Monday, November 2, 2020

November musings

 

November barcode (Rita's name)

I have belonged to Flickr, the image hosting service, for a long time now. I've pretty much stopped posting my own pictures on it, but I've kept my account current because I love to see the pictures that many of my friends post. The black-and-white image above was taken by Rita Eberle-Wessner, who lives in Belgium and takes wonderful pictures with her Canon Mark IV camera. Curious about the camera, I looked it up and realized there is a reason why her pictures look so professional: not only because of her incredible eye, but the camera, too. And since it costs thousands of dollars, I'm not likely to follow in her footsteps, but that doesn't mean I can't enjoy her art.

Today I went back to my gym, the local YMCA, for the first time since the pandemic hit and closed its doors. It's been reopened for a few months now, and I didn't realize it until I walked by the door and saw people going in for... what? I went inside and discovered that the gym is open in a very limited capacity, and that you must call ahead and reserve a space.

Taken this morning

That's my shoe in the lower right corner. What they have done is separated all the workout machines with plenty of room between them, and this room is considered to be for LifeFitness machines and stationary bikes. Only five people are allowed in at a time. There was one other person in there while I rode the bike. And during the half-hour I was there, it was cleaned by two masked attendants. I felt quite safe. The other room, with the treadmills and weights, is much larger and allows up to 15 people at once. (I'll be sticking with this room for the time being.) I am glad to find somewhere that I can get a workout when the weather is bad this winter.

Tomorrow is the election. We both returned our ballots the day we received them in the mail (Washington is an all-mail state). And I was able to put in our information and go online to see if they had been accepted. They both have, and it put our concerns to rest about signatures and whatnot. Tomorrow I have a yoga class and an acupuncture treatment, both of which will help to keep me centered and, if not serene, at least in good spirits. I will watch the returns for awhile but most likely will know little by the time I head to bed. There's no doubt that I'll enjoy a glass of wine, though.

:-)

16 comments:

  1. Good to know you will have somewhere to exercise. England goes back into full lockdown on Thursday and all that that entails. A depressing time ahead.

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  2. That looks very nice, DJan. Our 24 Hour Fitness gym has moved out onto the huge open air covered parking lot now which is connected to Sam's Club. Your gym looks very safe.W We'll be joining you tomorrow with our glass of sake.

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  3. Your gym space looks doable. Glad to hear you got a chance to see what's available. I'm going to cook chicken noodle soup tomorrow and read some Terry Pratchett. Wine sounds nice.

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  4. Loved that first photo, but DJan you take some pretty nice photos too. :) Seeing that gym... it was almost surreal, but I'd STILL be a little nervous. It's frightening how this covid isn't going away. Well. I do admire your serene nature my friend... I think I'll be sitting on the edge of my couch until 2-3am tomorrow.

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  5. I was wondering where they put all of the equipment that usually fills up that gym space.
    We will watch the election returns long into the evening. We are usually awake until midnight anyway. I will need to remember to breathe.

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  6. That photo is impressive. Thank you for sharing it.
    I love that you have been able to get back to the gym, and to do so in a way which makes you feel comfortable.
    It is the 3rd of November here in Australia and I will be watching your day anxiously and hopefully.

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  7. So some things are good. It's good to be able to do some old things again. I went back birding in August.

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  8. Love November barcode . . . and your idea for a glass of wine tomorrow.

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  9. I read that a lot of gyms around the country have closed permanently or will close since the pandemic. Either losing money or people have learned to exercise at home with videos and/or buying their own equipment. I know I'd not mind having my own work-out room.

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  10. The gyms here are doing the same and staying open that way.

    Exercise and wine sound like a perfect way to handle the anxiety of your Election Day.

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  11. We have a problem with residents of Ottawa coming here because they are either shut down or reduced there. This is not making the locals happy. We also, apparently, had people coming from Away for Halloween.

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  12. Loved that photo. It would look good on a wall. The gym really looked sparse enough for safety. Glad you will have a place to go when the weather is just too bad. Otherwise you manage to get plenty of exercise in nature.
    Since I have all ready voted, wish I could take a pill to make today vanish and tomorrow appear. Though we probably won't even know for sure then. The suspense is awful.

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  13. It is good that the YWCA is so clean and spacious.

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  14. I wish I had that camera! Maybe someday:) I have a friend who just bought one...lucky duck!
    Glad you found a way to keep on keeping on! :)

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  15. Here the gyms closed down again for a month.

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  16. What an ethereal almost mystical photo. Funny to say about trees, but that's how it feels to me.

    I can't help but be nervous about you going to the gym. Sorry. I know how you love to go.

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