Shedding It

Some time back in early November, I saw a post about going outside every day this month. It doesn’t have to be for long, but something more than taking out the trash. It doesn’t even have to be exercise related: driving around to do errands can count. In the COVID times, that sometimes seems like a big deal.  I have been trying to get out every day, but I confess that sometimes I haven’t stepped outside even for a few minutes. It can be easier to cook at home, exercise  and even socialize via Zoom. Tonight, Thought, I did get out and it was worth it. While me daughter had a riding lesson, I met up with a friend and picked up home repair supplies. On the way to the barn, this was the view. It’s not as clear as I would like since it was taken through a car window while my daughter drove. But the moon seemed huge and you could see Jupiter and Saturn just above the moon.

 Apparently when I slow down, my body has things to say. Last night and today, it was that I need to drink more water. 

The new pouch for sewing supplies  As it gets darker and colder, I find it harder to be enthusiastic about getting out and doing things. Cold water swimming has suffered, especially; I liked my small intimate group, and swimming in the morning so that the rest of my day would be free. Now there’s a bunch of strangers and the swim times are right in the middle of the day, so I just can’t get enthusiastic. I have been doing better on the arts and crafts front. I haven’t thrown out as much stuff as I would like, but I am making a steady dent in the unfinished projects pile. This week alone I made two kinds of salami, continued to cure my ham, made an experimental bread, sewed myself a coin purse and a pouch for holding sewing supplies, finished a doll, made medieval macaroni and cheese, accompanied by homemade bologna sausage, dyed some fibres, and worked on new masks and repairing a favourite blouse for my daughter. You can read about many if the projects over at https://siglindesarts.wo

 I know that we tend to get thicker around the middle as we age. I know that BMI in an individual is not a good measure of overall health. And I believe that the guidance to have a maximum 34 inch waistline is not helpful - what if you are under 5 feet tall? More than 6 feet? How does it fit with aa waist to hip ratio, which is also supposed to be relevant?  That said, I was disturbed to see my waist measurement recently when I was altering a skirt. So I’m going to try to change my eating habits somewhat. I will try to cut down on my carbs and eat more vegetables instead. My colon doctor will be happy, though my colon will be less pleased. I’m going to put this down as another joy of an aging body.