Why Blog

That is the big question. Having read my daughter's blog for the last year I have come to the conclusion that it is a way to share a snippet of life with people you care about. I live in a different State than my mother, siblings and children. The casual conversations that you can have when you see each other regularly don't happen when it is a "trip" or even a phone call. I have never learned the art of calling every day just to check in. I envy friends who talk to their children, sisters, mother several times a week. For some reason I always think I have to have a purpose to make a call. But more on that some other time.

I am going to try to blog regularly - not the amazing 365 that Meagan commited to do - but more than once a month. That makes this the first in the new series.

This week my two grandsons came to snowboard for a few days. There is a big age difference between the two boys - almost 7 years. So I was a little worried about how they would do on the mountain. I don't ski and Bruce had lessons - so who would keep an eye on them? These guys were amazing. They kept an eye on each other. The snowboarded together, the oldest kept an eye on the younger one and did it with thoughtfulness. The few times the older one wanted to try a harder run, the younger hung out at the bunny slope. They played Wii together or seperately but four days into the trip - no fights, no sarcasm. Congratulations parental units -- you have done a great job!

There was an old lady who swallowed a fly

I should have listened more carefully to the lesson in the song. Cause and effect, cause and effect. What was I thinking.

This morning the rug in front of the sink was soaking wet. Checked under the sink - no leak. Opened the dishwasher - the gasket had come out of the groove along the bottom quarter on one side. Pushed the gasket back in, checked all around to make sure it was tight. Then I looked at the rug -- it could use a good wash so in it went to the washer. Then into the dryer.

Taking it out of the dryer I noticed a pile of sandy material. Easy enough, I got the vacuum and sucked up the dirt and for good measure vacuumed out the lint trap. Then the light began to dawn in my little head. I checked the washer and sure enough there was grit in the gasket around the door. Out came the paper towels. And again for good measure I checked all the nooks and crevices and got the gunk that seems to accumulate in the gasket. (Note to self: the front loading washer is very nice but it is not easy to clean). Then I ran the washer with some bleach. (Second note to self: It is very hard to trick an energy efficient, self adjusting washer into thinking there is something in there).

Looking back I should have put the rug out on a chair on the back deck and let it dry.

West Virginia winter

This is opening weekend at Timberline and there is snow - real snow on the ground, on the porches and the roads. It is the first time I can remember real snow on Opening Weekend! They are blowing snow like crazy on the slopes and we are all looking at the sky and doing the "let it snow" dance.

Bruce got to ski yesterday on fresh powder! The snow is packed into the tire tracks and Zed and I could actually take a long walk without picking out ice balls from his feet. This afternoon he could not resist and dove into a snow pile coming out looking like a little snow ball. The tree is up, a fire is lit, and I have dinner ready to go into the oven. Something about a snowy day makes me want to snuggle up and read a book.