Sylvia's Journal

We went (Nordic) skiing in western Massachusetts. It had been planned as a family event but Steve was working and Tessa couldn’t figure out what to do with the dogs. But Faro came along. We rented a x-ski sled that Jim tied around his waist and Faro, after some initial protest, went to sleep while the sled bumped in and out icy grooves in back if him. Even a few falls of papa didn’t faze them.

And so we circled around Bliss field, named after the owners of the field who may well be distant relatives of Jim. It was mostly flat which suited all of us low-confidence skiers quite well.

Afterwards we sat by the fire of the x-country ski center – maple syrup producing farm and snacked on hot cider, maple goodies, soup, chili and grilled comfort food.

Back home we found another set of grandparents had arrived. We spent the next hours making pastas from scratch: home made ricotta/spinach ravioli and linguini freshly made with Sita’s newly acquired hand cranked pasta maker. Red wine provided the lubrication for a smooth operation with way too many people in the kitchen.

This morning the young parents took advantage of having two sets of grandparents in the house and slept in, a rare treat. For us also a rare treat, having Faro to ourselves. I gave him a bath, my first, and so I was rather unprepared for the enthusiastic splashing which left both of us soaked.

And now the parents are preparing for their performance as musicians in a Pioneer Valley variety show with their Bunwinkies band. The snow storm didn’t materialize here in Western Massachusetts, a good thing, but further east it did snow we hear which may prevent some family members from attending.