I'll Do Anything To Win

This lovely bonnet is the prize I won at this year's Starlight Challenge.

Not for skiing fastest.
Not for having the smallest differential.
Not even for skiing slowest...

While racing last weekend, I took a tumble that left a gate looking like spilled matchsticks and me feeling slightly more dazed and confused than usual.
I skied too fast and low into the turn at one gate, causing me to slide then slam sideways into the gate below. The result catapulted me ass-over-tea kettle down the hill and straight into the Starlight Challenge record books... with the dubious title of "Best Crash".
I smacked my head quite hard on the snow, but my helmet did its job. I was also bruised up a bit, but skied away from the fall none the worse for wear.
Needless to say, my times at the wind-up last night were considerably slower...

Something...

Perhaps I had a wicked childhood
Perhaps I had a miserable youth
But somewhere in my wicked miserable past
I must have had a moment of truth
For here you are
Standing there
Loving me
Whether or not you should
So somewhere in my youth or childhood
I must have done something good
Nothing comes from nothing
Nothing ever could
So somewhere in my youth or childhood
I must have done something good
Here you are
Standing here
Loving me
Whether or not you should
So somewhere in my youth or childhood
I must have done something good
Nothing comes from nothing
Nothing ever could
So some where in my youth or childhood
I must have done
Something Good.


From: The Sound of Music
Lyrics: Oscar Hammerstein

I've had the time of my life...

My back is sore.

My legs are complaining.

My neck is stiff.

My cheeks are glowing.

My lungs feel clear.

My head is singing.

My knees are clicking.

My thighs are burning.

My arms are limp.

My toes are numb.

My wrists are zinging.

My hair's a mess.

And my body just wants to sleep!

Shift

Seek; in the dark
Learn; without thought
Grow; despite oppression
Laugh; in the face of despondency
Weep; where there is only joy
Thrive; within captivity
Soar; upon clipped wings ...

Simple Pleasures

Soda crackers spread with a thin layer of dairy butter.
Warm, dry socks.
Rosy cheeks.
A good morning text from Beth.
Sleeping in.
Sunlight.
Laughter.
Dipping cold feet into warm slippers.
Making snow angels.
Tucker's eyes.
A starry night.
The scent of pine on a chinook breeze.
Clean sheets.
Snowflakes.
The soft rattle of my window when a train rolls through the valley.
A full moon.
Woodsmoke.
The first sip of coffee in the morning.
Spaezle.
A smile.
Singing along with The Sound of Music.
Bed time.
Watching my children grow.