With the potential for “Snowmageddon” for much of the east coast, today seemed like a good day to remember winter vacations in northern Michigan and skiing at the now long closed Sugarloaf Resort in Cedar.
It was where we learned to ski. My kiddos were much better than I was, and they all quickly surpassed me with their skiing prowess! They still ski, me not so much at all anymore.
I think Heidi was five in this photo in the winter of 1995-1996.
I did love this resort, and my favorite – Ridge Runner – was over a mile and a half of gently sloping terrain, winding through beautiful woodlands and views of Good Harbor Bay in Lake Michigan, which you can see in this photo.
It was such a spectacularly beautiful place.
Today, it seems like yesterday and the memories warm my heart.
Today, it seems that everything is about texture, from this morning’s glorious sunrise with the bubble gum clouds and black limbed trees to my knitting lately!
Carole gives is a challenging task for this week’s 10 on Tuesday:
10 Things You Can Do To Serve Others
I spent some time yesterday pondering this and wanted to address this not from the things I am currently doing, but rather from the idea that there are things I could/should be doing that I am not.
So, with self-improvement in mind, I present my list of 10 things I should be doing to serve others:
A kinder, gentler attitude that is
less critical,
and less frustrated.
One that is not participating in gossipy conversation and
not playing the “one up” game – no one likes a laundry list of all the things you did.
Being more of a “Doer” and less of a “Sayer” and
actively listening to those around me and
to not take everything that is said so personally.
Realizing and accepting that my way is not the only way and
not expecting anything in return, ever.
This is a tough list and one that won’t be perfected overnight, but I am hoping that in this year of focusing on gratitude that I will find these things have become an integral part of me as the year draws to a close.
Today as a nation we remember MLK, and while for many it will just be a long weekend. I think we need to stop and remember what he wanted for this nation and it was not the divisiveness that somehow permeates our politics and our cities.
If we all tried to be a little more like MLK we would realize that we can make a difference.
Carole set a task for us this week to share 10 Favorite David Bowie Songs:
Wow, this was hard for me, because, I was not the biggest David Bowie fan. However, in Googling him, I found this wonderful and prophetic quote:
I don’t know where I’m going from here, but I promise it won’t be boring.
I always had a repulsive need to be something more than human. I felt very puny as a human. I thought, “Fuck that. I want to be superhuman.”
I’m an instant star. Just add water and stir.
I’m always amazed that people take what I say seriously. I don’t even take what I am seriously.
The truth is of course is that there is no journey. We are arriving and departing all at the same time.
To not be modest about it, you’ll find that with only a couple of exceptions, most of the musicians that I’ve worked with have done their best work by far with me.
Frankly, I mean, sometimes the interpretations I’ve seen on some of that songs that I’ve written are a lot more interesting that the input that I put in.
I’m not a prophet or a stone aged man, just a moral with potential of a superman. I’m living on.
And so you will, Mr. Bowie – you will live on in your music that you gifted all of us.
