A weekend of snow and broken computer screen

Above is our deck prior to 6pm Friday evening...the first of 16" or so that fell and kept us rather "snowed in" for the weekend.
This is George, next day, about 3pm, after he spent 3 hours shoveling the decks and driveway. He built a snowboard ramp...yet the snow was too deep and very wet-he kept getting stuck....

So with all plans to romp on the AT gone this weekend, I resorted to slush/snow running on the roads and treadmillng in the gym....
On Sunday, morning, we got the 4 wheel drive Tacoma powered up and drove over to the tiny Appalachian Mtn...at least we got a few hours of turns on the snowboards...and even did a couple runs in the terrain park! (More time at the gym this afternoon!)
Stocking stuffers to wrap. Mama Grey didn't care. Tonight she favored the tissue paper instead of her pillow to the right.

Shortly after cooking dinner and hanging out w/ George I started up the stairs with laptop in hand, carrying a glass of wine, snowboard pants and a pair of dried running shoes...I reached down to pick up a roll of toilet paper to bring upstairs and I slid down the stairs in my stockinged feet and fell across the futon at the bottom. I wasn't hurt. My computer was.
Part of the screen is damaged, so tomorrow I'll see what I can do to ship this baby off to get it fixed. I shall feel lost without my little machine! So if I am out of touch....no access is a probable explanation!

I wish you all grand adventures with safe outcomes and a Great Holiday and Christmas Week!

...All is calm...at least for tonight...

All is calm....(for now!)

The spirit and meaning of Christmas, Hanukkah and other important winter holidays are desperately important and life affirming...yet sometimes the drama of shopping, travel, deadlines, families, too much work, (too much play!) challenges one's sanity!

Snow is predicted to start hitting the High Country tomorrow am with forecasts of up to 20"...Way more than we've seen in a decade. (Putting the cool running gathering planned for Sat on hold, put most activities that require one to be "out"...(except local running/hiking: ie: places you can access from your dwelling!) Us here in the area are prepared for days of power outages, no water, blah, blah...Of course, predictions may be a hoax and the excitment/worriment may all be unwarrnted...

As the craziness and possible cabin fever of the next 56 hours encroaches...I wish to remember the above photo taken of Mama Grey earlier this evening! Enjoy the weather-it's drama, limitations and beauty...an be inspired by MG...stretch,curl up, take a nap! (Oh...I have much to learn from my kitty!)

First Snow

Just finishing up a chilly run on Saturday...
Outside the house around noon...

The first real snow of the NC High Country appeared yesterday around 5am!

We wound up with 2-3" depending on what side of the ridge and wind you were on. This weather event squished my plans to go run Mistletoe Half Marathon in Winston Salem on Saturday...and I wound up "uninviting" 2 ultrarunning friends Jenny and Beth who were going to stay here in Jefferson and flock together, garbed in ELF attire to have a good temp run at this event. The roads here are very "iffy" when there is snow-and the forecast was for "difficult travel conditions" and 2-5"...

(Please forgive me Jenny and Beth-I am still kinda bummed!-Yet I think it was the smart decision-and I expect you both found run in your environs despite the change of plans?)

I ran 13.7 on Saturday in Ashe County in the blowing snow on road and dirt farm tracks.

The rest of the precious "1st snow day" went to Montrail stuff, cranberry nut bread baking and filling bird feeders!

Sunday was warmer...I adventured the 35 minute drive down to Wilkes County and wore shorts and ran for 2+ hours on the developing Warrior Creek Trails at Kerr Scott Reservoir. Great Fun!

Life goes by fast. I wish for pacing! If you are reading this -I wish you a day of genuine joy and if you are running Hellgate in a mere 5 days...rest up well! You are ready beyond what you know! Nothing lasts forever and you are ready to thrive!!!!! I will be cheering for you from the south!