After two days in the library (which I thoroughly enjoyed) I spent much of today enjoying some of our glorious late fall weather here on the Coast, which has done wonders for our grass:
It was sunny and about 8ยบ C, so I put on my work clothes and went out to haul pruned branches and assorted deadfall from various areas around the house:
Of course, I managed to get distracted by the sun and the scenery, and took this cool b/w photo:
I love playing with the black and white setting on my camera and have considered getting Digital SLR camera at some point - it will give me more flexibility and allow me to get even more artistic with my photos.
By the end of the afternoon, I'd achieved more than enough for one day:
Yes, I could've been indoors writing, but the weather just couldn't be ignored. The rain starts again tomorrow, leaving me with ample opportunity to add to my NaNo word count. Plot points have been flitting through my head, so I know the story is still percolating there. By tomorrow it will be ready to move from my head to the computer.
After I finished my work, I went for a walk to get the mail. Along the way I took another arty shot:
followed by one of the hill down which I walk and the mountain in the distance: It sure felt good to light a fire and relax with my book, a sandwich for dinner (Sean was out at work) and a glass of wine.
How about you? Do you enjoy outdoor work - even the kind that makes you ache the next day?
Teresa
Currently Reading: Wedding Season by Katie Fforde Link of the Day: Tufts Digital Library
I'm posting less and even reading other blogs less frequently for a variety of reasons. The job hunt continues + I'm now considering going back to school. All this takes up time - applying for jobs, tailoring my resume for each one, researching school options and consolidating the info. All this leaves me with far less time to just play on the internet :( I do sign into Facebook at least once a day as it's kind of a one-stop place and easy to scan for updates etc.
Oh, and I'm also trying to up my exercise quotient by dragging my sorry a** down to the elliptical trainer early in the morning. Not my favourite time to work out, but it needs to be done and generally once I get started I'm ok, then I can shower and get on with my day.
And, I'm trying to keep up with my writing.
So, if I'm scarce for the next little while, that's why. Not that it appears many people are dropping by here anyway, a result, I realize, of my less than frequent presence here.
Long time readers of this blog have probably heard me mention Nia before. The Nia site explains it way better than I can.
This morning I went to my first class in four weeks. To many people, this may not seem significant, but to me it definitely was. For the first time in almost two years I went a month without Nia. And only over these last few weeks have I discovered how important it is to my physical and mental well-being. No wonder my hubby insisted I sign back up for the next session.
Nia is more than physical exercise - it's a total mind/body workout that helps you reconnect with yourself. Yeah, I know - some of you are rolling your eyes right now, but unless you've tried it, you won't understand.
It's about losing yourself in the movement and the music, freeing your inner child and playing with space and rhythm. The music is a blend of new age, contemporary and yes, even some Celine Dion (honestly - her French stuff works really well in this context!)
One of my favourite pieces, from the album Opal (the routine itself focusses on Stability and Mobility), is Exploration by Karminsky Experience
Admittedly, the instructor whose classes I attend here on the Sunshine Coast is also part of the reason - I've no idea if other sessions are as fun.
Since coming home this morning, my mood has definitely been lighter and now I know that at least some of my grouchiness over the last few weeks has been due to the lack of Nia.
Interestingly enough, the feeling I was experiencing was similar to that when I don't write for a while. I guess Nia appeals to the same inner force that creating characters and worlds does.
Is there some exercise you enjoy without which you feel less than yourself? I'd love to hear about it :)
Teresa
Currently Reading: The Scarlet Lion by Elizabeth Chadwick (I'm going to finish it now I know I should soon have my hot little hands on A Place Beyond Courage) Links of the Day: Nia Canada and Nia USA
It was sunny and about 8ยบ C, so I put on my work clothes and went out to haul pruned branches and assorted deadfall from various areas around the house:
Of course, I managed to get distracted by the sun and the scenery, and took this cool b/w photo:
I love playing with the black and white setting on my camera and have considered getting Digital SLR camera at some point - it will give me more flexibility and allow me to get even more artistic with my photos. 
Yes, I could've been indoors writing, but the weather just couldn't be ignored. The rain starts again tomorrow, leaving me with ample opportunity to add to my NaNo word count. Plot points have been flitting through my head, so I know the story is still percolating there. By tomorrow it will be ready to move from my head to the computer.
It sure felt good to light a fire and relax with my book, a sandwich for dinner (Sean was out at work) and a glass of wine.
