Skating on the Thin Ice of Life
“You’re skating on thin ice girl!”
Life is full of warnings, some overt and some less so. This one is pretty clear and was more serious than, “Stop, or you’re going to your room.” or even, “You’re cruisin for a bruisin.”
Skating implies movement, action, direction and a path or destination. Thin ice implies danger, warning, risk …high risk and a calamitous outcome if direction is not changed. Skating is smooth, continuous whether it is a forward, backward, figure eights, it is a confident motion that would seem not easily stopped or altered which increases the danger of being on thin ice. Once your motion carries you far enough there is no turning back and the only choice is to deal with the consequences of your action. This is a pretty good argument for thinking out plans beforehand.
But it strikes me that as we age skating on thin ice takes on a new meaning. Our footing may be ( literally ) less sure due to any number of circumstances including weak fragile bones or eye sight problems with depth perception, muscle weakness, blah, blah, blah. The older we get, the thinner the ice and our big rink just plain putters out.
Sometimes I think a zamboni is the only answer.
FYI….Wiki says…Zambonis do not really “melt the broken ice” in hockey arenas. The process of resurfacing the ice is the Job of the Zamboni at an ice rink between groups on the ice or periods of a hockey team. A Zamboni actually has a blade on it that cuts or shaves the surface of the ice (not much because the ice is only 1.5 to 3.5 inches thick!) This way the grooves and uneven surface from skaters is brought back to a more even surface. Then the Zam floods behind the cut with hot water (approx. 140 degrees) which fills in any leftover grooves or odd spots in the ice, freezes up and makes a fresh surface for the next group of skaters.
bridgesburning 
Did you ever what to be the driver of the Zamboni ? And i would like to know the great answer too what a Zamboni for wrinkles is called.
I think I would drive a zamboni given the chance…perhaps for my next birthday present? And I wish Colleen would tell me what a zamboni for wrinkles is called!
What would a zamboni for wrinkles be called?
What ..what…tell me!! 🙂
I love the sound of a zamboni ut in my part of the world, have not really come across one. Saw one in Ice Castles though ( the movie). Ice is not a recurrent theme here; it is more hurricanes or cyclones, bushfires etc.
Nice photo…and guess what? I found a job doing Security at our Mall. I am in training 4-12 midnight’s Love it
Everything thins out, doesn’t it, Chris? Even patience, tolerance and good judgement? 😀
Bring on the ice, just strap on a couple of those zamboni things and go for it!
Why Cecilia that sounds like the best fun ever!
Cecelia’s idea is BRILLIANT 🙂
Hi Chris,
Fascinating details on the Zamboni. I’ve seen them in action but never considered how they actually work… Now about the thin ice… where were we again? Yes, age and time changeth all 😉
It sure does…makes the skating a little more thrilling!
I’m thinking of converting my lawn mower into a small Zamboni to use on the pool during the winter months….. think people will stare at me? 🙂
Hmm now that is a thought! Do you think your pool will actually freeze or will it become a deep water vehicle?