We finally got our first snow of the winter in the lowlands. It wasn’t much, just a dusting and enough to play in for a half hour before the green of the grass reappeared. The winter has been off to a slow start. That’s climate change for you. I hoped we’d ski at least twice as much by now. We’ve had storms in the mountains the past week, so I’m sure this upcoming MLK holiday weekend will yield some good ski days so you can get more practice in!
Your Mom is unimpressed by the snow and has suggested we should live some place that gets real snow. I’ve reacted by going on a mountain cabin hunt online. That’s a next goal for our family: the second home. That’s a real perk but one that we can share with friends and family and get some financial kickback via the advent of home-sharing (renting) services like VRBO and Airbnb. This sharing economy is a big deal right now and will probably be standard fare or perhaps archaic by the time you read this. Back to the point, a place we can go to for sure snow to escape our otherwise rainy winter closer at sea level is the big idea.
I’m not sure you’re as driven by skiing as I am, given you only show about 10 percent the excitement you show for dance classes. Your Mom just signed you up for your first class and according to her “over-excitement” would be an understatement for your enthusiasm. Your Mom said that if she signed you up for these classes, you would also have to sign up for a sport. You replied that dance is a sport. Checkmate. Well played. Aunt Nina would be proud.
Because of these snow dustings, I’ve being going in late to work and have had a chance to take you to school. We always listen to Maggie Rogers at your request. You came home from school with a new word, “cock.” As in someone called you a cock and explained that “it’s the name for a boy chicken.” While I appreciate the accuracy of the definition, I don’t think it tracks with the usual alternate definition and sentiment. To think we’re paying to send you to a private school and you’re getting this kind of language exposure in pre-K! Actually, it’s exactly what I expect. In my own private school experience I found that the privileged kids were always ahead the curve on language and vices. Wealth affords access, good and bad.
Hopefully your Mom and I can provide you a comfortable upbringing with easy access to snow, maybe a mountain cabin, and infinite dance classes. That’s going to be a privileged way to live and my hope is that you decide to be one of the good kids. I bet you’ll make the right call.
Love, Dad