What starts in the head,
Then goes straight to the heart,
And shows itself off as a smile?

Me thinking about you of course. :)

Spring was on its way; the bitter cold of the past week now just a memory. The sun, which had decided to come out in force, glared off the inch think coat of snow and ice uncomfortably into the man’s eyes. Looking down through the trees now, he wished he had brought his sunglasses along. But sunglasses, in his mind, were for summer beaches, not walks in a snow-covered wood.
A line of inch deep tracks stretched behind him where his boots had broken then sunk into the ice topped snow. Never the less he could feel the season’s change coming on his skin, and smell it in the air. It was the fresh, crisp smell of plants that only needed a few more weeks to shake off their winters sleep and shoot skyward once more, reaching their leaves high toward the light.
He took pause, if only a moment, and looked back over his shoulder. He could still see the houses he had departed from not long ago. They now seemed miniaturized, and reminded him of the perfect model homes on a toy train display.
“But lacking the oversized plastic animals.” he laughed to himself and continued on his way.
Sunglasses he may have forgotten, but his thick-shafted maple walking stick he did not. Perhaps the most important, mainstay of his trips, the staff had helped him enough times that he wouldn’t want to be without it. People had made fun of it, or him, probably both at times. But be it ice, mud, water or rocks, it hadn’t let him down yet, and he wouldn’t give up his favorite tool over a few wiseass remarks anyway. He had picked the branch himself, right off the tree after it had been felled. It was etched with three carvings, all by his hand. The first a maple leaf, to honor the tree that had given the branch. Secondly, to honor the spirit of the forest, an elderly man’s face. Thirdly, his initials, which marked it as his own. The man knew he’d probably wear before the staff did, and deep down, he hoped it went just that way.

So I had written what I thought to be a rather grand post today. It spoke eloquently about Hiking in the woods today, and my readiness for spring. It spoke fondly of outdoor activities I want to pursue this year including lots of hiking, picnicing, and playing instruments in the woods... I made fond mention of the fact that i'd enjoy company to do these things, and hinted that there were specific people on my mind.. but that I'd do it all myself if I had to...
yes this post was grand, and I even proof-read and fixed a few spelling errors, and corrected some poorly worded phrases... then as I click publish, I realized, deep in the pit of my stomache, that my window had frozen, and despite my best efforts, my wonderous post was lost to a glitch, in the parlance of our times.

And now, you are left with this, sad monument, to a great post, that will never be read.

Danny

So I thought a blog on Fastnacht Day was only right. Especially because it's a holiday that passes most people by without them even realizing it happened. So to enlighten you, Fastnacht Day is the pennsylvania dutch equivelent of Mardi Gras, fat tuesday if you will.. It's always the tuesday before ash wednesday. And it has always been a family tradition to make Fastnacht's which are delicious mashed potatoe and lard based doughnuts rolled powdered or granulated sugar.
Mom, dad and I made 4 dozen yesterday. Me and mom made the dough, and cut the doughnuts, dad and I fried them, and I dipped them in sugar. This is the first year I was present for the entire process.. Which is good.. I'm pretty sure I could make them on my own now. Which is good, because it's pretty much decided that it will be my legacy to carry.
It seems a lot happened today.. although it was really a pretty normal tuesday. Some good things happened. Nothing i'm going to talk about really, haha.. But Things that made my day.
I did a little extra working out today... to try and compensate for the sugar covered lard doughnuts I ate... haha, 5 so far, between today and yesterday. But I don't even want to think about how many calories are in them.... There really is a reason they call it FAT tuesday. lol. But over all.. things have been good.
Oba oba played a show last weekend... with another one this weekend. Andy played with us again last week.. just playing with him is forcing me to get better. I feel like it takes everything I have to even manage half of his off hand skill.. It's both exhilarationg and frustrating.. but, as always I love challenge.. The crowd seemed to like it last night... which was nice.. even got some applause for a solo or two, which is heart warming.
Tonight i'm going to go to borders and maybe pick up a book or two.. but mostly just sit with a cup of coffee or tea and chill. maybe comtemplate life a bit.. haha. I've been meaning to do this for the last couple days.. but it just keeps getting put off.
Any way.. I always tend to post when i'm in a crappy mood.. So I thought i'd share my delighted holiday spirit for a change.
Maybe it's all the sugar.

Danny