Rainbow Ice

We woke to a light layer of icy snow. Yesterday muddy ruts circled our cul-de-sac. Today walking out to the school bus the sun turned those ruts into a rainbow of colors.


On the deck bird tracks in blown glass sparkled. I walk out to get a good look, it feels like I’m standing in a field of fairy dust and anything is possible. This is a wonderful way to start the day; with the Mother Nature’s diamond powder showing me that everything I thought was ordinary can be extraordinary.

Grant's Basketball Game

Grant had his second basketball game. He sure can get up high and capture rebounds.

The first half of the game the Mustangs are working together and playing hard. The score is close. The second half I think I can see their brains go into overload with all of the new things they are learning, not to mention they are getting tired from running up and down the court. The other team has two really good players that they use 99% of the time so our guys can’t score as much, but they sure play hard and stay positive.

Tad is the coach and seems in his element. Both coach and boys have mutual admiration for the enthusiasm each shows, and the parents are great—they want the kids to have fun and learn. Go Mustangs!

Justin's Alien

Justin built an alien out of Legos. Maybe he will get hooked like Grant building, and rebuilding.

Justin reads the Lego magazines sent home by his teacher, he asked me to send his picture to the “Cool Creations” page. A week after we send it off he receives a letter thanking for his photo, saying they several thousands of photos, and asking him to check future issues for the possible inclusion of his photo. Justin jumps as smiles as Tad reads him the letter. Now we need to get busy sending in more photos to up our odds.

Loveland

We found a place, Loveland, to ski that has good beginner lessons, easy slopes, and friendly people. It is just about an hour west, not far from Vail. It’s a place the locals go for the day.

Tad bought 3 lessons for each boy and me. After my first lesson I was so excited, I actually remember a few things about how to ski, and know I’ll be out there with the rest of the family. Now when I brush my teeth I’ll stand leaning forward to build up my leg muscles like instructor recommended.

Loveland has plenty of green and blue runs for every level of beginner. I can see the Eisenhower Tunnel from a couple of runs, and when I get a little better I’ll be ready to ski over the top of it.

On our favorite easy slope Rainbow Road curves through some trees. The snow is packed and each foot independently follows the slight hills on this narrow trail. It isn’t long, just long enough to let us feel we’re getting good.

Vail and Winter Park are close with ambience, luxury hotels, and plenty of ways to spend your money on and off the slopes. Loveland closes at 4:30 so you have to spend your money during the day skiing or snowboarding, eating good hot food, or visiting the small shop.

Justin is the snowboarder of the family. He can leave Grant and me in the dust heading down the mountain leaning on the back edge of his board while Grant and I do the pizza (keeping our toes together and our heels spread out in back to slow us down).

Driving home we guzzle water and talk about what we tried during the day.

Squirrel

One of our three brown squirrels was leisurely eating from the seeds I poured on a bench, while the other two climbed up trees and over the top of our shed when suddenly our four female mule deer appeared.

Now there wasn’t going to be enough seeds for all the wildlife that had appeared, and the squirrel knew that. The deer jockeyed for position at the bench. One would stand up slightly on her hind feet and paw with her front feet at the others until they left the area. After eating by herself one of the deer returned and was allowed to stay. The squirrel really became upset watching the food disappear into the two deer. He’d run to the bench and stretch up of grab a sunflower seed. He was only a foot from the deer, but watching the seeds that had been his only a few minutes ago was too much.

Maybe our Abert squirrel was here earlier today. He likes to sit in the middle of the stand right off the deck and pick through the assortment of seeds and nuts. Last winter he would run off if he saw us watching him from the window, but this winter he seems to be at ease with our routine, and willing to let us watch him play in the trees. He jumps much farther and faster than the brown squirrels; he appears to be flying with the turfs of black fur on his ears, and the long soft fur on his body flowing in the wind.

This afternoon we may see our two red foxes or three rabbits. The term ‘still of winter’ doesn’t come to mind watching all the wildlife travel the snowy slopes of our yard.

Happy New year

Last night we visited friends. Looking at the bar I saw guacamole, chips, cheesecake, sopapilla cheesecake, 3-layer dip, pizza, red wine, and beer. The bond of rich food and holidays seems universal at the places I’ve been.

The 7 kids playing new Wii games had a great time. First they followed along dancing with the figure on the screen. Levels of coordination varied, but enthusiasm was high for all. Later the boys took over the controllers and raced each other along with Mario.

Two teenage girls alternately mingled and disappeared throughout the night. They talked about body piercing and boys.

Three dogs roamed the house watching for snacks and as many rubs as they could accumulate.

Grown-ups talked about skiing, soccer, places to vacation, local weather, anything that floated through our lightly alcohol greased minds.

As midnight neared Justin took off with a friend to watch a movie in his room. And get ready for his sleep-over.
Grant saw the ball fall in New York for the first time as we welcomed in 2010. Watching was fun; being warm and cuddly with people we care about—seeing people in New York dancing in the cold and rain, keeping warm with an adrenaline rush.

Happy New Years to all, we love you.