So, apparently we’re starting April tomorrow which is bizarre because I am pretty sure we just started March.
Time is a mystery.
But seeing as the calendar is insisting that a new month is imminent, I thought it would be fun to look at some of the fitness and wellness related days that have been assigned to April.
April is…
Move More Month – that seems pretty promising and it could be pretty easy, if the weather cooperates even a little. And for many of our bloggers and readers, it ties in nicely with the fact that April is also Active Dog Month -it’s like a 2 for 1 special, really.
Stress Awareness Month – I think we are all pretty aware of stress (ha!) but this could be a good time to pay attention to your stress levels and see if you can find some relief.
For me, though, the best awareness day this month is April 5 – which is My Sister Denise’s Birthday Awareness Day.
Denise is a fun, creative, outdoorsy person and I highly recommend that you celebrate My Sister Denise’s Birthday Awareness Day by finding some nonsense to participate in, by taking yourself outside for some fun, or by doing something creative.
In fact, if you *do* celebrate My Sister Denise’s Birthday Awareness Day on Sunday, let me know and I will draw you your very own gold star as a reward.
Today I turn 65. I already belong to a Facebook group called Senior Lifeguards.
I just finished my skills of the month which are basically the same as the fitness tests for my National Lifeguard certification. I redid that qualification a month ago.
It sometimes seems like a crazy thing to do this job, but I love it. Happy birthday though me!
The back of my red pinny folded to show the words lifeguard/sauveteur in whire, with my green whistle attached by a cord so it’s handy in case of emergencies.
This is my final installment of Thirsty Thursday where I write about how I’m leaving alcohol behind.
Growing up in rural New Brunswick the epitome of hospitality was offering guests an alcoholic drink when they arrived.
Birthdays, graduations and most events had alcohol at the center. We got together to have drinks at home or in bars. Drinking was the activity and the socializing came second.
Inadvertently we excluded anyone who didn’t or couldn’t drink.
Many years later I’ve learned that socializing doesn’t have to be centered around drinking alcohol.
That’s not to mean I’m asking people to not drink but rather have other things as the reason we are getting together.
My friend Jess and I regularly get together over crafting events, like making clay ornaments.
A star, heart and tree shaped white clay ornaments with red ribbon loops.
Michel and I have dates swimming, walking and working out.
Friends are coming over for a pre-concert hang next weekend. The plan is making pizzas and playing board games.
I invite my eldest over to help me on projects around the house.
I get together with friends to read each other’s writing.
Alcohol can be involved in these things but they are not what is bringing us together.
When I move alcohol to the periphery I center time with friends, creativity and wellbeing.
Things are bad in this world right now. They are especially bad in the United States, and also especially bad for all the other countries in the world. No, this isn’t news, but it seems to me we are reaching new heights (lows?) of chaos and danger and villainy.
As an American, I’m heartsick and furious and grim and ready to do what I can, even though I don’t know what all of that entails. It will no doubt involve voting, organizing, joining, donating, protesting, writing, talking, and standing up in every way I can think of. As I said, it’s grim but necessary.
But yesterday, I did something that made things a lot better. I went to the brand-new library in my town (Belmont, Massachusetts). The grand opening was this past weekend, and I went for the first time on Tuesday. It is beautiful and warm and welcoming and filled with happy people, most of them kids.
An artist’s rendition of the main library atrium, found on the library’s website.
I didn’t take any photos of my own, so here are some from my local newspaper about the grand opening.
A conversation and reading area.Chairs nicely situated to enjoy the view outside and books inside.And the lighting!
I went to take in the loveliness of the space, but also to drop off and pick up a library book. When I asked a librarian where to go, he insisted on taking me there himself. But not before chatting a bit, and once he knew I was a humanities professor, showing me his favorite translation of Bocaccio’s The Decameron. I thought about telling him this wasn’t my area of expertise, but I didn’t want to spoil the fun. So I didn’t.
Next Monday I’m back at the library for their Belmont Against Racism book club meeting, where we will be discussing The Last White Man, by Mohsin Hamid.
What I’m saying here is: if you’re feeling down and out, that life has gotten too horrible, go to a library. There will be a lot of good things going on there and good people to talk to and good books to read. I bet you’ll leave feeling a little better and maybe somewhat fortified for handling life beyond the stacks. I know I did and I do.
Hey readers, do you have any stories to share about your libraries? We would all love to hear how people are helping out and being helped out by their communities.
So, as you probably know, I will be starting a new round of Go Team posts on January 1 – Go Team 2026!- but this is my very last Go Team post for 2025 and I have a very important message for you:
I AM SO PROUD OF YOU!
I am proud of your efforts.
I am proud of the way you keep picking yourself up.
I’m proud of the way you keep trying.
I’m proud of the things you decided to do.
I’m proud of the the things you decided NOT to do.
I’m proud of the way you poured your energy into certain things and chose NOT to pour it into others.
I’m proud of every time you spoke to yourself kindly or took kind action for yourself.
I’m proud of the times that you noticed when you were being hard on yourself instead of just assuming those harsh messages were the truth. Even if you haven’t been able to adjust your messaging yet, you are on your way!
I’m proud of the times you chose consistency, routine, place-holding, or even phoning-it-in over relentless perfection.
I’m proud of your hard work.
I’m proud of your rest.
I’m proud of everything you accomplished, everything you tried, and even every time things didn’t work out.
Your effort matters.
You matter.
And you are doing the very best you can with the resources you have and that is something to be proud of.
Especially since those resources can vary from day to day.
I’m hoping you will join me in being proud of you but if you can’t quite wrap your mind around that yet, it’s totally ok.
I’m proud enough for both of us.
I see you. I see your efforts – even the effort it takes to let yourself rest – and I am cheering you on.
I’m cheering us all on.
GO TEAM US!
2025 is almost over.
You did what you could this year and you gathered information and experience to prepare for your next steps.
And that’s all that you can ask of yourself.
Here’s the final gold star for 2025 and I offer it to you, beaming with pride at your efforts:
A small drawing of a shiny, metallic gold star with rounded edges and trimmed in black. The drawing is on part of an index card so the background is white and I have made a frame of small black dots around the edge. The card is resting against my dark green mousepad that I have propped up on my white desk.
This year is the first Christmas of being empty nesters. Our youngest is in British Columbia. Our eldest is over for a couple days. His beloved is on military deployment. So it’s just the 3 of us and we are finding new traditions.
Last night we had Tortiére, a savory meat pie, mashed potatoes and green beans. We made homemade apple fritters in the air fryer. Not too shabby. It’s a nod to the French Canadian tradition of Réveillon, celebrating the start of the holidays with food and family.
Today we are having turkey, wild rice & apricot stuffing, sweet potato casserole, bronzed onions and cranberry sauce.
If we get real ambitious we will make Cracker Candy. It’s a quick and easy dessert where the butter and sugar candy is poured over saltines and topped with chocolate and pecans.
One thing that is definitely on our agenda is giving Lucy and ourselves a good walk.
Our neighbourhood is quiet with students gone home for the holidays and many people traveling. It’s like we have the city to ourselves. I enjoy the peaceful, unhurried way everyone is going about the day.
Lucy the dog sits patiently by the door waiting for a walk.
As part of doing things differently this year there’s no alcohol involved. In previous years we’d have wine with meals and cocktails in the evenings. I’m surprised that I’m not missing it.
We’ve scaled way back on gifts as we are investing in house renovations next month. It’s a big change but one that feels good and aligned with what we really want.
Snowy walks are better in Santa hats. Nat and Michel smile while dressed in warm jackets covered in snow.
If where you are has today as a holiday I hope you are getting the day you need. I hope it includes the perfect balance of fitness, family and fun.
This year may not have gone as you hoped. Or maybe it went brilliantly.
Whether you suffered losses, didn’t meet goals, or had a year full of joy with friends and fun activities, I hope that 2026 is (even) better for you.
Image is from a window display at Demetre’s, a restaurant in Stratford Ontario. It shows two penguins and a snowman with decorated evergreen tree. Photo was taken by my friend Sandra.
Just remember, no matter how you choose to celebrate the return of winter, you should do it in style.
Three photos of bicycles in the snow around my neighbourhood. One is parked in front of a giant evergreen at a local shop that is very popular for its selection of holiday foods.
Yesterday we shared with you, dear readers, some of our plans for holiday giving and receiving this year. Most of us are reporting downscaling or transforming the practice into acts of love and kindness (shout out to Elan in particular), regifting with purpose (yeah, that’s me) supporting loved ones (anyone know of deals on snow tires, tell Sam) and also those who weren’t expecting much from Christmas this year (Christine, what a lovely idea you’re carrying out!). Also, I’m totally buying The Imaginary Alphabet for some littles I know and love. Thanks for the tip, Tracy!
In my blurb, I talked about what I was giving, but not what I wanted to receive, or gifts I had bestowed on myself. So here are a few of my favorite gifts (from me or others), and my plans for them in 2026.
Two pairs Levi’s blue jeans, midrise boot cut, ordered from JC Penneys (yes, they still exist) on sale, about $35 each
I used to order fancier jeans (why? I honestly can’t tell you), but I got the idea that maybe I should revisit Levi’s. And I’m so glad I did! I’ve already gotten some nice wear out of them this fall, but I am hoping/planning on donning them for some horseback riding in 2026. Yes, that’s the plan.
Two models wearing bootcut Levis, from the JC Penney site.
2. Color markers and a notebook for drawing and writing
My friend Gillian gave me a beautiful Italian-paper-covered journal for writing, to which I’ve added drawings of flowers, trees, and whatever strikes my fancy. I never in a million years would have guessed that I would take up drawing. I have no training at all and never saw myself in an artistic light. I’m all words all the time, right? Well, no. Turns out I take great pleasure in creating little color compositions of objects in nature and imaginary geometric scenes. Who knew… All made possible by some markers and a book. I plan to keep it up in 2026, setting aside more intentional time for this happy pastime.
A 24-pack of colored markers and my precious journal.
3. New purses for no reason other than I love them (one on left free from Yankee swap, one on right bought at church fair, $10.)
Anyone who knows me knows I love me some purses. Yes, it may seem like a hassle to change them out all the time, but when you want a little pop of color or a way to finish off an outfit, nothing does it for me like a cute purse. I tend to buy them used at my favorite consignment shop Wearovers, in Bedford MA (I know the owner and my friend Pata used to work there). But these two I scored in more felicitous and unexpected ways. Yes, they’re small. But, for me, that is a feature, not a bug. I use them when I am on the go and want to travel light. And in 2026, I’d really like to travel lighter– in body and spirit. Here’s to that.
Two cute purses with handy cross-body straps, all for me…
4. Not going to a conference in India but instead one in Vermont, in June 2026.
My university is co-sponsoring a conference on innovation in higher education in June 2026 and soliciting abstracts. They will cover some (most? dunno) of the travel expenses and also offer tours afterwards. When I first saw this, I thought, “oh yeah, India! Gotta go!” But then I saw that there was a conference in Burlington VT at the same time, on food studies. This is a conference I have been to many times (including last year in Oregon). Also, I can drive there in four hours, instead of flying and traveling for more than 27 hours. And, the VT conference is on topics related to my research, unlike the India conference. So, I didn’t submit an abstract for the India conference, and am instead submitting one for the VT one. This makes so much sense, and is the perfect gift from present-me to future-me.
Google maps route from my house to the conference in VT.Call for abstracts and view of VT agriculture
These gifts from myself or others to present-me and future-me reflect my hopes and plans for 2026 and beyond, namely that I want outfit myself physically and mentally for movement, creation, ease and connection. What about you, friends? What do you need to get yourself physically and psychically kitted out for 2026? I’d love to hear from you.
It’s the Canadian Thanksgiving long weekend. I kicked it off with taking Friday off for my birthday.
In the run up to my birthday my colleagues got me a card and this giant donut from Boxcar Donuts.
A donut the size of your head with orange frosting. There are brown, yellow and orange sprinkles on the sides. “Thankful” is written in chocolate frosting. It has a whip cream filling. Delicious!
What does a fit feminist do for her fifty-first birthday? Shake things up!
Usually we would host our kids & their partners for Thanksgiving dinner. This year my youngest and her girlfriend are in British Columbia. My oldest son’s beloved is on deployment.
I thought it might be a bit, well, sad to be home and just the three of us.
So I reached out to good friends and asked if they wanted to chip in on an AirBnB. I found one with a hot tub on a river with kayaks. They agreed!
Michel and I are continuing our Total Strength 2 workouts on Peloton with Andy Speer.
My “heavy” dumbbells are now 15 lbs, up from 10 lbs. The classes are feeling good.
Today is a rest day and I’m putting on a big spread. I like serving up our big celebratory meal early in the weekend so we can enjoy lots of leftovers.
On Sunday Michel and I hit 29 years of marriage. We will be calculating our “years of bliss”. Spoiler, it’s NOT 29. There were tough years but thankfully the balance tips towards bliss.
Here’s to a weekend filled with food, fun and friends. 51 is off to a grand start.
The Ausable River and dock of our weekend stay. The water is light brown due to the sand.
One of my reflections from the blogger barbecue at Sam’s was just how strong and fit everyone is. Shocker! It’s a fitness blog after all.
Cate talked about tossing off 75 km rides on a poorly fitted bike with seized pedals in France. Others exchanging plans for upcoming charitable rides. There were mentions of camping adventures and favourite hikes.
Talk of a visit to Newfoundland turned to reminiscences about Sam and Sarah’s ride from Deer Lake to St Anthony’s some years ago, and whether that would be a fun group thing. I have been a passenger driving on that route several times. I immediately offered to drive the support van because I would never survive those hills.
What struck me was just how strong and fit (and smart and interesting) every single woman in the group was. Frankly, I felt intimidated and had to remind myself that I’m actually a pretty good swimmer and a decent cook.
I’m a little older, and can’t do those exact things but diversity is good and I have different interests and fitness goals and that’s okay. One of the things I have learned from hanging around (virtually until now) with the bloggers is that self-talk is a very useful tool, and for a while on Saturday I had to put that lesson to good use.
Will I continue to be impressed all they do? Heck ya! Will I feel more than the slightest twinge of wanting to be able to do what they do? Probably not because I will remind myself that comparison is the thief of joy.
I will just keep doing my little goofy activities that keep my brain engaged and my body moving, and sometimes help make swimming or cycling safer for other people. They make me happy and sometimes they entertain other people, and I love that for me.
Me with a post-walk ice cream. Chasing after the ice cream truck by following the sound of its music is one of my favourite summertime fitness activities. I have occasionally walked for more than an hour to track it down, and then walked home.
