Catharsis in Snow Shoveling

There is absolutely nothing in the world comparable to the cleansing of the soul that occurs on a quiet Sunday morning while shoveling out of a foot of snow. The surrounding silence contributes to the peaceful setting that allows one to work, sweat, reflect, admire Mother Nature's beauty and greet other neighbors out seeking the same post-storm calm.

Deep breaths...

I have come to the decision that I will not take the offered position of organizing and chairing a session of that upcoming languages conference. After weekends like this, I am left with an overwhelming feeling of loss, of time wasted on students' papers that ought to be instead spent with my children. The conference would only add to the hodgepodge of multitasking in which I constantly find myself metida and I would be completely crazy to add something else to my already overflowing Life. Even if I love to teach, my first career is that of being the best Mother I can be to my children, and if I teach them that they are always to be sacrificed in the name of my classes, then that would mean I had become the worst teacher I could possibly become.

Okay...time to hit the snow! I did my shoveling--it is now MQE's turn to get the rest of the driveway. I am going to make a snowman family!!! WHOOOOOOOOO-HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! Over 12 inches of snow!! Sweet powder...how I wish I could go skiing today...

swooooooooooooosh