The Grand Duchy of Stollen

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Bad Dad and The Young Master on Day #2. The Grand Duchess gives us a slight smile as she glides by on Day#1. Don't look now, it's The Young Master leading the way. The Young Master demonstrates Step One of the Dead Bug method for getting up after a fall. N o, not toy soldiers, painting, or wargaming, but healthy, bracing winter fun outdoors at Forbush Corner Nordic Center outside of Frederic, Michigan.  Our second visit this winter.   15 miles on cross-country skis over two days with some pretty challenging hills on certain intermediate and difficult runs.  Very cold temperatures, blowing snow, windchills below 0 Fahrenheit, and near whiteouts at times on Day #1 completed the picture.  It was almost our own Heroes of Telemark moment. . . without the heavy water plant guarded by German soldiers above a forbidding gorge.   Day #2 was warmer, sunny, and just as delightful.  The Young Master kept a running tally of falls.  Paul - 1, Mom - 1, Bad Dad - 3.  But I plead a sticky lef

  A handy photograph from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.   A fter a warming trend with rain midweek, the weather has turned cold again, new fluffy snow is on the ground, and trail reports from up north are for very good (cross-country) skiing this weekend.  The skis are brushed down and ready to load into the car later today for another weekend jaunt to Northern Michigan following a haircut this morning and a few other work-related loose ends.   Blame my all-consuming love for the winter on Kirk Douglas, Richard Harris, and the fetching Ulla Jacobsson.  'Live to XC Ski!' as the saying goes on a favorite bumper sticker decal. In other hobby news, painting continues apiece on the Young Master's 3rd Garrison Regiment of infantry.  This week saw work on the two drummers.  Photo updates coming soon, but I think I've just painted two of the nicest drums ever.  Beautifully rendered heads, hoops, and cords without making a mistake.  Hey, it happens once in