Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Should You Stay Out of the Kitchen?

    Today was a beautiful sunny day on the slopes at Greek Peak.   The geezers were out in big numbers enjoying the groomers, good lighting and the comfortable temperature with no wind.   Everyone had a smile from ear to ear.   Sunny days in Central New York are a winter rarity so we really appreciate them.
   Our most senior geezer skier Pret Goslee was on the slope today enjoying time with companions other than his wife Nita.  Regrettably Nita had a fall that has incapacitated her for several weeks.   We are all looking forward to her return as I am sure Pret is.  In conversation with Pret the other day I learned  that her doctor was aghast that she was planning to get back on the slopes as soon as possible.   As related to me by Pret, she put him in his place by saying, "If you fall on spilled water in the kitchen, do you stop going into the kitchen?"   What a wonderful comment!  What a wonderful attitude!

Gene, Leah, Pat, Pret and ?.  A Sunny Day Pause.
   We all have setbacks from time to time.  Not just on the slopes but also in life's various foibles.  I would hope that we would rise up to those challenges and to the best our abilities we would try to "return to the kitchen".   I suppose I should add a caveat to this advice with the observation that there are some things that happen that force us to move in another direction.   For all of us in the throes of geezerhood there will circumstances that will demand we change direction.   May we have the grace to accept those circumstances and adapt to a new way of life and be thankful for each day God gives us.
    Anyway, I was never very good in the kitchen, except to wash dishes!

Thursday, February 21, 2013

Is It In the Genes?

  This past weekend I had a chance to ski with family in Vermont at Mad River Glen.   Son, two daughters, two son-in-laws,  four grandchildren and I made up the group.   All the youngsters are excellent skiers with skiing skills far exceeding my own.  My children started skiing relatively early and became excellent skiers from the nurture of various instructors.   No genetic traits from me are particularly indicated on my part.   The next generation have had the advantage of exceptionally skilled ski parents.   Terry for one served on the PSIA demo team for many years and Colin and Tange are PSIA certified at astronomical levels.
   So the question is, how much of the skill of the grandchildren is genetic and how much is the result of nurture.    Genetics do play a part in providing a healthy body with bone and muscle structure amenable to skiing.    And also we would hope a mental structure oriented to learning the actions of the body for skilled skiing.   However, the nurture element is very important.  The grandchildren started skiing almost as soon as they could walk.   Both the parents and professional instructors honed their skills through many hours of guided instruction and free skiing.   The upshot of all this activity is a set of exceptional skiers.   (Of course I'll admit that this opinion is a biased one from a proud grandparent).

Carson, Cole, Kiara and Turner
   Beyond the proud grandparent opinion there is the proof of performance.    Sunday past there was a Mogul Challenge Race at Mad River Glen.   Four of the grand children were competitors.   All did very well in their age groups.   Three of them did exceptionally well with Kiara coming in second in the 8 and under girls group,  while Carson was first in the 12 to 15 year old boys and Turner was first in the 8 to 12 year old boys group.   All four were medal winners.   See photo.
   Can't beat the combination of genes and nurture!  Maybe some of the genes from this old geezer were valuable.  I hope so!

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Geezers Do Toggenburg - Again!

   Toggenburg Ski Resort provides a welcome change of pace from our home ski area of Greek Peak.  Today was no exception.   Seven of us were in attendance of a morning of skiing a different slope.    Six were officially geezers, since Larry's friend Ruth in no way was allowed to qualify for that esteemed title.  Perhaps she could lay claim to GIT - Geezer In Training.
   The grooming was sufficient to provide a relatively smooth surface that allowed some bite for the skis.   A trip through the terrain park was an adventure of avoiding the massive jumps and whoop-de-doos!  The visibility for these tired old eyes could have been better, but we all were able to avoid the terrain surprises.
   Conversation was jolly and the coffee break was extended.   By noon were in the mood for the great food at  the Foggy Goggle restaurant.  As  more than a side note, our group was warmly welcomed by all the staff of Toggenburg including the two old time ski patrollers Tom and Walt.   They even remembered our visit of last year.   Toggenburg is truly a welcoming place for the geezer crowd.   During our morning there, I doubt whether there was more than a handful of other than geezer skiers paying the price of admission.
   Our lunch was pleasantly served and delicious for any item chosen.  Portions are generous as well.   This couldn't have been a better second day of return to the slope for me.  Good friends, good food, and good skiing!!  What more could one ask for.   Of course the bonus for me is to return home to the warm welcome of my most loving and supportive wife Nancy.
Lunch at the Foggy Goggle
Left to Right - Dick, Gerry,Pat, Larry, Bob, Jerry and Ruth

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Cautious Return

    After five weeks of healing I decided to try a return to the slopes.   I'll have to admit to some butterflies for the first run and even the next one or two.   The conditions weren't that good.   Although there had been some grooming the surface was pretty firm along with ice spots.   One would prefer sunshine and soft groomed surfaces for the return but that was not to be.   All in all it was just good to be back on the hill and to engage in repartee with the geezer group.   After several morning runs coffee time was a rather raucous bit of conversation over a range of subjects.
    The objective for the future days on the slope this season will to be suitably cautious but relax enough to ski with grace.   Perhaps that is the best way to live every day wherever we are.   Live with respectful caution but embrace the risks of living with grace.  Onward and upward all you geezer skier skiers.   Be sure to enjoy every ski day as a gift from heaven!