There's a birdsfoot violet in bloom over at the library...

I had the back door open today. It's closed now, but not because it's too cold. I only closed it because I think it will get colder before morning, and I might forget to close it when I go to bed, not being used to having it open, and all.

The mild weather is nice, but it's making the sky cloudy and that means I can't see the aurora. If there is one. There's an Aurora Watch on. Check out Spaceweather.com for all the latest.

Twenty years ago April, I remember watching one of the most spectacular auroral displays ever seen in these latitudes (+/- 42N). I was down in Jamestown, and Nicky and I happened outside. The colors were rolling across the northern horizon and up the sky like a light show. Red, green, blue, yellow. It was amazing. It lasted for hours. Since then I've seen a few good displays, but nothing so colorful as that one-- unless you count the bright green curtains-- just like in the movies-- my folks and I saw hanging in the sky when I was a little kid. (Aurora History) Here's hoping these sunspots remain vigorously active.

Last night Ma and I went to our first T'ai Chi class. It was very neat. Just what I have been looking for. Ma hadn't a clue what I had gotten her into, of course. But she's willing to stick with it in spite of being so stiff that she's unsteady on her feet and feels like a klutz. It will get better. She kept having to drop out, standing to the side, and she thought I was going to yell at her; but since my thigh muscles were quivering from the effort of doing the basic "commencing form," I knew she must have really been feeling the strain...

It's funny, the movements are very gentle, and not hurried, flowing, as advertised, but it produces a profound effect. We got a great deal of exercise. I could feel myself beginning to get very warm from the effort. And yet, it didn't exhaust me. And neither Ma nor I had any aches or stiffness today.

What we're learning is the Yang Style Taijiquan, Simplified 24 Form. According to the info sheet, "...it is the most popular form today all over the world because of its even, flowing, slow, circular movements." I believe it. We're also being taught some Qi Gong, or breathing exercises. Did you know that there's an Olympic form of T'ai Chi? Yep. And a bunch of other forms, too.

The instructor is a local guy, come to find out. You can find him at Dalant Studios.

This is an excellent adventure, as Bill and Ted might say. And on Thursday Ma and I start Yoga.

Please feel free to comment at:
The Madwoman's Message Board