we all know there isn’t any such potion — that is legal and that really does any good.

A Moment of Distraction

In my quest to find a moment of distraction, I got lost online at CNN, The Huffington Post, Entertainment Weekly and People. At EW, I learned about three different film versions of Snow White being slated for production. As I was asking, why three, I recalled the Disney version, which was the first film I ever saw. My mom took my best friend and I — both age 4 — to the movie theatre after preschool one day. She let us sit by ourselves in the row in front of her. We felt so grown up… until the wicked witch appeared. My friend and I turned our backs and hid our faces in the seat backs. We were so scared; and were not feeling very grown up at all. What a great memory of my mom and of my preschool years.

Defrost Mode

My part of the world is in defrost-mode. Spring-tease days are flirting with all of us thick-bloods. Snow is melting. Teenagers are blading in shorts and t-shirts. Tulip sprouts have started to appear in my garden. The warm temps broke me out of the confines of my nightly basement workout. I took to the streets for a starlit walk. It was a splendid taste of what’s to come in a couple months.

Hooked on Cumin and Bizarre Foods

Since day one of 2011, I have been zipping up my recipes with cumin. It all began while spicing up some naked veggie burrito mix one evening in January. I also like cumin in chili and chicken noodle soup.  Another trend for me this winter is the Travel Channel’s Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern. During the elliptical portion of my nightly workouts, I flip channels on my mini LCD looking for some added stimulation.  In addition to burning up the calories from those Hershey’s special dark chocolate bars and Snickers ice cream, I have learned about some interesting culinary practices in various parts of the world. I watched snippets of episodes in Syria, Puerto Rico and Chicago.

Seven, Silent Monsters

I have seven, silent, but ever-present monsters prowling around in my head. Winter blahs, cabin fever, parental stresses, unrealistic expectations, inner negative talk, ever-growing to-do list, and time thief are “The Seven”. For a lack of a better term for these negatives, I call them monsters. They remain silent because until now, I have not given any outward indication to their existence.

“The Seven”, however, have drawn swords, and are challenging me to a fierce battle this winter. I am motivated to fight and banish these silent monsters. Ignoring them is not my style. Giving into their negative energy is not an option. I refuse to encourage them toward a more public presence.

By nature, I am an optimistic, extrovert who enjoys social occasions and people. It is foreign to identify a struggle with “The Seven.”  Acknowledgement — I believe — is the first step to winning these solitary, inter-connected wars. Next, is to fight.

Upper cut to the winter blahs. No more thumbing a nose at snow, arctic cold, and limited daylight. I will ice skate, sled, walk and cross-country ski until I hear frogs croaking Spring’s arrival.

Box it out to cool cabin fever. Stirring a little crazy is just what I need to break out for good times with family and friends.

Front kick parental stresses. My faith prevails. I am ready for whatever is on deck. My ability to love, nurture, teach, inspire and discipline strengthens every day.

Knock out unrealistic expectations. Spotless and always-organized are not realistic daily goals for my house, which is home to four active people and a lovable, playful dog. There will be days — in the near and distant future — when performance pleases me, but not you. So be it.

Round kick inner negative talk. Body types, genetics, and past experiences brought on by school mishaps, social challenges and stupid choices cannot be undone. I learn valuable lessons from living life and from others. I will cheer loudly for positive thoughts.

This fight is nearly won. I am sweating. Are you?  I saved the most notorious confrontations for last. One is with ever-growing to-do list and the last is with time thief.

Swipe a blade to that ever-growing to-do list. My concentration is on action items already occupying PDA space. Child care, academic success, professional development, volunteerism, household chores, pet care, family relations, friendship development, social calendar, marital bliss, and new acquaintances are just a cliff-note version of what my responsibilities include. When does it stop? Does it ever?

Fast feet catch time thief. Set the clock for me. I am taking time to read books, spend time with family and friends, volunteer, strengthen spirituality, pursue hobbies, develop professional ambitions, pamper my body, watch quality entertainment, and listen to good music.

What a match-up. The adrenaline is pumping through my veins. I feel better already. Do you see any monsters? I don't right now. But, seeing some green along with a dose of Spring-like temps wouldn’t hurt, either.