Getting focused is hard as random thoughts of the last few weeks pass through my mind. I think it would be nice if my thoughts flowed in an orderly fashion but that has never been my style. My thoughts come more like dice that are ejected from a cup during a board game. Most often illogical and random in pattern or association with each other. When I last wrote it was about immersion with my new life and that immersion continues to deeper levels.

The holidays have come and gone and within a months span we had visits from Heather and Erin from Raleigh, Zee from Seattle and Nick and Rachel from Miami. Each visit has been so special to us and the time spent, while short, was wonderful. I believe our house is a richer, warmer and happier place as a result of these visits and I hope they become a regular event.

The last few week we have watched the weather swing from mild with both rain and sunshine, to cold with ice and snow. While each has brought its own beauty and uniqueness, the snow has been the most interesting.

We awoke six days ago to a three inch blanket of snow surrounding our house. It was beautiful and awe inspiring. The little guy in me was excited by the possibilities that come only with snow while the grownup in me was considering all the obstacles that it brings. I must admit the adult part of me was overshadowing the child. My wife on the other hand was all child, seeing endless possibilities for play. She even went so far as to construct her own sled using cardboard, plastic trash bag and tape. I admit, I was impressed.

My thinking goes to how to get down the gravel drive that is covered with this slippery white substance. It can be a little difficult during good weather, so with the snow? I think of power failures and every other (I believe) possible thing that can go wrong. As time passes I began to understand there is a huge array of things that can go wrong that never crossed my mind. In the end, I just accept the situation and enjoy it.

This past Tuesday, with snow on the ground, we went to the store for items we needed as we had company flying in on the following Thursday. On our way back home the falling snow became almost blinding. We were driving very slow and still sliding all over the main highway. When we arrived at the road that leads to the driveway for our house, we could not make it ten feet before losing all traction. We left the car on the “two-lane” and walked up the road and driveway to get home, while carrying our bags of groceries. The walk was difficult as it was all uphill and slippery. We settled in for the remainder of the day as more snow fell.

The next morning we had to face our dilemma, it was Wednesday and we had to pick up folks at the airport in Asheville on Thursday. We were not even sure we could make it to the airport. We decided we needed some type of traction for the vehicle. We went to Smoky Mountain Tires in Bryson City and sought advice from the owners. They were very helpful but the end of story was that no snow tires existed for either my car or my wife’s. They did locate a set of cables at a local auto parts store and we went to purchase them.

Cables are much like chains. You wrap them around your tires and they help to provide traction by crisscrossing back and forth across the tire providing “bite” into the snow and ice. Imagine two parallel cables with another cable connecting the two in a zigzag fashion. They are placed on the ground, wrapped around the tire and then fastened. Then a rubber tube with hooks is used to take the slack out of the cable wrapped around the tire. We put them on and headed home. Our first observation was they were not designed for bare pavement. The ride was thump, thump, thump the entire five miles home. When we made it to our road we took the challenge and made it to our driveway. It was exhilarating. Man and machine over nature. We had tamed the wild ice and snow on the road and were ready for the driveqay. Dropping the transmission into first gear we started up the slope. It is about .15 tenths of a mile from the road to the house, but it is all uphill with a challenging curve just before the house. I am happy to announce that with the exception of a little slipping, we made it up with little difficulty. Yes, we have this!

The next day we left a little early to run a couple more errands and then headed to the airport. We did remove the cables when we got to the road so we would not have the thump, thump, thump. We allowed plenty of time so it was easy to deal with the road conditions. The trip was successful and we left the airport to stop in Asheville for a quick meal. The ride home was uneventful and we took our time. We made it to our road and up to the drive without the cables. Feeling pretty confident I decide to try the driveway without putting the cables on the tires. By three-quarters of the way the only movement was the tires spinning in place. As it was late we decided to leave the car and deal with it in the morning.

The next day we managed to get the cables on the tires. It is a lot harder when the vehicle is on a slope, in snow and ice than when it is on bare pavement. Even with the cables in place it was more difficult getting the car to the house than it was the first day. I guess the snow and ice condition had gotten worse.

Friday, we decided not to go out. I was still snowing off and on, plus I had acquired a new respect for the ice, snow and the driveway. It was an interesting day. It was beautiful and yet hard to truly appreciate. I reflected often on the Second Noble Truth of the Buddha; suffering is caused by desire. Here we were in a beautiful spot with great company, and everything we needed for our comfort, but we could not fully enjoy it. We could not go here, we could not go there, we could not do this, we could not do that, all thoughts that detracted us from our present, and our present was really a wonderful gift.

The next day we ventured down the driveway and made it to the main roads. They were easy to travel and we went and did stuff. The day was pleasant and it was nice to see the mountains in a way that was new to us. We found people out sledding and playing in the snow but we also noticed that there were relatively few people out and most business were closed.

Coming home we put the cables on the tires when we got to the drive. We managed to get most of the way up and started sliding again. It took a lot of time and effort to get the car to the house. I kept sliding off the drive. The slope of the drive at the curve just before the house is really bad. Trying to go forward I would slide sideways and off the drive into the gulley. It was only through our constant effort and a huge dose of luck that we got the vehicle to the house.

Sunday morning, we left early for the airport. Along I-40 there were many stranded cars, some way off the road where they had spun out. At the airport the fight to Miami had been cancelled and this created a new set of problems but that is not a story for here. We returned home and parked the vehicle at the bottom of the drive. We are walking back and forth to the house. I do not intend the try the driveway again until the snow melts.

Yes, the rookie year continues. I have much to learn.

Sound of ice melting,
Sun warming the soul and air,
Winter day passes.