Winner of State Low...Again

Hayward has earned the honor of the Wisconsin lowest temperature this morning at 14 degrees below zero.

A wonderful time to enjoy jigsaw puzzles.  Here is the the latest one we have finished - extra fun because it is round.

Better Than Olympics

Olympics is watching - as enjoyable as that is.  I prefer doing in real life.  Case served as a race official for the Barnie - Birkie, a ski event (not race) for ages 3-12.  I spent my time registering the children that morning for a 12:30 pm start around the golf course.  Approximately 600 joined in the fun decked out with race bibs like the adults.  The bitty kids just went a few blocks.  That was on Thursday.  On Friday after digging out from a 12 inch snow, we went to town to serve spaghetti to about 800 skiers and families at the church hall.  Case bussed tables and I plated desserts.  Wonderful fund raiser for St. Joseph Church!  Then the day of the big race (19 or 33 miles), we sorted and returned 2,600 large luggage bags to skiers as they finished the race with members of our Lions Club.  We serve is the Lion's motto and, boy, did we ever serve that day. 

Doing is better than watching.

The Bin - Part 2

Visuals are always nice.  Here is a photo of our bin set-up.  It worked.  The FedEx man left the expected package in the bin yesterday as scheduled.                Why, you may ask yourself, is Jo spending so much time on something as mundane (and uninteresting and unimportant) as this?  I am doing this as a learning session for you - How to Be Retired.  This is what retired people do.  Think up ways to fix things that aren't really broken.  Since we are not wrestling with situations at work and then come home to relax, retired folks need to find problems to work on.  This week was the bin.  Who knows what non-exciting project we will do next week!

The Bin

This winter we are 4 wheel driving everywhere, including our lane and driveway.  No problem for us.  One time I made the mistake of catching a ride on "hiking Tuesdays" with a newbie to the Northwoods who had problems negotiating a slight incline.  One of the other riders asked if the 4 wheel drive was engaged.  She replied that she didn't have 4 wheel drive.  All three of us riding gave each other a what the #%& look.  Fortunately, we did not have to get out to push.  I learned my lesson to check on vehicle status before getting in.  Whenever it is my turn to drive in winter, I drive the 4 x 4 Dakota and not a Neon.  Duh!

This leads me to FedEx and UPS deliveries.  Even though the trucks are big, they don't have proper tires or four wheel drive so they come to our house and can't get out.  Then there is much gnashing of teeth.  At least none have ever had to stay the night.  Anyway..we have purchased a large rubbermade bin with a lid to put next to the mailbox.  It has a weatherproof sign for delivery people.  We have all the drivers trained except FedEx.  We have ordered something that is coming via FedEx.  I called the main number to have the bin added to the delivery instructions.  We'll see what happens on Thursday. 

A Day of Love

What I don't love are those USA sweaters they wore during Opening Ceremonies.  Some friends thought they were "retro" and "cute."  I thought they looked "dowdy" and "weird."  I don't care if they are Ralph Lauren.  Many if not all the fashion I see on the runway, I would never wear.  They would certainly win an ugly sweater contest, which seem to be gaining in popularity - another current activity that makes no sense to me. 

Back to valentines...the women's group at church sponsored a make and take valentine event yesterday.  Great fun!   We went to the gym this morning.  Tonight we are heading to a favorite restaurant with friends.  It is day that I am happy to be alive.  Happy Valentine's Day!

More Olympics

We are enjoying the cross country skiing the most.  I especially like the biathalon.  Ski as fast as you can with a rifle on your back, stop and shoot at 5 targets, then ski again.  Who thinks of these things?  This event seems the most practical for the Northwoods of Wisconsin.   Of course, figure skating has been a favorite of mine since childhood...the grace, the fluidity of movement.  Although I think many of the new moves are, in a word, unattractive.  The bonus is listening to Scott Hamilton as the "play by play."  I saw him skate in person years ago.  He was great!

Winter Olympics

We have been enjoying the Winter Olympics from Russia, where it is 62 degrees.  Why aren't the Olympics here where it was 7 below zero when my group showshoed this morning? (No wind, sun shining.  It was great.)  Anyway, I think people watch the winter games because they are like those movies based on young men doing stupid things - or Funniest Home Videos - except at the Olympics, where they are wearing colorful outfits.  There are people doing things at the Olympic that they shouldn't be doing:  falling down mountains on 2 little boards,  falling down mountains on 1 board, throwing a woman in the air while skating, flying down an ice chute on a board head first or feet first.  I could go on.  But we watch anyway. 

Pelicans

 

How about a pelican to brighten your day?  Usually they are found "posing" like this.  However, along the shore at low tide they fly very fast just skimming the water until a school of fish are located.  Then they fly up and then straight down under the water with a big splash.  I watched as they floated on the water to get their bearings.  If a fish was caught, they stretch out their long neck to swallow it whole and continue to float.  If no fish and no swallowing, then flight is taken to try again. 

Shelling

I love to go shelling, especially at low tide.  Great restraint was needed not to take many.  Why is it fun for me and many others?  Because it is free?....because of the surprise of it?...because you are out enjoying the weather?...because you are searching for the perfect specimen?...because it is easy to walk and talk at the same time?...because shells are beautiful?...perhaps all of these reasons...

Tigertail Beach, Marco Island, Florida - known for sand dollars - We found 9 whole ones in two days.