tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34938677739770918942024-03-14T11:35:22.753-04:00The Millin Four-emA site chronicling the events at the Millin family's home and backyard hockey rink.
Thanks for hitting our post!Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00087638753272198035noreply@blogger.comBlogger250125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3493867773977091894.post-71154889842348107592011-04-03T10:40:00.000-04:002011-04-03T10:40:49.573-04:00Get on the Scoresheet<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/WL-O-dOREFY?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />
My fellow backyard rink-builder friend Pete, who <a href="http://themillinfour-em.blogspot.com/2010/12/away-games.html"><span style="color: #888888;">I wrote about</span></a> earlier this season, has entered into a contest for custom ice rinks. Each unique view on this video is a vote for his rink. By watching it I think you will see that Pete is in it for the same reasons so many of us are: friends, fun, and family.</div>Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00087638753272198035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3493867773977091894.post-26252600025103847262011-03-18T08:45:00.000-04:002011-03-18T08:45:47.137-04:00The Hole Is My Theory<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj4uWCQmRgph7MlEAP7dPEVXIniN-BkW87r594yUfpjOC79azeTkVxDdpEnJuy77L7jtSkKKf8MGH-iHcGQ6Y9C9TcJdIoDfRg98u4MHAOWQZorl-snDMTGtd3qu7e4YD-4QLlbPvRbJc/s1600/IMG_9680.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj4uWCQmRgph7MlEAP7dPEVXIniN-BkW87r594yUfpjOC79azeTkVxDdpEnJuy77L7jtSkKKf8MGH-iHcGQ6Y9C9TcJdIoDfRg98u4MHAOWQZorl-snDMTGtd3qu7e4YD-4QLlbPvRbJc/s200/IMG_9680.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carl gives the water temperature 2 thumbs up</td></tr>
</tbody></table> Cleaning up after the season is over is a brutal task. My time and energy has been transferred to other things (or perhaps I just enjoy spending it on other things) and the mess that is my backyard sits and waits for me. Draining the liner isn't hard and there are different ways to do it. The best - and easiest - way is to sick my neighbor's dogs (and boys) on it. We spent a half hour throwing a tennis ball into the icy water and the dogs' claws poke hundreds of little holes in the liner, making for a slow, steady drain. I woke up this morning and the liner was empty.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jimmy tests the waters</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tilly splashes while Mac looks for the tennis ball</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mason retrieves the ball and drains my liner: win, win</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ9qdtE4nUFnjhPo53df2B7ReDtZMkDad53mXX6tY7jhUO5Yob8ny3c1TT_V5zbSPKFs-onDr8lDhRIlpN4aILGaA_qtHq258lA50pzHrrM4TOuYvbAcnNrQoQN_kPiKXShNsW84q0Q4c/s1600/IMG_9685.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ9qdtE4nUFnjhPo53df2B7ReDtZMkDad53mXX6tY7jhUO5Yob8ny3c1TT_V5zbSPKFs-onDr8lDhRIlpN4aILGaA_qtHq258lA50pzHrrM4TOuYvbAcnNrQoQN_kPiKXShNsW84q0Q4c/s320/IMG_9685.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carl discovers the liner is slippery when wet</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div>Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00087638753272198035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3493867773977091894.post-68314722107057383092011-02-04T21:54:00.003-05:002011-02-05T10:03:37.396-05:00Recent Goings-on<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Sometimes words are too much and pictures do the job just fine:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwVPYS8ifvf_QMW6zEdRyVtHWpthxMhY9xjf3oRFbvUKo7BhVazd86R-3W9u2wDgfKniNqofv6bYXA9ZHe77ejIYJnshrbWoCc40DFNRHMBunMJ-vmvnQRhDk3qXIt3iHJ43o3syGqpTg/s1600/IMG_9258.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwVPYS8ifvf_QMW6zEdRyVtHWpthxMhY9xjf3oRFbvUKo7BhVazd86R-3W9u2wDgfKniNqofv6bYXA9ZHe77ejIYJnshrbWoCc40DFNRHMBunMJ-vmvnQRhDk3qXIt3iHJ43o3syGqpTg/s320/IMG_9258.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First things thirst</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdM8HapW3plCxCRi25fsWpxRxVM7hhxEw2eIJGVD4mUNb8XM4XEzHftyHbHln17qo8plVX_3QuY1hB1U7g_rk_XSPq-8YGo1bKNe0EZCBdyZ4DI-yJDRi9vwmcyUJ-99044OCjBXgekSo/s1600/IMG_9290.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdM8HapW3plCxCRi25fsWpxRxVM7hhxEw2eIJGVD4mUNb8XM4XEzHftyHbHln17qo8plVX_3QuY1hB1U7g_rk_XSPq-8YGo1bKNe0EZCBdyZ4DI-yJDRi9vwmcyUJ-99044OCjBXgekSo/s320/IMG_9290.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tripping on Alex</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT-WexPONpgTzVqNjNq4kdoZBQ56Qs8i-_5wwZaKLt7bB2N7zB3iKFMzP1XHFkZ1ORT7RKGP4pvk8A6DuR_Px5ujDmYmizkFqGrEN7hyefJPMFh9mWs1dUMg9CNeBekw5MoVU_z8okvAE/s1600/IMG_9311.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT-WexPONpgTzVqNjNq4kdoZBQ56Qs8i-_5wwZaKLt7bB2N7zB3iKFMzP1XHFkZ1ORT7RKGP4pvk8A6DuR_Px5ujDmYmizkFqGrEN7hyefJPMFh9mWs1dUMg9CNeBekw5MoVU_z8okvAE/s320/IMG_9311.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lots of traffic </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuE0x1SQUQ-WDoPaWXGqClspjefHpCZTN8vlt7F9SC3yiZqMNrXaJBXD5HlNVbVKd2f9GanHBXp7gVEhvdset5FXYmM1i70lqKobQhkYJe5CVT4VqdWi-cA6elfttq0EuD3ZyEi4B0ZMc/s1600/IMG_9284.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuE0x1SQUQ-WDoPaWXGqClspjefHpCZTN8vlt7F9SC3yiZqMNrXaJBXD5HlNVbVKd2f9GanHBXp7gVEhvdset5FXYmM1i70lqKobQhkYJe5CVT4VqdWi-cA6elfttq0EuD3ZyEi4B0ZMc/s320/IMG_9284.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No Country for Old Men</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmyNbxDCUvQhfBJGf0u3xvFDHqEPPga0bfy1vBJuDRcdvH7RZioeCiGPkWqbQxe6CPvVKwPBUalhodiO6rPnqNhpr3PWR8GYkRDu-sJiuen-2KVRcbeEgW1G6BeUnHYXSlFHKJ9O56XJk/s1600/IMG_9319.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmyNbxDCUvQhfBJGf0u3xvFDHqEPPga0bfy1vBJuDRcdvH7RZioeCiGPkWqbQxe6CPvVKwPBUalhodiO6rPnqNhpr3PWR8GYkRDu-sJiuen-2KVRcbeEgW1G6BeUnHYXSlFHKJ9O56XJk/s320/IMG_9319.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The year of snow</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Danny and Brendan</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brendan and Liam scrape the ice</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhELqOJxaFBQNorGVTBBtwpHATX7XLuQgBFLDEoX7ie16xyTOhKinBMDDM_I_SoRODkMKMJMvQB9mHOBNCI-Dc2vw21Kt-B9_ovz5uMcHMHFDXGi1qGcL83rZSVZrwBQ_lqmYCf9Ct5M60/s1600/IMG_9262.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhELqOJxaFBQNorGVTBBtwpHATX7XLuQgBFLDEoX7ie16xyTOhKinBMDDM_I_SoRODkMKMJMvQB9mHOBNCI-Dc2vw21Kt-B9_ovz5uMcHMHFDXGi1qGcL83rZSVZrwBQ_lqmYCf9Ct5M60/s320/IMG_9262.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Remembering our roots and appreciating our chocolate</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgthiS-j-3F_fmUFEu5X3SMJENWBMfYB50e4Fk7mUVewquGL0MHGikc-SKecWWvgsFCkrRRhfzAx_LEBvp6jMgGZpN3Prdx7GzXeuuzpnmDLxHAHOQ0hO7RpmZy_AnBeb6XG7q4UPFrHjY/s1600/IMG_9269.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgthiS-j-3F_fmUFEu5X3SMJENWBMfYB50e4Fk7mUVewquGL0MHGikc-SKecWWvgsFCkrRRhfzAx_LEBvp6jMgGZpN3Prdx7GzXeuuzpnmDLxHAHOQ0hO7RpmZy_AnBeb6XG7q4UPFrHjY/s320/IMG_9269.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Audrey's Autumn Tones</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">Kevin and Alex</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUQojVQu_wxBsutNheJUGnBONIEWiqlL6e9ynyWGljU_V2DfJo50rcIoWoZvd29oxtwIWt6wkZZGK39kRnL8paS78_bXSOIT9tLP25GqJ9cponN2VrpxSCK5OWE5cwt1Bl4G18cxHFSK8/s1600/IMG_9279.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUQojVQu_wxBsutNheJUGnBONIEWiqlL6e9ynyWGljU_V2DfJo50rcIoWoZvd29oxtwIWt6wkZZGK39kRnL8paS78_bXSOIT9tLP25GqJ9cponN2VrpxSCK5OWE5cwt1Bl4G18cxHFSK8/s320/IMG_9279.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">RJ is the man</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG5T6E-1_xfvqgRq8UNIEiCj_9cskKR4kCw0CPvVwY706LHoW4WdHw8q-bK2-3m4yzoC4ANlu4RB_BGtyS_braB3Pj7Um0olXCKarDTSB-aIqT6_fSDx8cgxzSfgnKrUJvHjvCdaZvq30/s1600/IMG_9288.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG5T6E-1_xfvqgRq8UNIEiCj_9cskKR4kCw0CPvVwY706LHoW4WdHw8q-bK2-3m4yzoC4ANlu4RB_BGtyS_braB3Pj7Um0olXCKarDTSB-aIqT6_fSDx8cgxzSfgnKrUJvHjvCdaZvq30/s320/IMG_9288.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Line Change</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hitting in the corner</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Caroline and Delaney - are talking about giving ice hockey a try</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Caroline and Michael Face Off</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrtDqQe3EUeqW7mL-ogehJwLrvnBDNM14d7Rz9HVVSbib9beOiiyxT29rzIGsszXwZkGIuzazln_PCH445luQJlsOj7jKxraEzleyzw9g5HMbeynsMHYJUpUXq5T1T2jfDHPJ1J7rDNLk/s1600/IMG_9323.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrtDqQe3EUeqW7mL-ogehJwLrvnBDNM14d7Rz9HVVSbib9beOiiyxT29rzIGsszXwZkGIuzazln_PCH445luQJlsOj7jKxraEzleyzw9g5HMbeynsMHYJUpUXq5T1T2jfDHPJ1J7rDNLk/s320/IMG_9323.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Danny gives up a goal to his sister</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div>Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00087638753272198035noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3493867773977091894.post-59486571510597242332011-01-26T17:03:00.002-05:002011-01-26T17:09:43.752-05:00Moments In Time They Shared Together<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">$1.oo to the person who can tell me where I got that quote from.<br />
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Despite all the snow this has been one of our busiest and bestest (artistic license) seasons yet. Actually, I have no problem with snow, especially when it isn't wet, heavy, or mixed with rain. In addition, Danny is old enough that he can help shovel - and does so without being asked - when I am not around. I used to be particular about how my ice was cleaned but not any more. Danny knows the rules: before you use it you shovel it; after you use it you clean it. Since my last post there has been much activity on the Four-em, including:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinlUc9F-Xm-3kaRv8xE9b4NB7fh6chvZD_SiJLKr0W0DyruM2yyDTBCR18aGBoJwCJIxgnuzUUGX3EPDKyflWJZnQuDNKRWTWcC4nKsQV1IsZf9vd3KsuAcEyLgGSWo5z-_ns_plMGr0A/s1600/IMG_9203.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinlUc9F-Xm-3kaRv8xE9b4NB7fh6chvZD_SiJLKr0W0DyruM2yyDTBCR18aGBoJwCJIxgnuzUUGX3EPDKyflWJZnQuDNKRWTWcC4nKsQV1IsZf9vd3KsuAcEyLgGSWo5z-_ns_plMGr0A/s320/IMG_9203.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Danny and Michael played in these outfits in temps that were in the teens. Beats a couch and a PS3 anyday, in my book.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5vcPIPxyfr1UvXyXI9JPqhcoMAfLPZboJs_yquc8TKYIRJcZ5bB_6-BQyRsvKe_j7uFHbBBCeWlp5PsEQTk4ga-lXeSygCDrubuax9yqhgtrNfZovqdQyjWHu3JPRexQkJigIlYSxxDg/s1600/IMG_9121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5vcPIPxyfr1UvXyXI9JPqhcoMAfLPZboJs_yquc8TKYIRJcZ5bB_6-BQyRsvKe_j7uFHbBBCeWlp5PsEQTk4ga-lXeSygCDrubuax9yqhgtrNfZovqdQyjWHu3JPRexQkJigIlYSxxDg/s320/IMG_9121.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Caroline, Delaney, Michael and Danny play at twilight. The girls hold their own pretty well against the competitive boys</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtA3X7KkHBvyQzjYj2lC21wIFwyf79n4YJA4BKYcD1_bzUz2Og_aUHoSr-do0fMHbz1FhbE-6dN8RjuAsuKm78-5c1xbc6N6GjGPqWffhuCRTU1EGOHaGACFk7dfCRnkwCyLUAHYvVxqY/s1600/IMG_9208.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtA3X7KkHBvyQzjYj2lC21wIFwyf79n4YJA4BKYcD1_bzUz2Og_aUHoSr-do0fMHbz1FhbE-6dN8RjuAsuKm78-5c1xbc6N6GjGPqWffhuCRTU1EGOHaGACFk7dfCRnkwCyLUAHYvVxqY/s320/IMG_9208.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thomas, Nick (first timer!), and Danny discover how important it is to keep the last puck available on the ice. Brendan (out of sight behind the fence) scaled down and up the hill to retrieve it.</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div>Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00087638753272198035noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3493867773977091894.post-66643507273265693852010-12-30T18:13:00.000-05:002010-12-30T18:13:21.428-05:00The 5th Day of Rinkmas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBG6GskYge2uo0bI9mn-wBDK6va6wr8DMM7pVq3hloLIwKv8Q38g1RPJL7JtKS-w8O27UfwwbDUcuDCwrWt-5_nGMWN2ONLYJ4wF8QORLYGzjMjKQFxOI5JBGMpfDwIR8ijmtNK6cgqjg/s1600/IMG_9119.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBG6GskYge2uo0bI9mn-wBDK6va6wr8DMM7pVq3hloLIwKv8Q38g1RPJL7JtKS-w8O27UfwwbDUcuDCwrWt-5_nGMWN2ONLYJ4wF8QORLYGzjMjKQFxOI5JBGMpfDwIR8ijmtNK6cgqjg/s320/IMG_9119.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Temperatures were in the 40's today, but the slab was frozen solid and withstood the sun and temperatures pretty well. Danny and Michael went out on their boots after dark and played for a while - making it the 5th day in a row that the rink has been used. Having it up and ready for Christmas break has been a huge blessing.<br />
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Forecasts call for 50 degree temps and raining. I call periods like that, "nature's reset button."Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00087638753272198035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3493867773977091894.post-70575887775915187042010-12-29T20:51:00.000-05:002010-12-29T20:51:14.908-05:00I get more satisfaction from the rink when other people are having a good time on it than when I skate on it. I like maintaining it (but hate shoveling it) and love it when it's being used. Debbie's brother and family came over today when I was at work and went out on the ice for a while.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK9rXrsDDxt6NZKrcc2gPymIww4IR_Y4oY7_hvVBnGlN6Mm1986mwSmURikjhXBmwPQNElY6uXjFP4YgHnKYIUpr37nZihb-dGxUOsdmbZx2_aewNHjTunGZ8HuzNMdrOGPZVIRTl7bCw/s1600/IMG_9077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK9rXrsDDxt6NZKrcc2gPymIww4IR_Y4oY7_hvVBnGlN6Mm1986mwSmURikjhXBmwPQNElY6uXjFP4YgHnKYIUpr37nZihb-dGxUOsdmbZx2_aewNHjTunGZ8HuzNMdrOGPZVIRTl7bCw/s200/IMG_9077.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>My nieces Becca and Emma with Emma's friend Nicole<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgNCMTEzIPqMvIOAhrE_c82RdILINK5S3FXX09trNGsxOghHhiD12SWWLa38wZ6WWjc6LraNhX01xvR0YDEBmX0sG8H4A5Tn93XLmLm-l-o-_obDjtPxfYIp4aj9nyzsR0G8qkX7iH3c0/s1600/IMG_9086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgNCMTEzIPqMvIOAhrE_c82RdILINK5S3FXX09trNGsxOghHhiD12SWWLa38wZ6WWjc6LraNhX01xvR0YDEBmX0sG8H4A5Tn93XLmLm-l-o-_obDjtPxfYIp4aj9nyzsR0G8qkX7iH3c0/s200/IMG_9086.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>Emma helped clean up the rink for me in my absence. :) Emma has the rink bug. She is welcome here anytime.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh71LxmXcFe6SsHccZwfeGCStuAIP3U_WhRlZ_PIAOACJuqSc0kOkHhg4LFIeyKXlinCeN1EeDJgg14wg6gJH0ZgXUK12ALZC_PxoDa1FK31B1XGVFJ0wZ1QvoqfwFTTlnxReJcUzDC4YA/s1600/IMG_9079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh71LxmXcFe6SsHccZwfeGCStuAIP3U_WhRlZ_PIAOACJuqSc0kOkHhg4LFIeyKXlinCeN1EeDJgg14wg6gJH0ZgXUK12ALZC_PxoDa1FK31B1XGVFJ0wZ1QvoqfwFTTlnxReJcUzDC4YA/s200/IMG_9079.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>"Uncle Awesome" throwing a snowball at his sister who is taking the picture<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqScCBnM-k-DyyBsGJG9nKM5bQy2oPPWwZAtjo0xhtDrCvb87NZK_zfrbcjisd6q4vhXo8h3V32Be-4M4Hi1GUaHmZX4cZCaOPd6_o3teAQn1BsDUOUT-0_baSAqv6yApYpvbhntAbwKs/s1600/IMG_9102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="148" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqScCBnM-k-DyyBsGJG9nKM5bQy2oPPWwZAtjo0xhtDrCvb87NZK_zfrbcjisd6q4vhXo8h3V32Be-4M4Hi1GUaHmZX4cZCaOPd6_o3teAQn1BsDUOUT-0_baSAqv6yApYpvbhntAbwKs/s200/IMG_9102.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>Perhaps the best expression ever caught on film here at the Four-em (click on picture to enlarge). Thank you Boodles.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhum-YJKddrs81Jx4eHcuCvdr7DRsqSSvm_zUvs2LwhBxVahc8KciLK6hjxSuQwO12D-3t-jb-XrAU83yffMYVYjI9OL-mMJSlpf3gBVhgyW8mqgp4o-bL4YyWyRTotbVHif_7BpB7Kvh4/s1600/IMG_9106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhum-YJKddrs81Jx4eHcuCvdr7DRsqSSvm_zUvs2LwhBxVahc8KciLK6hjxSuQwO12D-3t-jb-XrAU83yffMYVYjI9OL-mMJSlpf3gBVhgyW8mqgp4o-bL4YyWyRTotbVHif_7BpB7Kvh4/s200/IMG_9106.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>The busier the better I say.Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00087638753272198035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3493867773977091894.post-85684085448981858872010-12-28T22:03:00.003-05:002010-12-29T15:24:13.142-05:00Flurry of Activity<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizOmN4U1A1Yr5x2zLUYN1ehVtdlHm7_iNajt2DXAGxb2Umy6onv29lFvdce0UO6mCawiXrvMZ0qYAhmoNFrXiT39wwCGy48ownYU84l1_yI8ernbBL8Y_-7Zx48GzvX3YbLD9cKkzLlHo/s1600/IMG_9063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizOmN4U1A1Yr5x2zLUYN1ehVtdlHm7_iNajt2DXAGxb2Umy6onv29lFvdce0UO6mCawiXrvMZ0qYAhmoNFrXiT39wwCGy48ownYU84l1_yI8ernbBL8Y_-7Zx48GzvX3YbLD9cKkzLlHo/s200/IMG_9063.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>Since Christmas, the rink has been in regular use. Danny and his friend Michael were on it most of the day today. Michael has been his buddy since kindergarten and he does not play organized hockey...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR87PbjTha9Yy4b3FmBLJ50PX4mct0SkQ1SGFX8Olz0dtQJCKpMS304bQNhOZbeYTWets2u8fWxajd8pHy1xeOT4DFoIbxxQU7HIdeWzlYLnrWZiRp5pE1xV_PWAHnH0eSBiNFXJOEgtI/s1600/IMG_9073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR87PbjTha9Yy4b3FmBLJ50PX4mct0SkQ1SGFX8Olz0dtQJCKpMS304bQNhOZbeYTWets2u8fWxajd8pHy1xeOT4DFoIbxxQU7HIdeWzlYLnrWZiRp5pE1xV_PWAHnH0eSBiNFXJOEgtI/s200/IMG_9073.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>Notice how dark it has gotten since the first picture. At one point in the day they clumped into the kitchen in their skate guards and I asked them if they came in to play on the PS3. They said, "No, we need a snack" and they went back outside...<br />
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...and the sun set on another day on the Millin Four-em.Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00087638753272198035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3493867773977091894.post-25559031849296800502010-12-27T15:58:00.000-05:002010-12-27T15:58:50.924-05:00Blades in a BlizzardDespite the gusting winds, falling branches, and driving snow the rink was in full operation today. The cousins played some hockey with Danny for a bit. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOAfy0ipoJ8xCgpwtkxa0n7vvilzFs0xOuO8ZDPg23SOdt3yIXdc-jteildz4i8bX-aJxwDwvDPjPaI7q1pU8mipf4sMrPNgjhL6uOzGY0xnYl3AFsvKVHUYg7FCkG09WfM9qtQcvrR10/s1600/IMG_9049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOAfy0ipoJ8xCgpwtkxa0n7vvilzFs0xOuO8ZDPg23SOdt3yIXdc-jteildz4i8bX-aJxwDwvDPjPaI7q1pU8mipf4sMrPNgjhL6uOzGY0xnYl3AFsvKVHUYg7FCkG09WfM9qtQcvrR10/s200/IMG_9049.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>Brendan is Danny's neighbor, friend, and teammate.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEjkSPXS_w1ojKkTDD0bFlNTepZAJ_XXL2dGE1FYmY3apbLX0BOeMpW1W7X2I-3ItoKUedCf8llIA6cTz1oGVa_q_rXn3PXxy0V7McylxxyAWV6iPe-iUMZ1hxOWxzIeIC70vpsPumIbo/s1600/IMG_9054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEjkSPXS_w1ojKkTDD0bFlNTepZAJ_XXL2dGE1FYmY3apbLX0BOeMpW1W7X2I-3ItoKUedCf8llIA6cTz1oGVa_q_rXn3PXxy0V7McylxxyAWV6iPe-iUMZ1hxOWxzIeIC70vpsPumIbo/s200/IMG_9054.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>The best mess there is.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZtYRXHESkzf_g5VatvzyUqqvuKYBzrw130boymZWNqTXawwtPkIGLI3UjC92RlifxTUXWQb6H91tI2XoQMAkvcS_E2L4sb6Cz8hU4Yxf8MgSblb9lQHEpZUd56J42n_RTEHBPW3xQTl8/s1600/IMG_9061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZtYRXHESkzf_g5VatvzyUqqvuKYBzrw130boymZWNqTXawwtPkIGLI3UjC92RlifxTUXWQb6H91tI2XoQMAkvcS_E2L4sb6Cz8hU4Yxf8MgSblb9lQHEpZUd56J42n_RTEHBPW3xQTl8/s200/IMG_9061.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>Love the shots from above.Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00087638753272198035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3493867773977091894.post-87829859506292841762010-12-26T19:24:00.000-05:002010-12-26T19:24:51.761-05:00Relative HolidayBusy times here on the Four-em ice. The more use the ice gets the better I feel.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTM0HT_WbWcmKRx2etboV1fygjA3zp0Yvodchifi_azefpNGOvpKEfusRjcAIHf9BM_WXOQyzKNCsH7wGoDdS6irekbUNzYf_8qF6F9qejcAOt7btiDKqD1PeiJKLszyexzt4a2uxYzE0/s1600/IMG_9012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTM0HT_WbWcmKRx2etboV1fygjA3zp0Yvodchifi_azefpNGOvpKEfusRjcAIHf9BM_WXOQyzKNCsH7wGoDdS6irekbUNzYf_8qF6F9qejcAOt7btiDKqD1PeiJKLszyexzt4a2uxYzE0/s200/IMG_9012.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><strong>December 25th</strong><br />
Danny and I had a Christmas morning skate; our 4th one in as many years, which is pretty cool. After opening presents, which included matching hockey jerseys, we laced them up and skated for an hour or so.<br />
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Emma is the only one who can keep up with Danny on skates and she jammed to KISS 108 on the radio while zipping around the ice. Emma "wishes she could live here" because we have ice in our backyard. <br />
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Elora took to our ice for the first time. She has taken lessons and is a very good skater. Elora also helped me shovel the rink and made a snow angel - the first one ever made on Four-em ice by the way.<br />
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Ellie and I skated figure 8's together and had a great time in the snow. Ellie is an excellent skater!Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00087638753272198035noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3493867773977091894.post-67522344884093656672010-12-19T11:45:00.000-05:002010-12-19T11:45:51.705-05:00Four-em Tour<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGg_aVQwczGu8CHI8kUIN5I4XhixfeLLjjX9tAFVQKr7qoQB9fYvxrVNLQQrfGBum5L0EuLd1p2V9t_qbSpd2dK5h0VJGpfAi-HZxE1sWKTdDiAmP8RZPiQltozk7VhDwEMtsCnUoyWkk/s1600/IMG_8966.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGg_aVQwczGu8CHI8kUIN5I4XhixfeLLjjX9tAFVQKr7qoQB9fYvxrVNLQQrfGBum5L0EuLd1p2V9t_qbSpd2dK5h0VJGpfAi-HZxE1sWKTdDiAmP8RZPiQltozk7VhDwEMtsCnUoyWkk/s200/IMG_8966.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
Hello, my name is Scott and this is my rink.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6yFMj9h6PsdRUsK7t9VTuh8WtxanbXClXJZ9nhaa11uTc0Nl2yqHKuA3NxLe_PpbNe-jUouajUUmJJifQROS3bMW0gNcH__LrSHgNwym2CNqIUnV9rIO8OO7HUsNGnIU-u4Ie6psEDak/s1600/IMG_8985.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6yFMj9h6PsdRUsK7t9VTuh8WtxanbXClXJZ9nhaa11uTc0Nl2yqHKuA3NxLe_PpbNe-jUouajUUmJJifQROS3bMW0gNcH__LrSHgNwym2CNqIUnV9rIO8OO7HUsNGnIU-u4Ie6psEDak/s200/IMG_8985.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>On December 18th my ice was clear and smooth. We call it 'virgin ice' here in backyard-rinkville. In 5 years of making my own ice, this marks the earliest that I have had skateable ice.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnfaYxTigkRqoZPMGnDCjpFQMBh-q48yPQAjqvwEdeCHsS1OdSLKUzrI0RVTs27MJJ37fDK6PRyQDVAuyj77MTpMUFXxctdcrxxs_oRTTY4-nSdBtRP003jX5Y1r4cseM7zo1mhlZ-i20/s1600/IMG_8993.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnfaYxTigkRqoZPMGnDCjpFQMBh-q48yPQAjqvwEdeCHsS1OdSLKUzrI0RVTs27MJJ37fDK6PRyQDVAuyj77MTpMUFXxctdcrxxs_oRTTY4-nSdBtRP003jX5Y1r4cseM7zo1mhlZ-i20/s200/IMG_8993.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>Hope to see you on my ice sometime soon. Thanks for stopping by.Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00087638753272198035noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3493867773977091894.post-50473632347567993912010-12-13T22:21:00.001-05:002010-12-15T16:16:24.656-05:002010/11 Backyard Rink Season....Oh, it's on.<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyVyOD_Ve0CmJf4oiT0A6LmtG7ZJJgrvdnWifX14WkwYRFGqX2QbMoNFhadKDgqxyPmK2Ti12A8gnrBHSrQDgv5K2FvGqw8TpVXNKuIXv80OdfuNDys6OTLWY9371nmUod8WXBRcRjGfY/s1600/IMG_8924.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyVyOD_Ve0CmJf4oiT0A6LmtG7ZJJgrvdnWifX14WkwYRFGqX2QbMoNFhadKDgqxyPmK2Ti12A8gnrBHSrQDgv5K2FvGqw8TpVXNKuIXv80OdfuNDys6OTLWY9371nmUod8WXBRcRjGfY/s200/IMG_8924.JPG" width="200" /></a>On a spur of the moment I decided to flood tonight. The forecast calls for below freezing temps for the next 10 days, with little to no chance of precipitation. If this works out it will be my earliest skate ever. Some photos with accompanying rambling descriptions for you:</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>I have no idea who this guy is but he is my new best friend. For years the leaves that fell in the field across the street would spend the entire winter blowing across the field and up and into my yard; and kill my rink surface. But THIS GUY came out of no-where and spent an entire day sucking up leaves with his tractor. Thank you tractor guy. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifsxVMiXAckyksam_WVunlKd2NBtSC0uPut-ydLwPKl6ggusFvMUh1qIpQgl-BV1Xqjasvz20zVoM9X0YsyMcDbu38826QzBDp9sb7jlo_McLdZnv6bF3k-vCLoXxgGdfRnEBOgNXbo_I/s1600/IMG_8954.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifsxVMiXAckyksam_WVunlKd2NBtSC0uPut-ydLwPKl6ggusFvMUh1qIpQgl-BV1Xqjasvz20zVoM9X0YsyMcDbu38826QzBDp9sb7jlo_McLdZnv6bF3k-vCLoXxgGdfRnEBOgNXbo_I/s200/IMG_8954.JPG" width="200" /></a></div> Danny and his buddy Michael helped check the yard for loose twigs and sharp, pointy rocks. They also helped me secure the liner once it was unfurled.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsXMGWkICE1VvSXPQDb2SUDyq1EvkXk58CNjuGlD-G27vM1CD0PjLR7BPGVNej-W4WwQKmxTrs8qXrAxvD3D-76IvkJN3-goZSsrcfZ8iUTUB4fYojSuR2MfSVt5zujUCl2drXNj44F7E/s1600/IMG_8955.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsXMGWkICE1VvSXPQDb2SUDyq1EvkXk58CNjuGlD-G27vM1CD0PjLR7BPGVNej-W4WwQKmxTrs8qXrAxvD3D-76IvkJN3-goZSsrcfZ8iUTUB4fYojSuR2MfSVt5zujUCl2drXNj44F7E/s200/IMG_8955.JPG" width="200" /></a></div> I still love unfolding it and getting it ready - it's better than Christmas.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinAgPIHAMdz9ehiF4HqnOFRqa9_Bvt04WaHEKga65UbYWsp2ffQH-31rD6qM1CtLEDIm0eJRQ7vKbNiNLkjrI23w7dvWKte8v6_aNaUxRKOMNY5Tf9BMGTafCIldKPEgD0Gxl6CT3DI9k/s1600/IMG_8959.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinAgPIHAMdz9ehiF4HqnOFRqa9_Bvt04WaHEKga65UbYWsp2ffQH-31rD6qM1CtLEDIm0eJRQ7vKbNiNLkjrI23w7dvWKte8v6_aNaUxRKOMNY5Tf9BMGTafCIldKPEgD0Gxl6CT3DI9k/s200/IMG_8959.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>Fill'er up.Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00087638753272198035noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3493867773977091894.post-20060125534080046552010-12-12T16:03:00.002-05:002010-12-12T18:11:16.339-05:00Away Games<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEjKW06VRBhRBmKBUFHWBPInHd5-wKbKXkUtKd_a6ySUWNjNV5-wnpS6IsVz8gBClI2t42VcyG0HGWr43wBJM3W-thG1rxuw0c5z2oFruWNP58AWWaqnMwEZfZMQsWSuAlC_vlj04DpIM/s1600/IMG_8948.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEjKW06VRBhRBmKBUFHWBPInHd5-wKbKXkUtKd_a6ySUWNjNV5-wnpS6IsVz8gBClI2t42VcyG0HGWr43wBJM3W-thG1rxuw0c5z2oFruWNP58AWWaqnMwEZfZMQsWSuAlC_vlj04DpIM/s200/IMG_8948.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>We are on the cusp of year #5 of the backyard rink for me (if I were really aggressive last week we would be in year #5). A lot has happened to me and to the rink in that time and I'd like to think there has been a steady growth and development in all things that are rink related here at the Four-em. Unfortunately that list also includes band-aids, water bills, and swearing at the wind and all that it deposits in my ice. One thing that has also grown is my network. I've made lots of friends and acquaintances who have backyard rinks and it continues to surprise me how the act of making ice in your backyard can connect you with people and make your world a smaller and better place.<br />
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Last January, the Four-Millins attended a fundraiser for the <a href="http://www.bu.edu/com/jackfallafund/">Jack Falla Memorial Fund</a> at Boston University, and we met a few friends and family members of Jack. We also met some folks who had never met the man but who shared his passion for hockey and skating outdoors, including Pete and his family. Pete lives in MA and he too is a member of the Yahoo Backyard-rink group. He has a couple of boys, one of whom is Danny's age, and after exchanging pleasantries we talked a little bit about our respective rinks. The description he gave me of his rink was enough to make any rink builder jealous - more on that in a bit. When the evening was over we wished each other well and I had not communicated with him since; until last weekend.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIJP7AjmmZ_vnINJIkZyKCRhdSAV8HHaip_gWn8JnV4q3e_SRoiGeUZRakoBi3e2hWhfZydHccIPicl5Dg4ql-JYZj2xxiW4TsaZfulZNtCowA4mMLHuq7BDRE3qst66wfgdrhs2yarxA/s1600/IMG_8937.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIJP7AjmmZ_vnINJIkZyKCRhdSAV8HHaip_gWn8JnV4q3e_SRoiGeUZRakoBi3e2hWhfZydHccIPicl5Dg4ql-JYZj2xxiW4TsaZfulZNtCowA4mMLHuq7BDRE3qst66wfgdrhs2yarxA/s200/IMG_8937.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>Danny's Pee Wee team (shown here in full travel dress) was about to participate in a weekend tournament in Natick, MA. In a pleasant coincidence, Natick happened to be Jack Falla's hometown. The day before Danny's first tournament game I received an email, out of the blue, from Pete. His son Matt's team was also playing in the tournament, and as fate would have it, our boys would be playing each other. He also invited us over to his house to skate on his rink since he lives just a few towns over from Natick. "Skate on his rink?" you ask. "The first week of December...how is that possible?" you further inquire.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFjUsJDn7cEdPVA-uLE2cyh1TIXuJE6jPx4Rh7Oxfu-8WL0YfmEHD8Yy8bDNOuY307taPjw4jrpDWeyqUk0t1X4kHg6ChEh4DiSHhzWUgscoEbhQa-W3NzDDQ7VwZdV8OA57dCkw-05LQ/s1600/IMG_8930.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFjUsJDn7cEdPVA-uLE2cyh1TIXuJE6jPx4Rh7Oxfu-8WL0YfmEHD8Yy8bDNOuY307taPjw4jrpDWeyqUk0t1X4kHg6ChEh4DiSHhzWUgscoEbhQa-W3NzDDQ7VwZdV8OA57dCkw-05LQ/s200/IMG_8930.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>Pete has a rink which sits on a cement slab that contains three miles worth of piping filled with glycol and is powered by a chiller. The rink was installed by former NHL player <a href="http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=1811">Dave Gagner</a> who owns a company called <a href="http://www.customicerinks.com/aboutus.asp">Custom Ice Rinks</a>, headquartered in Ontario, Canada. Because his rink, nestled nicely on the edge of the woods, is frozen artificially (set at an enviable 18 degrees), Pete's family skates over 100 days every year and into temperatures as high as 50 degrees. His kids have even engaged in a backyard hockey game of 'shirts vs. skins.'<br />
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Any thoughts I had of "well that's not 'real' backyard rink building" vanished when we set our skates to the ice. Who cares how your ice is frozen, so long as it's frozen. Pete's ice surface is only an inch thick and he drilled periodic holes along his frame, just above the ice surface, so that excess rain water drains out the sides. It's high cost (pricing is listed on the Custom Ice Rinks link) but it comes with low maintenance and high reward. I am truly jealous: They skate on demand.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEAwQFogtbNhmXQZki80sHcpqoQ5Jzs_BSghJfFtrBPGUnHzUiah-b12X2SxNz5GpfiFsDaowCLpCnpV6z5ab0ohzYNBOSlOaAf4pjMgeLycteIYK2RI1wyuhKGCfzZcwvO6DXF9QJu48/s1600/IMG_8933.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEAwQFogtbNhmXQZki80sHcpqoQ5Jzs_BSghJfFtrBPGUnHzUiah-b12X2SxNz5GpfiFsDaowCLpCnpV6z5ab0ohzYNBOSlOaAf4pjMgeLycteIYK2RI1wyuhKGCfzZcwvO6DXF9QJu48/s200/IMG_8933.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>That Saturday we skated for an hour - no games, just light skating and passing - and then had a great lunch with Pete, Karen, Matt, and Jack. And that is why I love hockey so much. It can be the ultimate equalizer, providing a frozen common ground. Strangers welcomed us into their home and made us feel like we were long-time friends. Danny and I left the outdoor rink for the indoor rink to play games 2 and 3 of the tournament and his team went 2-0-1; good enough to make it to the tournament finals the next day against, you guessed it: Matt's team. <br />
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The CHA Pee Wee 1's lost that game 1-0 and the sting for the players was pretty significant. However, thanks to our backyard rink connections Danny and I took away something else from that weekend; something that will last long after the sting of the loss has faded away for Danny. We walked out of the William Chase Arena in Natick with good memories and new friends.Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00087638753272198035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3493867773977091894.post-51624157863268381902010-09-21T21:17:00.004-04:002010-09-22T06:47:31.936-04:00This Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words (1,106 to be exact)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUjzVyVM09epnaLjaIILB3MWthVSdrojxPftruwRUW3_R6SICBZb4OeUGtQq1Kz9C58Wd30HJBo8AzMcmvtPEL2U6EitzrV1IvGJ-VWQ8MdAK2mxq9dsbXl2ZQXUrE3-WzXpmHHMFHp7c/s1600/Follow+through+(3).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="262" qx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUjzVyVM09epnaLjaIILB3MWthVSdrojxPftruwRUW3_R6SICBZb4OeUGtQq1Kz9C58Wd30HJBo8AzMcmvtPEL2U6EitzrV1IvGJ-VWQ8MdAK2mxq9dsbXl2ZQXUrE3-WzXpmHHMFHp7c/s400/Follow+through+(3).jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Towards the end of the season last year, a parent on Danny’s Pee Wee team (ages 11 and 12) sent me this photo of Danny. It was taken during a game at our home rink and the first thing I noticed was how clear the picture was – most of the photos I have taken in a hockey rink are shadowy and out of focus. Hockey rinks do not lend themselves to good photographs due to their poor lighting, marked up glass, protective netting, and cave-like confines. It might also just be that I am a lousy photographer. However, after noticing the clarity of this action shot I began to notice some other things about the picture – things that may not be so obvious or significant to anyone else but that are, I think, part of a greater story and that have significant meaning to me:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlDw517sg1kJo3iXZ47PCvTb6elhUR5fM0RZEcmv6NK-1Iakaef93OVlQSJR_kxM96cRfyhPZ-_A0pn_IC21JmNy3RTzunMhyphenhypheniDhNpt6ltmZPStmtePFjSJfWQjAtpdywPZvCxejsaDc4/s1600/Follow+through+(3).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="131" qx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlDw517sg1kJo3iXZ47PCvTb6elhUR5fM0RZEcmv6NK-1Iakaef93OVlQSJR_kxM96cRfyhPZ-_A0pn_IC21JmNy3RTzunMhyphenhypheniDhNpt6ltmZPStmtePFjSJfWQjAtpdywPZvCxejsaDc4/s200/Follow+through+(3).jpg" width="200" /></a></div><strong>The Skate Laces</strong><br />
From learn to skate clinic on up through his years as a Squirt (ages 9 and 10), I always tied Danny’s skates for him. In fact, as a coach I probably tied 4 or 5 players’ laces at every practice or game. I always enjoyed this act. It’s an intimate moment, when you stoop down, eye to eye with the player with their skate wedged between your knees. You have their undivided attention and it’s a chance to talk to them one-on-one about all things hockey or about the bologna sandwich they had for lunch. But at the beginning of last season Danny’s new coach instituted a ‘tie your own laces’ policy – and rightfully so; you’ve got to cut the cord (or the lace as it were) at some point. <br />
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But Danny has a tendency to assume he can’t do something before he even tries it (insert picture of Debbie here with a caption saying, “I wonder where he gets that from?”). Danny stressed about tying his own skates as the first week of practice approached, and he practiced in the living room while watching television and was frustrated at how long the laces were and how loose they were after he tied them. Of course he figured it out. This picture was taken seven months later and he ties his own skates without a second thought. Look at his right skate’s laces, pulled tight and looped, just barely skimming the surface of the ice (click on image to enlarge). Looks like Danny and tying his own laces are a good fit to me.<br />
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This picture makes me think about how I miss tying little Danny’s skates, but also how I relish his independence and growth.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlDw517sg1kJo3iXZ47PCvTb6elhUR5fM0RZEcmv6NK-1Iakaef93OVlQSJR_kxM96cRfyhPZ-_A0pn_IC21JmNy3RTzunMhyphenhypheniDhNpt6ltmZPStmtePFjSJfWQjAtpdywPZvCxejsaDc4/s1600/Follow+through+(3).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="131" qx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlDw517sg1kJo3iXZ47PCvTb6elhUR5fM0RZEcmv6NK-1Iakaef93OVlQSJR_kxM96cRfyhPZ-_A0pn_IC21JmNy3RTzunMhyphenhypheniDhNpt6ltmZPStmtePFjSJfWQjAtpdywPZvCxejsaDc4/s200/Follow+through+(3).jpg" width="200" /></a></div><strong>The Tape Job</strong><br />
Now here’s another thing he doesn’t need me for. Taping the blade of a hockey stick is an art form, you know. You don’t just casually wrap up the blade, as if it were merely a package you were sending in the mail to your sister in R.I. A tape job on a hockey stick requires concentration, care, and precision; so much so that I wrap the blade and stick my tongue out of my mouth at the same time – most hockey players do the same. Watch them, you’ll see.<br />
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People get creative with their tape jobs now-a-days: Irish kids use orange, green and white tape; I’ve made red and white candy cane stripes for him at Christmas time and have embedded his jersey number into the front and back of the blade with multi colored tape. The picture above happened to capture the first time that Danny peeled off my tape job in the locker room and taped his own blade, complete with Chelmsford maroon and black colors in his own unique design. Danny has always been so proud of his team and of his town. It’s part of who he is and what he will become.<br />
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I’m still the one who primarily tapes his stick, only because I like to do it and because the coach hasn’t made a rule saying I can’t. But Danny is capable and the moment he first did it is captured on film…or whatever sorcery is used to make digital photos.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlDw517sg1kJo3iXZ47PCvTb6elhUR5fM0RZEcmv6NK-1Iakaef93OVlQSJR_kxM96cRfyhPZ-_A0pn_IC21JmNy3RTzunMhyphenhypheniDhNpt6ltmZPStmtePFjSJfWQjAtpdywPZvCxejsaDc4/s1600/Follow+through+(3).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="131" qx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlDw517sg1kJo3iXZ47PCvTb6elhUR5fM0RZEcmv6NK-1Iakaef93OVlQSJR_kxM96cRfyhPZ-_A0pn_IC21JmNy3RTzunMhyphenhypheniDhNpt6ltmZPStmtePFjSJfWQjAtpdywPZvCxejsaDc4/s200/Follow+through+(3).jpg" width="200" /></a></div><strong>The Nameplate</strong><br />
When I was a kid I never had a shirt with my last name plastered across the back, in any sport (but I played at a time when it was acceptable for my little league baseball team to be called The Apaches). Having your name on the back is a cool thing, and I think all kids should have a nameplate – no matter what activity or sport they play (nameplates for the chess club and swim team might just catch on). Each kid deserves to be recognized – whether they fail or succeed – for trying and for doing the best that they can do. When I hear a parent yell out Danny’s name after he makes a play, I love it. When he coughs up the puck on a weak backhand pass I cringe and wonder what he was thinking. Either way, that’s my son…and the nameplate in this picture proves it.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlDw517sg1kJo3iXZ47PCvTb6elhUR5fM0RZEcmv6NK-1Iakaef93OVlQSJR_kxM96cRfyhPZ-_A0pn_IC21JmNy3RTzunMhyphenhypheniDhNpt6ltmZPStmtePFjSJfWQjAtpdywPZvCxejsaDc4/s1600/Follow+through+(3).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="131" qx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlDw517sg1kJo3iXZ47PCvTb6elhUR5fM0RZEcmv6NK-1Iakaef93OVlQSJR_kxM96cRfyhPZ-_A0pn_IC21JmNy3RTzunMhyphenhypheniDhNpt6ltmZPStmtePFjSJfWQjAtpdywPZvCxejsaDc4/s200/Follow+through+(3).jpg" width="200" /></a></div><strong>The Follow-through</strong><br />
The final thing I noticed about this picture is Danny’s follow-through on his shot. All the weight of his body has been transferred through his stick and on to his front foot, and his head is looking up at the net – that’s textbook form and what we have spent years telling he and his teammates to do in practice. Danny usually patrols the right point position for his team and as a defenseman he is a natural. He sees the ice better from there and makes good decisions in both zones, but one of the things he needs to improve and work on is his shot. <br />
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Sure, getting a good hard shot off requires strength that his wiry body may not yet have, but it also requires nearly flawless technique and total commitment by the player– you can’t second guess yourself or suffer from lack of confidence as you wind up or set the wrists to snap one off. Like all things, if you think only about failing you most likely will. But here, in this photo, he committed his body and his mind to doing it right.<br />
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The 2010/2011 youth hockey season is underway. Danny is another year older and his practice and game times are getting later; the emphasis on having fun is still very much there but it's shifting to pressure to play better, and it shifts more that way each year. Enjoy your mite or your squirt aged hockey player, Boy Scout, Girl Scout, or trombone player. <em> Let them do what they love to do</em> and cherish all the innocence that comes with the age...and take lots of pictures.Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00087638753272198035noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3493867773977091894.post-31551532104595977712010-08-26T15:36:00.003-04:002010-08-26T22:57:01.720-04:00Reality Blows...chunksI am aware that my last post said no more non-rink related posts on this site...but I make - and break - my own rules.<br />
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When Deb and I decided to move to Chelmsford ten years ago, we drove around town to get a lay of the land. I remember driving by the high school athletic field complex, seeing it full of kids and saying to Debbie, "One day, Caroline and Danny will be out there." In my mind, I could picture our four and two year old, running around in their uniforms as teenagers. They'd be a part of the community and a part of the school. They would be surrounded by their friends and they'd be happy. It was an idyllic image. I tend to have these romantic notions about the future, and most definitely the past. It's like I have a filter that keeps pesky reality from clouding my view. I can't decide if it's a blessing or a curse.<br />
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It's ten years later and reality hit, and it hit hard. Caroline is entering her freshman year of high school and if you haven't seen her lately imagine a pretty blond woman. Her passion is field hockey and today was the first day of tryouts. Gone are the days of "everybody makes the team and everybody wins." I knew that going into it, but when I pulled up to the high school track to drop her off for the first of two tryout sessions (two more tomorrow and more on Saturday), I couldn't believe how many girls were standing there...trying to take a roster spot away from my Caroline.<br />
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I couldn't help myself and, much to Caroline's horror I am sure, I stayed in the parking lot and watched them. The coach <em>(who is this woman and boy does she intimidate me)</em> began by having the girls warm up. <em>(awe, look at all these girls we've known for so long; they're so grown up now</em>). Coach had them break into groups <em>(oh yeah! She's with someone she knows!)</em> and they began running....and running...and running <em>(What did that mom over there just say - anybody who finishes over 8 minutes automatically gets cut?...C'mon, Caroline run past your friend - she'll still like you).</em><br />
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Then it started: They began dropping like flies. One girl passed out (she finished the 2.5 hour practice anyway) and several stopped to visit the metal trash barrel to spew forth their stomach contents which, judging by the colors, included various flavors of Gatorade. Friends rubbed friends backs, others shouted encouragement to those still running. They were united - against adversity or the coach, I couldn't tell. But the thought of Caroline watching all of that, never mind going through all that, was too much. Yes, I coddle her. But I also know that she is strong and there was nothing I could do for her; so I left. This reality was too much for me.<br />
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When I returned at the end of the session they were all running (still) around the very field that I drove by with Debbie ten years ago. Her shirt was soaked with sweat, her cheeks were bright red, and the expression on her face was pained...but she was still running. That image was quite the contrast from the one I had in my head ten years ago. <br />
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Moral of the story: dreams are often tempered by reality, but they can still come true.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwm-LFDJWkTYawSZ5ubuDnSIkPgYSxJk2veEHF-epKacGdfL3u8EClRi0sjH_9ojkK0E237Gocmgib2RvZImRT0fwfnayA_-Lpyai8t2ozLT9Oq92MPb7wcgq9R-KbevFo_EU0rJY-Sc4/s1600/Blondie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwm-LFDJWkTYawSZ5ubuDnSIkPgYSxJk2veEHF-epKacGdfL3u8EClRi0sjH_9ojkK0E237Gocmgib2RvZImRT0fwfnayA_-Lpyai8t2ozLT9Oq92MPb7wcgq9R-KbevFo_EU0rJY-Sc4/s320/Blondie.jpg" /></a></div>Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00087638753272198035noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3493867773977091894.post-25961499396877958782010-06-18T20:13:00.000-04:002010-06-18T20:13:09.624-04:00My Fresh SheetIn hockey, there is no blurring of lines. If you cross one when you shouldn't, the whistle is blown. The same should hold true in blogging. <br />
<br />
When Deb and I were young, I used to write stuff all the time - in a notebook that she gave me for such things. It was pretty amateurish, and I never really focused my attention on writing or pushed myself to do more of it...or get better at it. When I began writing about my backyard rink experiences in 2006, I remembered how much I love to write - and how much I missed it.<br />
<br />
As time went by I began to write about things beyond backyard rinkdom - I wrote about my kids, people who died on me, stuff that happened to me as a boy, and on and on. Then I started writing some fictitious short stories based on reality (?). While I am glad I wrote them (and continue to write more), I realized they do not truly belong on my Four-em site: What happens when somebody clicks on The Millin Four-em to see how I managed to overcome 3 days of above freezing temperatures, and they get a story about a guy who delivered papers for a living? Blurring the lines isn't cool. It's messy. It's worthy of a whistle.<br />
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So, I started another site titled, "<a href="http://myfresheet.blogspot.com/">My Fresh Sheet</a>". While the title is a hockey term - it is also a "cross-over" - a literary term, and a broad one at that. I can put whatever I want on that sheet in good comfort, knowing I am not off-sides but well within the field of play.<br />
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I even pulled some of my non-rink related posts over to the site, and just posted a story I started writing last summer but only finished this Spring. Some things with me take time.<br />
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From now on the Four-em posts will be rink related, and <a href="http://myfresheet.blogspot.com/">My Fresh Sheet</a> will be those of a different "type."Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00087638753272198035noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3493867773977091894.post-43055134685836890322010-03-04T17:15:00.008-05:002010-03-04T17:32:42.211-05:00A Season in ReviewThis year's rink use sort of fizzled out at the end. There were no dramatic last skates by me or anyone else in the family, or realization that the rink's time was up; something I try to be cognizant of once February rolls around. This was probably the earliest the rink was rendered unusable, but it was our most successful year of skating by far, yielding nearly 2 months of good skating and low maintenance.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Yzu9YlS4Z_thpekxnGywc7ddibrbViQzlSuNWja_gG8On_6An9cUdCKYbEmHu7MgVg1QQbDhdCNwxCX2bD57XtqtzPc6IXQ82SF-ft1SwivZiQ8_xiMcZjNt_p3VDW4wt1Oq6wqbqDY/s1600-h/IMG_7372.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Yzu9YlS4Z_thpekxnGywc7ddibrbViQzlSuNWja_gG8On_6An9cUdCKYbEmHu7MgVg1QQbDhdCNwxCX2bD57XtqtzPc6IXQ82SF-ft1SwivZiQ8_xiMcZjNt_p3VDW4wt1Oq6wqbqDY/s200/IMG_7372.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><strong>Putting some English on it</strong><br />
I do know that the ice, in the international spirit of the Olympics, had some "shuffler arounders" from England on it on February 13th, just as the days started becoming longer and the sun began shining stronger. Here are Caroline, Zoe, and Victoria, perhaps the very last ones to slide around on the 2009/2010 Millin Four-em ice sheet.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKPmaqMrQaks5iWEM_4sk9nqwzKf8WVWf0gZENRQ5d2gXbT-igTwy1YPSyDgUv0nwOIiMGLMvbuYFb05v7KoHzx3EXVkiy4fORP-65NdbzWp-DyQb7LEtRjTVdiggUtF6UH4HKv9UplSA/s1600-h/IMG_6994.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKPmaqMrQaks5iWEM_4sk9nqwzKf8WVWf0gZENRQ5d2gXbT-igTwy1YPSyDgUv0nwOIiMGLMvbuYFb05v7KoHzx3EXVkiy4fORP-65NdbzWp-DyQb7LEtRjTVdiggUtF6UH4HKv9UplSA/s200/IMG_6994.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><strong>Season Recap</strong><br />
Winter is a busy time for us, both on and off our ice but this year's rink related activities started off with a bit of a surprise. I received a call from an NHL.com writer and was interviewed in a <a href="http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=511614">feature story</a> on backyard rinks for the Winter Classic at Fenway. From there, things took off and the ice was used heavily, by 'regulars' who can lace their own skates and by others<a href="http://themillinfour-em.blogspot.com/2010/01/genesis.html"> putting them on for the first time</a>. We were able to skate on Christmas Day and New Year's Eve, and Danny and his friends scattered more tennis balls and hockey pucks around the yard than I care to imagine. Caroline also made good use of the ice and had friends over to slide around in their boots after school and skated to music on the weekends.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOKfvF40olJXiJRESuIN-Mz0uEi_CrcSEOqEsy9jYFNrY4pOcQTTQP_edZa8SjN4cMf16c4WZchVsvBp2JQttTI84hT8Vk14Sw6lxoh-eiDcnUzRNUQQiC4uFEsByYw4hkcHcutNE6FWs/s1600-h/IMG_7051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOKfvF40olJXiJRESuIN-Mz0uEi_CrcSEOqEsy9jYFNrY4pOcQTTQP_edZa8SjN4cMf16c4WZchVsvBp2JQttTI84hT8Vk14Sw6lxoh-eiDcnUzRNUQQiC4uFEsByYw4hkcHcutNE6FWs/s200/IMG_7051.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><strong>Off Ice Activities</strong><br />
Danny's 45 game youth hockey schedule has been <a href="http://leagueathletics.com/results.asp?print=yes&team=101952&org=chelmsfordhockey.com">tremendously successful</a> and, most importantly, fun for all of us. The Pee Wee 2's won their District and compete this weekend in Marlboro, MA at the State Tournament. Danny's on ice decisions, puck moving ability, and confidence as defenseman make me proud, and Debbie is happy that he has survived his first year with checking (and I am surprised at how much he <em>loves </em>to hit).<br />
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I also got up the nerve to attend a fundraiser for the <a href="http://www.bu.edu/com/jackfallafund/">Jack Falla Fund</a>, held at the BU School of Communications, and was really glad I did. I met some folks that, up until that point, I only knew by email and blogging, and the four Millins wound up having a great night. The list of <a href="http://www.backyard-hockey.com/">people I meet</a> because of my rink is expanding by the year and that's a good thing.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpXBaygwylDG3Tq_B0P7nQISEN5XrJLe9iZInf-d7BJ1QpN9m0AAmGztRaDsGIre9_60DjtqkqQNQbVii5sZvpQgLHkrLwN1wSTgB0sjHXfKLF5Vh8jObprit8P9OT2c0VlfMgV2EWVec/s1600-h/IMG_7445.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpXBaygwylDG3Tq_B0P7nQISEN5XrJLe9iZInf-d7BJ1QpN9m0AAmGztRaDsGIre9_60DjtqkqQNQbVii5sZvpQgLHkrLwN1wSTgB0sjHXfKLF5Vh8jObprit8P9OT2c0VlfMgV2EWVec/s200/IMG_7445.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><strong>The End is Here</strong><br />
After a storm blew through here last week, packed with 60 mph wind gusts, it unceremoniously (for you , Derek Sanderson) deposited a couple of inches of rain and lots of debris into what's left of the rink - the storm also blew our basketball hoop off it's base which fell perfectly between our two vehicles. Today I set up the siphon hose and began the draining process, and surveyed the wreckage that lay in and around the rink. It was a giant mess, but it was also a great season.Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00087638753272198035noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3493867773977091894.post-68294867557559167262010-02-09T00:13:00.000-05:002010-02-09T00:13:46.136-05:00Center Ice<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Danny's Pee Wee 2 team had a tournament at the Berkshire School in Sheffield, MA this weekend. The <a href="http://www.berkshireschool.org/home/home.asp">Berkshire School</a> is a private boarding school for those in different tax bracket than you or I. Sheffield is a small town way out in the southwestern corner of the state, and the school is tucked into the base of the Berkshire Mountains. It's a beautiful setting, and the newly built <a href="http://www.berkshireschool.org/home/content.asp?pointid=&mid=7&msection=athletics&id=1161">Jackman L. Stewart athletic center</a> is, simply put, magnificent.</div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZsYSIOb7O92v_BGUgUIrd5XdViaThjH4k5tGfnOUylho6FReum0mjHw1TukDSKiF2hSjpNruduBFNdkkAPjb9nN-uQZQjm9HHTI_xa4ALrL4hKfVAlP5Lgkp1IEBOGrhyphenhyphenKKjU6vqH0j8/s1600-h/District+9+Champs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZsYSIOb7O92v_BGUgUIrd5XdViaThjH4k5tGfnOUylho6FReum0mjHw1TukDSKiF2hSjpNruduBFNdkkAPjb9nN-uQZQjm9HHTI_xa4ALrL4hKfVAlP5Lgkp1IEBOGrhyphenhyphenKKjU6vqH0j8/s200/District+9+Champs.jpg" width="200" /></a>Heading into the weekend, Danny's Pee Wee 2 team was coming off a district championship and <a href="http://www.chelmsfordhockey.com/Results.asp?snid=308262183&org=chelmsfordhockey.com">their record</a> reflects their level of play (unbeaten over a two month stretch). The team went 2-0-1 in their three tournament games to advance to the semi-finals on Sunday morning. It seemed as if they were on their way to the finals when they gave up a 2-1 lead with just over a minute remaining. After a scoreless overtime, the game was to be settled by a best-of-five shootout. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij1hQjPaHbmpunyI2z05GOv8itXGqqIWNh258nBthXLDJ7QVdpvItVsKaAjv3GQdjrJz2TyPp9eZ5w835HDifySaO_8qDDptyVmIhmTD-QBsg507_ltTIxb7J9c-CohNa2KuCUQTkrbEQ/s1600-h/Dannyready.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij1hQjPaHbmpunyI2z05GOv8itXGqqIWNh258nBthXLDJ7QVdpvItVsKaAjv3GQdjrJz2TyPp9eZ5w835HDifySaO_8qDDptyVmIhmTD-QBsg507_ltTIxb7J9c-CohNa2KuCUQTkrbEQ/s200/Dannyready.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The electricity in the air was beyond anything I've experienced at a youth hockey game - we were 55 strong in the stands and the other team wasn't too far behind. After the first 4 shooters, the score was tied at 1 shootout goal each. I was fiddling with my camera and simultaneously giving play-by-play to Deb on the cell phone when I heard someone say, "Look who it is!"...I looked up as Danny hopped out onto the ice. I had trouble holding the camera steady.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicGEPHSN7LI24IzC_Ibc75T_qm23X8y789ToyNmMjPJmdZBD1Tc2KxIPlueAF6p1ziBRtzeGDoLA5yDU3SbRH9OaDfvIUJyufZv6eqIRV4hozy5r_QNjqFynq4tQRMfETtTjhlFsM5xos/s1600-h/Dannyset.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicGEPHSN7LI24IzC_Ibc75T_qm23X8y789ToyNmMjPJmdZBD1Tc2KxIPlueAF6p1ziBRtzeGDoLA5yDU3SbRH9OaDfvIUJyufZv6eqIRV4hozy5r_QNjqFynq4tQRMfETtTjhlFsM5xos/s200/Dannyset.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">After the referee said a few words he left Danny standing at center ice, alone. The other team sat perched on one knee on the ice in front of him and when the referee blew the whistle the crowd went from wildly electric to stone silent. It was up to Danny.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMC2gtFWZE8aeqtSobqW9XpYWx8KgK6bNYscu4rqrJvPkajo43xw795DZdRXiV2dCQU5pDVoDpnfC5-LwIz-t0GSH1K4aQngtzieNMzky3CPVDOk-ved6rH3FeTM30-5zPohLL3XkUB9M/s1600-h/Dannygo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMC2gtFWZE8aeqtSobqW9XpYWx8KgK6bNYscu4rqrJvPkajo43xw795DZdRXiV2dCQU5pDVoDpnfC5-LwIz-t0GSH1K4aQngtzieNMzky3CPVDOk-ved6rH3FeTM30-5zPohLL3XkUB9M/s200/Dannygo.JPG" width="186" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Moments like this happen so fast. I was trying to explain it all to Deb on the phone (who dropped to her knees when I told her it was Danny), was responding to parents who were giving me the 'holy crap!' look, and trying to focus my camera and my brain to preserve the moment. Danny took off, collected the puck smartly, and went in at full speed toward the goaltender, slapping the puck side to side with his stick...</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJKUElcdQf20xxHQbgcJoffN9PE2BfR7PhYvLqUW5aArDxPhArOB7au8Cj1Ex9R-fxyS79GJ4Wt_IxCmJf4tJvnvFzDQVGoQQYnjQyZ4Julv4e_J31VXSBfZbOTR8dBHafinKLOzfF_4A/s1600-h/Dannymakesmeproud.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJKUElcdQf20xxHQbgcJoffN9PE2BfR7PhYvLqUW5aArDxPhArOB7au8Cj1Ex9R-fxyS79GJ4Wt_IxCmJf4tJvnvFzDQVGoQQYnjQyZ4Julv4e_J31VXSBfZbOTR8dBHafinKLOzfF_4A/s200/Dannymakesmeproud.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">and was turned aside on his backhand attempt. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I felt so bad for Danny. His body language, which I know so well, screamed anger, frustration, and sorrow. He wanted so badly to be the hero - and I wanted it for him too. The other team went on to score the winning goal on their next shooter.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHpSM9qfgEyxav3hup9A9hj0WiTfA4dLvS2MLncffKP9jZ13aomk6UavWMObej6J2xCebTBh-y6a_8O1eSOgHaKDeX8WOt8LcHZVAKqnGnz7lHDPZTqMm0NFbyAswb3ktRP5Eoo-6lxuE/s1600-h/IMG_7200.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHpSM9qfgEyxav3hup9A9hj0WiTfA4dLvS2MLncffKP9jZ13aomk6UavWMObej6J2xCebTBh-y6a_8O1eSOgHaKDeX8WOt8LcHZVAKqnGnz7lHDPZTqMm0NFbyAswb3ktRP5Eoo-6lxuE/s320/IMG_7200.JPG" width="320" /></a>Danny doesn't know it yet but he'll miss on other attempts, and he'll score on other ones too. I also know that he showed no fear, left nothing in the tank, and played his heart out for his coaches and his team. At that moment I was never more proud of him.</div>Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00087638753272198035noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3493867773977091894.post-52435948238051053822010-01-31T21:17:00.001-05:002010-01-31T21:18:50.449-05:00Back in Business<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHUpaq35KRMfqau83XAgSpGrYniexNeKh4Q88jOCc0FS7Y7ohMIrYqpWt_O4Hfi3Z7knYmOzr5mcERGdXTGeeZaniZgVicOCAbszpmSLxGYouFYtxPu4H3j_szbeoptp4eRml4bA-NZU4/s1600-h/IMG_7053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHUpaq35KRMfqau83XAgSpGrYniexNeKh4Q88jOCc0FS7Y7ohMIrYqpWt_O4Hfi3Z7knYmOzr5mcERGdXTGeeZaniZgVicOCAbszpmSLxGYouFYtxPu4H3j_szbeoptp4eRml4bA-NZU4/s200/IMG_7053.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>A very busy hockey schedule for Danny has left little time for skating. But we found a few hours this weekend. Thomas slept over Friday night and the boys had a little night/day double header action. <br />
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The temperatures were in the single digits Friday night but they lasted an hour. Notice they are wearing matching hockey jerseys AND pants. They put serious thought into these things. <br />
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Saturday morning was slightly warmer and they were out on the rinkfor over an hour.<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVHIPmvymM-oqdgUl-hsWeLtWLroCgajQW0n-F3RU_stxy4FDgRWb5A9YwN8ChKy9hqKa7418DyWSAk9HTe0j_XzBKxQNPKkQ1I8RZHq8Z-ef38To52bquVhi0Z_tRB-3O3ZSUt_62hvY/s1600-h/IMG_7063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVHIPmvymM-oqdgUl-hsWeLtWLroCgajQW0n-F3RU_stxy4FDgRWb5A9YwN8ChKy9hqKa7418DyWSAk9HTe0j_XzBKxQNPKkQ1I8RZHq8Z-ef38To52bquVhi0Z_tRB-3O3ZSUt_62hvY/s200/IMG_7063.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00087638753272198035noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3493867773977091894.post-2275438554109470802010-01-19T21:28:00.000-05:002010-01-19T21:28:56.964-05:00Back to Work<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNTH7RW6zVrQFMJFIv6Zs6ehQ7torE5JqMELaqd5TYhVEOQB2y4v7cVe-thmjdFQQ4B-xKd8KTciwLwl5DV_cBfrijrTLBVOXd9GRef-St0D7GQmMIuSSMnNO195RaPFYBlHfV6LWC3P4/s1600-h/IMG_7045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNTH7RW6zVrQFMJFIv6Zs6ehQ7torE5JqMELaqd5TYhVEOQB2y4v7cVe-thmjdFQQ4B-xKd8KTciwLwl5DV_cBfrijrTLBVOXd9GRef-St0D7GQmMIuSSMnNO195RaPFYBlHfV6LWC3P4/s200/IMG_7045.JPG" /></a><br />
</div>In what has been a remarkably low maintenance season so far, the first real work came in the form of shoveling. A storm dumped 5 inches of rain/sleet/snow on us. However, having a solid slab of ice really helped in that I had minimal seepage of water up into the snow as it pressed down on said slab. I had to let the snow sit all day and shoveled around midnight on Monday, after my game (Rapid Finishing won 3-2, thanks for asking).<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGZM6sDV12LNq4GXC2vuNGIxer6widI1MW0c1YtMUvXF0EBf4U8acxS5ZSpOgWn-d_yMiA21XWNDDC5Xzsiym7aectRA2YWjazOaEwv6xPS-MJqmoJdA1av0ad_DK0sdT7XR2CQTParIk/s1600-h/IMG_7041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGZM6sDV12LNq4GXC2vuNGIxer6widI1MW0c1YtMUvXF0EBf4U8acxS5ZSpOgWn-d_yMiA21XWNDDC5Xzsiym7aectRA2YWjazOaEwv6xPS-MJqmoJdA1av0ad_DK0sdT7XR2CQTParIk/s200/IMG_7041.JPG" /></a><br />
</div>Getting the snow off it helped the surface freeze again as snow is an insulator and the slushy top of my ice would have remained slushy. Getting the snow off helped the cold air of the night turn it back into ice. Today was a day of constant flurries so more shoveling was in order tonight. As you can see in the pictures, she looks lovely.<br />
<br />
I also replaced the bulbs on my lights. I got 4 years out of the old bulbs and the difference with the new ones is very noticeable. When they are on it seems like noontime.Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00087638753272198035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3493867773977091894.post-48904810520151516972010-01-06T23:59:00.003-05:002010-01-07T01:12:39.692-05:00Genesis<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr8i3-eZpARbgr0gh0AOOrA1j6s8fl5YyQcoROyfKYugst_fZ8reEIWLZ9hxtaGq3a_NxWsgWn9GGBHLNnLIuHjSoDZo-_0Se0EV24Skm2LRaa_fqQ2yRW5RHtQTN5is6mQu5GmsnhMFA/s1600-h/IMG_6944.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr8i3-eZpARbgr0gh0AOOrA1j6s8fl5YyQcoROyfKYugst_fZ8reEIWLZ9hxtaGq3a_NxWsgWn9GGBHLNnLIuHjSoDZo-_0Se0EV24Skm2LRaa_fqQ2yRW5RHtQTN5is6mQu5GmsnhMFA/s200/IMG_6944.JPG" /></a><br />
</div>You have to start somewhere; and in the case of young Aiden it was on my rink.<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">On Tuesday night there was a knock on our door and it was my neighbor, Ryan. He lives up the street from us and we always wave and say hello to each other when driving by our respective houses, and we have talked a few times, but I don't know him as well as our immediate neighbors. Ryan wanted to know if he could come down with his son Aiden the next night and skate on our rink. YES!<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ5IjrpQa5X8HrgusCDuJQehIz-b98LGdlU6jVsK_JIXjPXywFXzrF4et-XdzXzHtCUFzuy9bASpaf7h3qQ_bTUviLL_vast2GmQ7C6RzApY7BDBFRJX-TsiRtSfIsE0aVJ-pC1P1TkYU/s1600-h/IMG_6945.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ5IjrpQa5X8HrgusCDuJQehIz-b98LGdlU6jVsK_JIXjPXywFXzrF4et-XdzXzHtCUFzuy9bASpaf7h3qQ_bTUviLL_vast2GmQ7C6RzApY7BDBFRJX-TsiRtSfIsE0aVJ-pC1P1TkYU/s200/IMG_6945.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">So, they did. Aiden took to the ice tonight and did great. What made it most meaningful is that this was Aiden's first time in ice skates. Instant memories for Ryan and Aiden and instant gratification for me. <br />
<br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht9rswAXt3opX80XLt8c3QhuL78IuRJQebVEhTGfkxBjGGvMZ9FFww19GqYJrGBCH4gIdQO-J_HeIW7NCnqh5No71TUt1h6bsymawuhBgiLc0upTez3Pq1Ho8Sz3rXx1KRuXWRcivN_6E/s1600-h/IMG_6947.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht9rswAXt3opX80XLt8c3QhuL78IuRJQebVEhTGfkxBjGGvMZ9FFww19GqYJrGBCH4gIdQO-J_HeIW7NCnqh5No71TUt1h6bsymawuhBgiLc0upTez3Pq1Ho8Sz3rXx1KRuXWRcivN_6E/s200/IMG_6947.JPG" /></a><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I was very happy Ryan took it upon himself to knock on my door. I'm a <br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">lousy inviter - always have been. Not because I don't want folks here but because I fear the unknown too much. However, I am seriously considering posting an open skate invitation on the various communication mediums I subscribe to for this Saturday. I'd invite everyone - the people I know and the people I "kinda' know".<br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Would you come?<br />
</div>Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00087638753272198035noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3493867773977091894.post-79590188403659632602010-01-05T01:29:00.000-05:002010-01-05T01:29:34.903-05:00Late Night PerspectiveGot home from our 10:00pm game (Team Rapid Finishing won, 5-2 - thanks for asking) after midnight and decided to give the Four-em a resurfacing.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA128_lAU9c_-BDdg2QpA7UlxwasN7gww8Sn1PnVGkw5e1I65-QbHwVu5vCxrVodGe35U16tigo8Rf4sQwyaXGOzOC1nikj8JsIgkiZ3o7aOXGyccf448aUDJUqkVIwtlIpFfhcxyYWBo/s1600-h/IMG_6931.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA128_lAU9c_-BDdg2QpA7UlxwasN7gww8Sn1PnVGkw5e1I65-QbHwVu5vCxrVodGe35U16tigo8Rf4sQwyaXGOzOC1nikj8JsIgkiZ3o7aOXGyccf448aUDJUqkVIwtlIpFfhcxyYWBo/s200/IMG_6931.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><strong>Night Maneuvers</strong><br />
I've <a href="http://themillinfour-em.blogspot.com/2008/03/thanksrinking.html">written about this before</a> but I really love coming home late at night and being out on the rink by myself. Instead of skating I threw on the ipod, connected the hose, grabbed a BL (or two), and used the MIM (Millin Ice Machine) to lay down a fresh sheet. It was quiet and cold, and I was alone with my music and thoughts while I 'worked' on the rink. Sometimes the ice makes popping sounds - you can feel it in your toes - as the hot water spreads out evenly over the frozen surface and fills in the scratches and imperfections left behind by the skaters. There is something satisfying about the act of wiping away the old and setting up the new. If it were only that easy in other endeavors.<br />
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<strong>Different Perspectives</strong><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd_L2fh4FvBFdUp4WqjuuIMqfzmTZnHwiusDZXpVK_oWbNIgUOkK3PuIAKb-ySk8NmKv04LWEn4HQxxXlD1cOhLvLsUKfcCOL4HiRUB6u_vm84OunYO0IQPahBz1Lbih7MlCYz4Amyy48/s1600-h/IMG_6934.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd_L2fh4FvBFdUp4WqjuuIMqfzmTZnHwiusDZXpVK_oWbNIgUOkK3PuIAKb-ySk8NmKv04LWEn4HQxxXlD1cOhLvLsUKfcCOL4HiRUB6u_vm84OunYO0IQPahBz1Lbih7MlCYz4Amyy48/s200/IMG_6934.JPG" /></a><br />
</div>In a surprising move, I downloaded a few Bon Jovi songs, including "<em>Who Says You Can't Go Home</em>" and "<em>We Weren't Born To Follow</em>". I found them good 'set up' songs whilst connecting various hoses and such. While resurfacing I resorted to music a little more philosophical (surprise). I also took some pictures of the rink after resurfacing . I like to walk around it while the water is freezing and look at it from places I don't normally see it from. Yes, it sounds pathetic (and perhaps may be), but there is something to be said about looking at things differently now and then.Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00087638753272198035noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3493867773977091894.post-58900734530315118872009-12-31T15:44:00.002-05:002010-01-01T10:23:47.460-05:00A Resolute New Years<strong>My Fifteen Minutes</strong><br />
I was lucky enough to be included in a story written by NHL.com columnist, Rocky Bonanno called, <a href="http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=511614&navid=DL|NHL|WinterClassic2010">Everlasting Memories in the Great Outdoors</a>. I was actually one of two backyard rink builders to be profiled, the other being <a href="http://www.theproulxfamily.com/rinkblog/">Joe Proulx</a> of New Hampshire. After reading the story in its entirety a few things jumped out at me.<br />
<br />
<strong>Moving Down on the Depth Chart</strong><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">First and foremost - I'm 41. It looks so old when you see it in print, especially when juxtaposed with someone who is 29. However, since the article was published Joe and I have gone back and forth about things beyond the rink, including our experiences with kids and parenting. While Joe has a 3 year old son, Caroline and Danny are now very independent and rely on us only for things like rides to a friend's house and funding for various electronics...but they still consent to the occasional snuggle. The game clock is always ticking away, but I really love each stage they kids have been in, and are in.<br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong>The Player Named Later<br />
</strong>The other thing that I noticed about myself (it's all about me, right?) is that in the article I come across as the 'wanna-be' hockey player who never was. It's true - I always did want to play organized hockey as a kid; and I suppose playing your first organized game at age 30 is better than say, age 41. But it got me to thinking about the question, "What if I had played youth hockey?"...which led to other questions: Would I have burned out and been turned off by the hockey's 'dark side?' Would youth hockey have made me a more polished and skilled player than I am today? How would playing have affected my outlook on Danny's youth hockey experience today?<br />
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</div><strong>Fun and Games?</strong><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCR2ULyxz0WuIiO78BD5kaFDlZESxdvQLtf1PvA2vLa2MoGeU-_xGwNrQ15gQy8hwMuk1VNPSpkRQLLg1LKgy6SEF-3OFbh4uiZnkqF5_FWinhc0TW0sEH6LpPDANfcmaclhMdOSGXhJk/s1600-h/IMG_6849.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCR2ULyxz0WuIiO78BD5kaFDlZESxdvQLtf1PvA2vLa2MoGeU-_xGwNrQ15gQy8hwMuk1VNPSpkRQLLg1LKgy6SEF-3OFbh4uiZnkqF5_FWinhc0TW0sEH6LpPDANfcmaclhMdOSGXhJk/s200/IMG_6849.JPG" /></a>The essence of the article is how hockey, when played outside, is fun and free-form, void of the structure found in rinks. In it, I sound as if I am anti-game and anti-competition. Come watch me play and you'll see I hate to lose and I give everything I have. But when I am on the ice at Danny's practices or at his games I have a 'I'm just happy to be here' mentality. I feel like I'm in the minority sometimes and wonder why we parents yell at our skaters - even if they can't hear us out on the ice. I'm not saying we should sit there and be quite, but do we stand over our kids while they are doing their math homework and yell, "CARRY THE 1 AND BORROW FROM THE 8! IT'S SO OBVIOUS!" And, if anyone followed me around on a daily basis and narrated all my mistakes I'd get tired of it ("YOU DIDN'T SEPARATE THE DARKS FROM THE WHITES!").<br />
</div><br />
<strong>The Glass is Half-Full</strong><br />
What I do know is: I see all youth hockey players as doing the best that they can do, with room for improvement and learning. That's what I love about the game of hockey - you never know it all or can do it all (if you can and do then you are getting paid to play). I also know that I am glad I play the game now, and I hope that Danny continues to love the game; especially when he is an old 41 like me.<br />
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Happy New Year.<br />
<br />
- ScottScotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00087638753272198035noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3493867773977091894.post-79704568584481925942009-12-25T20:11:00.001-05:002009-12-26T09:59:10.508-05:00A Christmas Special<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSpGlvWAFjlhtN9bYz9TQW0_L-WV_yLxBnn39lxbz9YthiJ53H_XbGoN-wiRtV2eY4NEAm1sm3NywH7IPrTGpfkbZf39Jbl2goUNnO42nF2eT6kIj0UZUOC-r2nmcbLlK6XqgOd1zN2PY/s1600-h/IMG_6831.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSpGlvWAFjlhtN9bYz9TQW0_L-WV_yLxBnn39lxbz9YthiJ53H_XbGoN-wiRtV2eY4NEAm1sm3NywH7IPrTGpfkbZf39Jbl2goUNnO42nF2eT6kIj0UZUOC-r2nmcbLlK6XqgOd1zN2PY/s200/IMG_6831.JPG" /></a>After opening presents and drinking several cups of coffee, Danny and I skated for an hour. It was a really fun skate, just a lot of passing and 2 on 0's. The ice surface had melted from a warm Christmas Eve day but refroze overnight, making the top smooth and slick - sometimes mother nature helps us out.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7UIVbBNA1me2Qkye3KnBhyphenhyphen7v75w91xIUireG9N5Eh6BXGIgneD3XAWD0p7dfMNePvHpy-TXspeDcOrSM6JlxsdVpBcWUfwuwAD0sB1KW6l-xV6-LRopEKNbBZa1bJNKw4n0lJ-P4r3NI/s1600-h/IMG_6830.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7UIVbBNA1me2Qkye3KnBhyphenhyphen7v75w91xIUireG9N5Eh6BXGIgneD3XAWD0p7dfMNePvHpy-TXspeDcOrSM6JlxsdVpBcWUfwuwAD0sB1KW6l-xV6-LRopEKNbBZa1bJNKw4n0lJ-P4r3NI/s200/IMG_6830.JPG" /></a><br />
</div>'Tis the season for some Winter Classic garb. Unfortunately Danny's team has a game at 3:00 on New Years Day. That boggles my mind given that it's a holiday and a hockey event we will most likely only see once in our lifetime. We are DVRing the game and hope we don't hear the real time result before watching it.Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00087638753272198035noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3493867773977091894.post-62747882221137871472009-12-21T17:03:00.000-05:002009-12-21T17:03:07.873-05:00Solstice<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGgVoNhFrWvu1tF5FVglvFN3U2O8Y7kK2PvJJaVygutsaj51-D7G_Wt5By22jBNWEWK-Ph2aK_91d9x6P0JpUnuT0hVhw2ZRDnM6hCIdUOyn0UNauEQRLj1VXT0LVfGKWmiR3CnwT2Yaw/s1600-h/IMG_6787.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGgVoNhFrWvu1tF5FVglvFN3U2O8Y7kK2PvJJaVygutsaj51-D7G_Wt5By22jBNWEWK-Ph2aK_91d9x6P0JpUnuT0hVhw2ZRDnM6hCIdUOyn0UNauEQRLj1VXT0LVfGKWmiR3CnwT2Yaw/s200/IMG_6787.JPG" /></a><br />
</div>Today is the shortest day of the year, Winter Solstice. With just over 9 hours of sunlight, the days will slowly become longer and the extra sunlight will only cause a rinkbuilder like myself more trouble. However, I take it a day at a time and know that an average of an extra minute of sunlight for each week going forward still leaves us plenty of time for more skating.<br />
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Danny had the Usual Suspects over after school. Every year I take a photo of Danny, Thomas, Mitch, and Chris in on the rink. Here they are, as 6th graders.Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00087638753272198035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3493867773977091894.post-8674015048643139232009-12-20T19:42:00.000-05:002009-12-20T19:42:11.360-05:00Red Sky At Night, Skater's Delight<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2S0WWLr3f8jn1N9j9b7vlrjDMiCU7j02_IcZjKYTJlp9TumoBNKlNqbsQLs0KNXeHLKLGQgGCzSlVsLpeXlhfyl7Jk_rPafoQsqNwsGts182KxT5qIShhjWW-J4a1t9M7C-DvqmgYxTg/s1600-h/IMG_6776.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2S0WWLr3f8jn1N9j9b7vlrjDMiCU7j02_IcZjKYTJlp9TumoBNKlNqbsQLs0KNXeHLKLGQgGCzSlVsLpeXlhfyl7Jk_rPafoQsqNwsGts182KxT5qIShhjWW-J4a1t9M7C-DvqmgYxTg/s200/IMG_6776.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Danny and his friend, Liam christened the ice for the 2009/2010 season and did so by skating for over 2 hours in the bitter cold. While temps were in the mid-20's, the wind was unrelenting, making it feel much colder.<br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3M0xZtacTN_7E8dKuhi-E_hUe7YVHYGVrKI-knk4GqBdOAZJWKBETJNVTuVir9okHwn4GlNGPCIeoBvtsEQLqE3zz4Krecz6TW0Tsw0fC8SXIWDCkJ6CvpfpGvXOv1h34ry33y0z2we0/s1600-h/IMG_6779.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3M0xZtacTN_7E8dKuhi-E_hUe7YVHYGVrKI-knk4GqBdOAZJWKBETJNVTuVir9okHwn4GlNGPCIeoBvtsEQLqE3zz4Krecz6TW0Tsw0fC8SXIWDCkJ6CvpfpGvXOv1h34ry33y0z2we0/s200/IMG_6779.JPG" /></a>As the boys got off the ice the sun was setting, and it turned the sky into fantastic colors. <br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong>Rink Status: 7:30pm</strong><br />
A storm dumped 6 inches of snow on the rink today and thankfully the ice appears to have been frozen solid from the last 3 days of bitter cold. I used the rubber squeegee to scrape the ice chips and snow left behind by the boys and then laced up my own skates for a bit. I shot a few pucks (and lost a few over the netting) and stickhandled for a while - and it felt good to be back on the Four-em again. I then resurfaced using the hot-water line and my homemade Zamboni, and the ice is clear and smooth.<br />
</div>Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00087638753272198035noreply@blogger.com1