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Thursday, March 12, 2026

Snowmo-being

Thanks, son
There's so much more sunshine these March days, yet snowfall after snowfall continues. We know there's no point in complaining, but that never prevents a Canadian from griping about the weather. Between complaints though... why not go sledding?  

My son (the stuntman in the photo) recently repaired my "sled," a weighty old-school no-name-brand-yellow clunker of a (perfect-for-me) snowmobile. Thanks to him, my clunker has much more gumption. 

As the photo implies, my son and I approach snowmobiling differently. One might say we have opposite ways of snowmo-being. He's no fool, but he's more of a risk-taker and quite unflappable. My approach is more cautious, and uh, geriatric. Nevertheless, despite differing "braaaaap" styles, inside us we're experiencing the same emotion: pure joy.    

I often say that my son possesses many of my characteristics and all those I wish I had. Did I have his confidence at his age? Nope. Could I repair a snowmobile or anything else? Nope. But I could draw it, paint it, describe it, neglect it, and then buy parts so he could fix it. I believe this relationship is referred to as er...symbiosis, or is it codependency? 

I josh. I'm grateful for him. He needs me though too. After we zipped around for a while, I pressed my brake and noticed no resistance. Hmm. This was not overly concerning among the flat prairie fields, but I made a mental note and adjusted accordingly. Later, I mentioned the brake problem. His reply?  "Oh yes, I know; I haven't fixed the brakes yet." 😕Perhaps he could have shared that important info pre-braaaap?

I told you he was unflappable. (Or perhaps planning my demise?) We chuckled; we both know there's something I'm a bit better at than him at least sometimes: fundamental communication. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 

24 comments:

  1. He hadn't fixed the brakes but was happy to go out snowmobiling with you? WTF dude. I'm glad you're ok and glad you live on a flat prairie. I haven't been on a snowmobile since I was a kid but I used to love it. We lived on the edge of Red Deer with fields behind us and neighbors with snowmobiles. Lots of fun with them.
    He doesn't like highmarking does he?

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    1. Ha, it truly was not a big deal. Highmarking? Yikes. Nope. Glad this brought back good memories; these are certainly good memories for us, with or without brakes.

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  2. Tara was an avid snowmobiler in a past life and still refers to it as "sledding." When I hear that term, I think of my old wooden Flexible Flyer. In any case, both types of "sledding" are a blast!

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    1. Yes, there's an interesting regional colloquialism aspect to this hobby. Maybe Tara needs a snowmobile to go with that new vehicle? ;)

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  3. ...once, I was ten foot tall and bulletproof, not anymore.

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    1. Your country song reference says it very well, ha.

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  4. Yikes! Quite a major communication omission!
    I remember driving Dad's snowmobile when I was a child, and being pulled on a toboggan behind the snowmobile. Some days I think about the things we were allowed to do and am thankful I made it to adulthood and beyond.

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    1. Yes, we did all sorts of dangerous things too; maybe this is why it's an unflappable experience.

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    1. NBD. I'm sure you've noticed a little embellishment here and there in my other posts too, ha.

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  6. Oh my goodness. First I can't believe you have snow. I'm sorry. Sunny days are coming your way. 2nd I was on a snowmobile once. It was a terribly scary experience and I have never done it again. And you did it with little brakes! You are my hero.

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    1. Thank you for the hopeful comment. Yes indeed I am (not) a hero, ha.

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  7. A snowmobile sounds such fun, though hardly a necessity in these islands. I had to look up braaap - what a great word!

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  8. Yikes! Don't forget to put your feet out to help brake. Prairies are a good thing sometimes. Linda in Kansas

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    1. That is a solid strategy and a good reminder.

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  9. Codex: living vicariously and a little envious. Learned a new word. Guessing that skis don't go braaap?

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  10. Just so you know, Canadians aren't the only people who gripe about the weather :-)

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    1. Weather complaints certainly are unifying, aren't they?

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  11. Never been on a snowmobile but do remember flying down a huge hill near where I grew up, on one of those wooden sleds. I then proceeded to speed across the intersection without getting killed. A few drivers did honk their horns and weren't very happy. I had to be a bit crazy to do that. :)

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    1. Yikes! Entertaining story but also a close call!

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  12. I am impressed that you have a snowmobile. I've only had one ride, and a fell off. Apparently, one is not supposed to lean in the direction of a turn.

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    1. It's not fancy but I'm impressed too. Apparently, but I fall off quite frequently too.

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