A Correction

    Before anyone checks, I realize I left off a zero when announcing the Covid numbers yesterday. Today's newspaper reported the 7-day average of new cases in Ontario as 14,435. Hospitalizations were 1290 and the ICU number was 266. Seemingly we are all going to be infected with Omicron eventually, whether vaccinated or not,  as it's so infectious. The only difference will be the severity of the infection. So, get your shots, folks!

Cancelled!

     Omicron numbers are skyrocketing here (1600 new cases in Ontario yesterday) so a new Lockdown has been declared to try to get the numbers and hospitalizations stabilized if not actually brought down.    

   Just as I suspected, the fitness programs at the Seniors' Centre have been "cancelled until further notice". Very disappointing but not unexpected. All gyms are closed so it's not just the Seniors. I had signed up for Stretch and Strength, Gentle Fit and Osteofit. I also got into the Gentle Yoga class which is very popular so I was really looking forward to that.

   I have been working out at home using an old VCR tape I have, since just before Christmas when the Fall session at the Seniors' Centre ended and I will continue with that. I do an hour's program on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays before I have breakfast so get it over with early. The program consists of about 25 to 30 minutes of aerobic stepping (I have my own step but have it at the lowest level). Then there's abdominal work, upper body sculpting with weights and, finally, cool down and stretching. Sometimes I don't do the whole thing, just what I feel up to. Only drawback, I find it hard to be motivated when working on my own and doing the same routine again and again is really boring!

My basement "Gym". It has been a godsend during the pandemic.

Happy New Year

    To all my friends in Blogland. "Lang may yer lum reek" (old Scottish New Year's greeting).

Hogmanay

    In Scotland Hogmanay, New Year's Eve, is actually a bigger celebration than Christmas - at least it was when I lived there 50+ years ago! People went from house to house after midnight with a bottle of whiskey to toast the new year with friends and family.

   There are several other customs linked to Hogmanay but the one I am most aware of was the "First Foot". This was the first person to enter your house in the new year. It had to be a tall dark-haired stranger. This  dates back to the time of Viking raids as Scandanavian invaders usually had fair skin and hair. So it was safe to allow the dark-haired visitor into your home. 

Getting ready to welcome in the New Year with some bubbly! Prosecco and orange juice.

   I probably won't manage to stay awake until midnight but my hope for 2022 is that it is a massive improvement on 2021!