So snow shoeing looks real easy—strap on the shoes over snow boots and walk in the snow. Right? That’s what I thought too. My husband Tom certainly had a good laugh as he watched me struggling to put one foot in front of the other in the deep snow in our backyard.

The Sun Valley Nordic Center is a perfect place for beginning skate skiers. Despite my snowboarding fiasco, I’m going try my hand at skate skiing. I figure I’ll be a natural, after all, I’ve cross country skied without too much trouble ,and I think I’ve done some sort of skate ski maneuver on the flats on my downhill skies. Piece of cake . .

Yesterday I tried my hand, or I should say wrist, at snowboarding—today I attempted cross country skating. The human body is simply not made to take so much punishment in the span of two days. After a lengthy, moan-filled jacuzzi soak, I’m now ensconced in softest chair in my house. I’m a glutton for punishment, but it does make for a humorous story.

Sun Valley Serenade—a 1940’s comedy, starring Sonja Henie and John Payne, filled with intrigue, jealousy and dare I say it—curse words. No wait, wrong cast but correct location and correct dialogue.

I’m a friend of Daniel the owl—no I don’t make it a habit to form relationships with wildlife, but I do make exceptions when the wildlife is stuffed and a classroom project of my nephew. I try my best to be a good Aunt for my sweet little nephew, as long as my duties don’t involve mathematics, I absolutely draw the line at fractions.

Too much to do. Today, after finally locating my parents hide-a-key and rummaging through their attic for my stuff purchased last summer—I lost their key. I lost my key yesterday too. I’m losing my mind or have a phobia of keys.

Finally found rental car only to realize it was the WRONG car when I couldn’t fit the key in the ignition.

Found correct car after searching for the attendant (sitting in air conditioned booth) who advised me of the OTHER red car (my car) in the lot.

Ketchum, Idaho in the heart of the scenic Sawtooth Mountain Range is quickly becoming my second favorite town although its a close second to beer can (Burien.) Where else can you find an outdoor symphony or Huckabilly banjo concert every Monday, and kerchief-necked mongrels wandering the streets?

The entirely volunteer choir travels every other year. Half of the 360 strong choir consisted of red-robed women and the other half are made up of tuxedo-clad men.