A Slice of Winter Past - March Musings '2019/#Sol19/Day 13

Years ago when I was first teaching, I started skiing. It was a novel, exhilarating experience for me, especially since I am a person who is not athletically-inclined. I recall the warmth of the sun beating down, the freshness of winter air, and the sounds of swishing. There were also nighttime skiing memories: cool, crisp air, sweeping runs on beautiful white slopes, indigo skies lit by white lights on a mountain, and the taste of steamy hot chocolate before a drive home. I eagerly moved from bunny slopes to beginner-intermediate runs and started feeling proud of my accomplishments until one winter night that turned my life around. The words hit-and-run ski accident are still seared in my mind.

What ensued on that unimaginable night was a series of events that led me down a dreadful dark hole. A swish, a thud, cries of anguish, a sled ride down a mountain, and a horrifying ride to the nearest hospital in the back seat of a car still flood my mind. Within a split second after the fall, I learned that life is fragile and uncertain. In the aftermath of this horrible accident, I was delirious, experienced excruciating pain, and faced surgery alone in a town far away from family and friends. 

My story unfolded like a thriller movie in slow mode. My lawyer friend found out months later that my nightmarish incident was caused by a careless 17-year-old ski patrolman who recklessly took a jump without a spotter at the other end. Surgery, months of recuperation and physical therapy, multiple doctors, all led to a change of heart and mood. I became more reflective and not interested in being in public nor dating until one day six months later when I decided to venture beyond these feelings. Knowing that I was leaving my teaching position in Albany for a teaching job in my hometown of Syracuse, I decided to meet my friend at one of our favorite restaurants. Limping in with one crutch, I joined my friend and her two friends from Long Island. My husband says seeing me carefully walking toward him changed his life. Later that weekend, he announced, ""You can get rid of the crutch, you have me to lean on." From my challenging situation as a skier, a new life direction took place. Within two years, I experienced a long-distance romance, engagement, marriage, and a permanent move to Long Island. 

Why did this memory return today? Perhaps, it is the bright sunshine of a cold winter day pouring in and the photos of my 21 month-old grandbaby coming in from Wyoming where she is skiing with her parents. One day she shall hear my story and her Grandpa's account of the night he fell in love. When that happens she will be an experienced skier without fear. 

-a slice of winter past-

Day 13 of 31 days of writing

March Slice of Life Story Challenge

at Two Writing Teachers

Frozen Thoughts - March Musings'19/sol19/Day9

The earth was painted in a blissful shade of white yesterday morning as I approached a peaceful park in Albany. The coldness of winter wrapped around like a graceful porch watching over its land. I waited for a sound to surface but all was silent. In the frozen moment my hand captured winter serenity. 

A slice of winter life to ponder.

I now will join Two Writing Teachers for the March Slice of Life Story Challenge.

-Day 9 of 31 days of writing-

Digital Snow Art

Backtracking to early morning one day this week, I opened the blinds to find the sun glaring and a dusting of snow sprinkling the ground. I was eager to rush through my ritual of exercise. a hot shower to relieve the pain in my lower back. and a quick bite before heading out for my yoga class. The short walk from the car to yoga, a normal part of my routine, was going to give me time to notice my surroundings and wonder. This day was like any other day except my time was limited. 

I hopped in the car and set off yoga. When I arrived in the vicinity of the studio, I searched for a space to park. When I finally found one, I looked at the time. It was nearing the opening of the class. Trying to stay warm, I moved at a quickened pace. I knew that I did not have time to linger but I saw an usual sight as the sky turned a hazy shade of winter. The snow dustings I observed earlier in my neighborhood were curbside patches of snow. Each patch was mixed with water, crunchy left-over leaves, and debris. My curiosity was aroused. I needed a better look. When I paused, the camera phone came out. Two quick photos helped validate what I observed. Feeling that I captured a different look of winter, I headed off toward the yoga studio. 

Later during the day, I took a look at the photos. I captured gray day remnants from the overnight snowstorm. They did not have the beautiful fresh snow look but they were real, making me realize that even gray days can inspire. 

I transformed the ordinary into a piece of digital street art thanks to the suggestion of an Indiana colleague, Jennifer Sniadecki,  to try a new photo-editing app, Prisma. 

morning mosaic

decorative curb art-

winter's storm remnant

©CV, 2019

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At my prompting, Jennifer sent me her digital art created with Prisma for my upcoming gallery, Winter's Embrace. Her photos will soon appear in the Twitter Repository, #WintersEmbrace2019.

Join me at Two Writing Teachers for the Tuesday Slice of Life.

I am also offering the digital to #MoPoetry2019 on Instagram.