I was six when I convinced my parents to let me play hockey. And for the next twelve years hockey was pretty much my life. I was good enough to be All-Conference and to talk to a couple of Junior A coaches about playing for them in Small Town, Iowa, but I was smart enough to know my limits as well—I was never going any further than that. I played a bit after high school, coached a team after college, and then…
Fifteen years pass in the blink of an eye. I skated once in those fifteen years—then today I got to take my girl skating for the first time. Skating is like riding a bike and I got around good, but Ouest? Well, she got around great. Seriously, she clickety-clacked right out onto the ice and took off. Sure, she fell—a lot, but she always got right back up, never complained, and continued chasing me around in circles. For two hours! I couldn’t get her to stop.
“Ouest, do you want to take a break and get something to drink.”
“No, me not thirsty. Let’s go.”
I haven’t had that much fun in a long time and I couldn’t have been more proud of Ouest—for being excited, for being fearless, for getting up time and again, for being a pretty good skater, and for never even mentioning that the skates were rubbing two raw sores into the sides of her calves.
You know what else I loved about the day? The smell of that black rubber flooring in the locker rooms. That smell permeates my memories.
Later on we went over to my aunt’s house for dinner. She has a new puppy that the kids immediately fell in love with. Especially Lowe. He wanted nothing more than for that little puppy to follow him around, crawl up into his lap, and lick his face.
16 Comments on “On Ice”
Was that the ice rink inside Lloyd Center you went to? It sure looked empty in your pictures. That place used to always be packed with skaters both the general public and figure skaters practicing.
Yeah, that’s Lloyd Center Mall. There were maybe ten people out there while we skated, including a few of the amateur figure skaters. I’ve seen that place packed as well as empty. I guess 11 a.m. on a Wednesday isn’t prime time. 🙂
Ya, know what we call that up here in Idaho? child abuse:-) just kidding… funny thing is, one foot on the ice for me…. equals hip surgery , brain concussion and a gurney. The latest news? I’m 20 lbs. lighter and I’ve lost 3 inches on my waist! wahoo!
She has so many bruises on her body already that we figured nobody would notice a few more. And don’t worry, winter is coming soon—you’ll have plenty of time to pack those pounds back on. 🙂
WOW that girl can skate !!!!!! and Lowe is getting to be a giant little boy! I am really looking forward to seeing you guys monday! Oh, I guess I am excited to see Pat and Ali, too>……
Oh, Ali and I won’t be there. Just the kids. You’re cool with that right?
Great skating for a Mexicazn Boat girl! LOL Give her a well done squezze for us.
I just love her determination! I’m guessing she has never been on ice before?
First time on ice, and yes she was determined. No matter the number of falls she always climbed back up with a smile on her face and kept going. I’m telling you, after two hours I was bribing her to leave.
I love the way she used that toe pick! She’s a natural. Looks like Lowe needs a dog.
Yeah, that’s what this family needs—a dog. I promise you I will jump overboard if a dog ends up on this boat.
Wonder how Mango the fish is doing?
You know, Ouest asks that every day now. I would have never thought that she would even think about that fish while we were away, but she says things like, “Me miss Mango,” or “Mango is missing us” every day. I hope she’s alive just so I don’t have to go find a pet store right away when I get down there. 🙂
Me too. After going to a pet store here this week and finding out that we should be changing her water twice weekly — yikes I wonder if they have done it at all…
Fairly new follower here and a fellow hockey player. Been reading your catamaran adventures and thought I should see what you are up to now. So cool to get your daughter out skating! I remember the first time I got to do that as well and pretty soon I better take my granddaughter! Have you ever played pickup hockey in recent years? I bet Portalnd has some of that going on. I have really enjoyed putting on the gear and getting out there over the past several years.
Anyway, love your blog and the honesty with which you share your life! Thank you for inspiring me to keep dreaming and adventuring!
That photo of Lowe laughing with the puppy in his face, with Buddha in the background laughing as well… hard to tell which of them is happier! Such a joyous shot.