Tag Archives: bad weather

Ready To Face A New Week

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I’m settled back in and ready to face a new day after being gone for a conference last week. While I learned some things that can help my day job, I was there because I’m the Vice President of the Governing Board of my local Educational Service Center. The conference was held at the Broadmoor, a legendary hotel and resort in Colorado Springs, Colorado. 

Our wonderful Superintendent gave a presentation at the conference and she invited me and our Board President to go along. I joined the board during Covid and haven’t had a lot of opportunities to participate in conferences or other learning events so I jumped at the invitation. 

This turned out to be a wonderful trip despite some hiccups and, in some cases, the hiccups enhanced the experience. The Broadmoor lives up to its reputation in more ways than I can count. It’s possible I will be ruined for life and am still mourning the lack of turndown service at my home. The thoughtful lighting choices, classical music and chocolate left on the nightstand made going back to the room a real treat every night. 

Plus, they got a few inches of snow while we were there that enhanced the Broadmoor’s absolutely gorgeous Christmas decorations. On our first night there, I awoke around 4 a.m. and was delighted to find myself in what appeared to be a Christmas snowglobe. 

Our Superintendent had put together an agenda that allowed us to be at the conference and get out to experience some of Colorado. As it turns out, the snow which made the world seem so magical also made the world more challenging. Our breakfast spot that first morning was closed for weather as was the Garden of the Gods where we were to take a tour. Snow also prevented us from making it to the top of PIke’s Peak. 

That’s ok because the three of us get along well and had no trouble pivoting to do other things. Better yet, we had a great time on those pivots. As I so often find to be true, what we do when things go awry can be even better than the plans. 

And I’m grateful that was the case. 

I complained the other day (once again) about the state of air travel. Yet, I want to stop a moment and encourage you to think about the miracle it is that we can get on a plane in Ohio and, in a few short hours, be halfway across the country.  Trips that once took days in a car now take a fraction of the time. 

I’m also grateful to every person who played a role in making my travel safe this trip. My two companions did all our driving and took good care of us even in weird traffic situations and on slick roads. Shuttle and car drivers, pilots, and the crews who keep all these vehicles operating are rock stars. I thanked all our drivers for a safe journey.

So, it’s back to work and back to the real world today. There are no doormen in fancy uniforms and no one to give me fresh towels so I guess I’ll go back to doing those things for myself! 

Stay tuned. I will tell you more about the Broadmoor, the PIke’s Peak Cog Railway and some things we saw sightseeing around Manitou Springs. 

Hello Darkness, My Old Friend

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In the words of Simon and Garfunkel “Hello darkness, my old friend. I’ve come to talk with you again.”

Here in America this weekend, we will “fall backward” as we change the time again. This weekend marks a period when we suddenly notice the days getting shorter and the nights lasting much longer.

There’s a meme that keeps popping up in my social media feeds. It says something like “Summer is over. It’s dark, rainy and cold. I hope you’re happy you pumpkin spice loving freaks.”

I’m the queen of scrolling past messages that don’t interest me but this always strikes a chord.

Before I start, I want to acknowledge those who suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder. If you have been diagnosed, my condolences. Life is about to get hard again.

However, I’m kind of excited about this time change and hope there are others like me somewhere in Ohio. See, Ohio summer seems to be a little longer every single year. It’s hot and too humid to actually enjoy outdoor time so life has to be planned to avoid the worst parts of the day or be limited to the air conditioning. This stretch from May through early September is not remotely fun.

Yet, there are lots of opportunities to run around and have fun. Vacations, day trips, county fairs, festivals, flea markets and other activities happen all the time.

I work hard to make sure I can still enjoy life in the summer despite the fact the sun will burn my poor, pale skin to a crisp if I spend too much time outdoors.

The time change in November brings all the fun of summer and festivities of fall to a grinding halt. Darkness arrives early and the sun rises late. It’s cold and the weather turns volatile.

You know what else happens?

Life slows down and interests turn inward. It suddenly is the perfect time for movie marathons and long books. Bubble baths, new hobbies, restful nights and small indoor projects become more prominent.

What’s not to love about soup simmering on the stove and a piping hot beverage enjoyed from beneath a blanket?

I read more, catch up on podcasts, and sleep more soundly, I tidy kitchen cabinets and experiment with my food.

Time spent outdoors gives us fresh, crisp air to cleanse our lungs and energize our souls. Plus, the best part of going outside is coming back in to get warm.

Life becomes cozy. Life becomes easier. It becomes happier if you allow it..

One key to happiness is finding ways to enjoy your day, no matter the circumstances. As we approach the time change this weekend, I encourage you to seek out ways to be happy – even if you don’t like the weather.

Plan a family game night or a trip to the library for some fresh reading materials. Buy yourself some grocery store flowers and bake cookies.

Everyone certainly doesn’t need to like the same things but I hate to think of anyone being so miserable for entire months of the year. Life is too short to throw away an entire season of potential happiness.

Sometimes in life, the very best things are those you didn’t ask for and think you don’t want. Why not give this winter thing a chance? Even if you don’t love it, just looking for ways to make it more tolerable will indeed make it a happier time.

I Haven’t Blown Away Yet

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I’m writing this at 7:16 pm on Friday night. That proverbial March lion is roaring tonight as a severe thunderstorm and high winds shake the house and rattle the windows.

The power is out and I’m tired so I gave Scout his medicine and we are curled up in bed. I will read until sleep finds me or till the flashlight battery dies.

… or until the house gets blown off the foundation. All three seem likely at this point.

This front is supposed to move through in the next half hour or so. The weatherman on tv earlier said this and gave people some tips for surviving a thunderstorm. One of his suggestions was keeping both hands on the steering wheel if you’re out driving. Do they teach nothing in driver’s ed these days? That just seems like common sense.

Anyway, I’m pretty happy making lemons into lemonade and enjoying some forced rest. Sometimes that’s the only way to get me to do it.

Here’s hoping we aren’t all flooded in this weekend and here’s wishing safety to all those linemen who have to go out in dangerous conditions to keep us all with electricity.

Have a good weekend, friends.