Remember Me?

My daughter just sent me this and I had to share this little bit from the late Charles M. Schultz. I had to share not only because he was a great cartoonist. I had to share not only because he was a wonderful person who could explore the inner workings of the human condition in a non-threatening way. I had to share because we could all use a little Charlie Brown in our lives.
The following is only one of the philosophies of Charles M. Schultz. We all know him as the creator of the timeless "Peanuts" comic strip.
You don't have to actually answer the questions. Just read them straight through and you will get the point.

1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.
2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.
3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America pageant.
4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer prize.
5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winners for best actor and actress.
6. Name the last decade's worth of World Series winners.

How did you do?

The point is, none of us remember the headliners of yesterday. These are no second-rate achievers. They are the best in their fields.
Applause dies.
Awards tarnish.
Achievements are forgotten.
Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.

Now, here is another quiz...See how you do on this one:

1. List 2 teacher who aided your journey through school.
2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.
3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.
4. Think of four people who have made you feel appreciated and special.
5. Name 5 people you enjoy spending time with.

Easier?

The lesson:
The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They are the ones that care.

Pass this on to those people who have made a difference in your life.

And
"Don't worry about the world coming to an end today. It is already tomorrow in Austalia!"
Charles M. Schultz
26 November 1922 - 12 February 2000
We miss you.

Adventure Interrupted

Well, my little ski adventure for the day was short-lived.

It began just fine. The snow was fresh, the air crisp, the sun bright. Boots placed securely in bindings, I struck out across the green to the church yard and the trails beyond.
Got to the other side of the church and prepared for my first run down the hill.
I began to execute my first telemark, when, much to my surprise, I caught my tip in some deep powder and took a spill.
That part wasn't so bad, it was kind of a swan dive type of maneuver. Arms outspread, amazed expression on my face, forward momentum carrying me face first into the snow.
Very graceful.
Very avant garde!
Very deja' vu of the stairway luge incident.
I would have given myself about a 9.5 for technique and a 10 for execution.
But, somewhere between take off and landing, my binding broke!
Had to walk home.
That part sucked!
Here I am, covered in snow from head to toe, poles in one hand, skis in the other, walking down the side of the road because the snow is too deep to skulk and sneak around the back of the church, away from passers by!
How can one maintain an air of artistic athleticism when the evidence of a dive is covering their person? A snow covered Dale sweater isn't good for the image!
Oh well. Even the professionals take a spill now and again. And, maybe it was the broken binding that caused the spill and not the other way around! Sure...
Gotta go get the bindings fixed and that can't be done til tonight.
Until then, I will contemplate my technique and visualize perfection.

Today I am going to do a bit of work on my technique. There is a great hill, just before the meadow that will provide practice with Telemark turns. Watching those types of turns executed well always makes me giggle. Watch this:




Today I practice this and take pics of the canal path. Wish there was a friend with a video camera to catch my poor technique on film.

Chenango Canal: part I

I just got back from a beautiful ski along the old Chenango Canal tow path. This canal ran from the Erie Canal in Utica, south to Binghamton, NY. There is only a small portion (3 miles or so) cleared in the Clinton area. My discovery of the tow path today was wonderful. Tomorrow I will take my camera and get some pictures of this little known but beautiful area.

Not Like Riding a Bike

Picked up the skis yesterday. As soon as we got home, I went out the back door, put them on and realized - skiing isn't like riding a bike. You do forget the body position and the finer points of staying upright.
This is driving me nuts! I mean, I can still ride a bike after years of not being on one. Cryminee! I can still ride a unicycle for Pete's sake. Yes, really, a unicycle.
But ski? Huh! I am still creeping around the back yard trying to regain the confidence to move! Snow shoes would get me from point A to point B faster.
Right now, I am working in the back yard trying to recapture the knowledge of the skating technique that propels the skier across flat open spaces and groomed flat trails. The new skis and boots intended to make the movement easier on the skier is driving me nuts. The last time I owned skis, your boots were more or less riveted to the ski. These bindings allow for a more natural walking movement. It will take some getting used to. So for now, I am sticking close to home, away from traffic and remembering that yes, one day long ago, I did take my first step.

Knitting Success, Knitting...Oh Fer Pete's Sake!

I have been knitting.
Really.
Just not so fast that you could tell.
Today I was going to post all my knitting successes and brag a bit. But the reality is that I just can't. I will show you the current progress and one tiny FO, the first of 2009.
First, the stalled Amhra'n Gra'.

I had high hopes for this sweater as a Yule gift for Hijo Segundo. And then, one day, he comes in to find me perusing sweater patterns and states:
"I'm not really into sweaters Mom. You don't have to make one for me. I would rather have socks or a scarf."
"HUH?!" I said to myself.
And the sweater began to languish. It is still going to be finished though.
The photo is where I was the day that bit of information came my way.

My small success came in the form of these newly designed little cuties. They are a new Emma's Daughter Design and will be in a series called Twinkle Toes, booties and socks for preemies and newborns. This is the first set and is currently under test and rewrite. They are so tiny that it takes only an hour or so to knit one! Fun stuff and small successes count. Right? With help from a marvelous group of women from Ravelry this pattern is getting finished so fast that my head is spinning. That group consists of the wonderful Krafty Anne, the amazing Doodler, the kind Nanarector, and last, but not least, the blogless yet amazing Nathalie, Sunniann and Miolulu.
The next little project that was so exciting for me to finish was for my dear friend Becca, who is still Unpublished by the way. I was getting ready to place them in an envelope and mail them to her when I thought to try them on for a picture. Oops...unless she has 2 right hands, this is just not going to work! Last time I saw her, she seemed to have both thumbs in the proper locations. I laughed, cussed, tried them on again to see if I was somehow mistaken with the positioning of the offending manual appendages only to discover that I was right. They were wrong. Now I have to make another one for the proper hand and probably another one for the proper hand again so I can have a pair too! Sorry Becca, they are going to take a while longer.
Knowing of my dismay and disappointment, the kindly Clinton mailman brought me a consolation prize though!
A while ago I ordered this gorgeous yarn in a kit. A Colinette Afghan kit.
A few years ago I made one for Hija Primera. Not the same pattern or colorway, but a Colinette kit. It was such fun to work and kept me warm while knitting. It was a Yule gift to her.
Since that time I have wanted one of my very own.
One day, while surfing around, looking for Wendy Peter Pan yarn, I stumbled into Wool Needlework. The Colinette brand, floating in the sidebar, caught my eye and I was a gonner. The kit is called Perugino and the colorway is Ginger Nut. It is perfect for my newly painted and decorated parlor! Can't wait to start it.

But you all know what I must do first. That is right, fix the mitten!

Magic Mirror On The...

Finally!
It took long enough!
Beginning to think I am the slowest knitter in the world!
The Magic Mirror mittens are finally off the needles and onto the blocking board!
Will post a picture when they are dry and on some hands.
Then, it is into a shipping envelope and off to the lovely Becca.
Will she really be the happiest girl in the whole USA?
We shall see.