Prairie Hockey

There was a sparkle in the air, perhaps created by the intense cold. It was a good day to stay inside hoping to see an increase in temperature, or the wind dying down so it didn’t go right through you. For an ice skater the streams and ponds were perfect with recent melt and freeze making mirror ice in places. It just called out to skaters to come and rough it up a bit. Out came the goal and the battles were ready to begin. Friendships often were tested and sometimes battles expanded. In the end, we all had a good experience having fun on the ice, and always ready to go back every year for more. Friendships were sometimes shattered, or at least put on hold sometimes. I had a grudge on one aggressive player for years, later becoming good friends. One friend quit skating entirely with me from a few (well maybe too many) body checks as we sparred one on one after many years. I had run an ice skate program for the parks and had too many miles of skating and playing over him. I still feel good to get in a small game and try to keep up with the rink’s stars. When I worked the ice skate program I went and bought many pairs of used skates at secondhand stores to take to work with me each year. A bundle of hockey sticks also came along. If you used the skates a lot, I often gave them to you. Often socks were put in the toes just so everyone had a pair. One night while taking a substitute rink I sparred with a five year old .I was impressed until he cut me down and I fell on top of him. He wiggled out and held out his hand to help me up and said,"Are you okay?" He went home with a stick.

 

 

 

             A short trip to the Joslyn Art Museum in Omaha and a somewhat current moon