all that's past is prologue...

In dogsledding races, there is often a restart. Sometimes it's due to trail situations, and in other cases, like the Iditarod, there's a ceremonial start and then a restart. I would take either, honestly. The big physical thing bothering me right now is my broken wrist, which I got when I fell in a cross-country ski class the other night. For now it's splinted, hurts like a MF, and means I can't drive, type well, concentrate, or do much. I can't do yoga (it's the first thing I asked). I see a specialist this next week to see if I need surgery or not (which will likely affect spring break). So basically, it's a big bummer. I also can't deliver B's girl scout cookies and it's cookie season. You can still order on her webpage and she and P will get them out to you ASAP, but there are, of course, "supply chain issues." https://app.abcsmartcookies.com/#/social-link-landing/0204585e-8a7f-42ff-92ce-a36213e20277 I'm currently experiencing a

Sometimes you just really need a break. I felt like that recently, and luckily our amazing friend Whitney, owner of the The Victorian B&B , came to our aid. So last night, Beatrix went to spend the night with my aunt and uncle, while we got a night away. First of all, we got to have a lovely bottle of wine with the innkeeper. Our friend Chuck, who owns Solo Vino wines, had just sent out an email with some really fantastic specials. So we bought a wine that was on huge sale but still more than we usually spend, and damn if that was not one of the more amazing things I have had to drink in the recent past. Get yourself on Solo Vino's email list if you have not already. We then checked into our room, the Cathedral Suite, which has a lovely little turret. It's such a calming space. There's also a cozy little reading nook just outside it in the hallway (I had every intention of settling in with a book!) Or maybe down the lovely stairs, by the fireplace: The other rooms are

So there's been a lot of change and thought and such going on here in the Gladhill Rhone household. It's all fine, and we're fine, but adjusting to the new is always a process — maybe even more so as people are starting to take some first small steps out off a pandemic. I went to a show with a friend, and then a drink last night, and I'm about to leave for choir practice in person. That's a lot. And we're not the only ones. Early last fall, we returned to doing Yoga and a Pint in person, first out in the patio and then in the brewery. With a few exceptions, we've gone every Saturday and Sunday since then. Viv was doing classes in person, but also simultaneously streaming online (sound familiar to you teachers?). There was always a tech problem (also sound familiar, teachers?), but the students laughed it off. Not so much Viv, who was always having to deal with some tech nightmare right as class began. Last week, it came to a huge exploding head on Sunday, a

One of the things I have realized I love most about Minnesota this time of year is attending fun, creative, public arts events outside. We sadly missed out on the ice carousel on Nokomis yesterday (how did I not notice in time?!), and I put off getting Loppet tickets until too late, though we did drive around the lake to see some of it from afar. Really, folks, if I put it off next year remind me how disappointed I was not to go! But today Patrick and I did make it to the Ice Conservatory as part of the Great Northern festival.                              As an added bonus, we ran into our friends Betsy and Theresa, who managed to catch this 80s-inspired alley picture of us. And yesterday, we headed out to Excelsior to see the Klondike Dog Derby. Amazingly, with all my love of dogsledding, I have never seen a dog race live, so it was a particular thrill for me. Next year I'm getting there early to catch the start! Yes, that's Beatrix and me with Blair Braverman and Pepe. I was