Outside my window is a dour study in black and gray and soggy white. No wind, no blue sky, even the evergreens are evergray. Twenty degrees below what we’re supposed to have in April, looking at another tiresome visit from the Abominable Snowman next weekend. So many reasons to whinge.
Yet months ago…
Deep snow, lovingly scratching the long bellies of my skis.
Thighs burning from herring-bone stomps uphill.
Butt-ache from sitzmarks and sliding sideways.
Boots clomping down grocery aisles, grabbing salad and oranges,
Feeling strong as Skadi.
Driving with windows wide open.
Mouth howling wide, joyful Classic Rock.
© Liz Husebye Hartmann (2018)
Carrot Ranch Prompt (04/05/2018): In 99 words (no more, no less) write a silly sun story. Up north, “sun silly” is the energetic and playful response to returning sunlight. Go where the prompt leads.
Such a wonderful and powerful embrace of winter and skiing. That’s something I appreciate about those who live in the north and enjoy their outside activities (I sit at the window and cheer to you with a mug of tea). Next year, I’m thinking snowshoes.
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Key to survival of the season: finding something that brings you outside, and Nature will do the rest!
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So true! I started walking with a neighbor (who reads our flash fiction) and we both decided after reading yours we are going to get snowshoes (less of a butt ache). Of course, we could get snowshoes now…
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Well then, my work here is done… 😀
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We are so lucky that today is finally warm and sunny where I live! The cold and rain are supposed to return this weekend, but meanwhile, I’m enjoying! Hope you get the warmth and light soon too.
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I’m with you…soak up the sun while we’ve got it, let the weekend weirdness take care of itself…
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No, no, no, no, just NOPE. Wait at least until July/ August before you will be allowed to “miss” winter. I’m still freezing my butt off. Not cool. I mean, very cold.
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LOL…I’m missing the REAL winter…not this damp, slippery into Spring stuff!
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I’m not sure that I’ve ever missed winter or that I’ll ever miss winter. A long time ago I spent a year living in south Florida and I did miss the change of seasons but I didn’t miss winter.
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Missing those days of fine snow and brilliant sunshine for skiing. And clomping around in public in x-country ski boots, plus driving with windows wide open is whipped cream and cherry on the top.
The passive-aggressive sludge we had when I wrote this, and what we get next weekend—not really winter, for me! 😉
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I love your description of your skiing Liz, You not only put me there but I felt it also. Hope summer comes for you soon.
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Thanks, Irene! As for Spring/Summer…from your lips to God’s ear!
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Here’s hoping you get some absence to make the heart grow fonder.
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Well, it IS only April, and we’ve had snowstorms in May. It melts a bit faster…
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Here’s a line or part of a line from a song by the Crunchy Western Boys, a song that takes place in NH:
” eleven months of winter, and one month of real bad skating..” I always laugh at that.
(Same guys who sing of a car on blocks and a house on wheels)
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😀
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Ah yes, if these snows were in the end of November I would be asking for more…..but the calendar says it should be done for this year and I am tired of my winter clothes. (Smile)
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Me too. Think of this write as an escape dream…it’ll all be over, soon.
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Well chosen words, great piece.
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Thank you!
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This would be great weather – for February.
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I think we at least had GOOD snow-ski days back in Feb! 😦
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