(Good-bye) Sun

Hiking Mt. Sentinel before the snow came last week.

It's shoulder season for mountain people. Most of the local ski resorts open next week, but it's winter, so there's no hope for doing spring/winter/fall sports outside.

And in Missoula, the clouds have descended on the valley and will block the sun for months on end. It's now that I realize how much I like sun.

In winter, sitting on a chair outside on a sunny winter day, eyes closed, with the sun in my face feels like a luxury.

In Finland, Jen and I met a guy at a soup bar who said that the secret to happily getting through winter is to have a winter sport. For him it was hockey. For Jen and I it was, and continues to be, skiing.

I have to say that I didn't miss winter last year. I know, though, that once I get up on the hill, I'll be reminded of my love of skiing.

So much of joy is physical, at least for me. When my body is happy, I'm happy.

Too Busy

Ellie got me with a snow ball.

It feels like I'm at a convergence point.

On the one hand, after years of effort in my work, I've gained experience, perspective, and a measure of success.

On the other hand, the weight of responsibility has increased and won't be lifting anytime soon.

Time feels compressed, where once it seemed to stretch out ahead.

Nowadays, the kids want control over their time (can't blame 'em), while Jen and I are more fully engaged than ever outside the home. As a result, I don't get to do all of the things I'd like.

This fall has come and gone. I had big plans, but we haven't gotten away since Labor Day, until Sunday, when we made our yearly pilgrimage to the Lochsa for a soak in a hotspring. This time it was Jerry Johnson. It's winter over there.

Jen, Ellie, and Alex doing his best Thinker impersonation. Jerry Johnson Hotsprings, Idaho.

Snowball fight.