A gentle reminder

Before I learned about blogging, I used to keep a journal. I filled it with all kinds of stuff – like my best track times (wow, have I ever improved), Christmas wish lists, notes for some of my stories (I have a crazy imagination), and sometimes, thoughts about my feelings.

Going through them this week, I found one from last year. Even though I’d already started my blog, I still wrote in my journal, mostly the more personal stuff. It was about this time last year that I learned my Grandpa has diabetes.

At first I was scared. I mean, I didn’t even know what diabetes was. But after I talked to my health teacher, I realized how much my Grandma does to help Grandpa keep his diabetes in check. He stays fit working on the farm, but in the kitchen, Grandma pays close attention to what she’s cooking to make sure Grandpa’s blood sugar levels are balanced.

Grandma says her cookbooks are filled with notes about how to adapt recipes to make them healthier for Grandpa, even things that are as simple as cooking potatoes with the peel on to add fibre and help control his blood sugars.

I got a peek at her cookbook. It’s as thick as a grimoire – and I bet there’s just as much magic inside. Maybe someday I’ll have the chance to see the whole thing.

It’s the end of November – and National Diabetes Month – but I’ll always have it on my mind. Reading my journal was one way to remind me of all the ways I can help Grandpa…including not eating the rest of my Halloween chocolates  in front of  him!

Gotta jet!

- Chase Superman Duffy

Grooving to the tunes

I’m on pins and needles waiting to hear Coach Taylor’s decision about transferring to another school. I don’t want to rush him, especially if it means he makes a hasty decision and changes schools. But, it’s all I think about.

It’s officially too cold to train outside (brrr…) so I’ve been going to the gym – but my productivity level hasn’t been the greatest. It’s like Coach Taylor is already gone and I need to find a new way to motivate myself.

I’ve tried envisioning my competition on the treadmill beside me. I’ve asked friends to go with me, but even Sophie doesn’t seem as excited about going to the gym this year as she was last year.

My mom suggested running to music. So, I’m compiling a list of great running songs for my iPod. So far, I’ve got the classics, like the theme song to Rocky, and that song by from the new Karate Kid.

But I’m just getting started. Do you have a few "get-moving" songs for me? Please help me build my running playlist – maybe it will help me get my mind off Coach Taylor’s big decision.

Gotta jet!

- Chase Superman Duffy

Life Lessons from the Coach!

Coach Taylor told us he might be transferring to another school. It’s a great opportunity for him, I guess, but I’m kind of bummed.

I mean, Coach Taylor is the whole reason I joined the track and field team. He believes in me.

Actually, he made me believe in myself. It’s one of the great lessons I’ve learned from Coach Taylor over the last couple of years.

Coach has a great mantra. Do right! Do your best. Treat people well.

Great advice, right? And not just for sports training. On the track, I try and make good decisions, I run hard, even when it’s just a practice run, and I respect the rest of my team.

Just like I respect Coach Taylor. I work hard for him, always trying to improve my best because he inspires me. He hasn’t made a decision yet, but if he goes to another school, I sure hope the new coach knows he has some big shoes to fill.

Gotta jet!

- Chase Superman Duffy

A time for Remembrance

The first time I wore a red poppy on my coat, I think I was four. I didn’t know what it meant, but it seemed important to my Grandpa, and that was good enough reason for me.

Of course, I now know that the poppy is a symbol for Remembrance Day - the day when we pay tribute to the members of the armed forces who have served and died in the line of duty.

Grandpa says I’m lucky not to have lost any family members in war – and that not all of my friends and their families can say the same. Even though we learn about some of the great historic battles in school, Grandpa says my generation doesn’t understand war, not really. And he believes that we need to remember that peace, not war, is ultimately the best solution to any conflict.

Maybe he’s right.

But I’ll wear my poppy with pride this weekend, and when the poem “In Flanders Fields” is read during assembly, I’ll be able to mouth all of the words. Don’t forget to take a moment of silence this Sunday to remember the men and women who continue to serve Canada during times of war, conflict and peace.

Gotta jet!

- Chase Superman Duffy

Saving time this weekend

I can’t believe Halloween is over and it’s already November!

We had a lot of fun at my party last weekend and my costume was a huge hit. As you can see, I dressed up as an astronaut. I like going fast – running, soap box car racing, etc. – but nothing is speedier than a rocrket. Not even Superman! I’d love to blast off into space someday. Wouldn’t you?

I didn’t stay out trick-or-treating very long because it was chilly. Brrr. And with this past week's northern Alberta snow fall, there’s no question we’ve skipped the rest of fall and moved right into winter. The days are getting shorter, the sidewalks more slippery. It really puts a danger in my outside training.

But, one good thing is that it’s Daylight Savings time this weekend, which means on Saturday night, we turned the clocks back – giving us a whole extra hour on Sunday. Last year, I just slept. Boring, right?

The weatherman is calling for more snow. Maybe instead of sleeping in, I’ll read a book, or help Mom with breakfast. How about you? Any fun plans to spend your extra hour this weekend?

Gotta jet!

- Chase Superman Duffy