Letting your Mind Go--Anything Can Be a Story

When I went to school I was one of those crazy kids who actually liked going to summer school and was not forced to go. I remember one year in high school I took an English class. Most of the kids in the class had to be there because they hadn't passed their English class during the year which led for a pretty interesting mix of students. I didn't care though I knew that any reason to not be at home during the morning hours of my day would be a great diversion. Also it didn't hurt that a guy I had a long standing crush on was in the class so even if the class wasn't what I expected I could always let my mind wonder about him. That would make for another story.

One of the requirement for Ms. Soule's class was we had to write a story. It could be about anything which left the possibilities wide open. The little bit I remember about the story I wrote was that I was taking a trip to Australia with some other people and somehow we got into a Nancy Drew like predicament. One comment I remember I got from the teacher was that it was very creative.

I think that sometimes to write that is one thing you need, imagination. Yes you should write what you know but imagination helps to get the creative juices flowing.

My husband shakes his head sometimes about my stories. Recently, I noticed that one of the toys our granddaughters play with had a very important piece missing. We had moved all of the toys into another room while doing some work and somehow the "Dad" went missing. Well my mind totally went wild with it. Especially when our one granddaughter asked me where he was at.

He is at work.
He went on a business trip.
He drives a truck like Papa and is on a very long run.

For my own enjoyment I was thinking he ran away, he was a deadbeat Dad, he was deployed overseas, he was in jail, he's having an affair, our "ghost" took him and is holding him hostage.

When I told our daughter about our so called game/dilemma, I told her about my quest to find the Dad. I had looked all over and just couldn't find him. Rolling her eyes pretty much told me that she thought I was crazy. (Sometimes she doesn't after all these years understand my imagination).

I'm not sure why I feel the need for this Dad in this Fisher Price Set. I had a Dad growing up who was in the home. Maybe it's because I never chose to look for my biological Dad. My kids always had a Dad around even though he was on the road often. I know in today's world some people have two Dad's, or no Dad's either by choice or circumstances.

I have seriously thought we may never know where Dad went. I thought maybe I should go out and buy a new family for the set since they do sell them separate from the house. But then I got to thinking again, if I do that then we will have one Dad, two Mom's and two babies. Of course my mind went there too, Gee imagine the stories I could make up with that?

One of them being "Sister Wives".

Trying to Find Similarities in Two Different Sporting Activities- Perspective

This week two things happened, the schedule for the 2014 figure skating coverage was posted on-line and I threw myself into committing to walk at least several times a week. My excitement for the two were oh so very different.

Each day I encountered something different while walking that made my mind wander to when I figure skated that I probably wouldn't have encountered in the same way. Each time the Olympic year came around I would always think how many new people would I see come into the rink who thought they would experience the excitement of learning to skate due to watching it on television and having their hopes and dreams of becoming a star. That thought process would last well after the Olympic coverage was over and truth be told the newness wore off just a few weeks later. I had the same thoughts when I started this week on my quest to keep to my walking schedule. How long will this determination last? Hopefully, longer than just a few weeks.

The clothing attire is somewhat similar. Comfortable clothing for freedom of movement, layered for maximum protection.  Blisters are always a possibility but prevention is possible. I thought of those skaters who went "commando" (its not what you might be thinking) and didn't wear tights or socks (I do admit I tried it once and it just didn't work for me). You know you have a good workout with either activity if you can take your shoes/boots and socks off and have your feet steam.

I commented on my Facebook page on how many critters I encountered on my walk this week. Occasionally in the ice a wayward spider might be found between the frozen layers of ice only to be scrapped up by the Zamboni at a later resurfacing. 

I keep the same posture that I had when I skated while I walk. Head held high, eyes forward, back erect, the walking stride might be smaller since I would probably look pretty silly holding a long glide while walking but I make every attempt to keep the same pace during the full hour. Sometimes arm movements are included while walking much less than when skating which is always a constant.

Instead of music being played over the entire rink, I play a variety of tunes on my personal IPOD. From country, rock, alternative (think it might be a little hard to walk to Rhapsody in Blue or Tchaikovsky) but for walking and skating the tempo is still key. I find myself singing to myself sometimes when I walk something I never would have done while skating.

Pet peeves of walking: If you bring your dog, please pick up your dogs poop, (for every one person who is courteous and brings a pick up bag and I actually thanked the lady for doing so) there are three people who just let the dog do its business and leave it for others to maneuver around).  I really couldn't come up with a skating pet peeve that compared to the above.

My total miles this week for walking was 20. Unfortunately, 20 miles wouldn't even come close to getting to the closest rink to me now. Oh well, spending one hour walking clears the mind for a short time and skating did the same thing. 

I guess if that's the trade off I have to be happy with it.