"My [Man] Made the Frame"

Recently, I made a couple picture frames for my wife. Her two-sided pieces needed frames that were decent looking on both sides, and she couldn't find what she wanted in a store. See one of her pieces for this show here (her blog) or here (the Fuller Lodge Art Center). For my part, here are the frames, sanded and ready for paint

and here is one finished with the art in place. Basically, the art and glass slide into the frame through a groove in the bottom.

I built the frames (and some "feet" for a third frame she bought), then chuckled as I thought of this Gary Larson "Far Side" cartoon (which I lifted from "newspaperarchives.com")

and all the other picture frames I've made over the years, and the few I need to finish. No, I'm not going to open a frame shop any time soon, but it's nice to be self-sufficient in this regard. It's fun to create something that is elegant in its own right, but which also accentuates the beauty of something else. I guess that's the essence of the relationship between a picture and its frame, isn't it?

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In other "Art & Music Exchange" news--

I added a new piano student and a new guitar student in the last couple weeks. That brings my grand total up to 5 students. There may be a couple more coming on as well. Woo hoo! I'm planning a recital in May. 

I only have a couple February gigs:
- Feb 8, K2 Women's ski weekend party, Craig Martin Experience, tentative due to lack of snow
- Feb 25, Pajarito Pub & Grill, DK & the Affordables, 8-midnight, $5 cover.

As we get into March, I've got:
- March 8, I'm teaching a fly tying class at Warm Hearts Yarn in White Rock. Consult their blog for details.
- March 15, CME is playing at the Empty Bowls fundraiser for Self-Help, Inc.
- March 21-23 I'm leading a Level-2 Mountain Travel and Rescue class for local ski patrollers. It's been in the works for about 5 years, and it will probably be my last ski patrol "hurrah" for a while. After this class is over, I plan to hand MTR instruction (locally and regionally) over to someone else.

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In the "Random Thoughts" category--

My back has been "out" again. While it feels much better today, and I have kicked the pain killers that have been a staple for the past few days, I still can't bend over to the left without a needle stabbing me in the hip. But it's getting better, and I imagine I'll be pain-free (and back to running) in a week or so. Anyway, this post from Zen Habits really hit home last week, as the author explored happiness in the face of his own misery. It was what I needed to hear. And then last night, at 10 pm, as I was not quite done stretching and contemplating queue-ing up the next episode of Caprica, I remembered this post about not "scratching the itch." So, I finished my stretching to the crackling of the fire in the wood stove, and went straight to bed rather than staying up until 11 numbing my mind with video. Maybe getting enough sleep made a difference in my physical well-being and in my attitude. At any rate, I highly recommend Mr. Babauta's blog, both for its content and simplicity. Mindfulness and thoughtfulness are ideas I've been working on for a several years now, with, as you might expect, mixed results. Still, those ideals are worthy of effort.

Thanks for reading, and have a great week!

Friends in the Great Outdoors

"I've got a good old friend who's seen me at my worst
He can't tell if I'm a blessing our a curse
But he always shows up when the chips are down
That's the kind of stuff I like to be around" -----Guy Clark, "Stuff that Works"
 
First, PRAY FOR SNOW! We are in that typical New Mexico snow-free doldrums of January. Hopefully things will pick up soon and we get our February and March allotment of snow. Otherwise, it's going to be another flammable spring and early summer.

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Next, my gig schedule into March:
--Jan 25, Dixie Girl Restaurant (Craig Martin Experience), ~7-ish
--Feb 8, Blue Window Bistro (Craig Martin Experience), benefit for the K2 Women's Weekend (and breast cancer research)
--Feb 22, Pajarito Pub & Grill (D.K. and the Affordables), 8 pm
--March 15, Betty Ehart Senior Center (Craig Martin Experience), benefit for the Empty Bowls Project

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Finally, this week's musings--

Initially, this post was going to be about outdoor gear and clothing. I have some great stuff that I really like, from the EMS Bergelene long underwear that they'll have to peel off me when I'm dead, to the Marmot Dryclime windshirt that is either in my pack or on my back, to the crocheted wool hats my wife made me, to the Black Diamond "flicklock" adjustable poles. Backpacks, skis, other jackets. the Jetboil stove. Initially, I was going to write about that stuff, but in the end, that's pretty boring, and doesn't speak to the theme of "abundance" that I'd like to explore over the next couple posts.

Always watch out for G.A.S.--Gear Acquisition Syndrome.

I was thinking about gear because I was putting my stuff away last night after a fairly short, but fun, ski tour near Taos Ski Valley with my friend and ski patrol colleague Scott. I'm teaching a ski patrol class in March and we wanted to check out the area where we'll be conducting the class. Of course, we didn't skin in silence. It was great to catch up and discuss the joys and travails of having children, talk about work, and lament how "soft" we've become, which was made even more obvious when we were passed by Sam, one of the local, premier, Los Alamos hardcore mountaineers. Anyway, Scott and I did a few great trips together back in the days before kids, but haven't been backcountry skiing together now for a few years. It was nice to know that an old relationship like that can click back into place. During the past ten years, we've trained together on rescue toboggans and in first aid, spent hours in the car to and from ski patrol education classes and other destinations, and rebuilt avalanche and mountaineering programs at our local ski patrol and regionally. I'm proud of what we've accomplished, both on and off patrol. Off patrol, we managed a somewhat rare descent from the summit of Wheeler Peak together (rare due to the westward, wind-blown face we chose to ski) in 2004, and a few other backcountry days here and there. (Scott's other exploits in Colorado and Northern New Mexico, though, are also noteworthy. Search for him on SummitPost and you'll see what I mean.)

This reflection took me back to other trips and partners. My friend Ryan and I spent a lot of time climbing in Rocky Mountain National Park when we lived in Fort Collins. Routes like Taylor Glacier, the Spiral Route on Notchtop Mountain, and Dream Weaver were our favorites, though we also went to Ouray to ice climb and did a lot of skiing (and driving) in (and to and from) Utah and Colorado. Matt H. was always up for a ski tour, no matter how big or small. He was also a patroller and frequent companion on our ski patrol education trips. Just try and keep up with him. Mike D. is a newer backcountry ski buddy of mine, and we explored some of Cumbres Pass on skis last spring. I'll be calling him again. D.K. is a great band mate, but has also been involved in a few of my adventures, such as taking my second MTR class in 2005, and setting up several trips in the Jemez to ski, fish, or camp. My brother in law, Chris D., also makes this list as he's put up with my slowness on several climbing and skiing trips. Mark W. was my most reliable running buddy, and we did many "lunch laps" together at our local ski area. Regardless of the company I keep on a particular day, it seems like every time I go out and tick something off the top of my list, 5 more things are added to the bottom. I'm thankful to be surrounded by folks who inspire me to take on new challenges.

On the summit of Wheeler Peak with Matt H., showing our brand affiliation. Photo by Scott.

So, while this post started as an account of my favorite gear, it evolved into celebrating good friends. My take isn't necessarily novel, but here it is: what matters to most folks--be they hunters, gatherers, hikers, bikers, climbers, knitters, worshipers, artists, musicians, or skiers--is the fact that they can find a few like-minded souls to congregate and venture out with. I count myself lucky that I have a few old friends that I like and who can stand to be around me. What's more, while we each choose our *insert activity here* buddies based on how well they *insert activity here*, some of the most important and friendship-determining time occurs in the car, on the approach, over lunch, or in the pub afterwards.

Scott, Ryan, Matt B., Matt H., Mike D., D.K., Chris D., Mark W., and others I'm sure I've forgotten: thank you for the turns, tours, and climbs of the past, and here's hoping for many more.

Ryan H. near Mt. Tukunikivats, UT.

Of course, my wife should get special mention here. She holds the ultimate place in my co-adventurer ranking. We've skied, backpacked, climbed, hiked, created art, grown food, remodeled houses, raised kids, celebrated, lamented, laughed, cried, and learned together. We have spent hundreds of hours in the car, tent, hotel room, and kitchen discussing and planning the next adventure. While the journey hasn't just begun, it will continue as long as we're both alive.

The Mrs. and her bro, Cerro Rubio, NM.

"I've got a woman I love, she's crazy, paints like God
She's got a playground sense of justice, she don't take odds
I've got a tattoo of her name right through my soul
I think that everything she touches turns to gold." ----Guy Clark, "Stuff that Works"

Thanks for reading, and have a great week!

A Visit from My Old Buddy, Back Pain

If you know me, or if you've been reading this blog for a while, you'll know that I endure back pain from time to time. This past weekend was one of those times. I'm not alone, I know, but it still stinks, and can sometimes require a lot of mental fortitude to overcome. It stems from an accident I suffered over a decade ago, and every aspect of my being has changed in the past few years as the symptoms have cycled on and off. I've had a couple bad bouts with sciatica--the general term for irritation of a nerve root that radiates sensation (usually pain) down a limb--and most mornings I am thankful if I can stand up and walk down the hall without grimacing. Luckily, I'm pain-free most of the time. I have a stand-up desk at work, because sitting for long periods of time (and then standing up) can be painful. I had to sell my road bike as the bent over position irritated my spine and hips. I still run, though not as fast, and only on trails. Ski patrolling was out (see my previous post on the subject). I stretch and do core work almost every night. This latest bout of pain was due to the fact that I slacked off in my regular nightly exercise last week, then did some throwing and falling in Karate class on Saturday without warming up or stretching properly. That's the problem with working out with teenagers and kids who are made of rubber. I start thinking I'm still a kid, too.

For many folks, pain is their frequent companion. It can become constant and, in some ways, welcome, as neurons in the brain reconnect and adopt a state of pain as normal. My cousin, who also has back issues, reached a point in his life where the pleasure and pain centers in his brain were almost confused. He was driving home from work one day and the pain in his back and legs was so bad, he said it almost felt good. He underwent surgery to repair his herniated discs soon after. Drugs to combat pain are a major market for pharmaceutical companies. Alternative remedies also abound (I'm a big fan of acupuncture and massage). Yet, as endemic as crippling, chronic pain is in our population, remarkably little is understood about it. Pain treatment is a relatively undervalued and underpromoted specialty, even though chronic pain accounts for much lost productivity in the modern workforce.

Then again, this may be a phenomenon of the "knowledge worker," as folks who rely on manual labor for their livelihood don't have the luxury of complaining about their back pain. Or any pain. Folks who rely on manual labor also aren't subject to the deleterious effects of sitting at an office job, so it may not even be that much of an issue.

As I type this, I'm thankful that the stabbing sensations that plagued my back on Sunday and Monday, and the burning in my hips, have mostly subsided. My back is laterally straight again, instead of assuming the pain-induced scoliosis (sideways curve) I sometimes get. I still got the oil changed in the car and made some small picture frames for my wife (more on those later) on Sunday. Back pain is impossible to ignore, though I'll continue to try in an attempt to be productive. I'll keep stretching, keep moving, stay busy, and remain positive. It will get better, just as it has before. Which is good, because this weekend I have a Karate class, a bit more wood to split, a gig, some work around the house, and some backcountry ski terrain near Taos to check out. 

If you want to read an excellent book on the subject of pain, I'd suggest The Pain Chronicles by Melanie Thernstrom. In the book she outlines her own injury and discomfort, as well as a historical and modern perspective on pain treatment. It may sound strange, but it was cathartic to read this book in the midst of my last 6-month-long bout that required Tramadol, chiropractic intervention, and physical therapy to placate. I guess it was nice to know that other people hurt, too.

Anyway, I hope you are all well. Thanks for reading, and have a great week!

Happy New Year!

We woke up to 5" of snow in Boulder on Saturday morning, and the weather map showed precipitation all the way to the Colorado-New Mexico border. We decided to wait a day before heading home, so I had time to write a quick post. I was going to wait until we got back home, but what the heck.

The wife and I took advantage of free babysitting (grandparents) on Friday (Jan 3) to take a nice cross-country ski at one of our favorite parts of the world--Brainard Lake (CO). Despite the wind (too windy to expose much skin!), the skiing was quite good for early January. The ski did motivate me to re-commit to fitness as I have a few sore muscles this morning. I'm thinking of trying for the 1/2 Marathon in the Valles Caldera in June, as a carrot to motivate me to run and hit the gym. Who's with me?

The holidays were fairly low-key for our crowd. At our house, a tradition is sushi on Christmas Eve. This year, we rolled our own, in part because we couldn't get hold of our local sushi establishment to see if they were open Christmas Eve. It was delicious, and fun, obviously.

Christmas Day was spent lounging. My wife worked the day after Christmas so the troopers and I took a little hike at the Tsankawi Ruin near our house. We are going to have to find some longer, harder hikes because the munchkins practically jogged the 2-mile loop and barely stopped to drink water.

I'm looking forward to a busy spring. Music gigs are already lined up:
- 1/11, Blue Window Bistro (Craig Martin Experience)
- 1/19, UNM-LA (Craig Martin Experience)
- 1/25, Pajarito Mountain Ski Area (Craig Martin Experience)
- 2/8, Blue Window Bistro for the K2 Women's Weekend (Craig Martin Experience)
- 3/15, Empty Bowls Fundraiser (Craig Martin Experience)

Outdoor education:
- 3/21-23, I'm leading a ski patrol mountaineering class near Taos. Yes, I'm aware that I posted recently about quitting ski patrol. I still have a few responsibilities and goals, though, with my role as a regional representative for the mountaineering program. This class is the "level 2" version that I've been considering and planning for a few years now, and it's finally coming to fruition.

Piano lessons: 3 students and counting.

Work! It never ends. "Work is the price you pay for money" (Max Mancini).

Thanks for reading, and have a great week!