Tag Archives: Olympics

Ave Maria

Posted on February 20, 2014 | 1 comment

The bad news is that I tweaked the ankle I broke over 22 years ago walking my first dog, on snow and ice this week. It was on ice so while I did other things I watched ice, particularly the women’s short program, Olympic figure skating.

While I love my USA skaters one came to mind. That is Carolina Kostner of Italy. While she’s third right now the first three are all within a point of each other. I’ve no idea what her long program/free skate will be but she was inspirational on the ice. Kids bring the tricks, adults add fluidity and grace, and this was a most graceful performance.

Whether it was divine inspiration on her part I do not know. I’m just rooting for her tonight to capture our hearts as she did yesterday.

Yes, I think you’re great, Gracie but you are several points behind. I love my USA team and do hope you topple some of the greats. This one, Carolina, just put her heart and soul in her presentation and I felt it, not like kids doing tricks.

Unfortunately, Olympic judges tend to go for the young and inexperienced and “old athletes” nearing their upper 20’s are given short shrift. There is a very delicate balance between 15 and 28 and what an athlete can offer.

In bocca al lupo, Ms. Carolina, Cheers! Dee

p.s. My childhood heroine, one of them, was Ludmilla Tourischeva of USSR who was a consummate gymnast. She was an adult and had the style and grace of Ms. Kostner.

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Posted in Editorial, Greece

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Injuries

Posted on February 12, 2014 | 1 comment

While I understand more about the summer Olympics, I always enjoy watching young people at the top of their game in any season.

In 1972 I fell in love with Olga Korbut at the Summer, that fateful summer in Munich. I was trying to be a runner but took second leg (slowest) on a relay team and convinced the lady who spoke on the old loudspeakers in classrooms that we “came in second” even though there were only two teams.

I switched to gymnastics and didn’t have a place on our team. When we moved, within six weeks I was elected captain and had to train a team. Let it be said that I was a better captain than gymnast.

Back then Title IX was in its first stages. Our male and female gymnasts practiced separately, the guys with a gorgeous gym with a wood floor. We had linoleum tiles over concrete.

I ran for the vault multiple times, barefoot, over concrete and always had shin splints. To this day I remember how to dress them. When I went to college they promised gymnastics and a good “girls'” gym. They never did any of it. I lifted weights in the guy’s gym. The only thing on our side was one of those 1950’s band things that shimmies one’s behind.

At age 27 my knee swelled up. I was misdiagnosed for over 20 years until one doctor said I have rheumatoid arthritis. Many of today’s athletes have access to the best equipment, safety and otherwise, that technology can provide. We had wooden balance beams and concrete floors.

There was no way I was ever going to be an athlete, much less go for Olympic Gold. I do thank Olga and Nadia for what they inspired me to be.

When I did a trick on the rings in practice I had no mat. It was during the State finals and I went on anyway. I had a concussion but all the doctor asked is to repeat after him. He whispered 1, 2, 6 and I repeated it and he told my mother I was fine.

Today all my joints ache. I’ve worn golf bracelets for years so I can still type (magenetized to minimize arthritis) but my feet have hurt for years and I’ve edema so now need to wear compression socks.

Parents, we’ve heard so much about football head injuries and heart failures in that and other sports. I don’t know if we’re pushing our kids further or not protecting them enough.

I know that other injuries will come if childhood safety is not protected and enforced. Everyone cares about the NFL and boxing but no one is speaking up for the girls. Title IX should be enforced everywhere.

Stories, yes I’ve a ton of them but right now protect your kids. Let them play sports but make sure they’ve the right setting and equipment. Thanks, Dee

 

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Posted in Editorial, Education

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Oscar Pistorius

Posted on August 14, 2012 | Leave a comment

His name will always be in my memory and I hope someone in the USA films and shows his Paralympics run.

Before I was born, my grandfather had a limb excised above the knee. He had crutches but also a crude plastic “wooden leg” that was very uncomfortable. He’d wear the leg in public and on airplanes (glad he didn’t live past 9/11 because of TSA scrutiny) but normally used his crutches.

Don’t get me wrong. He placed a 2X4 above our basement stairs and painted the walls, something our dad wouldn’t even do! Of course he did that in secret so no-one would worry about him. He was a bridge builder, Jacques Cartier in Montreal, so had balance. Mom caught him and freaked out.

While I miss Papa, I know he, as I, will congratulate Oscar Pistorius in his quest for an Olympic medal. Back in the day, I had girlfriends over and we played hide and seek and one saw my grandfather’s leg standing in the corner and screamed.

Now we cheer, as we should. If titanium and science were there when my grandfather lost his leg after WWII that would have been wonderful. If public opinion of veterans and others who have lost limbs had changed my childhood friend wouldn’t have screamed.

My grandfather would have been able to walk better and live a more normal life. Our dog has no hips and back then they only made titanium hips for dogs over 60 pounds and she was a pup at 20#. She had a great surgeon (Dr. Val) but had to grow her own from cartilage and is now looking at her 9th birthday and feeling great but only chases squirrels, mice and the occasional cat.

Thank you, titanium, thank you Oscar for showing people that first of all, you got into the Olympic Games without an advantage, you competed successfully, and will go on to make history.

GEP, my grandfather, would be proud, as am I. Cheers, Dee

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Don’t Think it’s Vodka

Posted on November 13, 2011 | Leave a comment

Last week we received Coffee Crisp bars (two hall0ween-sized that I shared with my Montreal neighbor) from the Canadian bobsled team, they won gold and silver. They left this morning and the Russian luge team has moved in, they look very young and hopefully have a chaperone and drivers for the athletes and all their gear.

With one day of “serious” snow we only got a few inches but there are already 8′ mounds from the snow removal equipment. They can only use human shovelers and extreme salt dispersal for so long before bringing in the big guns. I know because I grew up in a place that wasn’t as beautiful as the mountains, but had tons of snow and ice and before I got ready for school every morning shoveled the driveway.

I swore to my husband that I would never shovel snow again. So I still haven’t worked a snow blower or pickup with a plow on the front. He probably wouldn’t let me do either as he’d rather have eggs over medium and his regular breakfast waiting. Waiting while he got dressed for work and someone else plowed the driveway.

We live in a gorgeous setting in the mountains, and know another ski season is coming on. Unfortunately the two snows we’ve had, one dry, wet on top, has led to ten avalanches today and one death of a pro skier. Everyone wants to get up onto these mountains but there’s no base and the guns aren’t in place. I know that in a few weeks when ski season begins if there’s been a major snowfall overnight at 5 or so in the morning the cannons go off, preventing avalanches. It’s something one gets used to hearing every morning.

Watching the SnoCats at night is a hobby of mine. They groom the ski trails and you can see their lights for miles. For $500 you can go up with them for a shift. We see them, if it’s not too cold to leave the shades up, over three resorts.

It is a gift to be able to live here with clean air and water, nice folks too. I’ve done some volunteer work here with shelter animals and am looking into more opportunities.

When it comes right down to it, living with my dear husband and demanding dog, is nice. The herder tries to tell me what to do and I say no until my husband comes home, then she plays him and he’s the “Fun Guy” who throws the ball.

On the human side, when he’s not throwing a ball for Zoe in the living room, we actually have conversations from mundane to esoteric or regarding laws of physics.

I do happen to be a good cook, and Jim has learned to twist balloons (you know this, right?) so if we cook or do balloons for the boys on the Russian luge team, we know they’ll never thank us with the customary vodka, because we’re in Utah!

Na Zdrowie, Dee

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O Canada, Thank You!

Posted on February 25, 2010 | 2 comments

Thank you for hosting the Olympics. Sorry the weather was lousy, ski resorts here are having a tough time too, especially with the economy as well.

It appears you’ve put on your best red and white and maple leaf (down to the mittens, I want a pair!) friendliness to all nations.

Yes, I live in the USA in ski country. But my origins are from a Brit who married a French-Canadian, and a French-Canadian who married an American citizen. Mom always retained her Canadian citizenship even though she lived in the States for over 50 years.

We love our Canadian family, and some have lived in Vancouver for a bit – I’ve yet to visit. My uncle was a part of the torch run toward Calgary years ago. My cousins played hockey as kids and still do, always competitive.

My mother loved BC (British Columbia) and is now memorialized there by her sister and friends. Canada is always a friendly country, perhaps that’s what confuses USA residents. It also offers great smoked meat (check out http://www.savethedeli.com) and Coffee Crisps.

I used to like wimpy candy bars as a kid, and traditionally I don’t eat sweets but Coffee Crisp is coffee and chocolate and wafers and brings me back to … Canada. O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

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A Worthy Effort

Posted on February 21, 2010 | Leave a comment

About 15 years ago I tried to create a play on a Mexican Torta. Please don’t tell Rick Bayless about this. He’s my inspiration on many things Mexican. This is in no way traditional Mexican fare, and was a failure of presentation but a good way to go on taste.

Today we were taking a vacation from our vacation so I got up and took the dog out at seven and Jim slept until nearly noon. He needed it, as we really pushed this week. I decided to make something simple, easy.

I bought flour tortillas (hey, we’re in a corporate place, do you expect me to get a tortilla press)? I even got salsa. I put two chicken breasts in the oven but only shredded one. Caramelized two large red onions, thinly sliced, and grilled six tortillas. I placed a layer of vegetarian refried beans on five layers, then onions, shredded chicken, crumbled goat cheese and a bit of salsa and built the “cake.”

There’s a reason wedding cakes have tiers. It’s so one layer doesn’t fall on another. It would’ve been better if they had warmed more thoroughly, also if I made two tortas, each with three tortillas, the top one brushed with butter or oil to crisp and make for a nice presentation.

I also had avocados on hand but didn’t use them. Instead I served a slice with lime wedges and a bit of sour cream. When I get it right I’ll hand off the recipe to you. I needed more melting cheese in it, it’s a project now.

Hope you’re having a good weekend. We like being home again but sitting in the shade by the pool in 75 degree weather has its benefits. Plus my hair and skin benefited from being in higher humidity and at 138 feet above sea level we had good air as well.

Congratulations to our Olympic athletes, it’s a joy to watch them compete. Cheers! Dee

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O Canada

Posted on February 17, 2010 | Leave a comment

Our home and native land….

Yes, my mother came from Canada and had a Green Card here for 50 years. She’s gone now but family abides in Canada and nearby and everyone loves the Olympics. We happen to be living where the 2002 Olympics resided and are keeping our eyes out on Vancouver.

Apparently Lindsey Vonn is a neighbor of ours who is using cheese (topfer) to help heal her shin. Let’s hope Lindsey and our other neighbor Shaun White do well in the Olympics.

My godfather/Uncle Don had the honor of carrying the Olympic Torch prior to the Calgary Games. I salute all the athletes, thank Canada and Vancouver for hosting the Games, and wish everyone the best. OK, I’m from the USA so will shout a little bit louder there.

As a nation, we’ve spent a lot of time walling off one neighbor, Mexico. We’ve ignored our Northern neighbor, Canada, for far too long. It’s as if we’re such good friends that we forget about Canada because it doesn’t pose a threat to our borders.

We’ve been engaged to Canada for many years. While I don’t have inside info on what Canadians think of the US right now I believe we pay Canada no mind. It seems we like to be involved with Iraq and Afghanistan but ignore our kindly neighbors to the North.

For me, I hope the weather allows for a good and fair Olympics. Kudos for taking on this monumental challenge and we look forward to visiting Vancouver and sacred places nearby where my mother has been memorialized in future years. Cheers, Dee

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Posted in Editorial, Utah

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