Holiday greetings

          As I've learned about myself over the years it never works to make new year resolutions.  Instead what sticks with me longer is to set a general theme for the new year.  In 2006 the theme I picked was plan ahead.  Yes, that's such a common bit of advice good for anyone, but I never took it myself.  I marked a day on the calender, mid year, for a party I wanted to give.  Then I started getting ready from the ground up.  I did things like cleaning closets, getting rid of excess stuff and painting walls.  I even plotted a count down on the calendar.  To my surprise, things got done.  By the party my house and yard were clean and tidy.  That's how I tricked myself into keeping a resolution, which really wasn't a resolution but a theme. 

          Right now I'm wondering how I can work skating into my general theme, or resolution.  Maybe I'll write "skate backwards with confidence and control."  I will pick a date on the calendar that I can work towards and then set to work to make it happen by that time.  I wonder if that's realistic.  Would it work?  Hmmmm.  Let me see.  Meanwhile, here is my Winter Solstice greeting: a drawing of me skating.  Happy skating!

Still skating

      Even though I haven't posted since October it doesn't mean I haven't been skating. I just haven't taken my camera with me and when I do take it I rarely capture any images worth sharing with you.
       I've been working on posture these days. I'm forever concentrating on bending my knees but now I've added leaning forward with head up and sternum forward. Wow! I had no idea these adjustments would improve my balance so much. Valerie was the one who prompted these adjustments. Two weeks ago as she skated behind me she came up along side and said "where are your eyes." The answer: on the floor. I knew immediately what I had to do. She really knows how to teach in so few words. I marvel.

      Here is video of Valerie skating. Hope you enjoy it.