$5/hr. stress relief

I just couldn't bear it anymore. The Twin Cities got hit with about 12 in. of snow over Easter, and it didn't melt. Come Monday, I was sitting in my office perplexed as to why I couldn't get motivated to write and overall feeling helpless. So I took the afternoon off from work and visited Afton Alps - stress relief for only $5/hr.

The weather was nice, about 40, but there was a brisk wind that nipped you while riding the lift. I spent my time in the Highlands, a sweet part of Afton that has a culvert-style tunnel, rollers and plenty of open country to experiement with jumps, 360s and speed. In places the snow was courduroy, perfect for me to work on my carving. I described the snow as butter, soft and easy to carve, which gave me a great deal of confidence in my snowboarding ability. In some places the snow was so soft that I couldn't turn.

While working on my 360s (effective edges) I fell into 3-4-in. of "slush" just like a snow cone. At times I tried to jib - getting up a birch tree near a lift in the back - but failed miserably and didn't leave the snow. You know you're having a good time when you faceplant right in front of the chairlift. Or when the liftie asks you if you have dinner plans (response, "Haven't even thought that far ahead, thanks, but no thanks.").

One query I have: What stunts can be pulled on the lip? I made many good approachs, but didn't know what to do when I got there. I think some of my stunts could have been classified as Ollies, but having no verifiable witness except the liftie watching me, I can't be 100% sure. If it sounds like I'm progressing in the world of boarding, don't jump to conclusions - I'm still doing speed checks before jumps and rollers - lest someone call me a poser. No - yesterday was a true day of just working on my skills in hopes to be better.

If you can't follow the terms (highlighted in "calf scours" color), I sugget you brush up on your lingo by clicking here.

Personal highlight and future snowboarding tip: Bring along an index card with a meaningful scripture verse you'd like to memorize. I brought 1 Peter 5:6-9 with me and have it down pat.

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's might hand, that He may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxieties on him because he cares for you. Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith because you know that your brothers throughout the world and undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

A spring thing

This morning I got up early to workout. And what to my wandering eye should appear? Four inches of snow - wet and near. Yah! It snowed! Not a typicaly response for March 21 - the second official day of Spring. But in Minnesota, March will play tricks on you - yes, it's a month of endless teases.

Years back, I probably would not have cheered - I would have looked glum...fearing another indoor softball practice. But now I give a shout of joy because it means there's one more flicker of hope for me to go snowboarding one more time. Of course, I go 'round-n-'round in endless debate about, "Should I go if I don't have any friends to board with?" It seems snowboarding, like any activity, is so much more enjoyable if you can share it with others.

So here I sit, staring out at the pure, white, wet snow thinking about how I could be carving turns, falling in unique ways and praising God all at the same time. Someone asked me where I'd rank (scale, one to 10) on my longing to go snowboarding today... and today, I'm a seven.

Calvin' time

The snow is beginning to recede in Northern Minnesota, giving way to wet, squishy sod. My father and I yearn for the moisture, recognizing its role in securing a healthy stand of grass for both cows and winter feed. However, we're cautious - because we don't want mud. No, mud is likely to swallow you up, dirty the landscape, and more than once we've come right out of our boot in an attempt to get someplace too quickly.

Mud makes us slow down. That's probably why we don't care for it much. But we also don't like mud because of these newborn babes. A temperature hovering around 30º F is ideal.

I found a great poem that encapsulates the way I feel towards calving - probably the most exciting time on our farm next to "breeding" season (which I enjoy because of all the crazy jokes, stories and metaphors I come up with). It's called "Calvin' Time," by Joe Kreger. Just a snippet of it here to pique your interests:

"Sometimes, I just like to stop
and lean back on ol' Buck's rump,
watchin' all those baby calves,
as they buck and butt and jump"

Which Fraggle Rock character are you?

Have you ever seen Expedia's traveling gnome in its advertisements? Pretty clever. While browsing through some random travel photos from a friend, it made me think of that gnome. Beautiful, exotic places that seem so different than what's outside of our drab windows. It was a nice humor-break.

If you're looking for a humor break, might I suggest this quiz: Which Fraggle Rock character are you? It's hilarious. If you remember Fraggle Rock you were most likely born in the late 70s to early 80s. I scored as Traveling Matt Fraggle. Here what it had to say about that explorer:

You left everything you knew in Fraggle Rock to begin the exploration of the last great frontier of Fraggledom Outer Space. You send postcards back to your nephew in the Rock from time to time to impart your wisdom to him in hopes that the brave service to all Fragglekind will be beneficial to those who need it. You're not sure that you want to come back home because the world of the Silly Creatures is very interesting, but your homesickness shows through in almost every postcard you write.

So - what kind of Fraggle are you?

Joy in confessing?

Driving home late last night, I phoned two friends. The first my boyfriend, Eric, the second, my best friend Becky. I was calling to confess - I was in the wrong place, with the wrong people and I had violated trust and liberty given to me.

Before calling, I was wrestling with my options before God.

• Option #1: Confess to God, don't tell anyone else of my goof-up.
  
• Option #2: Confess to God, tell best-friend.
  
• Option #3: Confess to God, boyfriend and best friend.
  

I chose Option #3. In that decision making process, I didn't have a hard time telling God what I'd done wrong. It didn't cause me any particular grievance or pain because, hey, the bible tells me God forgives. It was the other two I was worried about - maybe they wouldn't forgive.

It's hard to tell people you messed up. It's difficult to get down on your knees and tell them the truth, the cold, sometimes painful truth. It's even more scary holding out for the other person's response. But yet, there's joy in it. Instead of hiding behind sarcasm and lies, you step out into the light. At first it's cold, lonely and all-to revealing being in the light. But eventually it warms you.

And that's where I am this morning - anticipating the warmth of truth all the while not trying to listen to the "You're not worthy" comments flooding my brain. Any offers of hope or related stories?

Welcome world!

As I type, it's nearing 50º F outside. Wonderful. I'm plotting my first outdoor run of the season this afternoon with running mate, Brent. We're training for the Garry Bjorklund's Half Marathon (run in conjunction with Grandma's Marathon, Duluth, MN). The 13.1 mile trek doesn't seem that formiddable, until you learn that I have an aversion to running.

Ok, maybe not aversion. I just don't see the point in running unless there's something to chase. For instance, I have no problem kicking up my heels to skirt in a wayward calf at the farm. Nor do I get winded rounding first base looking for second. But there's a reason and a purpose for running then ... on your own it pits YOU vs. EVERYTHING ELSE YOU WANT TO DO. It leaves me wondering which is strong, "My mind, or my will?"

Tonight I hope to continue Day 2 of training... 2 miles!