Category: nature

a photo of a snowy driveway taken from above Christine does NOT recommend the snow shoveling workout.
fitness · functional fitness · nature · winter

Christine does NOT recommend the snow shoveling workout.

Christine Hennebury2 Comments

Sooooo, we’ve been having a bit of snow here in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Well, I can’t speak for the whole province, just for the Easterly island bit where I live but there is A LOT of here.

a photo of the railing from my front steps peeking out of deep snow.
This was the view from my front steps near the end of the storm that plagued us from Saturday afternoon until late Sunday evening. Image description: a nighttime photo of the rails of my front step with snow drifted so high that it covers most of the uprights. there is a piece of a tree sticking sideways of the the snowbank at the based of the steps and in the background the handle of my snow scoop is sticking out of the snow lump that hides my husband’s car. Even more snow, my snow covered truck, and my snowy street can be seen a bit further out.

According to official measurements at St. John’s International Airport, 166.1cm of snow has fallen since February 1, 2026 but different areas in the metro region have probably had more.

Over the course of the month I have had to incorporate snow shoveling into my workout routine pretty regularly – turns out that an hour of snow shoveling is the equivalent of 8kms in my 2026 walking challenge!

Then, last week, things went up a notch when the snowbanks on the side of my driveway got so high that I could no longer shovel snow up there.

NOTE: We only have one ‘side’ of our driveway because our driveway and our neighbour-on-the-left’s driveway is connected and I’m not going to just start dumping snow on their part of our joint driveway.

Then, on the weekend, the day after my husband left on a trip to visit his brother, we had a storm that lasted from Saturday afternoon to Sunday night and dropped a ridiculous amount of snow on us – over 60 cms.

Here’s what my driveway looked like (from my upstairs window) when the storm stopped:

a photo of a snowy driveway taken from above
This was a scary sight on Sunday night. Image description: a top-down photo of my driveway taken from my bedroom window. You can see that in our half of the driveway there are two vehicles. One is mostly covered with a lot of snow on it, next to it and between it and the road. The other is completely covered and the space next to the car and the snowbank is filled almost to the level of the car’s roof. The photo was taken at night and, in the light from the streetlight, you can see all the snow in the middle of my cul-de-sac and in other people’s driveways.

Normally, I am ok with shoveling and I sometimes even like it.

However, I do not enjoy shoveling when there is nowhere to put the snow.

I really tried to throw some up on the bank but half of it would tumble down.

I threw some of it closer to the house.

And I used my scoop to add to the pile of snow in the middle of my cul-de-sac.

After he finished his own driveway, a neighbour used his snowblower to clear along one side of my truck and to clear some of my neighbour-on-the-left’s driveway.

It took over three hours, even with my oldest son’s help (and my neighbour’s help), and every part of it was an exercise in frustration.

There was no satisfying rhythm of shoveling.

There was no sense of accomplishment – I mean, we obviously accomplished something…

A photo of two vehicles in a snowy driveway, one partially excavated and one cleared.
This is my driveway cleared enough for me to get out. You can see that a lot more work is needed though. Image description: a top down view of two vehicles in a driveway. One is cleared off and the other is mostly snow covered. There is a narrow path on the bottom right that goes between the snowbank and the car and there is a shovel and a snow scoop visible in the narrow path. The street beyond is snow covered and there are high snowbanks everywhere including a mound of snow in the middle of the cul-de-sac.

But it wasn’t possible to clear a wide path to the house (see the lower part of the photo, it’s like a roofless tunnel) and, in fact, the path has packed snow at the bottom from us walking on it while trying to shovel so it feels even more annoying.

It wasn’t possible to completely clear or widen the end of the driveway and it is really challenging to back my truck in.

But, clearing all that snow has been a good workout – if you define good as ‘Uses muscles I wasn’t even aware of and leaves me really, really, really tired’ but I do NOT recommend it.

In fact, if you can get away with just doing fun stuff in the snow (skiing, snowshoeing, building forts), I think that would be the best workout plan.

The cursing while you try to shovel snow higher than your head routine is like something an evil fitness influencer would devise to sell to unsuspecting followers.

The only difference between this workout and the one an evil influencer would be trying to sell me on is the fact that I didn’t have to dress up or smile while doing it.

a selfie of me looking grumpy out in the snow
This morning, I went to my Mom’s place (see below) to dig a path to the street for her. Another day, another annoying workout. Image description: a selfie of me in a beige sweater and green toque and glasses, looking disgruntled. In the background there’s a mountain of snow that plows dumped on Mom’s lawn -it’s almost as high as the streetlights.
a photo of a bungalow with a lot of snow in front of it
There was so much snow at Mom’s that it was hard to see her house. Image description: a photo of my Mom’s house taken from across the street. She lives in a blue bungalow and there is a huge mountain of snow on her lawn (put there by a plow) that is higher than her roof. And on the other side you can only see the tops of her windows and door and the peak of her porch roof.
a dog on a leash looking into some trees with houses in behind them January 20 is Take A Walk Outdoors Day
fitness · health · mindfulness · nature · walking

January 20 is Take A Walk Outdoors Day

Christine HenneburyLeave a comment

Today is Take A Walk Outdoors Day and I plan to celebrate by, you guessed it, taking a walk outdoors!

This isn’t a new thing for me, of course, I take a walk outdoors with Khalee most days, but I am making a point to get a good walk in today.

For the record, I also took a walk outdoors on Monday, even though it was just Take A Walk Outdoors Eve. It was a very drizzly day and Khalee was not a fan. She insisted on turning around to head home after just a few minutes but I’m still counting it as a walk outdoors.

A tan and white dog standing in snow, wearing a harness and leash.
Poor Khalee Pup looks so fed up with me. I’m sorry for dragging you out into the drizzle, KP! Image description: Khalee, a light-haired, medium-sized dog is standing in the middle of some snow facing towards the right. She has turned her head towards the camera. Her fur looks damp and she does not seem delighted to be outdoors, despite the mental health benefits.

Note: Are there entirely too many ‘official’ days for ordinary things? Maybe. Do I enjoy choosing to celebrate some of them all the same? Hells, yes! If it adds fun to my life and does no harm? I am IN.

As I was writing this post I did a quick search to see how many of my posts mention walking. It turns out that I have written 668 posts for Fit is a Feminist Issue and at least 192 of them mention walking. That includes posts for Making Space and Go Team so some of them may not be about my own walks but I still find it interesting that there are that many. Also, that 192 doesn’t include some posts that are about walking but that didn’t get picked up by the search function for some reason – like the poem one linked below.

Here are a few of my favourite posts about getting out for a walk:

Seven Things Christine Noticed On Her Sunday Walk

Khalee Solves Christine’s Problem (a poem?)

Christine and Khalee Try Walking Meditation

Just For Fun With Christine and Khalee

The health benefits of being outdoors is one of those things that I “know” but I realized I had never actually looked it up before so I did and I found this article from the Canadian Psychological Association that you may want to have a look at:

“Psychology Works” Fact Sheet: Benefits of Nature Exposure
This image is a link to a 2024 “Psychology Works”Fact Sheet entitled Benefits of Nature Exposure from the Canadian Psychological Association. The credits below are copied directly from the document:
This fact sheet has been prepared for the Canadian Psychological Association by Yasmeen Ibrahim, Clinical Psychology Ph.D. Student, and Shannon Johnson, Ph.D., Department of Psychology and Neuroscience at Dalhousie University.

Another thing that sprang to mind while I was writing this was the Latin phrase Solvitur Ambulando which means “It is solved by walking.” I don’t speak or read Latin but I came across that phrase years ago and I love how it landed with me.

I took it literally when I first heard it – that walking around can help you figure things out – but I have since found out that it is also about solving complicated abstract problems by taking practical action. It works in all directions, really.

And in confirming the Latin spelling, I came across this delightful ‘sketchplanation’ of the literal interpretation of the phrase by Jono Hey

A simple illustration depicting three stick figures walking on a path through green hills. One figure has a light bulb above them, symbolizing an idea or realization. The text 'SOLVITUR AMBULANDO' and 'it is solved by walking' is displayed at the top.
Image: Jono Hey, Sketchplanations Image description: this image shows three stick figures walking along a hilly field in shades of green. The first one on the left has a cloud made of dark scribbles above their head that indicates some confusion, they are walking towards the right and towards the back of the image. Then we see a later version of the same person walking from the back of the image towards us, and the cloud of confusion is a lighter colour. Finally, we see the same person closest to us on the right, and above their head is a light bulb symbolizing an idea and the light bulb is surrounded by green lines indicating a sort of brightness. Text at the top of the image reads, in Latin, Solvitur Ambulando and (the translation) it is solved by walking. This image is representing the idea that taking action, moving forward, literally or figuratively can help you to organize your thoughts and plans.

And seeing as I am pretending to be all sophisticated by sharing a Latin phrase, I’ll lean into that and share a quote (that is about walking and not about walking) from a poem that I love called [Traveler, your footprints] by Antonio Machado.

Traveler, there is no road;

you make your own path as you walk.

~Antonio Machado

Now, as good as it is to take a walk outdoors and to recommend walking outdoors, I know that that’s not always possible for everyone. and from what I understand, you can get some of the benefits of walking outdoors, of being in nature, and the like from looking at pictures of nature and, I assume, watching videos of people’s nature hikes.

So, in the spirit of focusing on things we can do instead of getting all caught up in the things we can’t do: If you are not able to get out outside today to take a walk (or to propel yourself by whatever means you usually do) then here are a few nature walking videos that I thought you might enjoy watching at home – whether or not you are walking/moving at the same time.

Have fun!

Image Description: The still image for this video shows a path leading forward through a wintery forest scene. the trees on both sides have snow on their branches and all of the undergrowth is laden with snow. There’s also snow on the path leading ahead. In the centre of the image is text reading “Winter Walk” and it is in a handwritten sort of font.
Image Description The still image shows a path through tall green trees on a spring or summer day. The path is clear and flat and has a wooden fence on both sides. Tt’s a sunny day and even though you can’t see the sky you can see the the light from the sun making all of the needles on the trees and the moss and plants in the undergrowth glow in the soft light. The trees are large and we’re mostly just seeing trunks and lower branches. There is a large tree to the left that has fallen so we’re seeing its roots and the tree trunk, which has moss on it, extending towards the left and backwards.
Image description: The still image of this video shows waves lapping on a yellow-brown beach on a sunny day with a bright blue sky. There are evergreens and other trees and some grass on the upper left far above the wet part of the beach. The beach extends forward for a long ways.
Image description: The still image for this video shows a fall scene in the woods with a path that extends into the distance with trees on either side. The path is strewn with orange leaves and some of the tress have orange leaves left on them. There are also a few evergreen trees here and there among the other trees.
Image description: The still image for this video shows a green field with hundreds of dandelion flowers growing in it. In the distance you can see farm houses, and structures for electrical lines, and a strip of blue/grey sky.
I had to include this video because this trail is about 15 minutes from my house and I thought you might enjoy seeing the rocky terrain and the ocean views on this hike. Image description: The still image for this video shows a collection of houses in a variety of colours in a part of St. John’s, NL called The Battery. The streets in this area are narrow and winding so the photo kind of looks like the houses are clustered haphazardly. There is a mix of old, weather-beaten structures and brightly-coloured newly painted houses. There is a rocky area in the foreground of the photo. This photo was taken on a sunny fall day so while the picture is bright.
Walking to Work Works for Christine
ADHD · nature · walking

Walking to Work Works for Christine

Christine Hennebury

So far, so good at least.

In last week’s post, I told you about how I was going to “commute” to my desk by going for a short walk before work each morning (with a backup plan for an inside walk if necessary.)

My one week update?

I LOVE IT.

photo of a plant-clogged stream and greenery on a sunny morning.
What’s not to love? image description: a photo of a plant-clogged stream taken from a small bridge on a sunny morning. My shadow and the shadow of the bridge railings can be seen in the lower right and the rest of the photo shows various kinds of greenery, including deciduous trees.

I’ve tried lots of different ways to get my weekday mornings in gear and I have had moderate success with some of them but none of the other things I’ve tried have felt as good, mentally and physically as this short walk before settling down to work each morning.

My walk somehow gives me energy AND helps coax my brain into focusing on the tasks ahead but that’s not the most important part of this whole practice.

By adding walking as a fixed task, I am creating a clear division between the ‘at home’ and the ‘at work’ parts of my morning.

I don’t have a specific time to walk but I know that it is the deadline for the ‘at home’ part of my morning so anything that’s not related to work tasks has to be done before my walk. And, truth be told, I also include a few work-prep tasks like making a cup of tea (I put a cover on it so it doesn’t get cold), turning on my computer, and opening my notebook* to the page with my to do list on it.

Then I put on sunscreen and head out for around my neighbourhood**, walking fast enough to get my heart rate up a bit, and I’ve already noticed an improvement in how that little bit of exercise feels.

Some of the mornings I have chosen to listen to a podcast while I walk but other times I have mulled over a task on my list for the day so I could figure out a way to get started.

And every single time so far (yes, only 6 times but STILL!) I have been able to come home from my walk, head upstairs. and get down to work.

I haven’t hesitated, I haven’t gotten distracted, I haven’t started reading my book or gotten snagged by YouTube, I have barely even overthought it, I have just gone ahead with the first task of the day.

And it all feels great.

I am getting extra exercise on my own schedule (and at my own pace), I am creating a definite start time for my work (which by ADHD logic means I’m “allowed” to have a specific end time), and I just feel more even, balanced, and calm overall.

I know these good feelings aren’t solely due to the walks but I really believe that the walks were the missing piece in the puzzle and I’m so happy that I started them.

a path leads towards a small metal bridge with trees around it
Wouldn’t *you* choose to walk down this path if you could? Image description: an asphalt path stretches towards a small metal bridge on a sunny morning. There is grass on both sides of the path and all kinds of trees down near the bridge and the water.

*Using a notebook instead of an app is contributing to my ability to get down to work right away because it limits how many tasks I can write down AND it forces me to prioritize long before I am actually sitting at my desk about to work. My notebook isn’t the focus of my post but if you want more commentary about the logistics of this, let me know and I will respond in the comments.

In other news, my notebook is very pretty…

a soft cover, dark-coloured notebook that is decorated with moths, greenery, and mushrooms
Image description: a photo of a soft covered notebook with a dark background decorated with mushrooms, moths, greenery, and sparkles.

** I have deliberately decided not to start taking Khalee because she would slow down my process for getting out of the house and because I don’t want to change her daily routine and create a complication in her routine. Also, that dog loves a good amble and I want to walk briskly.

Spring preview, part two: the garden version
fitness · nature · vacation · walking

Spring preview, part two: the garden version

catherine w

This week I’ve been visiting my family in South Carolina, and the signs of spring are definitely here. It’s not full-blown spring yet– no azaleas blooming yet– but the time change brought with it a shift of light I always welcome, as a non-early-riser.

One of my favorite low-key activities we did was a visit to Brookgreen Gardens in Murrells Inlet, SC. Their big draw is a significant collection of bronze and other sculptures, but I go for the nature.

Nature, the tiny flower version. Snowdrops;
Nature, the tiny flower version.
Bright pink magnolia blossoms.
Bright pink magnolia blossoms.
Forsythia, the major harbinger of spring for me.
Forsythia, the major harbinger of spring for me.

The other big draw of the gardens is their low-country path by the water. We walked all over and enjoyed the vistas and the gorgeous old and thriving trees.

Huge moss-covered oaks, providing shade and awe.
Huge moss-covered oaks, providing shade and awe.
The path we walked down, the trees showing us the way.
The path we walked down, the trees showing us the way.
Yes, that's a real alligator.
Yes, that’s a real alligator.

When it’s warmer, they offer boat tours.

The water, a dock off to the right, and blue sky in abundance.
The water, a dock off to the right, and blue sky in abundance.

Taking a break by wandering though and sampling nature big and small has been heartening. I’m back home now, so it’s time to go back to work, in more ways than one. I may not exactly feel refreshed, but I do feel reminded– of the importance of beauty, connection, well-being. Also of the goodness in people– the people who care for this (and other lovely) places, and those who visit and support and enjoy and value them. I think they value other important things in our world, too.

Enjoying nature and gardens and walks and sunshine helps. It helps fortify us to get to the very big job we have at hand. I wish you all a good week.

nature

Oh The Things That You See (When Outside a Car)!

Diane Harper

I live in an urban neighbourhood, a 45 minute walk or 15 minute bike ride from Parliament Hill in Canada’s capital. It’s not a place I would expect to see a lot of wildlife, but I do.

Cormorants, green and great blue herons live at my local swimming holes. I hear and see woodpeckers, bats, ravens, cardinals, blue jays and many smaller birds. My back yard is full of fireflies. Occasionally I run into wild turkeys. I have even seen foxes and deer while out on walks. This year, people are being encouraged to plant gardens that will attract butterflies, and it seems to be working. I have seen both yellow and black swallowtails for the first time in 30 years living here.

Wild turkeys on my neighbour’s front yard, Canada Geese and their goslings, yellow swallowtail butterfly, black swallowtail butterfly, a red fox walking along a road, deer on a pathway in a wooded area. All photos are my own, taken within walking distance of my house.

I only see and hear these things when I’m out walking or riding my bike. It’s an aspect of active transportation we don’t talk about much, but it does get mentioned in this presentation on Nature and Mental Health, which is full of information and ideas for families, educators, employers, architects and policy makers.

It didn’t have any suggestions on how to convince these raccoons that they were not allowed to join me on my bicycle.

Five baby raccoons in a yard with lawn furniture and the back end of my bicycle.
Moving my heart along with my body
fitness · fun · hiking · nature · traveling · vacation

Moving my heart along with my body

elan.paulson3 Comments

On a recent sightseeing trip to northern, central, and western Turkey with 5 friends, I hiked the gorge in the Saklikent National Park. Numerous travel websites like this one describe (and warn) about what to expect:

The first one or two kilometers can be covered by everyone including the children. However, going deeper into the canyon,  there are more and more obstructions. Further on, one has to climb up with the aid of ropes hanging on the walls at certain points. After a few kilometers it is almost impossible to go any further. […] While touring in Saklikent National Park, it is necessary to wade in hip-high waters from time to time. In other words, there is a price to pay for visiting such a beautiful location: Getting your clothes and shoes wet. It would be beneficial to take along flippers or rubber shoes for those wishing to go deeper into the canyon.

Photo by Kimi Maruoka. Me early in the hike, sittings confidently on my rock throne in the gorge, mistakenly thinking I would easily have this.
Photo by Kimi Maruoka. Me early in the hike, dry and sitting overconfidently on my rock throne. Things would shortly change.

This description is pretty accurate, except there were no ropes. Instead, there were Turkish guides (all young men) who hung out around the halfway mark of the gorge, waiting for intrepid hikers who might need help. Although we had come prepared with good shoes and dry bags, as six mid-life women-identifying Canadian tourists we were exactly those hikers. Ali did not offer to guide us: he just joined our group and started showing us the best ways to place our feet to hoist ourselves over and through each wet, rocky impasse. Near the end, Ali even used parts of his own body (upper leg, knee, even ankle) as our steps. But we were all treated at the end of the hike to a deliciously strong and cold rushing waterfall.

Our team of 6 and our guide, Ali, at the end of the gorge—dwet and happy. When Ali left us partway through our way back, we paid Ali what he thought was a good price for his services.
Our hiking group of 6 and our guide, Ali, at the end of what was passable without rock climbing gear. When Ali left us partway out, we paid what he thought was a good tip for his services.

Then, we turned around and went back the way we came. Climbing out, we were the very image of the soaked, happy hikers that had made us curious when we were first heading in. We stretched our bodies afterwards but were still pretty sore the next day. A few bruises came out. Although we remained on the gorge floor, my friend’s phone app said we climbed the equivalent of 23 flights of stairs.

Photo by Lisa Porter. The hike, with most of us in the frame on the left, getting a little more difficult as the boulders got higher and the water got deeper.
Photo by Lisa Porter. Me at the back of the line as Ali helped each of us up over the wet rocks (then would run ahead to assist us with the next obstacle).

The steps count and the website description above fail to capture my experience hiking this gorge. It was astonishing to move through the deep caverns, see the shafts of light falling on the walls, hear the echoing rush of water. Early in the hike I thought about the many people who journeyed here before me and the thousands of years prior that led to the gorge’s formation. I was awestruck and, at one point, moved to some tears by its beauty.

Video by Lisa Porter (00:22). As Lisa pans the inside of the gorge, I’m making a comment to no one about how I’d noticed hard hats were available but optional at the entry turnstiles.

My pause for taking an emotional moment was necessary because I was otherwise fully absorbed: it took total focus to wade through pools of uncertain depths and scale slick boulders with and without Ali’s help. Every step and turn required careful foot and hand placement, as well as weight shifts, to avoid falling or getting hurt.

Photo by Lisa Porter. Me coming out of the hike, with a low stream of water on the gorge floor and high rock walls on either side.
Photo by Lisa Porter. Me coming out of the hike, with a low stream of water on the gorge floor and high rock walls on either side.

So, to call it a workout, or even a hike, does not fully express the total engagement of my body, my mind, and my heart in this stunning and memorable natural environment. I think I want to find more of these places to hike: they make my muscles and my heart sing.

Photo by Lisa Porter. Me wet, muddied, and so happy.
Photo by Lisa Porter. Me wet, muddied, and so happy.

FIFI readers, please share an activity or experience that moved not only your body but also your senses, your emotions, or your spirit. Where did you go, what did you do, and what was it like!?

Christine whines, “Bring on Spring, please!“
fitness · nature · spring · walking

Christine whines, “Bring on Spring, please!“

Christine Hennebury

Last June, I wrote a post about pretending that it was Summer and shortly thereafter, we had some good weather.

Right now, I’m hoping I can use some of the same kind of blog magic and invoke some Springishness.

A selfie of me in an orange jacket on a dull day.
This is not the face of someone frolicking in Spring weather. This is the face of someone determined to be outside even if it is kind of dreary. Image description: a selfie of slightly smirky me wearing my husband’s orange jacket (with the hood up) and my green-framed glasses. It’s a dull day and there are evergreens and leafless deciduous trees behind me.

I’m ready for some green leaves and for more flowers and for some consistent warmth.

I want to do some yoga on my patio.

I want to get my garden sorted.

I want to have more reasons to get outside (Ones that aren’t just ’I’d feel better if I went outside for a while.’)

I mean, I know that I live on a rocky island in the Atlantic Ocean so I don’t want to set my hopes too high but even 5 degrees warmer (on a regular basis) and a few sunny days in a row would be great.

If you happen to be a weather witch or am ancient weather goddess, could you conjure up some friendly weather for me? I’ll bake you some great cookies and/or draw you something fun in return.

In the meantime, I’ll keep pretending it’s Spring – opening my office window, standing on the patio whenever possible, drinking tea on my front step, taking longer walks – and perhaps I’ll trick the sun into coming out for a while.

A photo of a dog on a wet asphalt path
Khalee is unfazed by the weather, she just wants to sniff things and make sure other dogs aren’t walking on ‘her’ path. (My attempts to convince her that it is a public path have been for nought.) image description: a photo of Khalee, a medium sized dog with light brown fur standing on a wet asphalt path and looking alert.
Halfway to spring!
fitness · nature · skiing · snow · winter

Halfway to spring!

Sam B2 Comments

Yes, it may be brutally cold and relentlessly grey, but we’re halfway to spring. And I suppose that is true, but the thing is, it’s not really spring that I’m craving.

I’m not even craving a trip south to warm weather. I know, who am I even?

It feels weird to say this, but what I’m craving is enjoyable winter.

What’s my winter ideal? Sunny, -5, and snowy. That weather, of which we’ve had none so far, is perfect for hiking, dog walking, snow shoeing, cross country skiing, and fat biking.

All of the photos accompanying this post are from sunny winters past.

This very, very grey frigid gloom might be our new climate norm, and I know there are bigger, scarier reasons to care about that, but right now, I’m just desperately missing the bright sun on the white snow.

How’s your winter going, if it’s winter where you are?

An aside: I just had some Australian relatives visiting, and I’m very aware that it’s not winter everywhere.

Summer Fun! Finally!
fitness · hiking · nature · swimming

Summer Fun! Finally!

Christine Hennebury

A few days after I wrote my post about pretending that it was summer, the weather changed and it started getting warmer.

Now, I’m not saying that my post was a magic spell or anything but I think you can draw your own conclusions there.

Ahem…let’s carry on with today’s post.

The weather hasn’t been evenly delightful, we’ve still had a few cold days and a few rainy ones but, overall, we’ve been trending toward summer.

And today (Monday), I was able to do TWO of my most important summer activities – hiking and swimming.

My husband, my brother-in-law, and my 20 year old nephew and I went for an hour-long hike on the East Coast Trail this morning.

It was tough in some places but even in the challenging spots it was wonderful to be outside in the warm weather, moving happily along the trail.

A selfie of the author with the ocean and cliff in the background
I couldn’t see the phone screen when I took this so I didn’t realize that I looked a bit disgruntled, I am far happier than I look here. Image description; A selfie with the ocean in the background with a cliff in the distance. I’m wearing a white shirt, brown sunglasses and my hair is pulled back with a bandana. I’m smirking a little and I am kind of red in the face – it was hot out today!

This afternoon, we drove to a swimming hole about half an hour away and I had a marvellous time swimming and then floating on my back looking at the sky.

It was peaceful and cool – even with a bunch of kids goofing around nearby scaring each other with the idea that they had seen an eel in the water. (There probably wasn’t an eel, there was a bunch of vegetation at the bottom and some of it was pretty eel-like.)

A photo of the author in chest-deep water.
In order to be close enough for a clear picture, I had to stand in ankle-deep mud and vegetation, hence the smile that’s almost a grimace. Again, I’m having way more fun that it looks like. Image description: I’m standing in chest-deep water, wearing a black swim shirt, a black bandana, and brown sunglasses. I’m smiling but it’s a bit of a strange smile like I’m a little uncomfortable because, in the moment, the slimy vegetation was creeping me out a bit.

I felt so relaxed and delighted just to be there in the water, especially after my more challenging activity in the morning.

So, with two key fun activities rolled into one day, that’s my summer fun off to a solid start.

I hope the same holds true for you. 💚⭐️

PS – This won’t be the only times that I go swimming and or hiking, but I’m so happy to have done both of them once already!

Christine Pretends It’s Summer
fitness · nature · season transitions · temperature and exercise · yoga

Christine Pretends It’s Summer

Christine Hennebury2 Comments

I’m a creative and imaginative person and I enjoy using those skills in all kinds of different contexts.

I do not, however, enjoy having to use my creativity and imagination to pretend that it is summer.

Sure, technically, that’s the season we’re in but in my part of NL we have been having a very unsummery June.

We’ve had lots of rain, drizzle, and fog (a.k.a. RDF) and, as of last week, we hadn’t reached 20 degrees Celsius yet. I’m not sure if that one sunny day we had recently broke that unfortunate streak of chilly temperatures but even if it did, one warm day can’t really shake off the gloom of so many dreary ones.

Now, don’t get me wrong, I am grateful to be safe from drought and fires and smoke. I recognize that there are far greater troubles in the world than a month of disheartening weather.

But disheartening weather is still disheartening.

And I could really use some heartening during this emotionally difficult time in my life.

It’s much easier to feel hopeful, try new things, and get yourself moving when you have some sunshine and when you can wear bright colours.

(Yes, yes, I can wear bright-coloured clothing at any time but my summer clothes have a different feel to them – you know what I mean!)

Anyway, despite the disappointing weather, I have still been doing some summery things – a little gardening, tidying the yard, taking longer walks, using my swing, and sitting outside to read (bundled in a blanket, but still!)

Yesterday morning (Monday), though, I took it a step further and really pretended that the weather was warm.

A photo of a yoga mat on a deck on a dull day, deck chairs, railings, trees, a lawn and a swing are in the background.
Image description: a close-to-the-ground cloudy day photo of my patio with my yoga mat stretching out length-wise between the camera and the space where my patio steps are. At the far end of the mat, on either side of the opening for the steps are patio railings (wooden tops with black uprights), a patio chair with a red cushion, and a white table hanging off the railing. Beyond the deck is a green lawn and on the far side of the lawn there are trees and a fence and an orange patio chair. My green disk swing is hanging from one of the trees.

Yep, I dragged my mat outside and practiced out there.

It was only about 6 degrees Celsius, it was threatening to rain, and the sky was dull, but I did my yoga outside because that’s the kind of thing I like doing this time of year.

The weather is making it hard to feel summery but I am determined to have a summer fun all the same.

Even if it starts to rain immediately after I take photo evidence.

a photo of Khalee - my light-haired, medium-sized dog standing on my deck looking back over her shoulder towards me. Most of the ​deck boards are wet with rain but the ones closest to me are sheltered by the roof overhang so they aren’t wet yet.
Image description: a photo of Khalee – my light-haired, medium-sized dog standing on my deck looking back over her shoulder towards me. Most of the deck boards are wet with rain but the ones closest to me are sheltered by the roof overhang so they aren’t wet yet.