End of an era

Well, not really the end of an era, but the end of my third paternity leave/part time off as I return to work tomorrow.  Many and mixed emotions, and each time it has been something of a transformative experience to have a child and be home for those first weeks of incredibly rapid change and intense family connection.  The end of the era is that this will probably be the last time we do this, and so tomorrow marks the last time I return to work in this context.

Today continued an incredible snowfall.  Not a storm, per se, at least in our town, but we've gotten about two to three feet of fresh snow in the last two days.  Rather than run, which would have been my preference, I took the skis out for some "backcountry" powder skiing in the field out back and in the surrounding neighborhoods.  Running would have been an exercise in futility, and trying to cross country ski in several feet of powder with  fish-scale nordic skis was challenging enough.  I did spend a great hour on them though, trudging through snow and gliding on roads and a few paths.  Otherwise some shoveling and building a snow tunnel for the girls (mostly Cadien) rounded out the training.  Rest day tomorrow and then a return to resistance work and speed training.

Dinner was good too -- baked chicken, skillet-fried potatoes and cheese, and a salad.  Doesn't sound like much but it was one of those meals when everything comes together both in taste and in satisfaction.

Nice end to a great day as I look forward to an evening meditative yoga practice.

Today: nordic skiing 1 hour, a bit of snow shoveling, and short calming yoga practice.