Endless Knots

Mölkky, anyone?

Photos by Miranda Stamps

Sharpen up your skills, sports fans. It's time for...
Mölkky!

Never heard of it? You're not alone, as it's been around for only ten or so years, and in the US for a considerably shorter time. And had it not been for a chance walk through Fort Greene Park in Brooklyn on a warm summer day in early August, your faithful blogger would be among you.

My hubby, my son-in-law, and a friend were out for a stroll when they spotted unusual activity in the park. Wooden pins with numbers on them, two men and a ten-year-old boy, and a not inconsiderable amount of alcohol were at work (on the part of the people with the pins, not my family, of course), engaged in a serious game of undetermined origin.

Next they knew, they were called over by a man who'd been imbibing a bit, who went on to explain that on a trip to visit his girlfriend in Scandinavia, he discovered the Finnish game, Mölkky. Similar to bowling but not really, the game involves setting up the pins, called skittles, in a particular pattern, then heaving the mölkky (a cylindrical piece of wood) at them. Points accrue on the basis of how many pins you knock over in a bizarre system whereby you actually can get fewer points by knocking over more pins (go figure).

We've imported the game to New England. Perhaps we're the first (though there are a few others to be sure in the US). Tournament to come. Join us.

"I walk because I miss my mom"

Amanda Lipnack, who walked the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer 3-Day last weekend, writes about what she learned clocking 42 miles on foot in sweltering heat.

...I also learned to honour my body and be proud of what it can do and not be ashamed of what it can't do. I couldn't walk 60 miles this weekend but I could walk 42 and that, quite frankly, is amazing. There was a time in my life when walking up a flight of stairs was a challenge and this weekend I walked up miles and miles of stairs. Up big hills and down big hills -- over fields and roads and rivers and through the pain, I kept walking. I have fought against my body for so much of life but it felt very good to honour myself and be true.

I wish such an experience on the world around me. I wish that everyone can let the noise around them disappear and focus on what is in front of them. I wish that everyone can live life as it is meant to be lived, fully and strongly. I walked behind people this weekend with signs on their back that said "I walk because I miss my mom". How can we let ourselves forget that in a moment the things in front of us that we cherish can be gone so we need to embrace and honour them in the moment.

They love horses, don't they?

[Photo by  Paul Garber, courtesy, Muir Heritage Land Trust]

I'm always amazed at how committed and creative people are when pursuing their passions. Here's a great example of a grassroots (look at the picture) networking effort that's literally transforming the landscape. The fine folks organized by the Bay Area Ridge Trail are nearing completion of the 400th mile of trail around San Francisco Bay--for horse riding, biking, and hiking. On the weekend of June 2-3, 250 volunteers turned out  to complete the trail through Muir Heritage Land Trust’s Sky Ranch in Martinez, California. Thanks to Morris Older who edits the Tilden-Wildcat Horsemen's Association Newsletter for all his hard work and for the tip. (Disclosure: he's my cousin.)