Solstice Day

Mister Wizard

Huzzah, Mister Wizard fixed my computer!  Not only is the keyboard typing English (und/oder Deutsch ou Français o Italiano or whatevs) versus mathematical symbols, the speed at which the whole system spins is MUCH closer to my own impatient internal rhythms (Instant gratification? NOT fast enough!). 

I dance the Lindy Hop of giddy gratitude.

Nota bene: this is New England where it’s totes normal to see men in winter, on 30º snowy days, wearing shorts.

We are a hopeful, hard and exuberant people — loath to pack away our summer happy jams.

Which brings me to this — today, at 6:03 PM winter begins.  Yup, today’s the winter solstice. On one hand I’m totally disinclined to celebrate the shortest damn day of the year. On the other, YEA, days will now begin to lengthen. YIPPEE!!! While we’re due for a mix of snow and rain today, if there’s a break in the wet stuff, I’ll be out there for a trike ride. No, I won’t be wearing shorts — OK, yes, I’ll have shorts on BUT I’ll have yoga pants underneath. See? I'm an effervescent yet realistic New Englander.

How long before this?!

Later, as part of our usual Sunday Tea Time, Jen, Oni and I will view Warren Miller’s: The Power of Snow: Cold Fusion — an extreme skiing/snowboarding documentary.

Join Cold Fusion's world class athletes as they embark on exciting adventures to such extraordinary locations as Kenya and Verbier, France, in search of the bluest skies and deepest powder.

I’m not a skier or snowboarder but love watching. Jen, on the other hand, has been snowboarding once or twice — she's gone with her pals, dubbed The Manic Elves by The Amazing Bob. For Leigh and Lynn, identical twins, there isn’t a cliff face they’d say no to climbing, a mountain they won’t scale or slope they’d be reluctant to barrel-ass down. They're both impressive and magnificently intimidating.

While our Jen is lithe and athletic she’s not up in the Manic Elf leagues. She curtailed her snowboarding career after spending most of the downhill ride on her ass, thus wearing out the butt of a good, new, pair of jeans. The sport got costly. Fast.

She’s back to running though. I’m envious. Running looks like it’d be awesome — I've even had wonderfully peaceful, blithe running dreams, but, with my wonky balance, I can’t even make it to the end of the driveway before toppling over.

sigh.

Which reminds me — TRIKE. I just checked outside and the snow’s not begun yet. Time to GO!