I started my day with lots of chores and more to go before I headed off to work. And then I realized: It's Monday. It's likely to be busy at the library. Why not take the time to do your T'ai Chi Chih practice before you do any more busywork?
And so, I did. Thankfully I practiced seated TCC while I looked outside at the wintry whiteness. Focusing on the pure white snow helped to calm and slow me down. I felt as if I, just like the Earth, was wrapped in a cozy white comforter.
More snow fell this afternoon and I've been told that another big storm should arrive on Thursday. Now that my library day is done I'll venture outside to discover how much more of that light fluffy white fell while I was working....
Monday, March 5, 2012
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Relaxed and Ready
It's amazing how energetic a person can feel after taking care of business that's been avoided for weeks (or months) at a time. That's what happened today.
First, I set up a radon detection unit to monitor the level of radon in our home (I picked up the kit at the library before Christmas). Then Frances hooked up a wireless router that she bought several months ago to allow her to use her new wireless laptop at home instead of driving into Bayfield. Hurrah! I can now also connect the library's Kindle Touch and Kindle Fire to the internet.
Encouraged by the wireless hookup, I began sorting papers that have languished in my office for months (years?). And, with those accomplishments made, I went outside and shoveled for an hour (we received another light snowfall of 3-4 inches last night). When chores were completed, I did my T'ai Chi Chih practice outside.
It is different to do TCC in Sorel boots but it works. I also wore an oversized hat to keep my head warm in the 20ish temps. The sky was mostly blue, the silence was overwhelming (I heard a few birds singing), and I felt so grateful for this practice that brings me back to center.
Now it's time for dinner/movie guests and I'm relaxed and ready.
First, I set up a radon detection unit to monitor the level of radon in our home (I picked up the kit at the library before Christmas). Then Frances hooked up a wireless router that she bought several months ago to allow her to use her new wireless laptop at home instead of driving into Bayfield. Hurrah! I can now also connect the library's Kindle Touch and Kindle Fire to the internet.
Encouraged by the wireless hookup, I began sorting papers that have languished in my office for months (years?). And, with those accomplishments made, I went outside and shoveled for an hour (we received another light snowfall of 3-4 inches last night). When chores were completed, I did my T'ai Chi Chih practice outside.
It is different to do TCC in Sorel boots but it works. I also wore an oversized hat to keep my head warm in the 20ish temps. The sky was mostly blue, the silence was overwhelming (I heard a few birds singing), and I felt so grateful for this practice that brings me back to center.
Now it's time for dinner/movie guests and I'm relaxed and ready.
Saturday, March 3, 2012
Refreshed and Reconnected
I awoke early this morning still caught in the web of information conveyed by the documentary that Frances and I watched last night, Page One: Inside The New York Times. As a long ago journalism student I was trained to think deeply about the stories I wrote, the words I used, and the angle I took. Thirty-five years later I still remember my investigative journalism professor telling our class: Always look for the money.
Page One certainly stirred up a whirlwind of thoughts and feelings. As a result, I wrote a lengthy blog on Under the Forest Canopy; the last time I posted an entry there was February 2010. It felt good to write in more depth. Heck, it felt good to write.
Afterward I puttered around the house, helped Frances with Facebook, then shoveled today's three inch coating of snow off the front step and deck. It was so beautiful and quiet outside that I did my T'ai Chi Chih practice on the freshly cleared deck as I looked out onto the vanilla frosted dips and rises of the forest floor.
A light snow fell as I practiced and I marvelled at the silence. Of course, I heard human sounds: people talking and laughing outside the bar across the road, the roar of a snowmobile, the whoosh of a passing car. The winged and four-legged creatures kept their own counsel. Other than a brief chorus of coyotes as dusk fell, the woods was wrapped snugly in its cloak of white.
By the end of my practice I felt refreshed and reconnected to the wild, wintry world of the woods....
Page One certainly stirred up a whirlwind of thoughts and feelings. As a result, I wrote a lengthy blog on Under the Forest Canopy; the last time I posted an entry there was February 2010. It felt good to write in more depth. Heck, it felt good to write.
Afterward I puttered around the house, helped Frances with Facebook, then shoveled today's three inch coating of snow off the front step and deck. It was so beautiful and quiet outside that I did my T'ai Chi Chih practice on the freshly cleared deck as I looked out onto the vanilla frosted dips and rises of the forest floor.
A light snow fell as I practiced and I marvelled at the silence. Of course, I heard human sounds: people talking and laughing outside the bar across the road, the roar of a snowmobile, the whoosh of a passing car. The winged and four-legged creatures kept their own counsel. Other than a brief chorus of coyotes as dusk fell, the woods was wrapped snugly in its cloak of white.
By the end of my practice I felt refreshed and reconnected to the wild, wintry world of the woods....
Friday, March 2, 2012
Something Old, Something New
My day was filled with many new undertakings: technology (Kindle Fire), politics (town board elections), and additional work on 2011 taxes.... Productive, to say the least.
After I arrived home from an extended trip to Bayfield I sank into my good ol' dependable T'ai Chi Chih practice (seated) and experienced a well-deserved dose of peace and quiet. Yeah, when there are so many kernels in the popcorn popper, it's nice to turn down the heat.
The snow is shoveled, the wood is carried into the basement, and all is well with the world.... Now it's time for some Friday night relaxation.
After I arrived home from an extended trip to Bayfield I sank into my good ol' dependable T'ai Chi Chih practice (seated) and experienced a well-deserved dose of peace and quiet. Yeah, when there are so many kernels in the popcorn popper, it's nice to turn down the heat.
The snow is shoveled, the wood is carried into the basement, and all is well with the world.... Now it's time for some Friday night relaxation.
Shovel Snow, Carry Wood ... Relax with TCC
Thursday, March 1, 2012:
Today was dig out day. Frances and I wielded our shovels like the troopers that we are and, by mid-afternoon, had uncovered the car and front entrance. It felt unusual to be out shoveling after a major snowstorm in balmy (20-something-degree) weather. I'm more familiar with subzero temps following a "snow event."
After shoveling I hauled in several more sleds of wood then collapsed on the couch to rest. Yep, I rested. Several hours later I woke, rose, and did my T'ai Chi Chih practice (seated).
It felt good to relax my body. The softness of the practice felt even softer since I devoted so much energy and muscular effort to shoveling snow and hauling wood earlier in the day.
Today was dig out day. Frances and I wielded our shovels like the troopers that we are and, by mid-afternoon, had uncovered the car and front entrance. It felt unusual to be out shoveling after a major snowstorm in balmy (20-something-degree) weather. I'm more familiar with subzero temps following a "snow event."
After shoveling I hauled in several more sleds of wood then collapsed on the couch to rest. Yep, I rested. Several hours later I woke, rose, and did my T'ai Chi Chih practice (seated).
It felt good to relax my body. The softness of the practice felt even softer since I devoted so much energy and muscular effort to shoveling snow and hauling wood earlier in the day.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Hip Hip Hooray!
It's a snow day!!! I cancelled all three of my T'ai Chi Chih classes scheduled for this morning and evening. And, like a lot of other adults, I felt like a kid again with a totally open Play Day.
We didn't receive the predicted 18+ inches of snow, but I'm guessing that at least 10 inches fell. I took a test drive to decide whether I could make it to my morning class and found close to white out conditions. Now that the snow has stopped and the wind is less harsh I can see further out the window to all that's been buried: cars, roofs, wood piles, and the east side of trees.
I didn't really play today since I had an accumulated array of chores to complete. Nevertheless, it felt wonderful to relish the quiet and enjoy the sensation of being snowed in for the day....
I practiced T'ai Chi Chih late in the afternoon as I looked out the windows at our better-late-than-never winter wonderland. The cat, who slept throughout the day, roused herself and jumped onto the chest of drawers in front of me. From that vantage point she viewed the wonderland too. Then she rose onto her hind feet and pawed at the curved icicle that pointed directly at the window. I'd been wondering about that icicle too....
We didn't receive the predicted 18+ inches of snow, but I'm guessing that at least 10 inches fell. I took a test drive to decide whether I could make it to my morning class and found close to white out conditions. Now that the snow has stopped and the wind is less harsh I can see further out the window to all that's been buried: cars, roofs, wood piles, and the east side of trees.
I didn't really play today since I had an accumulated array of chores to complete. Nevertheless, it felt wonderful to relish the quiet and enjoy the sensation of being snowed in for the day....
I practiced T'ai Chi Chih late in the afternoon as I looked out the windows at our better-late-than-never winter wonderland. The cat, who slept throughout the day, roused herself and jumped onto the chest of drawers in front of me. From that vantage point she viewed the wonderland too. Then she rose onto her hind feet and pawed at the curved icicle that pointed directly at the window. I'd been wondering about that icicle too....
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
A Life Buoy
Yesterday's strategies worked beautifully. I shoveled snow for 45 minutes; by the time I came back inside, I felt better. Next I did a full T'ai Chi Chih practice, then ate liver for lunch (Frances swears by the mood boosting effects of the B vitamins contained in liver). By the time I left for work the world was, again, a friendly place.
I practiced TCC today while more snow drifted from sky to earth. There's a winter storm warning through tomorrow evening with up to 18 inches of snow, high winds, and low visibility predicted. Winter has finally arrived; it's comforting to look outside and see fresh layers of winter wonderland white blanketing the woods.
I haven't been sleeping well and I'm hopeful that my AM TCC practice will buoy my energy through this afternoon and evening. I always enjoy practicing T'ai Chi Chih while snow (and rain) fall. There's a comfortable slowdown of body and mind that seems to occur naturally when precipitation falls from the heavens.
I practiced TCC today while more snow drifted from sky to earth. There's a winter storm warning through tomorrow evening with up to 18 inches of snow, high winds, and low visibility predicted. Winter has finally arrived; it's comforting to look outside and see fresh layers of winter wonderland white blanketing the woods.
I haven't been sleeping well and I'm hopeful that my AM TCC practice will buoy my energy through this afternoon and evening. I always enjoy practicing T'ai Chi Chih while snow (and rain) fall. There's a comfortable slowdown of body and mind that seems to occur naturally when precipitation falls from the heavens.
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