Way back when....

Way back over 30 years ago Ma and I bought some cross country skis that cost a fortune ($100) back then. That was back when our tuition costs at University were $700 so this was a big sacrifice.

We strapped those very skis on our feet last Saturday and went for a zip out at our cabin and Ma mentioned how long we've had those boards and how many miles they've gone. For anyone that knows skis they are Bonna 2400 wood skis, with steel edges and are about twice as wide as those little fiberglass things you buy today. You can ski over anything with them and on any conditions. They are also great for mountaineering, although we've never done any of that. Mine have gone through a couple sets of boots and three sets of bindings. Still going strong with chips out of the side, big scars on the bottom and the usual wear after over 30 years.

They are also fairly light and I have used them once or twice in a race. They are not speedsters but they get along fine as long as the engine holds out. I don't think either of us has a desire to take up with a younger set of skis just yet, there's plenty of life left in the Bonna's.

Also, way back over 20 years ago Ma used to bake bread all the time, making a dozen loaves at a time. That ended a number of years back and more recently we bought a bread machine to bake again, with varying results. Today Ma helped me resurrect the bread baking blessing and I put together my first whole wheat loaves. I did it wrong but she rescued me and we managed to put something that looks not bad as it went into the oven just now. I don't know why I got the urge but I'd like to keep it up.

Pa