Life's Ups and Downs

Slip slidin' away, Slip slidin' away...

Paul Simon wrote that long before I found myself sliding down Why Not on Wednesday.  

Tuesday had been one kickin' day of skiing. Grooming and conditions were really good, and we had Alpine Jack skiing all over the mountain! Why Not was a group favorite, and we took turns being asked by Alpine to follow him down various segments. He made the mistake of saying to me "OK...let's do it"...and do it we did!  I flew down...and then figured out he had meant to follow rather than race.  Ooops.  Must admit it was totally worth it when Ski Larry told me Alpine had said I was totally in balance & my skis were well placed. Alpine told me it was "an awesome run"...I thought so, but he confirmed it.

Remember...pride goeth before a fall...

Wednesday I met Larry and Barbara. Another gorgeous day, good conditions and great grooming.  Ski Larry and I had made about 5 runs down Wolverine, a double black...and they were good runs if I say so myself.  We decided to go to the east side and give single black Why Not a shot before meeting Barbara for a run and lunch. The top was just like Tuesday, and I stayed to the right away from the icy patch I remembered...but didn't know about the little trench the groomers had left.  Saw it, got over it, lost balance and just as I thought I had a chance of regaining balance, I was down...slip slidin' away.

Wasn't terribly worried until I felt I had slid far enough...and the feeling of the edge ridge against my back confirmed that.  I definitely didn't want to go over the edge...in any sense. Somehow stopped, minus the left ski...which Gentleman Larry delivered to me. Took stock, got up and we skied off to meet Barbara.

Believe we're gliding down the highway, When in fact we're slip slidin' away...

Ate lunch,  got mostly dried out in the sunny slope-side of the cafeteria and went back out. Not the same. Butchered Wolverine and decided to forgo another run on Why Not. Wanted to, but wisely didn't.

Sore enough the last two days to think it was very wise.

Slip slidin' away, Slip slidin' away, 

You know the nearer your destination, The more you're slip slidin' away. 

Transition Time

The North wind doth blow, And we will have snow,

And what will the robin do then, Poor thing?...

Well, the song I sang with Kindergarten classes for so many years has come true yet again. I've seen robins and bluebirds in surrounding locales, and now the redwinged blackbirds are appearing at my feeders...amidst snow squalls.  They are my true harbingers of spring's imminent arrival. One appeared Friday, a couple more Saturday and today.  Maybe they're menopausal and need cooler climes.  Not!  They're males.  Probably just forging the way.

The human male in this household forges the way. In the technological area the forging hasn't always been so good. Can you say Beta? Blu-Ray? Seemed like exceptionally good ideas at the time, and in fact were better than VHS and HD-DVD, but that doesn't matter...they're punchlines now. (Not unlike our Vega...google that one if you're too young!) 

So forging the way can be a bit perilous.  For humans, it's just money.  For the feathered friends, it can be life threatening. I do my part to help both species.

He'll sit in the barn, To keep himself warm,

And hide his head under his wing, Poor thing.

Feed the birds II

My Little Chickadee

While I love to feed and watch the birds, I find myself looking for "favorites".  Yes, I'm thrilled to have had several pairs of cardinals who were faithful all winter.  Just showing up was payment enough for me. Have also enjoyed the doves, wrens, starlings, crows (what scavengers!), pheasants, turkeys, juncos and of course the chickadees.  Especially My Little Chickadee. He (I have deemed him a he) has a totally white head and really stands out among the rest. The first time I spotted him I was captivated. Hoping I would catch sight of him, he granted my wish. Then again.  Then the next thing I new we were into mid February and he has been a regular. Tried to capture him...on film...but to no avail.  Throughout the day I glimpse him darting from tree to tree, feeder to feeder.  Makes preparing meals, eating and cleaning up the kitchen fun.

 

A year ago we had a one-eyed little bird.  Have often wondered what happened to her (yes, I dubbed her a her) as I was doubtful she would last too long.  She was around for quite some time, but - you know what's coming - I lost sight of her. (Sorry - couldn't resist.)

Favorites?...among birds?...among people...among kids or grandkids?  Oh, don't go there.

  

Well, maybe among the birds.

I do love my little chickadee. 

Time...

If I could put time in a bottle, The first thing that I'd like to do...

Actually there are times I wish I could bottle time...save precious moments, extend precious moments and even spend unwise moments better. The song is actually melancholy, and the idea makes one think.  Jim Croce's Time In A Bottle.  Look it up, read or listen to it. Did he have a clue how short his time was to be?

Maybe I can't put time in a bottle, but I can put it on my wrist once again. UPS delivered my new watch and it arrived in an impressive box.  Wonder how much that added to the cost?!  The band has a foolproof closing device...maybe this one will be around for a good, long time.

So I'm back in business...telling time, gauging time, and spending time.  Wisely, I hope.

But there never seems to be enough time

                To do the things you want to do 

                                      Once you find them...          

 

Feed the Birds

"Feed the birds, tuppence a bag...

Mary Poppins could get bird seed for tuppence a bag....me, not exactly.  

$19.99 for 50 lbs of black-oil-sunflower seeds at an Agway in Hudson...enough savings for Tom to make a u-turn and buy 3 bags.  One for his mother and two for us...or at least the birds we feed.

Not exactly a bad habit, but a semi-expensive one...rewards?...priceless.

I find the constant kaleidoscopic changes mesmerizing, soothing and full of lessons. 

Birds come in waves.  Not a lot of overlap between species, although some are more tolerant than others toward their fellow feeders. 

Not unlike humans. 

...tuppence, tuppence, tuppence a bag."

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Early each day to the steps of Saint Paul's

The little old bird woman comes.

In her own special way to the people she calls,

"Come, buy my bags full of crumbs.

Come fed the little birds, show them you care

And you'll be glad if you do.

Their young ones are hungry,

Their nests are so bare;

All it takes is tuppence from you."

Feed the birds, tuppence a bag,

Tuppence,tuppence, tuppence a bag.

"Feed the birds," that's what she cries,

While overhead, her birds fill the skies.

All around the cathedral the saints and apostles

Look down as she sells her wares.

Although you can't see it, you know they are smiling

Each time someone shows that he cares.

Though her words are simple and few,

Listen, Listen, she's calling to you:

"Feed the birds, tuppence a bag,

Tuppence, tuppence, tuppence a bag."

            - from Mary Poppins

Time...to shop

Does anybody really know what time it is?

I did...until I checked my watch yesterday and it wasn't on my wrist. Hmmmm. Had to get Tom from his meeting and meet Karen for dinner.  Must  have left it home. 

At home it became obvious it was gone. And I really liked that watch.

Not in a pocket...nor the car...nor Shop Rite (yes, I dug the sales slip from the garbage and called).

Oh yes...I remember hearing something "clink" when Tom and I switched drivers at the Stone Church. (He was late for his meeting and had to finish putting on his boots in the car, so he allowed me to drive...for about 3 miles.) 

Drove up this morning, and there was the watch-face in the middle of the road...part of the band off to the side...the rest well hidden as I couldn't find it.

Well, here is my opportunity to use my first Coinstar certificate...for Overstock.com.

Yes, I really know it's time to shop.

Where Am I?

Where Am I?

Am I really here, blogging as if I know what I'm doing?  Apparently so.

Thought I would be skiing, but with 50+ degrees for several days, that is not an option for this semi-sane geezer.

As I showed a Tuesday-skiing-friend the joys of facebook, he asked "Why?"...and when I told him I enjoy seeing what relatives, friends and acquaintances are doing he dubbed me a voyeur.  If the shoe fits... So now I must venture out into the cyberworld and start posting.

Don't check back too often as I doubt there will be much different, but for now I am here.

Where are you?