Last week I was asked if I wanted to join a snowboard lesson. "No thanks." I have never had any interest in trying snowboarding.
The next day I was cross-country skiing and it came back into my mind. It's true I have zero interest in snowboarding, but I also like to try new things and it would be fun simply to try something new with others who have never done it before, and if I don't try it now, I probably never will.
Ok, it's going to be at a place with a small hill, and it might actually be fun, or most likely will just make me say, "I tried it, never need to do that again." I should go. Except I don't want to spend the money...
I decided to spend the money - three days ago. Then today during lunch I get an "emergency" cleaning phone call. The studio where I do a work exchange had a roof leak and they did repair and debris etc fell from the ceiling and, "Would it be possible for you to come in this afternoon and clean before the next class comes in. We'll pay you..." And she said they'd pay me close to 4x what the snowboarding would cost me, and I have a flexible schedule so was able to go in.
#2 - She had us go on the treadmill during my community ed fitness class tonight, just 4 minutes, but it was nice to get more of a sweat and aerobic in the weight training routine.
#3 - She also had us use the assisted pull up machine which is still super hard, but at least makes pull-ups (somewhat) attainable. When I walked outside I was so happy to see fresh snow falling, big fluffy flakes that were completely absent when I walked in the building. We need some soft fluffiness to cover the icy snow on the ground.
#4 - I have a date with my favorite 8 year old to teach him how to ice skate on Friday. Unfortunately the place I want to take him - one of the few outdoor options that rent skates - has been closed because of all the melting and thawing. But thankfully because of the recent cold snap, I saw today that it is reopening.
#5 - Seeing that my 2 1/2 year old nephew clearly now understands the concept of imagination and pretend. He was "Choom choom" Star Wars - stalking around the corner, then batman, then a monster.
Wednesday, January 31, 2018
Tuesday, January 23, 2018
Caucus Phone Call
#1 - Last night at 8:40PM I told myself I was going to do 30 minutes of food prep. Which meant making Tilghman's Island Stew today was kind of like being on a cooking show. All the chopping was done, I just started adding things.
#2- I was about to wash dinner dishes when I heard the furnace kick up. Instead of doing dishes I laid down on the floor by a vent with a book.
While I was laying there the phone rang. I answered and a recorded voice said, "This call may be recorded for quality assurance..." I almost hung up but then started listening to the man that followed the recording.
Often times I hear people complain about the people running for office.
Other times I hear people complain that it is too soon to pay attention to those running for office.
Hopefully the same people aren't making those complaints. Because if you want people you support to run for office, you need to help get them there, and that involves getting involved in the process long long before election day.
#3 - So the man on the phone was calling about one of the women running for governor of MN. When I realized he was just a volunteer (and that I genuinely hadn't decided whom to support in this race), I think we were both relieved to have a short, real conversation. I was already leaning toward the three women in the race - all of whom seemed pretty awesome. But when the guy on the phone started telling me about Otto's specifics on her website and her endorsement by the DFL environmental caucus, I said I would take a look.
It was so refreshing to see Climate Change given a prominent place on her website. Not only that but she walks her talk with solar panels and a wind turbine at her home and has a specific plan for the state!
#4 - Even Bill McKibben co-founder of 350.org likes it -
"The states that go on the offensive against climate change will not just help the planet--they will own a significant chunk of the future. Rebecca Otto realizes the demands of the century we live in, both environmental and economic, and she's figured out how to build a smart path forward."
-Bill McKibben, author, environmentalist, and activist.
Now I'm more excited to attend my precinct caucus on February 6th, the beginning of the process to select the official democratic gubernatorial candidate. I'm also actually grateful to be targeted on these phone calls, because I've participated in this process before, so they care what I think. And I appreciate the people making these calls, because I know they are doing it because they care.
#5 - Finally on a topic shift, last year I really cherished starting and ending my day with "A Year with Rilke." I thought about just checking out poetry books from the library and starting and ending my day reading a poem, but then I saw this "Poetry -Warm-Up Activities - The Daily Spark" given as a gift by a friend a few years ago. It has sat on my dresser staring at me ever since. I write so few poems now I couldn't imagine writing one every day, but this book has 180 prompts, so could I do it every other day? I didn't actually start this practice until January 8th, but I quickly caught up, and thus far have really been enjoying it. Sometimes I sit with my prompt at breakfast or lunch and it makes that time of day so much more pleasurable. Today's prompt was a little tricky, "Have you ever had a dream that you didn't want to wake up from?" It wanted you to write a continuation. I may have but I can't recall so I tried just writing from my dream this morning.
The window was open
that's why the rain came in
people below
building their shelters
My brother wanted to remember
the time when we moved
when everything changed
I wanted some of the clothes still
in the closet
the golden shirt
maybe a dress
We all were moving forward
yet stuck in the past
we all had dreams
weighted down by a smattering of fears
#2- I was about to wash dinner dishes when I heard the furnace kick up. Instead of doing dishes I laid down on the floor by a vent with a book.
While I was laying there the phone rang. I answered and a recorded voice said, "This call may be recorded for quality assurance..." I almost hung up but then started listening to the man that followed the recording.
Often times I hear people complain about the people running for office.
Other times I hear people complain that it is too soon to pay attention to those running for office.
Hopefully the same people aren't making those complaints. Because if you want people you support to run for office, you need to help get them there, and that involves getting involved in the process long long before election day.
#3 - So the man on the phone was calling about one of the women running for governor of MN. When I realized he was just a volunteer (and that I genuinely hadn't decided whom to support in this race), I think we were both relieved to have a short, real conversation. I was already leaning toward the three women in the race - all of whom seemed pretty awesome. But when the guy on the phone started telling me about Otto's specifics on her website and her endorsement by the DFL environmental caucus, I said I would take a look.
It was so refreshing to see Climate Change given a prominent place on her website. Not only that but she walks her talk with solar panels and a wind turbine at her home and has a specific plan for the state!
#4 - Even Bill McKibben co-founder of 350.org likes it -
"The states that go on the offensive against climate change will not just help the planet--they will own a significant chunk of the future. Rebecca Otto realizes the demands of the century we live in, both environmental and economic, and she's figured out how to build a smart path forward."
-Bill McKibben, author, environmentalist, and activist.
Now I'm more excited to attend my precinct caucus on February 6th, the beginning of the process to select the official democratic gubernatorial candidate. I'm also actually grateful to be targeted on these phone calls, because I've participated in this process before, so they care what I think. And I appreciate the people making these calls, because I know they are doing it because they care.
#5 - Finally on a topic shift, last year I really cherished starting and ending my day with "A Year with Rilke." I thought about just checking out poetry books from the library and starting and ending my day reading a poem, but then I saw this "Poetry -Warm-Up Activities - The Daily Spark" given as a gift by a friend a few years ago. It has sat on my dresser staring at me ever since. I write so few poems now I couldn't imagine writing one every day, but this book has 180 prompts, so could I do it every other day? I didn't actually start this practice until January 8th, but I quickly caught up, and thus far have really been enjoying it. Sometimes I sit with my prompt at breakfast or lunch and it makes that time of day so much more pleasurable. Today's prompt was a little tricky, "Have you ever had a dream that you didn't want to wake up from?" It wanted you to write a continuation. I may have but I can't recall so I tried just writing from my dream this morning.
The window was open
that's why the rain came in
people below
building their shelters
My brother wanted to remember
the time when we moved
when everything changed
I wanted some of the clothes still
in the closet
the golden shirt
maybe a dress
We all were moving forward
yet stuck in the past
we all had dreams
weighted down by a smattering of fears
Monday, January 15, 2018
Ski
I did AM yoga for the third day in a row. I was at a cross-country ski weekend in Northern MN. The first couple days I set my alarm to attend, but since I've missed my bedtime five nights in a row I decided not to set it for today. I still woke up in time to get to yoga and ended up actually leading. The guy who led the first day wasn't an official yoga teacher (like me) , someone mentioned that I did a lot of yoga so he asked if I wanted to lead yesterday for some variety so I did. Today I was waiting for him to start, eventually he said, "Do you want to lead again?" I said, "Sure," and like yesterday I felt completely at ease. Since we were all skiing I didn't concern myself with getting a work-out, instead I just did stretches and slow movements. I was nourished by it, and I think the small group of others who got up early were as well.
Despite the frigid below zero (Fahrenheit) temperatures today I enjoyed a bit of snowshoeing (and hiking when the snowshoes were unnecessary). I've been to this place once before but I didn't get to the snowshoe trails.
I didn't get quite enough sleep in the cabin, partly because of getting to bed a little late, partly because the other people sharing the cabin went to bed later, and partly because I kept wondering if I needed to pee. Knowing I needed to go outside to pee (to a nearby building) made me keep wondering if I should go one more time, and then I didn't want to disturb the couple sleeping closer to the door of the cabin, by going in and out and so that just created a story of worries in my head that wasn't conducive to sleep. However, that said, I'm going to miss sleeping in that little cabin tonight because it was so cozy!
The weekend went really well and I felt very connected to myself and others. Maybe because of that, on the ride home, the guy I'm dating felt comfortable enough to share something with me that he felt hesitant about. As he expected I got upset (which in my case meant I turned silent and withdrawn), and in him reinforced him not wanting to tell me. It's a vicious cycle that I'm not sure how we reroute it, but we do have a counseling session on Thursday, so I guess that may move to the top of the agenda.
On a side note - but similar topic - I learned that my niece can come with me on a cross-country ski weekend in March. She made a lot of improvement in her skills and enjoyment last year and I'd love to share that and have that time with her.
Despite the frigid below zero (Fahrenheit) temperatures today I enjoyed a bit of snowshoeing (and hiking when the snowshoes were unnecessary). I've been to this place once before but I didn't get to the snowshoe trails.
I didn't get quite enough sleep in the cabin, partly because of getting to bed a little late, partly because the other people sharing the cabin went to bed later, and partly because I kept wondering if I needed to pee. Knowing I needed to go outside to pee (to a nearby building) made me keep wondering if I should go one more time, and then I didn't want to disturb the couple sleeping closer to the door of the cabin, by going in and out and so that just created a story of worries in my head that wasn't conducive to sleep. However, that said, I'm going to miss sleeping in that little cabin tonight because it was so cozy!
The weekend went really well and I felt very connected to myself and others. Maybe because of that, on the ride home, the guy I'm dating felt comfortable enough to share something with me that he felt hesitant about. As he expected I got upset (which in my case meant I turned silent and withdrawn), and in him reinforced him not wanting to tell me. It's a vicious cycle that I'm not sure how we reroute it, but we do have a counseling session on Thursday, so I guess that may move to the top of the agenda.
On a side note - but similar topic - I learned that my niece can come with me on a cross-country ski weekend in March. She made a lot of improvement in her skills and enjoyment last year and I'd love to share that and have that time with her.
Sunday, January 7, 2018
Branch
# 1 - Making Tempeh Reuben and green bean fries for dinner - with enough leftovers for a couple more meals this week. I asked my father if he wanted a sandwich with me, "What kind of sandwich?" he asked then continued, "Never mind." Knowing whatever I'd say probably wouldn't make sense to him, but he ate it.
#2 - My niece was super excited to watercolor paint with me, but I didn't realize how soon they needed to leave for cross-country skiing. She was really disappointed, but I look forward to painting with her another day.
#3 - It was a perfect day for cross-country skiing, well except for the fact that we hardly have snow. So let me say, a perfect day to cross-country ski in the few places where they make snow for that. And the deep cold we've felt meant the temperatures felt balmy and comfortable. It was super busy when I pulled in the parking lot, but the course was big enough that it felt fine once I got out there. And I was happy to know this was the first day a handful of kids I care about would begin their cross-country ski club for the year. I love it when people can get out and enjoy winter.
#4 - Hearing the happiness in my cousin's voice when I answered the phone. She was in a much more confident and grounded space than when I spoke to her this time last week. The first thing she did was ask me about the New Year's Ritual I did yesterday with my friends.
#5 - I just read my last post, and it reminded me to look up my new word of the year. It made a lot of sense when it came to me, right now it feels a bit more mysterious. Merriam Webster gives it three basic definitions -
The first is part of a plant stem.
The second is "something that extends from or enters into a main body or source".
The third is "a part of a complex body."
#2 - My niece was super excited to watercolor paint with me, but I didn't realize how soon they needed to leave for cross-country skiing. She was really disappointed, but I look forward to painting with her another day.
#3 - It was a perfect day for cross-country skiing, well except for the fact that we hardly have snow. So let me say, a perfect day to cross-country ski in the few places where they make snow for that. And the deep cold we've felt meant the temperatures felt balmy and comfortable. It was super busy when I pulled in the parking lot, but the course was big enough that it felt fine once I got out there. And I was happy to know this was the first day a handful of kids I care about would begin their cross-country ski club for the year. I love it when people can get out and enjoy winter.
#4 - Hearing the happiness in my cousin's voice when I answered the phone. She was in a much more confident and grounded space than when I spoke to her this time last week. The first thing she did was ask me about the New Year's Ritual I did yesterday with my friends.
#5 - I just read my last post, and it reminded me to look up my new word of the year. It made a lot of sense when it came to me, right now it feels a bit more mysterious. Merriam Webster gives it three basic definitions -
The first is part of a plant stem.
The second is "something that extends from or enters into a main body or source".
The third is "a part of a complex body."
My new word is - Branch
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