A Healthier Me (I hope)

  I started the day with an hour working out - 20 minutes cardio, then abdominals, stretching and weights. I use a video to keep me motivated. After I had recovered from that and had some breakfast, I walked to the senior's centre, 20 minutes. It was breezy but sunny so very pleasant, temperature in the low single digits. 

   On the way back (another 20 minutes) the wind had turned around to come from the north and there were a few snowflakes so I was glad of my winter coat. However, I don't think there will be any accumulation as the ground is beginning to warm up.

   All in all, a reasonable amount of exercise and fresh air so I should sleep well tonight!

Dancing Up a Storm

   Two beautiful sunny days have reduced the piles of snow somewhat and today got up into positive numbers. I even sat out on my back porch with hat and gloves off to soak up some rays. We are due several more mild days this week but winter is not done with us quite yet.

   At dance class today we were practicing dances for St. Patrick's Day so they all had an Irish theme. There was a strathspey called City of Belfast, a reel, The Irish Rovers, and two jigs, The Leprauchan and, my favourite "Bailey's Irish Cream". Here are some dancers doing the Irish Rover. We are not quite as accomplished as them but we do enjoy ourselves.

Extreme Weather

   We woke up to another thick (15cm.) covering of snow this morning but I am so sick of it I didn't bother with a photo. Suffice it to say I had to get the snowblower going before I could go anywhere this morning. Luckily I had remembered to plug in the Lithium battery last night. So 8:00 a.m. saw me out with the shovel to clear a path to the garage and by 8:30 I had the snowblower humming along clearing a path for me to the road. The wind was fierce!

   Before I went out to clear the driveway, I phoned my tennis friend to make sure we still had a game on. Several phone calls and texts later everyone had confirmed that they would be there. The roads in my subdivision weren't cleared so I had a wild ride getting to the main road. There, it was just a slushy mess but I got there on time and we had some close games. The first set went to a tie-break!

   I had arranged to meet friends for lunch but there were several who didn't (or couldn't) make it so we were a select group of six. This actually was more conducive to conversation so it was well past 2:00 p.m. before we broke up. More shovelling when I got home as the wind had piled up some snow drifts and we are due more snow tonight. Will it never end?

Shrove Tuesday

   A pancake breakfast at the Seniors Centre today but it didn't stay strictly to the customary meal. Two big pancakes, sausages and bacon with unlimited coffee and, of course, lashings of maple syrup. Now we are supposed to not eat meat, eggs or dairy until after Lent but that won't be happening here.

   I got there just after 10:00 a.m. and hadn't eaten anything first - my longest fast ever! The place was hopping but I managed to get a seat with some friends so we had a good natter as we ate.

   Next stop was Bridge around noon and I just took an apple with me to keep me going until dinner. My cards were good for a change and I had some knowledgeable partners, so managed to hold up my end of the bidding and play. Still not too starving but will have a normal dinner soon, mainly because I need to take my pill with food.

   I have a nice evening planned. I picked up a movie at the library this morning, "Can You Ever Forgive Me?", which I missed when it was in the theatres. I have been waiting for it for quite some time so the anticipation is building. I hope it is as good as its reviews. I had also ordered a copy of "Howards End" by E.M. Forster and it arrived this week too. I had watched, and enjoyed, the TV version recently and decided I wanted to experience the whole narrative. So, no worries about staying entertained for the next week or two!