I had to give myself a serious pep talk this morning to tug on my stocking cap, heavy jacket, long johns, and to pull on the stiff enormous ski boots I rented yesterday evening. I lumbered down the stairs of my hotel, Frankenstein-lurching, picked up my skis from the ski room and walked up the block to catch the gondola. The long wait in line allowed my adrenaline to fall to a reasonable level, and I was on the slopes!
It took me a few runs to get my sea-legs (so to speak), but after that I was off to the races, just like Murray promised. I stuck to the easy routes (which were a lot more challenging than the easy routes back home- no School Marm on these trails), and it took me a good couple minutes sliding sideways down the first run before I had the courage to point my skis downhill to execute a left turn. But once that first turn was successfully accomplished, the rest (left and right) came as a breeze. I ate a hearty lunch outdoors on the mountain (goulash suppe, my favorite) and took in a few more runs before the snow started to get icy and I started to get seriously tuckered.
I had just enough energy left to race to the ski place to extend the loan on my skis for one more day. Bet I sleep good tonight
Thanks for the keyboard help. See it actually works☻
I love Tory's messages and I agree that the snowman is outstanding - a really good job. KC that is a good picture and I want your jacket.
Bopcha and I went out to the sheep barn today and actually got to watch one being born. There were many sheep getting ready to give birth, had given birth or were in the process and the OSU Sheep Barn is open to the public for a few limited hours and days this time of year so people can watch the birthing process. When we walked in one was giving birth and another one was also in the process so we stood and watched and then walked away and looked at several of the new borns. Of course after we walked away she gave birth - HOWEVER when we walked back she was just ready to give birth to the second lamb and its little paws were just coming out so we stood and watched the whole process. It is absolutely amazing how soon those little critters are up and about.
Later I took the dogs for a walk and ran into a very aggresive pit bull on a leash. The lady asked me not to pick my dogs up because that gave her dog power. So, since her dog was leashed, I left mine on the ground and gave her a very wide berth. A few seconds later I passed a woman with a small dog and a larger dog (both leashed) and she wanted to know the whereabouts of the pit bull because it had shown very aggressive behavior on the path and she wasn't venturing into the parking lot until the dog was gone. Coming back along the path I saw a whole ball of snakes - one big writhing ball. Another couple and I stood and watched them for awhile and tried to count them. We figured it had to be mating season. I am getting pretty upset with large dog owner having their dogs unleased in a leashed area and trying to figure out where and how to register a complaint. Should I make a big stink at a city council meeting or just call parks & recreation?????????? Any ideas.
Saturday, Bopcha and I are doing a tour of the Stream Projects that is being hosted by Marys River Watershed Council, Marys Peak Stewardship Group & Benton Small Woodland Owners Discussion Group. Should be interesting.
Extraordinary as it seems to me, I woke up this morning in big, industrial Milan and now I am hanging out in a ski town in central Switzerland! I am constantly confusing languages, sometimes speaking in German, sometimes Italian, Spanish, and maybe even a Portugese word slips in now and again. Since I speak barely 25 words in any of those tongues (except German, which is pathetically rusty). It is very confusing to the locals who beg me to speak in English....!
Grindelwald is a familiar spot, since Mom, Murray and I traveled here frequently when we were younger. Not much has changed; it is still charming and picturesque and quitissentially Swiss. Practically everyone on the streets are calling it a night, lugging skis and poles, and searching out the best spot for some steaming hot chocolate.
I have checked out the local joints and found a spot to rent skis too -- if I can get up the courage to strap them to my weary feat and toss myself down a slippery slope. Murray says it all comes back to you: the schussing and snow plow. But after a month of a big pack strapped to my back, my wee knees are jelly and it quivers my timbers, the idea of taking that tram up hundreds of feet in the air! But it will be an unforgettable adventure and I cannot resist.
Aunt Judi reports at dinner with M&N that she is well and my boys are doing fine (and apparently not driving her too crazy, thank goodness). I miss their sweet purrs. I miss you all as well and am sending you my good thoughts. I return in one week, and though it seems I am really getting the hang of this traveling thing, I am looking forward to that exquisite feeling of coming home.
I tell you, everytime I open Bopcha's blog, there's something interesting to read. Loved Sandra's piece about Nina and Alex serving dinner. What fun. Poor Philadelphia--all that global warming stacking up on the streets!!
Can you believe we actually got more snow? When I looked out the window last night, it looked so pretty as the snow was coming down - visible through the city street lights. Although, this snow fall was just a little and really did not stick at all. It did not add to the mounds of dirty snow and ice that is scattered through the dirty Philly streets. Don't I make it sound absolutely glorious?
Once again, you are all so nice to compliment Nina. She gets so much positive attention from this family. I thought her snowgirl was really cute. Unfortunately, Alex built a snow man and it fell apart. I am told he cried for 30 minutes, as he declared, "I worked so hard on it." Interestingly enough, Nina's was still standing. Is there any chance she wiped out her competition? But the sweet little girl would never do such a thing right? Hmmmm......well......
My sister's children were quite sweet. On Saturday night, as a Valentine's treat for their parents, they served my sister and her husband dinner. Alex actually wore a little vest and shirt and served the food while Nina -the chef - prepared them an appetizer of tomato and mozzarella. My sister helped her with the spaghetti but Nina was the head chef of course! And then after the main course, Alex served strawberries with cream. That is so adorable. Do you think they will be doing these sweet things when they are teenagers? My sister said she videotaped the entire event. I am glad she did because there may come a day when it is hard to believe that her children could be so incredibly sweet. But then again, who cares about the future, might as well enjoy it now. I listened to my sister's recount of this event with such delight because I can just imagine little Alex and Nina doing this. By the way the little munchkins put out a white table cloth to round out the fine dining experience they created.
KC, that is a great photo of you. I really like it. And I agree what difference does it really make what the judges think. They obviously don't know very much about your dogs.
I hope Tory ends up getting a pair of shoes in Italy, I would love to have some shoes from Italy. But I can certainly understand her lack of enthusiasm for going through the trouble of shopping. I don't like clothes shopping myself. Although I don't mind shoe shopping because you don't have to go through the painful process of trying on all these clothes that don't fit, or look "less than ideal." I wish nice clothes that are a good fit for me could just appear in my closet. Shopping is much more fun when you are young and everything fits well.
Hope all is well with everyone. Is anyone catching any of the Olympic games. I always enjoy the Olympics. Sid and I are catching pieces of it here and there.
First class in Italian trains is much better than second class, and with my EurRail, my short ride to Milan this morning was just a breeze.
I took the metro to my hotel, but it was somehow loads more confusing than any I have been in before, and I rode the wrong direction -- twice. Then on steet level, I walked the wrong direction -- twice -- before finally finding my hotel, which is a dump (and at 60 euros a night, that's an outrage!). I confess I only came to Milan since the overnight train service to Switzerland from Rome had been discontinued, but I am making the best of it. Milan is known for fashion, right? So off I went to the famous (according to my guidebook) rectangle of streets that are Milan's high fashion district.
I lasted two of the legs of the rectangle before I got tired of looking at 500 euro scarfs (!), and headed toward the Duomo, Milan's spectacular gothic cathedral. In the low mist of the city, it looked etherial.
And nearby, the shops are not as high fashion, but definitely closer to my price range. On my to-do list for this trip (along with Abba in Stockholm, snow angel on the Arctic Circle) is to buy a pair of shoes in Milan. Since there are thousands of shoe shops, it shouldn't be hard (though I really hate shoe shopping, so maybe I will settle for getting new socks).
Tomorrow I have my morning train to Gimmelwald, Switzerland.
Grrrrr - this is the third time trying to post this picture that a woman named Barb took of Durango and me in the show ring with the judge looking on. I didn't follow my own advice and copy my first two tries before losing them (GRRRR again). Bottom line tho: the judges preferred other people's borzoi to mine for most part but I think the Zoiboyz are both beautiful AND accomplished!!! Love KC
Here I am at the Denver show on Saturday, showing our little Zoiboyz Durango to the judge.
Kay I will defer to Thompson's well written technical explanation but you should be aware that not all computers will show the signs as intended! It has something to do with the font settings. For example at work I cannot see the musical signs, just square boxes.
Hello dear Kay - just in case Sid hasn't clued you in yet or Bop hasn't given you a demo: while holding down the Alt key type in 14 on your number key pad (the one on the right hand side of your computer; well, on most computers anyway), then release the alt key. Voila! a music symbol will appear!! ♫ ♫ If you do the same with number 1, you'll get a smiley face: ☺. You can try all sorts of numbers and you'll see the symbol associated. It's fun to explore. When you find one you like--remember the number you used to create it. Love KC ♥ (I did the heart by pressing the Alt key and then the number 3. When I let go of the keys, the heart appeared. Such fun!!)
I have no idea what you are telling me with all those symbols. How do I get them? Tell me in simple language like: 1. press ... 2. press ... Bopcha is way ahead of me.
Today was a day for blessings! I rose early and avoided the lines to tour St Peters Basilica. I snapped countless pics and wandered around the truly spectacular interior. I met an English language guide (a really nice lady from Ohio), who gave me a little mini-tour, and described the history and what all the popes buried in the nave were noted for having done. I was really impressed that it is a working church; there was a priest there giving blessings to the children, and others hearing confessions, and lots of nuns walking about (they all wear sensible shoes, just like in the movies!)
I wandered down to the Tiber for a while too but was back in the main courtyard just in time for Pope Benedict to give his blessing to the thousands that had gathered. He spoke for about 10 minutes (in Italian)-- I understood the word Beatitudes a couple of times, so I think it may have been on them? Anyway, after he said Amen, he started speaking in English! He gave a blessing to those of us assembled and those whom they hold in their hearts-- that would be every one of you, my friends and family, who are so dear to me. I was very moved, and felt very blessed
After pizza for lunch, I balanced the religious history with a visit to Rome's largest Jewish Synagogue, and the area of the old Jewish Ghetto. I snapped pics of the Kosher Italian food signs.
And finally I found Trevi Fountain, took my reserved coin (a tuppence piece left over from London), and tossed it into the fountain requesting for my true heart's desire. And wouldn't you know but that not 15 minutes later, it delivered: I found a self service laundramat! If I have time, I'm going to go back with maybe like a couple Euros or so
But right now, I'm off to find another pizzaria, and am sending you my love. Tomorrow I am scheduled to quit Rome's banks for Milan.
I have been trying to repeat my former success at posting a degree sign, like it is 60â–‘ degrees today. See the square with the pixels in it---that is all I have
