the days: dec. 26th and 30th. (note--descriptions of weather are highly subjective.) monday was cool, in the teens, mostly sunny, and a bit of wind from the northwest. friday was much warmer, in the 30s headed toward 40s, mostly cloudy, and no wind.

the adventures: skating on canaan street lake--the northwest bay, from the crowells' dock...soy and me with the pendletons--sans noah & family--and lenny on monday, pam and i on friday.

the memories: on monday the ice was great, at least narrow stretches of it between crusty snowy lanes. even if conditions were not "the best skating ever", it's great to skate...with the pendle-tones! bonus, kelly was there with eben!! double bonus, si was up out of his covid bed, day 1 of negative testing!!! triple bonus, sawyer consented to stuffing his feet into some old hockey skates and go with me!!!! quadruple bonus, lenny was there boosting the 'dutch heritage skaters' contingent!!!!!

friday was different. the week had been getting warmer and warmer and i thought before conditions went totally south, i better get out there. pam came with when i promised her tea and cookies. when we got down to the dock, the ice looked wet. 

she announced "i'm not skating through puddles!" and sat on the milkcrate--with the tea and cookies. i got in a few laps though when i went toward the town beach, i heard some noises, "come back...don't go so far..." i think she was remembering our two friends who fell through last year.

notes:

• wet and starting to get soft ice is bad...
• nordic skates are good on sketchy ice...
• hot tea and cookies are better...
• skating with friends and family is the best...

go outside and play!