Lesson 939: Golden Girls

 

Hello, Readers.

Eloise, here,

sending love from the golden sands of Presque Isle.

Or not.

These are photos of Valentine's Day weekend

and our time on Presque Isle,

the Bay,

and Findley Lake.

Walking on the frozen bay was really something.

Here is some golden sand from the tip of the peninsula.

Golden is clearly a term for blog-flow purpose--

the sand is actually brownish,

but very pretty when visually layered against the bright white ice dunes

and clear  blue sky.

There were flashing signs on the peninsula,

warning folks to stay off of the ice dunes.

They are dangerous because they are hollow

and one call fall through into the icy lake,

making rescue difficult and risky for others.

So glad that everyone obeyed.

We explored some steep hills that were safe for humans.

Peek-n-Peak is magical this time of year.

Watching Ellen slide down the bunny hill

was not quite as thrilling as the Olympics,

but there was joy in just being outside

watching her have some fun.

Speaking of joy and the Olympics.....

meet our new Golden Girl!

Alyssa Liu not only won the gold medal,

but she won the hearts of the world.

Her joy jump on the podium 

spread infectious warmth 

through the cold Winter Games.

I hope athletes of the world

listen when she speaks of sports burnout

and the freedom one can find when finding balance.

We got to give standing applause to these golden girls as well.

Yay for USA!

I get to watch live hockey on Sunday

when the men play Canada for the gold.

I had to receive hockey updates today via my mother 

because I was in school.

I was hoping for a virus to blow by

so I could take a sick day to watch it live,

but I woke up healthy as a horse...

for a few minutes anyway,

(read a little bit more...).

Grandma says she's tired out from playing hockey,

skiing,

and doing her quads in ice skating.

LOL.

I'm tired, too!

I've been really dialed into the ice skating

and the Quad God Ilya's jumps.

So intrigued, in fact,

that I wondered what it must feel like 

to jump up and spin around four times before landing.

I decided I'd try it.

This morning.

In my kitchen.

At 5am.

While the coffee was perking.

I'll try to jump and spin around

just once....

just to see.

Well....

I landed on a cat toy and twisted my knee.

My pride was hurt that I only spun a 180

and landed with a thud on the kitchen floor,

squishing the fuzzy cat taco toy.

Not quite hurt enough for a sick day though.

Drat!

Thanks for the play by play commentary, Grandma!

We can cheer together live on Sunday.

Have a great weekend!

Eloise

Lesson 938: Heart

Happy Valentine's Day, Readers!

We  are in the Heart of winter

and love the fact that temperatures are climbing.

23 degrees feels warm,

compared to what they have been!

Right on target,

our Valentine card arrived from my mother--

It had a ride in the mail truck from 5796

to Pittsburgh,

then back to 5768.

The US Postal Service is something she will continue to support!

In the heart of the cold, cold winter,

we got a blue skied day!

It called for a ride to Presque Isle to see the ice dunes

and the frozen lake!

My students are celebrating athletes with heart!

If you look closely at this stoat,

a weasel-like creature native to the Italian alps,

Milo represents the Para Olympic Games.

He is using his tail to balance his snowboard

as he was born without a leg!

The high schoolers thought this would be a perfect hill

for our own Giant Slalom!

It's just the dirty plowed-up stuff from the parking lot.

Mr. Lamp Post made a trip to Marienville

to see the big snow in the Allegheny National Forest.

He is standing in the middle of Spring Creek.

I showed that photo to Gus and Whitford.

It was just to much for them.

They had to jump in their fluffy beds

on the hearth to recover from the chilling photo.

Meanwhile, 

the dogs have had a change of heart.

Hazel and Penny are so tired of being cooped up

they are warming to the snow,

especially when I'm out in my snowshoes.

We are a bit heartsick over my favorite ice dancers.

Yes, a silver medal is something to be proud of,

but phooey on the French judge.

I had a heart attack watching his two falls!

It was a good reminder the fragility of a champion

and that he, too,

is human.

Our hearts go out to the Gutherie family

again this week.

Continued prayers for strength 

from our hearts

straight to Tuscon.

Enjoy your Valentine's Day weekend

doing what you love

with someone you love.

Eloise

 

Lesson 937: Under the Same Big Sky

Hello, Readers.

Here we are again.

Another Friday night on Earth.

All of us,

living Under the Same Big Sky. 

On February 1st,

we were beneath the Full Snow Moon.

She was gorgeous.

And full snow we have had!

It, too, is gorgeous.

Penny chooses to wade through the deep,

ignoring the tracks Mr. Lamp Post makes for her.

Hazel needs booties.

I have to get some for her.

She shivers and shakes like a chihuahua,

holding up her paw to show me it is cold.

Birds are tough.

It was negative 1 on the morning I took this.

I've watched some pluck some alpaca fibers

from this ball.

I hope they've lined their nests 

and houses.

Six more weeks,

so says the groundhog!

Not fake news!

Anna was there to watch it happen.

Charlie tells us they used to EAT the groundhog.

That certainly puts a different spin on the day

So what are the Lamp Posters doing this weekend.

I'm hoping to take a ride to the peninsula

to see the ice dunes.

Never, ever walk on them, remember.

I heard this cool stat on the news:

Record cold temps this weekend

so Penny is preparing.

They are finding their sunny spots.

Mr. Lamp Post will be buffing up some bowling pins.

This is no make-uped me

after a hot shower and my hooded snuggly robe.

I'm watching the Winter Olympic Opening Ceremonies.

I give the US team uniforms and A++++

Under the Same Big Sky, 

4000 miles from my house,

athletes are gathered together in spirit of the game.

Under the Same Big Sky, 

only 364 miles from home

the most bizarre and unbelievable news

feeds through the outlets.

This government reminds me of school

when the kids elect the @$$h01e for Class President,

thinking it is one, big joke.

Under the Same Big Sky

in the dry desert of Tucson,

Savannah is looking for her Momma,

and her Momma is waiting for Savannah to find her.

We must all keep the faith.

Pray with conviction.

Never lose hope.

And for Pete's sake,

wake up Americans.

Weekend Homework:

Is this the world you want?

Think about that over a steaming hot drink.

Sit outside for a bit when you are pondering.

Maybe the cold will shock some sense back into some of you.

Eloise