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The Reporter March 2010
would have thought of our modern Winter Olympics. Perhaps they might think that the athletes were some type of gods or supermen from another world, which compared to most of us, I guess they are in their way. by Leslie Patterson 2) How’s the weather down there? The folks in Washington D.C. certainly got clobbered this winter. (I read somewhere that both George Washington and Thomas Jefferson recorded three frequently Asked Questions: feet of snow in the winter of 1 2, so it has happened before. I 1) How do they DO that? (A question often asked when watchpresume in those days you just stayed put until it started to melt ing snowboarding, ski jumping, ice skating and other eye-popping on its own.) I heard someone from Philadelphia say it was nice to Olympic spectacles). I’m tempted to respond darned if I know, come north to get away from all the snow. but I do know. Practice, practice, and more unending practice, How did we escape winter’s wrath this year? I’m sure meteocoupled with natural ability and an Olympic-size drive to win. The rologists have an explanation but I vote for plain dumb luck. Also, New York Times web site, and I’m sure a number of other websites, let’s hope we don’t make up for it in March. One of the scariest times gave readers/viewers a look at the finer points of these amazing I’ve had driving in the snow was four or five years ago in whiteout feats if you want the particular details. conditions on a March evening. Fortunately, it was a short, though Watching snowboarders and aerial ski jumpers launch themwhite-knuckle, drive close to home. Will it rain as much this year selves into the stratosphere makes you realize how dangerous as last? I hope not. Will we be trading New England weather for these sports are. Not only are they going loop-de-loop 30 to 50 Washington weather this summer? Lord, I hope not. feet up in the air, they have to follow it with an expert landing. The 3) Read any good books lately? Yes, actually. I have a preview tragic death of the young man from Georgia in the luge accident copy of a new novel by Isabel Allende called “Island Beneath the really brought home the dangers of speed on snow and ice too. Sea” which I am reviewing for Library Journal. It begins in Haiti in You have to wonder just how far athletes will be able to take their the late 1 00’s, the years leading up to the slave revolution there, individual sports; they already seem to be at their limits. so it’s also a very timely novel. As always, Ms. Allende is the conWhile attempting to watch both the Olympics and the Westminsummate storyteller with an epic sweep and the book is hard to ster dog show, I thought how convenient it would be to have dogs put down. It will be published in April and I highly recommend it. that can skate and snowboard, so it could all be combined into one I am also looking forward to reading “Wolf Hall” by Hilary Mantel, program. In fact I found a birthday card for a relative that showed a prize-winning British novel about Henry VIII’s henchman Thomas a skateboarding dog landing headfirst into a hedge, with the mesCromwell and his life in those perilous times. Reading a well-written sage that after a certain age, all sports are extreme sports. Well, historical novel by a respected author is an enjoyable and painless yes, but then I’ve felt that way all my life about sports – they’re all way to absorb history lessons. extreme to me. I couldn’t help wondering what the ancient Greeks ) Seen any good movies lately? No, I haven’t seen “Avatar” yet. I’m a little nervous about the 3-D making me dizzy, so I guess I should see the regular version. The movie I most enjoyed in recent months, and was most pleasantly surprised by, was “Up in the Air”. George Clooney and his fellow actors actually make us sympathetic to folks we have every reason to hate (their job is firing others). Just when you think it might be another romantic comedy, it takes a sharp turn and becomes a more cynical look at Serving Rehoboth, Seekonk, Swansea modern American life, its corporate culture and surrounding area in particular, with a lot more depth than I usually associate with Hollywood. I also saw “Nine” just to see Daniel Day-Lewis in a movie that wasn’t too violent and/or depressing, though this film leaves a lot to be desired. Based on the musical services Include: which in turn was based on a famous Fellini • In-Home Pet Sitting • Mid-Day Exercise and Training movie, “Nine” did not exactly bring to mind that old ad slogan, “Now that’s Italian”. Why • Broad Range of Pet Training • Behavioral Modification does Hollywood keep remaking old movies • Pet Taxi, Including Vet Visits • Backyard Wildlife Management when they seldom improve on the originals? New ideas, anyone? You’ll feel confident and relaxed 5) When does Daylight Saving Time while you are away with your pets start? Not a moment too soon in my book. But the answer is we spring forward on in our capable, caring hands. Sunday, March 1 . I just realized that I’ve been calling it Daylight Savings (plural, as in savings and loan) all this time. Anyway, it will be nice to have light in the evenings again, Professional Memberships Include: Free Ongoing Consultation though getting up earlier that first week is •ABS Animal Behavior Society always a nasty surprise. Head towards the •ACABC Association Of Companion For “Preferred Customers” Animal Behavior Counselors light and think Spring! Initial Consultation Free
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