Creating Fitness to Live By

With January well underway, my fitness routine is starting to shape itself as I attempt to create a regime that will not only bring the desired results, but will also be one that I can keep up and hopefully even enjoy. I have found that seting a task for yourself that is pure misery is a sure recipe for failure.

With this in mind, I have been trying a number of different classes before committing to them. It looks like I'll be taking a pilates/yoga class, a dance mix class, and a class that involves using a stability ball. I'll also do weights, stretching and cardio at home in between. And little things like taking the stairs (10 floors) at work, drinking more water and getting up from my desk more often during the day will all combine to provide improvements that will be noticeable over time. That's the plan anyway.

While waiting for the stability ball class to begin today, I snapped some shots in the fitness room because the colours and textures seemed photo worthy.

A Different Perspective

I first noticed this painting in the window of the local thrift shop on one of my lunch hour jaunts. I was immediately drawn to it, feeling as though I was there underneath the snow-laden boughs, peeking out at the landscape that lay beyond. The snowy canopy reminded me of one from a particular afternoon walk along a trail when I had emerged from under a group of pine trees laden with clumps of snow, blue-shadowed in just the same way. I was so taken with the scene that I felt compelled to go into the shop (which doesn't take much prodding, truth be told, when it's a thrift shop) and fished it out of the window, to check the artist. As I suspected, it was Lawren Harris, one of Canada's Group of Seven. It is a partial view of his 1915 "Snow II".

What I didn't expect though, was the discovery that the painting had been placed upside down in the display. And right-side up, the scene was not nearly as interesting to me, just a group of snowy trees. What I took to be the trunks of the two trees at the centre are actually the tips. What I thought was snowy ground was actually the sky. Disappointed, I replaced the painting, careful to put it back in the window right-side up.

A few days later I was passing by the window and noticed that someone had shifted the whole display. The painting had been moved over a little and again was upside down. How peculiar. What is it about this painting that makes people see it so differently than they way it was painted?

Taking this as an omen, I decided to buy it (not really a major purchase at $1.99). The painting is a reminder to keep an open mind, to try and see things in different ways. Maybe we should all turn the artwork in our homes upside down now and then, just to see things from a different perspective.

Chirping a Little Cheer

I found these sweet little birdies at a Community Centre Sale in the fall and I knew that I would eventually find a use for them. They were such cheery little fellows, how could I pass them by? There were 15 in all and the entire lot cost only $2. With the return of winter and that blanket of white outside, I thought it was just the right time to inject a little colour into our days. What better way than by digging out these birds and setting them into some branches I cut from the garden. Only about 1 to 2 inches long, they are quite realistic for their small size. Aren't they sweet?

Back to Winter

We knew it couldn't last. More snow again today.

Desktop Display

Sitting at my desk today I was struck by this vignette. The happy juxtaposition of mandarin oranges, juice and glasses, positioned in front of the two cards, made for an orange-themed display, created by chance.

Is this Winter?

Does this look like winter in January in the Great White North? This was the view out our living room window today. All the snow has melted except for the odd tiny snow island in a sea of green lawn. Framed by these perky salmon-coloured geraniums, the view looks like a spring day in April. One could be forgiven for expecting the tips of tulips to be poking through the soil. Does this mean an early spring? More likely it's just a little blip and winter will be back with a venenge, but it's nice to dream...

Happy New Year

Happy New Year