On A Summer Resolution

June 27, 2010 by maureen.ulrich.

It’s amazing how so many things in my life are interconnected – working late hours and weekends at my day job have had a detrimental effect on my physical fitness, writing career, and my relationships.

My daughter has recently embarked on a business venture as a personal trainer, and at the beginning of June, I decided to engage her services.

Between the two of us, we have developed a fitness routine that incorporates weight training, walking/running, and yoga.  We identified the factors which prevent me from getting regular exercise and found ways to circumvent them. As a result I am devoting at least a half hour a day to fitness.

I have decided to devote the best part of my day – between 7:00 – 10:00 a.m. to my health and writing.

The yoga definitely addresses the issues I have with flexibility and tension in my neck and back. It is a pleasure to incorporate this into my schedule three times a week. I have purchased several videos, each of which has a number of routines.

My fitness plan is very flexible, so I am not likely to get bored with it. I am also trying to keep an eye on the Canada Food Guide when I plan (yes, plan!) meals.

It’s all part of the same thing.

Get 8 hours sleep each night.

Drink lots of water.

Eat healthy.

Exercise a half hour each day.

Write 1000 words per day.

The trick to hanging in there is varying the type of activity and incorporating social outings like golf or curling, which are more fun than just sweating it out on the Bow-Flex.

As for the writing, I have been writing around 5000 words per week – a big improvement. Since I completed Face Off in April 2009, I have had difficulty committing myself to the two other manuscripts I have underway. Lately, Bad Girls Go to Sturgis really has my attention. I can see myself completing a draft of this one this summer if I can stay on track.

The Banes of Darkwood should be available sometime soon through Baker’s Plays (New York).

Face Off’s cover has been selected, and the editing is complete. I can’t wait to see the finished product this fall.

Which reminds me . . . there’s a third book in the trilogy which needs to be finished . . . and I have only written Chapter One.  Er – some of Chapter One. . .

 See you later!

 

Posted in On Fitness, On Life, On Writing | 1 Comment »

On Snowflake: An Ode

October 16, 2009 by maureen.ulrich.

 Snowflake’s my Sportster

He’s small and he’s white

He’s the perfect motorcycle

If your experience is light.

 

To handle at Sportster

At slow speeds is tough

And I must attest that

My right turns are rough.

 

Snowflake’s seen the sky

Lying on his right flank

While I try to reassure

The tellers from the bank.

 

Still Snowflake has mastered

Hills that are steep

And stopping quickly to avoid

A flock of stunned sheep.

 

To ride him is a glory

When the bugs stay away

And the wind is behind me

On a hot summer day.

 

Sometimes it feels

Like he’s not there at all

Just the purr of his motor

And the highway’s soft call.

 

This summer in Wyoming

There was some consternation

When Snowflake was issued

A traffic citation.

 

“Too fast,” said the State Trooper

And I certainly agreed.

Those 1200 CC’s

Are a temptation to speed.

 

Snowflake’s quick, He’s the boss

 Oh the mindless joy he can bring,

But I’m sad to report

Snowflake’s parked till next spring

Posted in On Life, On Travel | 1 Comment »

On 2009

January 1, 2009 by maureen.ulrich.

Okay, I have an idea. It’s not a revolutionary idea. It’s just a thought on this blustery January 1st morning. You know that plaque that everyone has in their house these days — the one that says “Live, Laugh, Love”? Let’s add another L for 2009. The most important L of all — when combined with the other three. I’m not saying that living, laughing, and loving aren’t important. They certainly are. But by themselves, they sounds a bit shallow, don’t they? How about — learning?  Yes, learning. Learning something about ourselves — seeing our flaws, digesting constructive criticism and acting accordingly. Learning about our friends and family members.  Learning about our world.  Which makes me wonder — if next year, I could somehow arrange it that the service companies who gives us food and clothing and other items to show their appreciation for using their businesses — could just give us cash? Then we in turn could dig a well in an African village or something like that.  Our oldest daughter gave us the gift of a donation of “living water” this year. It feels so good to know she is on that path.   Oh, that brings me to another L.   Listening.  A wise person once said, “You never learn anything by listening to yourself talk.”  And no one loves to talk more than I do, but lately I have been trying to be a better listener. To ask more questions, and actually listen to the answers. I think it’s called active listening — when you’re not just waiting for the other person to take a breath so you can start right in. Anyway, just some thoughts on the new year.  I hope it’s as good for you as 2008 was for me and my family. Happy New Year, and God bless you all with love, laughter, life, and — a few other L’s.   

Posted in On Life | No Comments »