Sleds and Dogs, But Not Sled Dogs

So, what does one do when they are snowed in, for 3 days, with 2 kids and 3 dogs? I am kidding, I mean 2 dogs and Fex (future ex husband) who has been likened to a dog, by some mutual friends, on several occasions. Truthfully speaking, FEX could never be as loyal and reliable as a dog anyway. OMgoodness, I just did it again. Perhaps it’s is the freezing cold that I was exposed to while sledding today. Or, rather, I am just in the mood to be cheeky (and honest).

The answer is – go sledding with a bunch of friends, and a gaggle of kids, of course! It’s that, or I could always sit home, drink wine, and let my children eat me out of house and home, in an attempt to pacify our cabin-fever, and the boredom which has begun to set in – the result of sitting in the house for 3 days, while Mother Nature has her way with us.

As a devout lover of summer, and all activities water-related, I have often wondered how it is that I have lived in New York for my entire life. While we do have the most beautiful weather in Spring and Fall, which are both moderate in temperature, and a delight to behold, for the senses, with them comes the complete extremes of the spectrum – brutally hot summers and bone-chilling winters.

The fact is, that I love New York! Just like the tourism commercials, theme song and slogan says. I really do love it, wholeheartedly. Many who have never visited this beautiful state do not realize that New York City is only a small portion of the offerings here. I actually live on Long Island, just east of the city, which is just that, a very long island of suburbs, boasting countless, stunning beaches spanning its length, and no more than a half an hour drive, north or south, from almost any given point. As if this isn’t enough, there is the mainland of NY, which stretches up to Canada, and is comprised of spectacualr mountains, with farmland and forest, mostly unsullied by man.

While I do love it here, I must say that the cold winters are really knawing at me, whispering in my ear, louder and louder, as each year passes, and another bout of cold passes through my beloved state. Today, standing on top of that snowy hill, with frozen nose and toes, delighting in the fun of the children sledding, I leaned in closely to decipher the whisper, and I distinctly heard it say, “Go back to the Caribbean Victoria. That is where you belong!” Who am I to argue with the wisdom of the winter winds?

Enjoying some balcony time in sunny Jamaica, January 2015

Advertisement

Time Ceases When You’re Rocking Out in Paradise

Or does it? Maybe it’s the rum? Or the golden sun relentlessly pouring itself out over my pale skin. Perhaps nobody cares to be bound by the intrusive restraints of a schedule when in paradise. In any case, it’s wonderful to be without a watch imprisoning my wrist, nor a care in the world, for a brief span anyway.

The salted blue-green warmth lapping at my tired figure seems to wash it all away. The stress of the daily grind fades, time slows for a space, and I sit gracefully, um, ok, maybe not gracefully, but certainly gratefully, soaking in this Caribbean gift.

My fairy Godmother, aka, my Dad, took me to sunny Jamaica for the week, to bask by the sea and listen to one of our favorite bands, live, nightly, and on the Caribbean shore, no less…The incredibly talented, soulful, rock n’roll genius that is Gov’t Mule, and amazing friends, led by legendary guitarist and singer/songwriter, Warren Haynes, who some of you may know from the Allman Brothers Band. Mind-blowing! As if this wasn’t enough, Anders Osbourne’s band made appearances throughout, as well as the talented trio, London Souls. I have always bonded with my father over music. My Dad rocks! Literally.

Guilt. I’ve actually left it behind. I was overwhelmed by anxiety about leaving my children, right down to the pit of my stomach, for the entire week prior to leaving. But I magically recuperated from this malady upon stepping onto white sand, while sipping, ok, gulping down, my first frozen delight, aptly named, the “Bob Marley.” A Tri-colored frozen serving of rum-soaked goodness, in a plastic cup. So delightful.

Ya mon, no problems at all, in Jamaica.