Sunshine Blogger Award

Maryanne Christiano-Mistretta nominated me for the Sunshine Blogger Award. Yay!

Thanks so much, Maryanne!

I’m game. It’s cold and still wintry here in the Hudson Valley. My cottage is only partially insulated – as I write this I am wearing sweats, socks, a t-shirt, sweatshirt, and a sweater. I am wrapped in a fuzzy blanket. I can see my breath. I’m trying to keep the heat off. Over the winter, the electric bill averaged about $500 a month for a 600 square foot place.

My fingers are cold. I’m cold. It’s cold. It’s probably warmer outside than it is inside. 36ºF feels colder than 27ºF – maybe it’s because it’s drizzly and the damp hangs around in this house, and maybe because last week it wasn’t so cold and I stopped surrendering to winter weather. Or maybe the cold has settled into my bones.

What’s that saying? “Hope springs eternal . . . ” I keep hoping it’ll be warmer.

What I’m trying to say is – I could use a little sunshine.

Here are Maryanne’s questions:

What is your work-out routine?

Walking: I try to do 13500 steps – though in recent months I’ve been averaging closer to 10000. Every day.

Chi Gong while making coffee – I twist and tap from my hips all the way up to my shoulders and then back down. 10 reps from side to side for each section on the way up and on the way down. Back and front body: Tap down my back, the backs of my legs, my feet, up the inner fronts of my legs, belly, chest, back of my neck, over the top of my head,  down my face, down to my belly again and to my back. 3 x Arms – hold my arm out at shoulder height, tap along the top side of my arms from shoulder to hand, turn the palms over facing up, tap the palms and all the way back up the arm. 3 x each arm. All the while I sing the mantra: “Good morning I love you . . .  Good morning I love you . . . ” Every day.

Super Power Abs – 10 minutes high intensity routine by Kari Pearce – 3 to 6 times a week

Power Arms – 10 minutes routine – when I am good, I’ll do it 3 to 5 times a week – lately I’ve been not so good

Bicycle training – 20 minutes to 45 minutes – 3 to 7 days a week – 5 to 10 minutes high intensity interval training

Yoga – I’ll practice sun salutations and other asanas on my own – lately about twice a week. I miss going to classes.

When I visit the southwest – I mountain bike. That’s usually 12 to 28 miles every couple of days.

What was the most breath-taking natural phenomena you’ve ever seen?

• So many! I used to live in Flagstaff, Arizona – just flying through the woods on my mountain bike and watching the sunset was the most joyful breathtaking experience every day! There is nothing like an Arizona sunset.
• Bryce Canyon
• Grand Canyon
• The waterfall at the end of town in Telluride, Colorado.

Do you have pets?

I have a cat who hangs out with me. She is not really a pet, I’m more like a person she hangs out with. She comes over in the evening for dinner, some snuggles, and then she leaves.

What’s the best April Fool’s joke someone pulled on you?

I can’t think of one.

What celebrity/musician death hit you the hardest?

John Lennon

Do you believe in the afterlife?

I guess some form of it, yes. I think we might reincarnate as well.

Do you keep diaries?

For over three decades!

What’s your favorite movie from the 1980s?

I can’t pick one!

• Monty Python’s Meaning of Life
• Blues Brothers
• Brazil

(these came out in 1990 – but oh!)

• Jacob’s Ladder
• Wild at Heart

What’s your favorite natural healing method?

Massage, cranial sacral therapy, reiki.