Winter

No snowboarding this season for a couple of reasons.  I can't maintain a toe edge due to my foot injury.  It's getting there but not enough.  

My snowboarding instructor has developed dementia and is at the point where he sometimes forgets how to get home.  We couldn't believe the difference a year has made.  Worried and upset for him.  

I've concentrated on developing ski endurance.  Getting mileage on my legs.  It's coming along.

Ended up getting new equipment.  D talked me into getting fitted for new boots after having an excellent experience with his fitting.  Our equipment would be considered old, pushing 12 years.  And his point was I would know once I get my feet into a new pair.

So I went and also had an excellent experience.  Then I found out my ski bindings are too old to service, making my skiis obsolete.  It is a safety and liability issue.  

Fortunately the ski shop had 1 pair of last season's skiis that fit me, at a reduced price.  So for the last week, I have been breaking in new equipment.  Had a few rough days with sore feet and legs but it is coming around.

I think I skied more this season than I've ever skied in my life.

We have a new food truck on the mountain.  Serving Ukrainian food by a family that arrived in Canada last November to escape the war.  

It has been really upsetting to hear about what their lives were like, which family members are still there, how close the bombings have been to their homes.  I can tell his son isn't sure about Canada yet.  They want to go back, once the war is over and rebuild.  

I've eaten there enough that he gives me complementary borscht (so delicious).  Last visit, he asked me if I was a professional skier because I am out everyday...made me choke up some soup in laughter...

I've been cherishing all the small conversations like this, with the lifties and on the chair lift.  There are so many good people around.  Renews hope.