In the winter, if I don’t go skiing, I get grouchy, though I might not even realize why I’m grouchy until I’m not anymore. I’ve been grouchy. The past week or so has ungrouched me.
A friend and I once determined that there is really no other word for “fun” than “fun.” We were skiing at the time. I confess that I might have gone skiing more often this year than I have, but there is skiing, and then there is skiing. I could gain days on lower lifts riding on homemade ice crystals, but that’s not quite the same as slicing through the goop on a black diamond, picking a line through the trees or even trying to survive bumped-up terrain in good order. Now, that’s fun.
I’m grateful for the recent storm track, and hope we continue to build the pack, especially up high, where the upper lifts take me to moments in white heaven.
Plus, we need to store up that water for summer.
Sandy Compton. Courtesy photo.
Driving
When my dad (unofficially) and Mr. Smith (officially) taught me how to drive, back in the day of clutches and stick shifts, they both impressed on me several important things.
1. The little lever on the left side of the steering column is used to signal other drivers of your intentions. Pushing down on it signals that you are turning left. Lifting it signals that you are turning right. Pretty simple, I think; and it’s still true of most cars, though a number of people seem not to know that.
2. When a traffic light turns yellow, drivers should know that the light is about to turn red, which means it’s time to stop and let other drivers proceed. A yellow light is not a signal to speed up; and, once the light is red, if a driver doesn’t stop, they are guilty of negligence. And somewhat idiotic. Thirty seconds gained are not worth the risk to oneself or anyone else.
3. The numbers on rectangular signs found along streets and highways everywhere along with the words “Speed Limit” — or even without — are not referring to the lower limit of speed legal on streets and highways, but the upper limit. I am amazed at how many people with drivers’ licenses seem to be illiterate. How did they pass the test?
4. The mirrors found on each side and in the middle of the windshield of most modern vehicles are there so drivers can see what’s happening behind them, not to check how cool they look in their new sunglasses.
5. If you learned to drive in Los Angeles or Las Vegas, it might seem necessary to stay close enough to the car in front of you to memorize its license plate. There is much more room here, and, as my dad and Mr. Smith instructed me, it’s safer and much more polite to keep at least one car-length behind the car in front for every 10 miles per hour of speed.
6. Four-wheel drive can be great for getting out of trouble, but it is not so great for staying out of trouble on icy roads. Slowing down works much better.
7. When you smack a deer — or any animal — with your Volkswagen or big-ass Chevy pickup, it’s not the critter’s fault. It may not be completely yours, either, but you are likely more culpable than Bambi or Bambette. And leaving a crippled animal on the road — or a dead one — is not criminal, but it is irresponsible. Just my opinion, I guess, but I have had to deal with critters wounded by others much more often than I have wounded one.
A lot of drivers don’t know how to deal with hitting an animal — besides being pissed off and wondering how much it will cost to fix the damage — but driving away while it flounders in the road is inhumane.
Again, it’s not the critter’s fault. You’re the one in the big hurry. Slow down.
Politics
Donnie Boy has once again been channeling his inner temper-ridden 3-year-old. He seems to think “tantrum” is a diplomatic tool. Imagine calling the Supreme Court (the very one he has helped build) “lapdogs.” And only because they have jumped out of his lap. His response to their ruling about his random tariffs? Let’s just tariff the whole world. And, oops, 10% isn’t enough.
He seems like a classic schoolyard bully. “Oh, yeah? Well, take that! That’ll teach ’em to tell me no.” No wonder his lower lip is so prominent — he’s always pouting.
It’s very heartening to see people standing up to Donnie and pushing back. He needs a long timeout in the corner. He might even need a spanking. Only figuratively, of course. Hah!
When Sandy Compton isn’t skiing or being grouchy about not skiing, he writes, edits, designs and publishes books for himself and others. See the results at bluecreekpress.com.
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