Do you ever struggle with a theme for a post? Do you even feel the need to have a theme? My posts typically take the form of a monthly summary, a hike, a family visit, a special event. The theme is defined, or jumps out to me. Today's post? Not so much. I had some pictures left from last month - they didn't fit the Deep Freeze theme - and I studied them, hoping for inspiration to come like the proverbial bolt of lightning. A kernel of an idea started to sprout - pride in my accomplishments during the month. Such as:
I completed a prayer shawl that has been lingering in my project basket. (And in delivering the shawl to our ministry leader, it was a treat to chatter with her over a cup of coffee. We had not seen each other since June - a lot to discuss!)
I deployed one of my Christmas presents (thespotting scope attachment) to take pictures of the birds at our feeders.
I practiced my drawing.
I began tidying the utility room. A box of miscellaneous articles found its way to the charity shop, and two items are at the consignment store. I tackled our stock of gift bags and tissue paper, which had evolved into a rat's nest. To the left - a work-in-process picture, and to the right - the finished product. The most significant challenge in the utility room, by far, are the photographs. Boxes of them. A few friends had recommended Legacybox.com as a potential solution. I investigated the service, and quickly dismissed it due to cost. The advertising implies that you can place an unlimited quantity of pictures and videos into a box - whatever you can get to fit - but in reality, the 'packages' specify a quantity, such as 3 tapes or 3 films or 3 sets of 25 pictures for $87.95. Yikes! I am still in the infancy stage of this project, but I believe I will use plastic sleeves in binders to preserve those photos we decide to keep. Stay tuned!
One-third of the way through the first box ...
And we had a little fun along the way, with a Super Bowl party and a breakfast date after Mass. And of course, snow shoeing in Glacier National Park was the only excuse we needed to stop for huckleberry pie at the Huckleberry Patch!
New table for lower level; gear actually raises/lowers it!
Blondies and ribs for Super Bowl
Writing this post couldn't be that easy, could it? No, of course not. I am the master of over-complicating a situation. Somewhere along the line, my brain over-ruled my heart. My initial draft of this post began "As I look back over the last six weeks, I am very satisfied. I have made very good progress on my New Year's resolutions and goals with other miscellaneous fun thrown in the mix." Then my brain said "Let's structure this post using the February 2 edition about resolutions." And down that rabbit hole we went. Before I knew it, I was more than a little bit bummed. Some of my resolutions, such as drinking 64 ounces of fluid daily, have been a dismal failure. Is that what I want to write about? Quicker than you can say "jackrabbit", I went from pride in my achievements to a reluctance to even write this post.
Sun rising through morning mist over the back forty
At times like this, I find it helps to leave the computer and engage in a different activity. (I sorted more photos ...) When I came back to the keyboard, I gave myself the advice we always delivered to the kids when sitting down to compose an essay: just write. Write whatever comes into your head. So I did.
Do you ever struggle with a theme for a post? Do you even feel the need for a theme?
For many, February signifies chocolate, hearts and roses. For me, it's that and more. My birthday. Super Bowl Sunday. And now, after our first February in Whitefish, the crazy town-wide bash known as Winter Carnival. Here's a re-cap of February's festivities.
ONE: Whitefish Winter Carnival
King Ullr and his Queen of the Snows, ably assisted by a Prime Minister and other members of the royal court, fete the town and its subjects each February, to commemorate the King protecting the village from a fierce band of snowmen called the Yetis.
(Internet)
(Seriously. 59 years ago, a dozen community leaders dreamed up this fairy tale to brighten the dull days of February. And it is a BIG deal.)
This year, the King recruited Eddie the Eagle (a British skier who in 1988 became the first competitor since 1928 to represent Great Britain in Olympic ski jumping) to serve as Grand Marshal for the Carnival. And so the 2018 Carnival theme of "Fly Like an Eagle" was born. Of course, for Spousal Unit (being from the UK) this was something of an emotional event, to see his countrymen about town, starting with the Skijoring event.
(Internet)
Skijoring puts a skier behind horse and rider, holding onto a rope secured to the back of the saddle. The skier then maneuvers a number of jumps and 'gates' on the ground (akin to slalom skiing). At our particular event, the skier also had to snatch one or more rings from a pole along the course, depending on the level of the competitor. The shortest time wins!
In true Montana fashion, the fans endured over four hours of cold to watch these mad people compete. Of course, the alcohol, food and cowbells helped with fan engagement!
(Internet) - Eddie the Eagle
Spousal Unit just about burst his buttons with pride when Eddie the Eagle gave it a go - on borrowed skis, with borrowed boots, having never done it before. The cheers of "Eddie, Eddie" were loud and persistent. Rock on, Brits!
Just when you think it can't get any zanier, you witness the Penguin Plunge, the chance for (apparently) perfectly sane people to jump (voluntarily) into Whitefish Lake. While the royalty observe from a safe distance, teams that have raised funds for Special Olympics leap into the frigid water. Yeah, baby, it's cold in there!
OK - whew - are you ready for something a little tamer? Our church hosts the Pie Social during the Carnival, and we put our best foot (well, recipe) forward with Spousal Unit's dessert specialty, Pecan Pie.
On the day of the Social, we sampled the competition (oops, the other pies) and chatted with folks at our table. Just before we left, King Ullr and his royal court, including Eddie the Eagle, entered to the traditional trumpet blast and "All Rise for King Ullr and the Queen of the Snows!" Spousal Unit was chuffed to bits (read: very pleased) to have the opportunity to introduce himself to Eddie, shake the Olympian's hand and get a picture with him. Who would have imagined two Brits would cross paths in Whitefish, Montana, having originated in Cheltenham and Durham?
The capstone event for the Carnival is the Grand Parade. Temperatures were mild (by Whitefish standards) and swelling crowds lined the streets.
Soon enough, Eddie the Eagle launched the Parade, and the kids, armed with all manner of candy collection devices (plastic bags to buckets to pillow cases) scrabbled for the goodies. Fly Like an Eagle!
TWO: Super Bowl
For many years, we hosted a grand party at our home in Cleveland. It became a bit legendary for good food and camaraderie, even if the games were not the best or the half-time shows left us unsatisfied. This year, we watched the spectacle at the house of our next-door neighbors; for Harry, a Philly native, it was a dream on the line for his hometown. For us, we just desperately wanted a team other than the Patriots to win! (Sorry if you're a Patriots fan.) It was the most exceptional game I can remember for years - down to the wire. The fourth quarter sack with Brady turning over the ball. Brady's Hail Mary pass that went incomplete.
Incomplete!!!!
We were all jumping up and down and screaming at the top of our lungs. Yes, I know it's just a game, but sometimes there is untold joy when your team wins! THREE: My birthday I love to start the day with coffee in bed, so I knew a special day lay before me when Spousal Unit brought me not only coffee but my favorite breakfast - smoked salmon with caper sauce on wheat English muffins.
The spa card from Spousal Unit carries the promise of some 'just-for-me' pampering - a facial and pedicure may be just the ticket to celebrate Spring in a month or so. Since I am obsessed with hedgehogs but forbidden to add any real pets to our household, this stuffed beauty and new socks join my make-believe hedgie collection - thanks, # 1 Son!
Of course, the cards and well wishes from friends and family poured in - isn't it great to be remembered?
We rounded out the day visiting our log house in construction (the ultimate gift), relishing The Post at the movies and noshing on steaks at the Whitefish Lake Restaurant. I felt celebrated and adored (and not a day older!) FOUR: Valentine's Day We celebrated Valentine's Day a few days early to avoid any overlap with Ash Wednesday, a day of fasting. As Spousal Unit does most of the meal preparation, I wanted to cook something special for him - voila - Nutella French Toast! A decadent breakfast, a perfect lead-in to the Lenten season.
(A few days later, my frozen fingers testified to the need for new ski gloves worthy of our frost-bite-warning mountain temperatures. So Spousal Unit whisked me off to the Sportsman and Ski Haus for these beauties. So toasty. This is how we like to celebrate holidays - we buy practical things and we 'assign' them to a holiday, even if it's after the fact. Happy Valentine's Day to me!) FIVE: Felines Sometimes the best revelry is hunkering down at home with simple pleasures, such as a fire, embroidery and our cats.
Maggie lending a paw to my embroidery
Josie on her home-made cat tree near the gas fire
Cats remind us to relax (even when stressed out watching our favorite sports teams), and to nap!
Maggie rooting for the Cavs (until she's exhausted with
Spousal Unit shouting)
And sometimes, they simply make us laugh. That's the finest festivity of all!
