Simply Playing

Something weird is happening in this family today.  Three of my kids are getting along. And playing. And spent about 3 hours OUTSIDE in the snow/rain sledding and throwing snow balls.  It's a snow day. No school. Well, it was supposed to be an ice day, but looks like the forecasters were a little off (score!).  I have a big window in my living room that looks out into the woods.  I was sitting in  the quiet thinking "I love my kids, especially when I can watch them play off in the distance while I sit  warm and dry on my couch and listen faintly to their scream and laughter."  The woods is hilly so you can see so much wildlife activity when it snows. I was watching a red cardinal and is it blue birds or jays that stay? I can never remember.  I do like snow.  "Sigh"....then all peace is disturbed when they come into the house. It was a nice moment while it lasted.

At least they didn't come barreling in tattle telling like about every day after school when they get off the bus. No, they came in made their own cocoa and talked about playing house. I guess my middle child's "boyfriend" was Bosco, our dog.  They are now in the basement in shorts, not asking.  My kids are normal. They fight. But on those rare occasions when they play well, it makes me proud. I hope they look back and appreciate that they had playmates every day.  We didn't have to call a friend to come over.  I was told once that people in Italy are emotionally healthy because they don't hide their feelings.  They fight like mad but love like crazy.  I would say that our family may be part Italian not German.

Aren't kids imaginations something?  With all of the electronic devices the best toy still is imagination.  Simple play.  Making things up as you go along.  I often joke the best toys are sticks, rocks and mud (legos are pretty good too).

The day started when my dad called and said we better take the buckets off the trees because of the ice and cold temps coming in.  That may cause the buckets to burst.  Which is the reality of using 50 year old galvanized buckets instead of the blue bags on the trees.  With all the extra work, I still love those buckets.  Today probably would have been a good day for the trees to run, but we can't collect tomorrow so later this week we will have to hang them back up.  Oh well, it forced us to go outside and get some exercise.   Good thing the kids didn't have school, we had lots of help (and a little complaining) but it went much faster.  Although, I wouldn't have minded doing it all myself.  A walk in the woods in 10 inches of snow makes for a good and peaceful workout.

I am proud to say I did live simply today.  It was relaxing or I can't decide, maybe just lazy. I even dozed off for 20 minutes!  It was productive. I got what I call 'bare minimum' done: laundry, dishes and tidying up.  I also helped my 6th grader with a cell model.  I didn't run. Maybe that's why I feel lazy.  I think we need the simple, lazy days to rejuvenate our souls even if it is on a Tuesday.  Some schools are going to these e-learning days where the kids have school at home on snow days.  What a shame.  Snow days are needed.   It's a time for simple play, resting, and your kids just might discover that they like each other.

What was your favorite simple play as a child?

Lent and I'm not talking the belly button kind.

Oh me, oh my. It's been forever since I've blogged.  I'm putting my simple life into practice. Eliminating things that are not necessary, like blogging.  Lent has started. I am also trying to cut back my computer time.  It really is a time waster.  While, the internet is a marvelous invention, as with all things...moderation.  Today, I am writing as a sleeping little boy is on my lap. He was up all night vomiting while holding his stuffed puppy (so cute) and another is on the verge.  Three down, four to go.  Not a bad time of year to be sick. Today it's another school delay. -4 degrees outside.  What else do we have to do?

It's been really cold and I am becoming  worried that it's  not going to be a good year for syrup. We've only made 2 batches so far.  I love making maple syrup. It's the time of year I can spend in the woods. Once poison ivy comes on, I just look at it and it creeps on my skin.  I've been experimenting with maple running candy, I call it. Once I have perfected it, I will post the recipe.  Maple syrup has almost all the nutrients that are in the running gus and other endurance sports candy and supplements. I may be on to something. I've seen syrup in gu-like packages but I think it would be too messy to run with.  The candy I am making is like a mint-like candy. Easy to run and eat. I've added ginger to help with tummy issues. I am super excited to experiment with this.

 Lent is my favorite time of year!  The ending of winter, the beginning of spring.  Time to take restock of your life.  What are you doing in your life that needs to change so you may be a better person for God?  I recently went to confession and my priest gave me simple advice that seemed so obvious, but I never thought of it.  Regarding gossip or being critical to others, the next time you see that person, compliment them or say something nice about them to someone else.  As a 1st communion teacher, I have to also teach 1st confession. We often talk about vice versus virtue. Virtue is the opposite of the sin you are committing.  Here are some examples:
Pride Vs Humility
Greed Vs Generosity
Lust Vs Chastity
Anger Vs Gentleness
Gluttony Vs Moderation/Restraint
Envy Vs Charity
Laziness Vs Zeal
So this lent I will try to better practice virtues instead of committing vices. Especially when it comes to impatience versus patience and negativity versus affirmation .

Lent is a time for charity, fasting and prayer. How can giving up chocolate and meat on Fridays make a difference? I like what my priest said, 'lent is not a 40 day weight loss program.'  Giving up something you like or indulgence and learning to live without does make a difference.  We choose those things we like so that we may focus on higher things.  I am a big meany. I make my family give up tv however, I do allow my children to watch 'Jesus videos'. We have quite a good collection of them that do not get watched the rest of the year.  Whenever we fast, we also are praying.  If you put a meaning behind not eating snacks, chocolate, meat, watching tv, computer, sleep so that you may pray or whatever you 'give up' you are offering up your sufferings with Christ's sufferings.  How little or big your sacrifice is, God knows your heart and your intention.

I've decided to run my 2nd marathon in April.  I say the hardest things about running are getting started and staying motivated (esp when it's -4 outside).  But with running, if you put a meaning behind your run (like running for those who are sick, suffering, for peace, for charity) you will have great motivation and your sacrifice is a prayer. The same with putting meaning behind your fasting. Offering up your fast (or run) with Christ's passion, is a  great source of motivation to become the child God needs you to be.

How can you be a better child for God this lent?

It's Super Duper Cold!!!

It's cold outside. I mean really, really cold. I mean like SUPER DUPER cold.  TV says the temp is -8. We are expected to have -25 to -35 degree wind chills. School is closed. We have 4 inches of snow on the ground.  What fun is a no-school day when you can't go outside and play?  I think I might send my kids outside for 1 minute without coat or shoes so they can appreciate a warm house. I know, I know, that would be borderline cruelty.  I would go out with them.  Some lessons need to be taught.  I did smile last night when my 7 year old son prayed for the homeless.  Something is getting through. 




Don't let all this complaining fool you, I do like winter.  I used to not be a fan. I would only like it on snowy 30 degree days that were perfect for sledding and snowmen. As of the last 3 years, I have come to appreciate it this season.  One reason: maple syrup.  I'll explain later.  I should say I live in Indiana.  I do like the Midwest seasons.  As a kid, I wanted to live along the ocean. If I were to do that now (which I have no desire to) I would have to be in the Northeast.  I love the change of seasons.  I couldn't imagine being all one all the time.  I will admit to spring being my favorite, but if it were spring all the time I would grow bored. Kinda like in CS Lewis' Narnia books, "it's always winter but never Christmas." 




Last winter, I believe the average temp WAS -8 or at least it seemed like it. It was brutal. Of course, it would be the winter I decided to train for my first marathon.  Luckily, I had other crazy runner friends training for marathons too so we all bundled up in our balaclavas and would go out for 12-15-18-20 mile runs.  In our small hometown, we are SO SO SO fortunate to have a beautiful running trail. It's a 10K out and back (6.2 miles).  When finished, it will be a 10K loop.  Unfortunately, there is no snow removal so it was impassable for 2 months. So, we had to find other routes. I live in the country and have a beautiful 4.2 mile run.  On one run, my running partner drove to my house and I had 12, she had 10 to run.  We decided to go out and back as many times as we needed (thank you Garmin for your invention). We had 30-40 mile winds with a gazillion inches of snow already.  I live on a dead end gravel road. Each time we came back, the snow was drifting more and more.  The last loop I said "you really need to go home now, my road is going to drift shut."  I think the entire run we kept saying how crazy we were.  That was just one example.  It was like that all winter. My husband, a totally awesome runner, and two other running buddies ran in a 'Fat Ass' trail race. 7.45 mile loop. We had 14 miles that we needed to do. Decided to run 7 on the road and the rest  on the trail.  Took  a little over an hour to do the first 7 and THREE to do the rest.  It was a foot of snow. We did not run, it was a slow hike. I call that race the "dumb ass" race.  At least they had beer and chicken at the finish.  Last winter, I embraced the brutality. I found I love the cold air on my lungs, the stillness of the land, the only noise is the sound of my breath, when I am finished, total exhilaration.  This year I have a new running buddy, Bosco the dog. Sadly, my other running partner, Francis died last December after 9 years. So, Bosco the big puppy is  a joy to watch pounce in the snow.  This morning I am looking outside and know it would be dangerous to run in the snow and am feeling a little depressed. It is a 'dreadmill' day but still I know when I am done, I will feel better.




Maple syrup.  Our family has the tradition of making maple syrup. My grandpa started in the 50's helping a friend and then built his own sugar shack.  I have many fond child hood memories of riding the tractor, gathering in, eating all day long while the syrup was boiling down.   My grandpa passed away and we stopped making it for about 10 years. The old shack was falling in and the evaporator was in need of repair.  My brother decided to rebuild just down the road and we started it up again  about 3 years ago.  We begin around Valentine's day, just the time you are in deep seasonal depression.  Nothing pulls you out of cabin fever like the prospect of maple hot dogs and sassafras tea boiled in sugar water.  I love tromping through the woods, tapping the trees, carrying in the sap.  I try to get my runner friends to help. You want an excellent cross training exercise?  Try carrying two 5 gallon buckets full of sap while wearing heavy boots on uneven, hilly terrain. All those calories burned are quickly replenished (and then some) when we start boiling down.  Usually takes 8 hours to boil a batch and my mom cooks up plenty of food for us to eat. I try to bring healthy  snacks but it's hard to resist good home cooking.  In our family, we really have 5 seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter and Maple Season.  I joke  saying the Summers' family blood is really maple syrup. This cold day is a reminder that the veins of the trees are getting a good deep freeze.  Good thing.  I will be happy just snuggling with my kids today and let nature do what she needs to do.  Which reminds me, I need to order jugs.




Snow reminds me of when our Priest sprinkles holy water on us and sings from Psalm 51:9 " Purify me with hyssop O Lord, and I shall be clean; Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow." Also Isaiah 1:18 comes to mind "Though your sins are as scarlet, They will be as white as snow."   Winter's purpose is to wipe away all the old so that the earth can begin again.  What better analogy than snow to demonstrate God's great mercy for us?  I 'let it snow' each time I go to confession.  I then have the peace like the calm of winter when I exit the confessional know that Jesus has forgiven my sins.




On this Super Duper Cold day, what ways can you embrace winter?