Adventures (and bruises) on Ice

After the skating. All photo credits: my mom ('cause I was too busy falling down to take pictures)

Yesterday, I went ice skating for the first time ever, and I am left wondering... How in the world do figure skaters manage to go around on one ice skate all the time? I certainly had enough trouble staying up on my two feet. At least I don't have a peg leg like a pirate. I can't imagine what peg-legged pirates do when they go ice skating.

Many of you who know me well (and probably those of you who don't know me well too) know I have an unusual enthusiasm for winter, snow, and anything that has to do with winter, so you can imagine my exhilaration over this latest adventure.

Like any good beginner, I started off along the wall of the rink, clinging for dear life as my feet splayed out in all different directions in an evil conspiracy to send me crashing down on the ice.



Eventually, I let go of the wall and went flailing along the ice in a futile attempt to stay upright. "It's easy," they said. "Just let go," they said. Well, I did. And I went exactly where one might expect a first-time ice skater like me to go. It soon developed that I am, in fact, a hazard on the ice, whether I was pulling my friends down with me whenever I fell or hitting them in the head with my thrashing arms.





I learned many valuable life lessons from yesterday.

• First, I learned that ice is extremely slippery. Did you know that? Well, I learned that the hard way today. Oh yeah, and also, ice is very hard, especially when you land on it a dozen times, like a certain blog writer you may know.
• Second, I am a very dangerous individual to ice skate with. (As a side note, I would like to thank all my loyal friends who went down with me. I apologize for all your resulting bruises.)
• And lastly...I should never, never be a professional figure skater.

P.S. Today is Thanksgiving, a day to give thanks for all our many blessings. I, for one, am thankful I am not a turkey.

"Look, Mom, no hands!"