As a New Englander, I know that the weather can be as unpredictable as lottery numbers.  We've had temperatures in the seventies in January.  Aside from having twenty-three days until winter, what's the big deal about having a blizzard in October?


There's a lot to be said about removing depths of snow twelve to twenty-four inches (depending on the drifts from the howling winds) off the deck.  Really, it was great.  First, I walked knee deep in the frozen fluffy stuff to reach the shovel.  Then I dug a hole as my starting point.  In ten minutes, I had a two foot circle in the middle of the thirty-five square foot deck.  Oh what fun.  My gloved hands were on the verge of frost bite and my nose was so numb, I couldn't feel the frozen snot dangling from it.   I assumed the position for clearing the snow off in one clean sweep by holding the handle in front of my stomach and pushing off like a track runner.  The "icing" on the cake was getting jabbed by the handle as one of many nails poking out of the boards caught the blade.   Over and over again.


Besides my minor inconvenience,  this blizzard is a big deal.  A big stinking rotten deal.  Most of the towns around this state are without power due to the massive amount of snow forcing trees to rip down power lines.  It could take days to repair the damages and get power back on.   Meanwhile, people are freezing inside their own homes.  And they're already canceling school for tomorrow.  I never win the lottery, but I'm willing to bet this is the beginning of one long ass, predictable winter.  Regardless of what the calendar says, it's officially here.

ZUMBA - OLE!

The only thing I ever burned with aerobic exercise videos was money.  Jane Fonda and Richard Simmons tried convincing me it was easy.  I suppose it is for people with coordination.  I may never know.


As each day stretches further from my birth year, I get a little closer to the ground.  I've been fighting gravity all of my life.  I realized early on that it would be a losing battle for me and surrendered at five feet.  Being short - excuse me - vertically challenged means that I must watch my figure.  Each extra pound on me has the effect of five on a tall person.   I've been there and done that, it's wicked easy.  Not so to take it off.  To maintain is key.


The good news is I found a Yoga video which has challenging moves but at a slower pace.  It also has a lower body workout that I can manage.  So, with that new confidence I figured I'd burn more money, I mean calories and try Jillian Michael's video.  She is the workout guru on "Biggest Loser."  I am always amazed and proud of the contestants on that show.  Proof that people are capable of anything they put their minds to.  As for me, I thought I was going to die halfway through the first set of thirty jumping jacks.  Away that DVD went, back in its case on the shelf.  


With our annual vacation coming up soon I allowed Jillian to push me a bit further.  Little by little, day by every other day or so, I finished the video.  I worked through the pain and sweat, feeling more athletic and brave to try something new again.  


Zumba!  "It's an exhilarating, effective, easy-to-follow, Latin-inspired, calorie-burning dance fitness-party(TM) that's moving millions of people toward joy and health."  Sounds good to me. Three lovely ladies on YouTube showed me step by easy step each, well, step.  They too made it look so easy.  Keep upper body forward, turn your hips to the right and take a step.  Bring the left foot together with your right and wiggle that booty.  Pause.  Rewind.  Play.  My movements resembled Frankenstein's and I proved once again that I lack coordination.  But this time I decided to add some persistence and, "voila!"  I wouldn't do this in public but I will do it again.  And I will get better at it.  And I may give Richard and Jane another chance.  


Maybe next I'll try belly dancing.

Too Much Free Time?

Let's face it, I've got cabin fever.  I decided instead of doing the same old cleaning, organizing, reading and writing, I'd try something new.  I love to sing.  I belt out all the words to country, rock and even some jazz songs when I'm alone at home or in my car.  Today I decided to hear what I would sound like acapella.  I'm too old to try out for "American Idol" but isn't that why they produced "America's Got Talent?"


I pulled up iTunes, picked the song by Lady Antebellum, "Need You Now," plugged my earphones into my lap top, opened the photo booth and hit record.  Of course I stayed out of the picture - this was all for sound.  Half way through the song, my cat Jewel (yes, named after the singer) hopped up on my desk.  I felt like a real rock star as she gazed into my mouth almost hypnotized while I carried out those long notes.  


I cut the song before it was done.  I couldn't wait for the moment of truth.  Visions of me performing at the Grammy's were dancing through my head.  I've done karaoke many times before, but now there would be no music to hide under.  I pressed play.  As I heard the tone and rhythm of me alone, I pictured being judged on one of those shows.   And then I understood why Jewel showed her fascination with my mouth.  I believe she thought I swallowed a cat and it was trying to get out.  She skedaddled down the hall before the first verse was replayed.    Thank goodness for the delete button.


Se la vie...  One of these days I'll audition for a play in my photo booth.  Meanwhile, I'll finish the laundry.  

Thankful For Free Coffee

It's natural to take something for granted.  Especially from a large gas station/convenience store.  A few weeks ago they offered free coffee.  No purchase necessary, no questions asked.  My daughters were going to get one so I asked them to bring one back for me.  I usually have one coffee in the morning at home and that's enough for me, but hey, this is free.  I had a few sips and forgot about it.  Taking it for granted.  I remember throwing it away.

In the Springfield Republican (MA) January 27, 2011, Ron Willoughby, executive director/CEO of the Springfield MA Rescue Mission wrote a letter to the editor.  It was a thank you to the Pride Gas Station's CEO, Robert Bolduc, for "his recent display of kindness and charity as he shared Pride coffee with Greater Springfield's patrons."  Mr. Willoughby continued "appreciating his example of good will and generosity, the likes of which are not seen or experienced very often these days."

The offer to provide coffee to whomever walked in exhibited a welcome invitation expecting nothing in return.  That simple letter took time to write.  The effort is shown on both sides and we should all take note of these examples of positive thinking.

It was a slap upside my head with my own hand to notice the simple gestures of others to show appreciation.  On both sides.

May we all take pride in the little things.