Sunroofs are not for the summer.
As I drove to work this balmy fall morning with my sunroof open, it dawned on me how little I actually use it during the sunniest months. In the summer when it's hot I either drive around with the air conditioning on or have the windows rolled down and the sunroof covered. The fact of the matter, at least for me, is that it's just too hot in the summer to open the sunroof.
So why did I insist on buying a car with a sunroof, you may be wondering. Well although I didn't know it at the time I bought my car (because I hadn't ever had a sunroof before) the sunroof is for days like today when we are treated with mild temperatures at the end of October. And even more delicious are those first warm days in April or late March if we're lucky, when there is nothing better than sliding the sunroof open and letting the sun shine in on my vitamin D deprived skin.
Perhaps this makes me like those people that drive around in a convertible with the top and windows up and the air conditioning on but I don't care. It's days like today that I know the added cost of the sunroof was worth every penny!
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Catching Up
Months of rain in one day.
Today seems like an appropriate day to resume my almost forgotten blog. It's been raining here a lot today and like my blog posts that is something that hasn't happened much at all this summer. And I guess technically summer is now gone but I'm having a little trouble grasping the concept that tomorrow is October 1st.
With fall comes the much beloved Harvest Fair. (Please note much beloved is said with much sarcasm.) But it also brings things that are really loved like fresh, crisp apples and the wonderful colors of autumn. Last week I attended my first ever rugby game to cheer on sweet Marguerite who has gone off to college.
Today seems like an appropriate day to resume my almost forgotten blog. It's been raining here a lot today and like my blog posts that is something that hasn't happened much at all this summer. And I guess technically summer is now gone but I'm having a little trouble grasping the concept that tomorrow is October 1st.
With fall comes the much beloved Harvest Fair. (Please note much beloved is said with much sarcasm.) But it also brings things that are really loved like fresh, crisp apples and the wonderful colors of autumn. Last week I attended my first ever rugby game to cheer on sweet Marguerite who has gone off to college.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Billboard Philosophy
Every story needs a good beginning.
As we drove away from Gillette Stadium last night, I read the above six words on a billboard for Heineken beer. Although I won't be heading to the store to buy a six pack of Heineken, I could see their words as a six-word memoir in the making.
Last night the New England Revolution competed in and won their third game of a non-league tournament called SuperLiga. The win, however, was overshadowed with a sense of sadness and as it turns out some injustice too. After 15 years playing for Major League Soccer (all the years the league has existed) the great Steve Ralston held a post game press conference to announce his retirement as a player. The injustice came in the form of a tournament technicality that disallowed Ralston from playing in his final game. His retirement as a player comes as a loss for the team, the fans and the entire organization. His presence alone was an invaluable asset on and off the field.
To some, probably me included, being disallowed to play in your final game would seem like a slap in the face after the contributions Steve Ralston has made to the sport. Steve took it all in stride and quietly made his exit from a great career in front of a small crowd at Gilette Stadium last night. Although it's probably not how he wanted to go out, in all honesty it was really more his style; all class, quiet, with little fanfare. A post game embrace at center field with goalkeeper Matt Reis, a few moments to shake hands with fans who'd come to show their appreciation and then he was off to make the official announcement.
For me the story of Steve Ralston's MLS player career came to a close last evening with an okay ending. His friends, family, colleagues and fans would have liked to see him go out in a big way but the low key event suited him. Rumor has it Ralston may be headed to Houston to be the assistant coach for the Dynamo. He has the potential to make a great coach so wherever he ends up, they will be lucky to have him.
And so on a warm summer's evening in Foxboro, maybe it wasn't about the story having a good ending. Perhaps it was more that every story needs a good beginning.
Good luck Steve Ralston. May you have a good beginning to your story as a coach in Major League Soccer.
As we drove away from Gillette Stadium last night, I read the above six words on a billboard for Heineken beer. Although I won't be heading to the store to buy a six pack of Heineken, I could see their words as a six-word memoir in the making.
Last night the New England Revolution competed in and won their third game of a non-league tournament called SuperLiga. The win, however, was overshadowed with a sense of sadness and as it turns out some injustice too. After 15 years playing for Major League Soccer (all the years the league has existed) the great Steve Ralston held a post game press conference to announce his retirement as a player. The injustice came in the form of a tournament technicality that disallowed Ralston from playing in his final game. His retirement as a player comes as a loss for the team, the fans and the entire organization. His presence alone was an invaluable asset on and off the field.
To some, probably me included, being disallowed to play in your final game would seem like a slap in the face after the contributions Steve Ralston has made to the sport. Steve took it all in stride and quietly made his exit from a great career in front of a small crowd at Gilette Stadium last night. Although it's probably not how he wanted to go out, in all honesty it was really more his style; all class, quiet, with little fanfare. A post game embrace at center field with goalkeeper Matt Reis, a few moments to shake hands with fans who'd come to show their appreciation and then he was off to make the official announcement.
For me the story of Steve Ralston's MLS player career came to a close last evening with an okay ending. His friends, family, colleagues and fans would have liked to see him go out in a big way but the low key event suited him. Rumor has it Ralston may be headed to Houston to be the assistant coach for the Dynamo. He has the potential to make a great coach so wherever he ends up, they will be lucky to have him.
And so on a warm summer's evening in Foxboro, maybe it wasn't about the story having a good ending. Perhaps it was more that every story needs a good beginning.
Good luck Steve Ralston. May you have a good beginning to your story as a coach in Major League Soccer.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
2. Remember Who You Are
Honoring who I am with words.
Getting back to my idea from a few weeks ago about 42 ways to nourish the soul, today I will tackle #2 on the list, reminding yourself of who you are.
As I sit here pondering this topic, it has occurred to me that writing plays a big part in how I remember who I am. It's writing my blog about events, experiences and interests in my life. It's writing of adventures with loved ones and friends. It's writing of dreams and wishes of things to do or have or be someday.
In writing, it is a chance to remember and retell of occurrences that have defined who I am. It is a chance to share humor, joy and perhaps even wisdom that has guided me down the path that I am on. It is also a chance to ponder what the future may bring. And in between the writing there are pictures to remind me who I am in snapshots of my life and of those I share my days with.
So how do you remember who you are? And more importantly when was the last time you took a few moments to? It's actually quite gratifying...give it try!
Getting back to my idea from a few weeks ago about 42 ways to nourish the soul, today I will tackle #2 on the list, reminding yourself of who you are.
As I sit here pondering this topic, it has occurred to me that writing plays a big part in how I remember who I am. It's writing my blog about events, experiences and interests in my life. It's writing of adventures with loved ones and friends. It's writing of dreams and wishes of things to do or have or be someday.
In writing, it is a chance to remember and retell of occurrences that have defined who I am. It is a chance to share humor, joy and perhaps even wisdom that has guided me down the path that I am on. It is also a chance to ponder what the future may bring. And in between the writing there are pictures to remind me who I am in snapshots of my life and of those I share my days with.
So how do you remember who you are? And more importantly when was the last time you took a few moments to? It's actually quite gratifying...give it try!
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Revvies Update
I sent Preston Burpo an email.
For those who haven't seen me recently, you have been spared the telling and reenactment of Revvies' goalie Preston Burpo's nasty leg break on Saturday night. I will be the first to admit that it took me a game or two to warm up to the idea of Burpo being our goalie. The fact is with Ralston leaving the team and my beloved goalie Matt Reis having surgery in the off season I had to dig down deep to rally enthusiasm for a team I hardly knew. Preston Burpo joined the team in January and began the season as our starting goalie. His style of play is different than Reis; Burpo seemed to favor coming off his line to challange for a ball instead of staying on the line defending the goal. He made some huge saves for the team during his short time between the sticks and proved himself to be a valuable member of the Revolution team.
The injury he sustained Saturday was no one's fault. He came out to challenge for a 50/50 ball and brought along some really bad luck with him. He will be out for the rest of the season. Hopefully it is not the end of his career. The team posted an email address to send Preston well wishes. I sent mine this morning.
For those who have a strong stomach you can google his name and I'm sure find a replay of the incident. Seeing it once was enough for me. One good thing that I saw some come out of this horrific injury is that it united the team in a way that had been missing. With so many new faces this year and returning players being out with the injury it seems that it has been tough for the team to really gel together. Winning for Burpo became their mission last Saturday night and it was a mission they completed successfully.
In encouraging news, Matt Reis has been removed from the disabled list a week earlier than planned and will sit on the bench Saturday as back-up goal keep. Due to the World Cup, league play will be light in the months of June and July which will give Reis a chance to ease back into the line-up.
I'm looking forward to the rest of season. And as always, GO REVVIES!
For those who haven't seen me recently, you have been spared the telling and reenactment of Revvies' goalie Preston Burpo's nasty leg break on Saturday night. I will be the first to admit that it took me a game or two to warm up to the idea of Burpo being our goalie. The fact is with Ralston leaving the team and my beloved goalie Matt Reis having surgery in the off season I had to dig down deep to rally enthusiasm for a team I hardly knew. Preston Burpo joined the team in January and began the season as our starting goalie. His style of play is different than Reis; Burpo seemed to favor coming off his line to challange for a ball instead of staying on the line defending the goal. He made some huge saves for the team during his short time between the sticks and proved himself to be a valuable member of the Revolution team.
The injury he sustained Saturday was no one's fault. He came out to challenge for a 50/50 ball and brought along some really bad luck with him. He will be out for the rest of the season. Hopefully it is not the end of his career. The team posted an email address to send Preston well wishes. I sent mine this morning.
For those who have a strong stomach you can google his name and I'm sure find a replay of the incident. Seeing it once was enough for me. One good thing that I saw some come out of this horrific injury is that it united the team in a way that had been missing. With so many new faces this year and returning players being out with the injury it seems that it has been tough for the team to really gel together. Winning for Burpo became their mission last Saturday night and it was a mission they completed successfully.
In encouraging news, Matt Reis has been removed from the disabled list a week earlier than planned and will sit on the bench Saturday as back-up goal keep. Due to the World Cup, league play will be light in the months of June and July which will give Reis a chance to ease back into the line-up.
I'm looking forward to the rest of season. And as always, GO REVVIES!
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Living Fully
42 ways to nourish your soul.
As the ups and downs of daily life seem to be on a bit of down swing for me this week, I came across an article I'd copied years ago about nourishing your soul. Since a lack of time and perhaps inspiration have kept me from blogging lately, I've decided that I will use the 42 ways to nourish your soul as subjects for my blog. This will be the first entry. Please feel free to add your own nourishing ways in the comments section of any entry.
1. Swing
What could be better than a ride on a swing. Flying through the air. Pumping your legs to go higher and higher. Oh, to be a kid again! And although I can't remember the last time I had a swing ride like that, I can remember gently rocking to and fro on the porch swing at Dan's parents' cottage in Canada last summer. The morning sun, the afternoon air and the evening bugs all taken in from my seat on the porch swing. Relaxing and calming the gentle sway which admittedly lulled me to close my eyes for a mid afternoon nap more than once.
Porch swings: for the grown up kid in all of us and definitely nourishing for the soul!
As the ups and downs of daily life seem to be on a bit of down swing for me this week, I came across an article I'd copied years ago about nourishing your soul. Since a lack of time and perhaps inspiration have kept me from blogging lately, I've decided that I will use the 42 ways to nourish your soul as subjects for my blog. This will be the first entry. Please feel free to add your own nourishing ways in the comments section of any entry.
1. Swing
What could be better than a ride on a swing. Flying through the air. Pumping your legs to go higher and higher. Oh, to be a kid again! And although I can't remember the last time I had a swing ride like that, I can remember gently rocking to and fro on the porch swing at Dan's parents' cottage in Canada last summer. The morning sun, the afternoon air and the evening bugs all taken in from my seat on the porch swing. Relaxing and calming the gentle sway which admittedly lulled me to close my eyes for a mid afternoon nap more than once.
Porch swings: for the grown up kid in all of us and definitely nourishing for the soul!
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Something To Talk About
Conversations stem from something in common.
We live in a time when it's the norm to see people with cell phones to their ear, a bluetooth in their ear or their fingers fluttering sending someone a text message. But how often do we see people, strangers, just striking up a conversation? Yesterday at the gas station the guy at the pump next to us was filling up his boat. Another guy at the gas station started to pull away and then stopped to ask the guy with the boat if he was going up to a local reservoir. He was and a conversation ensued. Two strangers found a common ground for an impromptu exchange.
I have come to notice that if we make the effort to start a conversation, people are more than willing to talk to you, even laugh or joke around. All it takes is one small, simple thing in common to get the ball rolling and all of the sudden the world doesn't seem so big.
We live in a time when it's the norm to see people with cell phones to their ear, a bluetooth in their ear or their fingers fluttering sending someone a text message. But how often do we see people, strangers, just striking up a conversation? Yesterday at the gas station the guy at the pump next to us was filling up his boat. Another guy at the gas station started to pull away and then stopped to ask the guy with the boat if he was going up to a local reservoir. He was and a conversation ensued. Two strangers found a common ground for an impromptu exchange.
I have come to notice that if we make the effort to start a conversation, people are more than willing to talk to you, even laugh or joke around. All it takes is one small, simple thing in common to get the ball rolling and all of the sudden the world doesn't seem so big.
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