I’ve been reading Karen Hesse’s work lately. She’s an American author out of the East Coast whose well known for her page-turning historical fiction.
I’d recommend reading Out of the Dust, written in free verse in the voice of a young girl who lives through the Dust Bowl of the Great Depression. It won the 1998 Newbery Medal and is a highly accessible and enjoyable read.
You also can’t go wrong with Witness, the story of a Vermont town’s changes during an attempted take-over by the KKK in the 1920s. The story’s told from the perspective of several of the townsfolk, who bear witness to the growing threat of the Klan. Each character’s unique voice and revelations weave together to form a compelling story arc. I’d recommend pushing this toward any middle- or high schooler studying racism.
I am so excited to announce that one of my daughters will be taking part in the U.S. Speedskating Olympic Trials coming up at the Pettit National Ice Center! No, Antonia is not competing for a place on America’s Team — yet 🙂 — but she’ll be skating two distances as part of the clock check that officials do before the Olympians take to the ice.
Another young (and fast!) skater from our speedskating club will join her, as will two other talented kids from another local club.
This will be in front of a large audience, be webcast worldwide, and she’ll get her name in the record books! It’s a great honor, and she couldn’t be happier! More info about the event can be found here and at U.S. Speedskating.
Congrats, Toni!
http://www.silviaacevedo.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/logo_1024x156.png00Silviahttp://www.silviaacevedo.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/logo_1024x156.pngSilvia2009-10-04 20:57:112009-10-04 20:57:11Opening the Olympic Trials
There’s nothing like breaking in new skates to make you feel foolish. Talk about eating some Humble Pie…
The skates are great — don’t get me wrong — but you know how it is. New skates have a whole different fit and feel to them. They feel taller / shorter / tighter / looser / more stiff / less stiff / whatever compared to the old ones, so my first time on the ice was fairly ridiculous. Sooooo little of the fierce control I always want and imagine having. 🙂
So what’s the problem? The new skates are taller than my old ones, so I have to bend lower to touch the ice on the turns. The ankles were tight, so I had to get them punched out a bit. I’m also not confident in them yet, so that doesn’t help anywhere on the track.
I figure another two sessions and I’ll feel more comfortable. Until then, my fellow skaters might want to keep a safe distance. It’s dangerous out there…
http://www.silviaacevedo.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/logo_1024x156.png00Silviahttp://www.silviaacevedo.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/logo_1024x156.pngSilvia2009-09-18 16:34:112009-09-18 16:38:52Skatin’ Like a Newbie
I can’t wait until Tuesday when I’ll have my first practice on my new short track skates! Check ’em out: Bont Jets with Maple Chrome blades.
These boots have a higher ankle than the long track boots, and that’s really needed for the lean and the digging into the ice on sharp turns.
I’m still doing long track speedskating as well and went to the Pettit Center’s time trials Saturday. Congrats to everyone who achieved their qualifying times and personal bests!
http://www.silviaacevedo.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/logo_1024x156.png00Silviahttp://www.silviaacevedo.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/logo_1024x156.pngSilvia2009-09-13 17:57:072009-09-13 17:57:07New Short Track Skates!
I’ve been doing quite a lot of research lately for a young adult story involving high school football. Frankly, I’d forgotten a lot of the rules that differentiate professional, collegiate, and high school ball — things like the height of goalposts, ball placement for kickoff, and two-foot/one-foot rules for completed passes.
All this research is not only giving me nice details for the piece, but it’s also getting me all revved up for the season. Packers just won their first preseason game against the Cleveland Browns. Go Pack!
And it’s great to be researching something I really enjoy. Adding to my knowledge base and the authenticity of the story. Nice.
You’re supposed to treat your speedskates really well. They’re expensive and touchy and easily broken. So what do I do today on the ice but goof off, doing figure-skating spins on my long track speedskates. Naughty. That’s really bad for blades, but I figured I’d be resharpening the blades tonight anyway. Harmless fun.
Then I’m doing laps and feeling my clap blade hitting differently. Sure enough, I’d lost the screw holding it on and had to cut short my workout.
Coinky dink? Probably not. I eventually found the screw and made up for the shortened workout with a spin on my bike when I got home, but let that be a lesson to all the speedskaters visiting here. Go forward on your blades — not spinning round and round! But we all knew that…
http://www.silviaacevedo.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/logo_1024x156.png00Silviahttp://www.silviaacevedo.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/logo_1024x156.pngSilvia2009-08-15 16:20:542009-09-13 18:12:39I Probably Had it Coming
What I’m Reading
/0 Comments/in A Writer Writes /by SilviaI’d recommend reading Out of the Dust, written in free verse in the voice of a young girl who lives through the Dust Bowl of the Great Depression. It won the 1998 Newbery Medal and is a highly accessible and enjoyable read.
Opening the Olympic Trials
/0 Comments/in Speedskating /by SilviaAnother young (and fast!) skater from our speedskating club will join her, as will two other talented kids from another local club.
This will be in front of a large audience, be webcast worldwide, and she’ll get her name in the record books! It’s a great honor, and she couldn’t be happier! More info about the event can be found here and at U.S. Speedskating.
Congrats, Toni!
Skatin’ Like a Newbie
/1 Comment/in Speedskating /by SilviaThe skates are great — don’t get me wrong — but you know how it is. New skates have a whole different fit and feel to them. They feel taller / shorter / tighter / looser / more stiff / less stiff / whatever compared to the old ones, so my first time on the ice was fairly ridiculous. Sooooo little of the fierce control I always want and imagine having. 🙂
So what’s the problem? The new skates are taller than my old ones, so I have to bend lower to touch the ice on the turns. The ankles were tight, so I had to get them punched out a bit. I’m also not confident in them yet, so that doesn’t help anywhere on the track.
I figure another two sessions and I’ll feel more comfortable. Until then, my fellow skaters might want to keep a safe distance. It’s dangerous out there…
New Short Track Skates!
/2 Comments/in Speedskating /by SilviaI can’t wait until Tuesday when I’ll have my first practice on my new short track skates! Check ’em out: Bont Jets with Maple Chrome blades.
These boots have a higher ankle than the long track boots, and that’s really needed for the lean and the digging into the ice on sharp turns.
I’m still doing long track speedskating as well and went to the Pettit Center’s time trials Saturday. Congrats to everyone who achieved their qualifying times and personal bests!
Research
/0 Comments/in A Writer Writes /by SilviaAll this research is not only giving me nice details for the piece, but it’s also getting me all revved up for the season. Packers just won their first preseason game against the Cleveland Browns. Go Pack!
And it’s great to be researching something I really enjoy. Adding to my knowledge base and the authenticity of the story. Nice.
I Probably Had it Coming
/0 Comments/in Speedskating /by SilviaYou’re supposed to treat your speedskates really well. They’re expensive and touchy and easily broken. So what do I do today on the ice but goof off, doing figure-skating spins on my long track speedskates. Naughty. That’s really bad for blades, but I figured I’d be resharpening the blades tonight anyway. Harmless fun.
Then I’m doing laps and feeling my clap blade hitting differently. Sure enough, I’d lost the screw holding it on and had to cut short my workout.
Coinky dink? Probably not. I eventually found the screw and made up for the shortened workout with a spin on my bike when I got home, but let that be a lesson to all the speedskaters visiting here. Go forward on your blades — not spinning round and round! But we all knew that…