Halloween 2021

She's like a rainbowwwww

So the pandemic is still a thing, my boy is on the edge of his teens, we live on top of a hill on a dead end street, and since we are all still working from home, no work Halloween party.  

But it's still Halloween, dammit. I have to do something. 

On Wednesday, we volunteered for the Ronald McDonald House trunk or treat. A branch of Young Professionals, sponsored by the United Way, held an event for patients and their families to come play games and score lots of treats, costumes encouraged.

I threw on as much striped gear as I could, called myself a rainbow, and we headed over.

And, it was kinda awkward. For one thing, I'm not a young professional. And the crowd of 20- and 30-somethings was not exactly welcoming. We decorated treat bags, then filled bags for families who were over at the NICU. Will and I, and then eventually Dave stuck it out for an hour. 

The Young Professionals were extremely generous with the treats for the kids. Full sized board games, theatre boxes of candy, stuffed animals, balls of all kinds, dolls, army men, and more. As a parting gift, I got a box of Starburst, Dave Reeses Pieces, and Will got candy and a baseball. 

Since the holiday is on a Sunday and we are in the West Michigan Bible Belt, I'm still not sure when trick or treating is happening in our community. In the past, it's been done on Saturday night. I'm seeing stuff for Saturday AND Sunday night posted. But that is contingent on if Will even wants to bother to go out. He's not too keen on it. I just remember dying to go out. The last time I trick or treated as a kid was when I was 14, and it was only tied to a slumber party at my friend Jill's. I was a flapper and we danced to David Bowie in her basement. 

Wow, not a lot of cohesion to this post, more of a holiday ramble. It's dark out even this morning and it's been raining for days. 

Reclaiming My Mojo, version 8.1

It’s Halloween time, so why not two Catwomen in a row?

The worst part of the pandemic for me has been my skating identity crisis. Last year, I went months without skating, then even longer without a lesson. This year hasn't been much better. Add that to the "is it all worth it?" drama I put myself through in June and breaking in new boots. 

Thankfully, competing the Detroit one miler really gave me a new lease on joy - do it because you want to! 

And that really pulled my head into a new mind space in skating. 

I'm still not getting lessons, so I'm not improving in move or dance. The skills I can do I have been able to do for years. I've been mapping out my own programs for a while now, and Michelle comes in to clean up what doesn't make sense later on. 

So what would make me happy? 

Last time I skated with the girls, I was playing around with elements I haven't done in a while, like a half toe walley and a mazurka. Next thing I knew, I cobbled together a choreographed step sequence. 

I pulled out my dusty list of songs I've wanted to skate to but never have. One was The Girl That I Knew Somewhere by The Monkees. In all my time skating, I think I've only ever seen one person skate to them. Lob off the last 20 seconds, and I have a silver free skate. 

I know, back in July I swore I wouldn't do another free skate since it wasn't working for me competitively. And honestly, with all the adult competitions on hiatus, I don't know the next time I will compete. This one is just for the love of skating. 

The swim dress - an adult skater secret weapon

So what's in it? 

Opening pose inspired by Julie Newmar as April Conquest from an episode of the show. Start with the ten fox solo dance steps to the three turn, then I do a flip/toe. 

After combo, I stepped forward into an inside spread eagle, then do a layback. 

After the spin, I do the silver MIF eight-step mohawk sequence to the left into a salchow. 

After the sal comes the choreo steps: chasse - choctaw - toe turn pirouette - left outside 3 turn - half toe walley - left foot glide - right outside three to toe turns - left power three - two step cross wide - rocker - cross under - step forward - mohawk. 

Steps into lutz. 

Step forward to right inside spiral, toe loop. 

Back spiral, mohawk to salchow/loop. 

Glide to step up combo spin, which will include a sit spin and back corkscrew to finish. 

It's fun, it's fast, it's a challenge. There's stuff that is not in my comfort zone, but that and music means I'm rocking something new and fresh, even at 52 years old. And I'm back in a happy place skating-wise. 

Advice from Icons

Sometimes, I wonder if I'm ridiculous. I'm an overweight, near-sighted, flat-footed recreational skater and runner that likes to collect shiny prizes for the sake of being active, and admittedly, the boost it gives my fragile ego. Occasionally, I luck into actually winning something. 

But before I start going too far down the imposter syndrome rabbit hole, it's good to take the advice of some larger than life characters: 

Fact is, I am being myself when I put together a fun freeskate program, hop on the elliptical, sign up for a run, or throw myself to the wolves at adult nationals. Like Eartha says, it's worth it. 

This comment is as delightful as Dolly herself. C'mon Barbara Walters, what answer were you hoping for here? I hope Dolly shut her down because, EXACTLY. Being sure of yourself and enjoying who you are, what you do, what you create, and put out in the world is exactly who I am and what I'm about and speaks volumes to the joy I feel in writing, making art, putting together a program, or problem-solving at work. 

Thank you Dolly, thank you Eartha.

Virtual Fun in Detroit

Oooooo, shiny stuff! 

I had a pretty busy October planned before a COVID panic derailed our plans. Unfortunately, I had committed to judging the same weekend as the Detroit Freep Marathon. Tempted by the shiny prizes, I regretted that I had a schedule conflict. 

No problem, sez organizers: we have a virtual race option. 

Well, sign me up. 

Second? I'll take it! 

It's thrilling a year after my virtual second place at the River Bank Run that I can claim virtual second place in Detroit too! 

The bonus? The competition I was judging was in Detroit, so I was still able to attend the expo. I wanted to get something to commemorate the half marathon I accomplished last year, but the ONE hoodie I wanted, the only sizes left were small and extra small, so I left them behind. I did get a sticker for my car though.

On my way out the door, I saw they were having a clearance sale of merchandise at slashed prices. A jacket for $15, with ALL the races on it? I've done a mile, a 5K, 4.1, and 13.1 at this event and it would be fitting to get this to celebrate all my miles. It's now sitting in the back seat, waiting for Jay to embroider the sleeves. 

LHOTR - Happy Cottageversary!

Ugly apples make a delicious pie. 

We ended up at the cottage this past weekend when we shouldn't have. One of Will's friends contracted COVID, and because Will was in close contact, he had to quarantine. And because I am Will's guardian and in close contact to him, that meant I had to quarantine as well. 

No school.

No in-person work. 

No vendor party.

No River Bank Run.

No wedding reception.

No skating. 

No going out to dinner. 

Harrumph. 

As usual, we made the best of it, and cleaned up the yard in warmish sunshine. That meant picking up the apples that had fallen and making a nice big batch of apple pie filling with the rescued produce. I read two books. The boys watched college football. Naps were taken. Inventory on the freezer was taken and consumed. 

And after all of our precautions, it ends up we both tested negative. I was pissed, and wondered if we did the right thing after all. I mean, there's scores of people in the world doing whatever they want to do even if they tested positive. Dave shut me down by saying what if I had done all of these things and were positive? I don't think I could live with the guilt of this either. 

I'm still coming to terms with missing out on life events like Jess' wedding and the RBR. But a bad day at the cottage is still a day at the cottage. 

The Art of No

I’m too old to go through the extra hassle for the tassel. 

I was supposed to start my last class towards my certificate today, Person and Profession. I received the syllabus on Sunday morning, and everything in my head told me "No." 

No? Aren't I the bulldog that pushes through everything to make it happen?

When I first decided to enroll in the Leadership program, there was one class above all others I wanted to take: Creativity and Innovative Problem Solving. I wanted that to be my first class but locked out, I ended up in Leadership Dynamics. Then came the two required courses. I aced them all. 

Facing the syllabus on Sunday morning, I was peeved. This was not my class. This was not at all what I wanted to study. I read through and could not find the gumption to care. Even when some of the required videos were comedies? Nope. 

I gave it a day and thought maybe I was just in a mood and I should tackle the syllabus and readings one more time. The first assignment was an 800-page book in a pdf format. Then I took the syllabus quiz, which had a couple of gotcha questions. I hate gotcha questions. 

The answer was still no.

So the question I had to ask is why I wanted to finish up so quickly. It wasn't a race. No one was going to applaud me if I finished in December instead of April. And this last elective was an opportunity to study what I wanted to study. 

I logged on to my student account and found all the sections of the Creativity class for the winter semester. Of the five classes available, there were only seven open spots. I quickly claimed one of them. Then I switched to this semester's account and dropped the course. Instantly, I felt a weight lift from my shoulders AND my stomach. 

So the journey towards completing this degree is taking a rest. The only loss is the dangling charm on my graduation tassel that says 2021. No big deal, I was able to remove it. The journey continues on March 14, and the party commences in April. 

LHOTR - I was expecting creepier

What was I expecting, Tales from the Crypt?

While staycationing at the little house, I braved ducking my head down into the crawl space under the house, and was relieved to see it was relatively clean down there. Dave asked if I was willing to go down under, and immediately my skin crawled and I said no way.

Fast forward to this past weekend. I had already baked the apple crumble and Will starts bugging me to go under the house. He has recently developed a taste for the creepy and was eager to see if our mini basement was creepy as well. Ok then...

I got the crawl space ladder out, put my shoes on, and we debated who would go down first. Suddenly, Will is a chicken. Fine, I'll go. It was a matter of taking a step and a half, and I was down there, my head poking above the trap door. I crouch to explore. 

It was damp but dry. Because it was late afternoon, the sun was starting to stream into the windows, so while I needed a flashlight, I could see all four corners pretty clearly. Outside of a spider web, a rake, and a couple of extra pipes, there was absolutely nothing down there. I mean, nothing. The height was, at best, 3 feet, and I had to crouch the entire time. Will simply crawled around looking for some amazing discovery. There was none. 

The space is too low and the trap door too small to use the space to store things like the deck chairs. I have plans to maybe get some storage shelves and some air-tight, water proof containers so i won't have to lug things like Christmas decorations back and forth, but then again, I'm thinking I'd rather not have to crawl down there when it's 3 degrees outside. And crawl I will have to do. Knowing we have the space in case we need it is nice, but maybe I will hold off on those plans until after Christmas, when the stuff is there. 

LHOTR - It’s Apple Pickin’ Time!

Neighbors have an apple tree that borders our property. “Help yourself!” Caleigh offered. Why thank you, I will.

Limited pantry options, but I had butter, cinnamon, sugar, and a couple of smashed granola bars. Crumble it is!

Into the oven with a lick and a promise. Added lemon water midway through baking, was a little too dry. 

Oh my, what a treat on a Saturday football afternoon! Every last bite disappeared. 

Desolation Angel

Maybe if I looked like I didn't care...?

The weather was odd today; dark, heavy rain and the air couldn’t decide if it was hot or cold. That, coupled with the time-honored high school traditions taking place in surrounding communities, brought me back to memories of my first date.

And it wasn't pleasant. 

Back in 1985, I had just turned sixteen, and finally allowed to start dating one on one instead of hanging out in a group. The season was also winding down at A&W where I worked, and all of us were making plans to keep in touch. That’s when Sheryl told me her friend Bill thought I was cute. 

He was a year older. On the cross country team. HE was cute. And! He! Thought! I! Was! Cute!

Both of us were a bit shy with each other, yet somehow the plan was made that he would take me to the Vandercook Lake homecoming game and the dance afterwards. I’m thrilled and accept. 

Day of homecoming and I'm eagerly waiting for my date, butterflies fluttering. Six o’clock comes and goes. Six fifteen. Six thirty. My father, who had been waiting for my date to arrive to size him up, attempts to hide his embarrassment as he leaves to referee a football game. Six forty, I am trying to decide what to do with myself when Bill comes screaming up the driveway, apologizes for being late, and we hightailed it to the school.

See, he’s part of the homecoming court, had stuff to do and had still more stuff to do, like deliver the game ball, which was sitting in the backseat. He parks behind the school, jumps out, and says he will be right back.

Clusters of students walk by, and peer into the car, wondering who that girl is in Bill's car. I see the marching band march out of the school. Then back into the school. I don’t see Bill again until the third quarter. In the meantime, I cry, I rage, I panic, and just when his friends happen by to rescue me, he shows up. 

He then tells me he’s tired and would like to take me home. Horrified, I agree that’s a good idea. He would like for us to go on another date, and I quietly say no thank you. 

That homecoming day was a day like this, and driving in the rain, I remember how lonely it was sitting in that car. Wondering if things like this happened to more attractive girls. First date and I knew there were politics on a sliding scale involved. If I were prettier, like Sheryl, would he have been back first quarter, or grabbed my arm and taken me along with him? Or was I expected to be a good sport, grateful for some attention? 

As it were, Sheryl was furious with him, but the damage was done. I was hurt and embarrassed and the doubt that maybe I was set up as a joke crept in and our friendship did not recover. 

Bill and I never went on that second date. 

I saw him a year later, at my senior prom, his date was my cousin Jackie. I remember thinking, at least one member of the family merited his full attention for the duration of an evening. 

It’s astonishing to me that although I’ve grown, there are some hurts that stay with you. Remind you of being a lonely 16 year old stranded in a car. He probably hasn’t given that night a passing thought in 37 years. I wish I could say the same. 

Three down, one to go!

 Sobering reality. 

One of the required classes for my Leadership program is Leadership for Social Change. I submitted my final paper Monday, and recorded my class presentation yesterday. All I have left to do is respond to a couple of classmates' presentations and I will have completed this course. One more course and I get my certificate!

 

The research I did was on food bank donations, and my proposed project was to fill in the gaps. You donate the box of mac and cheese, and I will donate the milk and butter. The challenge was in how to get the donations, then how to deliver it to those in need. The ultimate middle man challenge. 

My final paper was 17 pages long, but the summary for the video presentation was only two, so I'll drop it here: 

My project focused on how to fill in the gaps when it comes to food pantry donations. The best example I can give is macaroni and cheese without the milk and butter to make. Hamburger without the helper.

Essentially, how to get the items needed to complete a meal.

I reviewed the operations of five area food pantries, interviewed a food truck volunteer, and researched articles on national problems, as well as solutions. I also reviewed the top 10 meal subscriptions services, as my original concept was to possibly develop a meal plan for those in need.

My goal for the project was to fill in those gaps, and offer choice and dignity.

First, I found the sheer volume of food boxes donated by the food trucks, as well as the randomness of the food donated prohibits creation of a meal plan.

What I did find is space for these needed items exists in the form of free pantries where patrons can shop based on their needs. From there, the goal became how to fill the pantry.

I found this mission to be personal – food is essential, but a meal is an invitation. I liken it to being known for your signature dish, like my husband’s key lime pie or my chicken noodle soup. Let it be known that I made three batches of homemade soup while working on this project! Therefore, to start, this mission should be grassroots, and start with a directed food drive.

Going off my connections to Grand Valley and the local figure skating club, my proposal is to have a Fill the Fridge food drive connected either to a hockey game or an annual Christmas exhibition. In lieu of an admission, patrons would donate frozen foods, pantry items, or gift cards to benefit Replenish. Those donations would be delivered from the arena directly to campus.

I did want to share a few of the outstanding programs I discovered along the way:

While a subscription meal plan didn’t work for my general idea, something like this is in place. South Michigan Food Bank has Fresh Food Pharmacy program, which provides 2 week’s worth of groceries in a meal plan for low-income recipients with dietary restrictions in a partnership with a regional health care network.

Sears Food Pantry in Osceola County gives those in need a Dairy Card, which can be used to redeem at Foster’s Food Market in Evart. That way, they can receive fresh milk, eggs, butter, and more when they need it, reducing spoilage.

Rapper Gunna teamed up with social entrepreneur Jasmine Crowe to open a free store inside a Georgia middle school to provide low income households access to food, household items, toiletries, clothes, and shoes. I need to provide the link to this story, it’s just incredible. The store is stocked with easy to make meals, vegan options, and fresh produce. The students are given shopping bags, and the parents are given access code via the store app to set up shopping times as well as the opportunity to request special items. For Crowe, it’s been a decade of making programs like this happen, and for Gunna, he vows to keep the store open for as long as he lives.

Downtown Food Pantry will accept homemade canning, fresh produce, and fresh baking as a donation which is unlike most any other pantry I’ve encountered.

On a personal note, this project has made not only me, but my whole family reconsider our giving. I will be presenting this to our board as an option for our Christmas show. We have made our annual gift to Zion, and there will be a box of spices going to the pantry at Peace.