Miscellaneous Missives

Although I'm not on a wonderful warm vacation, I'm making my best out of spring break.  On Tuesday, I finally took my friend's design in for my new tattoo.  My dad was not thrilled with it.  In fact, he was a bit upset, but most people have liked it.  I also made a trip to Okoboji to catch up with a dear friend.  Last night I went to bed to the sound of the water trying to break through the ice.  This morning I woke to this wonderful sight.  Spring might actually be on the way.  Currently, I'm sitting in a local coffee shop finishing up my school work and listening to the local gossip.  Life is good. I just finished reading: Gone So Long by Andre Dubus III.  I read one of his books years ago for Oprah's Book Club and was impressed by this novel (story and writing). We are Displaced by Malala Yousafzai.  She told stories of other refugees instead of trying to retell her story.  

Since I'm now on my association board, I was able to walk around and look at the ice damns/ice cycles that will cost our 80 units 33.5 K.  During the walk through, I decided I should clear off my upper deck.  Since I didn't have school Friday afternoon, snow was coming, and the temperature was decent.  I tackled all 20+ inches of the deck.  I shoveled it all over the railing onto the street/parking lot. 

Two weeks ago a friend asked me if I was enjoying The Slowdown podcast.  In reality, I wasn't doing that well even though it is only five minutes, and I do enjoy it.  That week I decided to listen as part of my workout cool down each morning.  Last Saturday came, and I was disappointed to learn it there are no new episodes on the weekend.  This morning, I had once again forgot there are no new episodes on the weekend.  Booooo! I think everyone should listen to this five minute podcast each day, maybe in the morning, at lunch, after dinner... I am reading The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee:  Native America from 1890 to the Present .