A Dogsled Ride

I spent last weekend up north at the Shanty Creek Resort and Schuss Mountain with some good friends from school. The weather was perfect: lots of snow but very little wind, not too cold, and a beautiful blue sky. We enjoyed the winter weather by tubing, cross country skiing (some went downhill skiing - I just watched), and going on a night-time sleigh ride. We also enjoyed good food and fellowship.

But the highlight, for me, was seeing the sled dogs. I knew from the website that they had dog sled rides available on the weekends. But they were advertised for kids. I LOVE dogs! And I love sled dogs. I went on three excursions during my trip to Alaska that dealt with sled dogs. But I've never gone for a dogsled ride in the snow. So, I called the reservation line on Saturday to see if there were any openings and if they'd allow an adult to sign up. The rides were all booked. Oh well.

At the end of our cross-country skiing trail, we saw the sled dog team racing by. We skied over (well, by then I had taken my skis off); they were just about finished with the rides for the day, so we watched the last two kids go for a ride. I told the lady I was a second grade teacher and explained how my class learns about sled dogs and the Iditarod race each year and .....

They gave me a short dog sled ride for free and then let me stand on the sled (pushing down on the brake because the dogs were ready to run!) so we could get pictures to show my class. It was so exciting to ride - hearing the screech of the sled runners and the breathing of the dogs, feeling the wind and listening to the "haw" turn signal given by the musher, seeing those beautiful dogs do what they love. It was an awesome highlight to a great weekend getaway!

Now, maybe I should learn how to drive the dogsled.

Valentine's Day

I hate Valentine’s Day. I guess hate is too strong a word, but it’s definitely not my favorite holiday. Being single, it seems as if this is a day to rub in the fact that some of us are alone. All the cards and flowers and advertisements just remind me that I don’t have “that special someone” and I’m envious of all who do.

I didn’t always dislike Valentine’s Day. I remember the excitement of school parties as a child and choosing just the right valentine with the perfect message to give to each classmate. In junior high we girls each designed a heart, which we wore pinned to our shirt on Valentine’s Day. The boys all tried to get us to talk, so they could take our heart. Whoever had the most hearts at the end of the day received a prize.

This Valentine’s Day, however, I wasn’t thinking about myself. My dad was admitted to the hospital the night before because of breathing difficulties, so my mind was on him. The doctors weren’t initially sure if his problem was pneumonia or heart problems (he has congestive heart failure), but after a number of tests they determined it was the heart, so they’ve started him on a new type of medication which hopefully will help his heart rate and his breathing.

I went up to the hospital to visit him after church (on Valentine’s Day). My mom was there too, and at one point she suggested they take a short walk down the hall. As I watched them walk through the door together, my dad in his hospital clothes and walking a bit unsteady because of his condition and my mom dressed in her nice “church” clothes, I thought of their love and commitment to each other. They’ve been married almost 50 years (this coming December) and been through a lot with my dad’s health. They rely on each other and support each other. They love each other - for better or for worse, in difficult times as well as the good times. They are a wonderful example of true commitment and love to me, as well as to my sister and brother.

I’m no longer going to think of Valentine’s Day as a day reminding me of what I’m missing. Instead, I’m going to remember Valentine’s Day as a day to celebrate my parents’ love and commitment to each other. And the picture in my head is of the two of them, holding hands as they walk out the door of my dad’s hospital room for a walk down the hall. It’s a beautiful picture.

I love you Mom and Dad.

Moscow Circus

I took my mom and dad to the circus a few nights ago. We had fun. But this was not just any ordinary circus. We went to the Moscow Circus. Yes - Moscow. As in Russia. One of my second graders thought we had traveled to Russia and back overnight until I explained that the Moscow Circus is on a tour through the United States and we only had to go to Byron Center.

The circus was very similar to Cirque Du Soleil, but with a smaller cast (about 20). Most performers were dressed in some type of Russian costume and a trio of folk musicians played Russian music throughout the show. The opening number showed photographs of scenery from Moscow including a number of buildings my mom and I had toured on our trip there, so that was fun for us to see.

The performers were all very accomplished and amazed us with their skills. One woman twirled up to 10 hula hoops at one time - all in different places (ankles, one leg raised in the air, each arm, her neck, etc.), and she juggled the hula hoops as well. There was also a trio of jugglers who incorporated acrobatics in step with their juggling. At one point the girl stood on one of the guys’ shoulders while the three continued their juggling back and forth. Other acts included a woman contortionist (ouch!), a couple with an incredible trapeze act, and a hand balancer. There was also a performance by two men called Voltij Acrobatics. I can't find out what the term means, but it involves tremendous physical power and acrobatic precision. One guy stood up high on the other’s hands and then was tossed in the air, landing on the guy’s hands again. The only animal in the circus was a little dog who jumped and hopped all around his trainer - hard to explain but pretty cool. A couple of clowns entertained in between the acrobatic acts.

Since my mom and I never made it to the Moscow Circus when we were actually in Moscow, I’m glad we made it to their Michigan performance. It was a great evening!

Here's their promo video. A few of the acts have changed since the video was made, but the aerial straps, hand balancer, contortionist, team jugglers, and dog act, as well as the clowns are all the same.

Today

Three sugary birthday treats on a Friday makes a teacher especially thankful when 3:30 finally arrives.

Choices

When I was little, my dad subscribed to Time magazine. I used to look through it and wonder why anyone would read it. There were so many words, so close together with tiny print, and the articles all sounded extremely boring. The only interesting part to my twelve-year brain was the “Milestones” section, which listed which movie stars had gotten married, divorced, or had died. I much preferred reading my fiction chapter books.

Last summer, in order to keep my (not-so) frequent flyer miles account, I was encouraged by the airline to subscribe to a magazine (using up some of my miles, but keeping my account active). I saw Time magazine listed as one of the magazine choices and, being a responsible adult, decided to subscribe to it. I thought it would look like I really knew what’s going on in the world if Time magazine was sitting on my coffee table.

Imagine my surprise when I glanced through my first copy of Time magazine and one of the articles actually caught my attention. I sat down and started reading. And I enjoyed it! “I really must be a grown up,” was my first thought. I kept the magazine on the nightstand beside my bed and read a little bit before falling to sleep each night. It was wonderful. I read every single article and finished the entire issue by the following Friday, which is when I received the next issue. That’s when the problem began.

Do you know how often a weekly magazine is delivered? Every single week. Just when you’ve (hopefully) finished the previous issue. Which is great if you don’t plan to read anything else. I’ve spent the entire first semester this year trying to “get ahead” with my Time magazine so I can finish it before the next one comes. I need to read a little every night to finish before the next one arrives. Once you’re behind, good luck catching up again. (And I have to read every article or it doesn’t count.)

The problem is, although I feel more knowledgeable about the world, I don’t have time to read any books. And I love reading books. I don’t love reading Time magazine. I read it because it comes in the mail; it’s an obligation.

So my dilemma is, do I continue reading Time? Or do I give it up and go back to reading real books. Here’s a picture of my two choices. Which pile would you pick?

(Here’s my decision: I’m on page 252 of Jodi Piccoult’s book.) And very happy!

Magic

Do you believe in magic? I do. Not the kind of “Harry Potter” supernatural magic and not the sleight-of-hand tricks from a magician. But magic as a special feeling, or, as my computer dictionary says - “a quality that makes something seem removed from everyday life, especially in a way that gives delight.” For me, Disney World has that magical quality.

I’ve been trying to decide which of the four theme parks I liked the best. I’ve decided, however, that they are all so different it’s impossible to choose.

I was initially most excited to go to Animal Kingdom. I love animals and knew they had an African safari. After being on safari in South Africa I was eager to share this experience with the rest of my family. I found that Disney puts their own take on the safari - it’s basically a jeep ride through the African animals exhibit with an added storyline narration about poachers stealing a baby elephant (very corny). It was nice to see all the animals - elephants, giraffes, cheetahs, hippos, rhinos, and even the tip of a sleeping lion’s head way up on a rock - but I left Animal Kingdom realizing it was just a really expensive zoo. I even found out that all the animals in the safari exhibit are housed in buildings at night. After the park closes, they’re all brought back to their “houses.” The “magic” of Disney - making the safari seem real. I enjoyed the time at Animal Kingdom, but I don’t think I’d go back to Disney just for that park.

Hollywood Studios is all about magic - the magic of movies. I found this park exciting because of all the energy. There were lots of shows - a stunt show, studio back lot tour, American Idol show, High School Musical show, and a number of others that we couldn’t fit in during our single day there. We also enjoyed a parade featuring the characters from Pixar movies. Seeing these larger-than-life make-believe characters added to the magical feeling. I left this park wishing we had another day to spend here.

I didn’t spend enough time at Epcot Center to really experience this park. I was only there for a couple hours one morning when it first opened before I met the rest of my family at another park. It was New Year’s Eve and they were getting ready for the big celebration that evening as well as taking down everything from the Christmas celebration that ended the night before. So I just walked around enjoying the beautiful landscaping and flowers (remember, I had just left snowy Michigan - it was wonderful to see the green!). I did sense a little feeling of magic in the World Showcase area seeing all the pavilions representing the various countries and cultures.

But, for me, walking into the Magic Kingdom was truly magical. We saved this park for last, and I’m so glad we did. Magic Kingdom is so different from the other theme parks - it is truly magical. When I first turned the corner and saw Cinderella’s castle shimmering in the sunlight, I instantly felt like a little girl again with hopes, dreams, and wishes for living “happily ever after.” All throughout the day, whenever we walked past the castle, I just couldn’t stop staring at it. It’s beautiful. It’s magical. It’s filled with possibilities. Maybe it’s because of my nostalgia and growing up with the “Wonderful World of Disney” TV show and fairy tales, but I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this park. We saw parts of several shows and parades featuring the typical Disney characters - Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella. But while I loved reading about all the princesses when I was growing up, I realized now how boring their lives would actually be if they really spent all their days dancing with the prince in a parade or a show and never actually getting out and living.

I truly enjoyed the “magic” of Disney World - the temporary removal from everyday life for a few days. At the beginning of the week I thought about how nice it would be to just stay there - no real worries or problems, everyone working to make life easier and happy for me. But by the end of the week I was ready to return home to my real life - where I belong and can hopefully make a difference in the lives of others.

Although I still love the picture of Cinderella’s castle.

Florida

As I sit on the couch looking out my living room window, I see piles of white snow. The sky is gray and it’s cold outside. Yesterday morning I shoveled the deck and driveway; it’s definitely winter in Michigan. Just over a week ago I was enjoying sunshine and blue sky while wearing capris, short sleeves, and sandals in Orlando, Florida. What a difference a week … and a location can make!

I had a wonderful time in Florida. We actually spent the entire time on Disney property and I loved seeing all the beautiful landscaping - the colorful flowers, the green grass and bushes, the palm tress. I think I can now get through this Michigan winter after glimpsing a taste of the spring to come. I also enjoyed the Disney theme parks and the resort we stayed at. But the best part for me was spending time with my family.

It was fun to reconnect with my college-aged nephew and his friend. Although we were often on different schedules (they were usually heading out for a night on the town while the rest of us were getting ready for bed), we spent most evenings playing games together which was really fun. We also rode on “Expedition Everest” - a roller coaster which often went backwards through dark tunnels - together.

I also was able to spend some time with my younger niece and nephew. My niece and I spent an afternoon together at Hollywood Studios. We experienced the “Tower of Terror” for the first time together and then took a backlot tour where we had the adventure of being in a flooding canyon and learned the technology involved in staging movie special effects. We also had fun on the "Mad Teacup Ride" at Magic Kingdom, although she got a little carried away on the turns!

My 6 year old nephew loves animals, so he and I got up early one morning and spent a few hours at the Animal Kingdom. It was quite cold, so we were bundled up. Even so, when we arrived we needed some hot cocoa to warm up before we went searching for any animals that weren’t too cold to be outside. We saw several tigers and gorillas as well as kangaroos. We also took a train ride to the petting zoo.

It was also nice to spend time with my sister and brother-in-law and my parents. We stayed all together in a 2-bedroom condo at Disney’s Old Key West resort which was very nice. Disney certainly has a good thing going. I can’t believe how much land they own! There are numerous resorts to stay at besides four theme parks and two water parks. And the bus transportation system was very helpful as we drove right past long lines of cars. Although we picked the busiest week of the year, all the “cast members” (Disney’s name for their employees) were friendly and we were treated very well. I actually was able to visit all four theme parks during the five days we were there. More on each theme park during later blog postings. I’m so thankful to my sister and brother-in-law for inviting us to be part of their vacation.