Grounded and Back in the Firewood Hunt

A question was posed to me by my wife that really forced me to take a step back and take a good look at my life-how could I justify going skiing as much as I do while there are so many projects that lay around the house unfinished?

My answer?

I can't... so I won't. Total bummer. We were planning on going skiing this Sunday, had it all planned out, and were ready to hit the slopes right after breakfast when my wife posed the fateful question. Part of her complaint was that it meant that she would be at home all by herself because after a hard week at work, she not only didn't feel like rushing out the door with all of our ski equipment, but that she wanted us to spend time together, as a family. Now how could I argue with that.

The ski season winds down to an end, and we missed out on a prime skiing weekend, but such is life. It's more important in the end to spend quality time together, and though skiing can be a family gig, it's not exactly warm fuzzy time playing games and being together. So we can take a break. Besides, I get a sense the kids were wanting a break, anyway. Boo-hoo!

Then again, it is snowing, so maybe it's a sign.

I am also being punished for my complacency and selfishness in the firewood department. I got a great deal last year on firewood, kind of fell in my lap, actually, and I, like the people I was disdainful of, guarded our secret source like gold. I figured this year would be easy, I'd just give a call, get our six cords, and be on our way, but it was not to be.

I put in an order for six cords, and our man got back to us, but the price had gone up considerably. So much so that I'm wondering if it's even worth it. Not six cords, at least. I was bummed, once again, and figured I was getting what I deserved for being so clandestine about it all. Just goes to show you, you can't go through life without dealing with it like a real man.

Now I'm once again in the firewood hunt, and life is no longer so simple. I do have some leads, however, and this could very well be the year that I get my chainsaw, because I may very well need it.

Until the next time, thanks for reading.

More Snow and Taking a Break

I've heard through the weather rumor mill that we're slated to get up to 12-14 inches of snow, if you can believe that one. J at the ski hill is probably livid, but I have to confess, I'm into it. It means that our ski season will push on that much longer, and we might actually get to ski the Dartmouth Ski Hill before the season ends, but let's not get too far ahead of ourselves. We do have to be in Hanover this week, however...

On the subject of skiing, we are taking what is probably a much needed break this weekend. Besides probably being a zoo at the Quechee Ski Hill, today it is snowing, and that makes skiing all the more challenging, at least for me. So on Sat and Sun, we'll hang out and relax, because last week we skied for six days straight. Don't get me wrong, it was awesome, and the kids really made leaps and bounds in their skiing, but I found myself getting into OCD/frantic mode and scrambling to ski every day. It gets a little crazy, and at some point it's good to take a step back and regroup.

I think we'll just sit back and watch the snow come down. What a great idea.

Until the next time, thanks for reading.

Skiing in the Green Mountain State

One thing about living in Vermont is that when the weather gets cold and the snow starts to fall, you ski. Whether it be XC or Alpine, it's just the thing to do around here, and something that I've wanted to encourage in Audrey and Nicholas from the get go, especially with the kids. Having grown up in Southern California, skiing was an activity that only few people had the means or the desire to do. Consequently, it has an air of exclusivity and privilege, regardless of whether or not it's warranted. Then again, this LA we're talking about here.

It's different up here. Everyone skis, and it really is accessible to most people. All the schools have ski programs, and there are affordable lift tickets and equipment. I tried to encourage Audrey and Nicholas to downhill ski, but they just never really clicked with it. Maybe I jumped in too fast and they just weren't ready, but they indicated that they just weren't into it. I was bummed, but the bright side was that I could snowboard by myself, even if my dream of skiing as a family had come to an abrupt end.

We took up XC skiing, instead, and they enjoyed that, even if it was more work, it is a more thoughtful and soulful experience, and one we've done as a family for the past year. Well, just the other day, as I was getting ready to snowboard at the Quechee Hill, they told me that they wanted to ski with me. I couldn't believe it, and we hit the slopes and they had a blast.

A complete turnaround. We had to upgrade Audrey's stuff and tune it up, and Nicholas is due for the same, but we skiied two days in a row at the local hill. Saw a bunch of our friends, the kids made huge strides in their skiing, and now we're a skiing family. How cool is that?

When in Rome, and all. I'm excited but have to take a deep breath and take it slowly, but for now, I'm stoked. Want to go skiing all the time, and they've reached a point where I could probably bring my snowboard while they skiied, but I want to be there for them if they need me.

My name is Fred Lee, and until the next time, thanks for reading.