February blahs can get in the way of a good day if we let it. There are ways to get beyond that crawl-back-into-deep-hibernation mode, knowing spring is almost here.
Living in a typical household, a little look around reveals one or two projects. I like to break my chores up into about 15-minute chunks, that way I only spend half-an-hour to an hour doing a task. Real world experience has taught me things never quite roll out as planned.
Cleaning out closets and drawers, getting piles ready for recycling in whatever method we choose, it just feels good to get something accomplished.
I do have friends who never worry about accumulation or disorder, but being organized at all times is my aspiration.
No worries, I can put housework out of my mind easily at any time. Usually sitting down to write immediately sends all thoughts of disheveled surroundings off into oblivion.
Now that my conscience is clear about my standard of spending only a couple hours per day max on housework, I can enjoy the rest of my day. Time to play, socialize with friends.There are many opportunities for this in the Shuswap – a number of social circles open to interested community members.
One group that meets Tuesday mornings at Shuswap Lake Estates is the Good Time Quilters.
The GTQ group numbers about 55 members, whose skills in quilting vary.
According to member Stephanie Higgins, the quilting club has been meeting since 1998. There are individual and group projects, some of which are sent to Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan.
Choosing the fabrics and seeing other dimensions in the patterns is what inspires some of the quilters.
Some use kits while others start from scratch, with plenty of advice, coaching and lessons available.
The artistry is often inspired by enthusiastic discussion among quilters in small groups. And, as in many social groups, there is much laughter to go with coffee or tea.
Staying fit, challenged intellectually, and spiritually fulfilled are all important aspects of our well-being and luckily, we don’t have to look too far for opportunities.
Spring is in the air.
Tour stop
for Breakmen
The Breakmen are no strangers to the idea of songwriting. Since forming in 2005, the band has recorded three critically acclaimed studio albums, appeared on three compilation albums, won the 2009 Americana Album of the Year at the Independent Music Awards, and have been nominated for two Canadian Folk Music Awards for their album, When You Leave Town.
“Challenging each other musically has produced some of our most genuine material. Asking someone to step outside of what they’re used to is how we grow….we have been doing a lot of that lately and it shows,” says Lee Watson, Breakmen songwriter.
Although known primarily for their songwriting and studio efforts, The Breakmen have honed a remarkable ability to bring their recordings to life on stage. There are plans a foot for major tours in Europe, the U.S. and Canada in 2012 and beyond, including the major Western Canadian tour and Carlin Hall.
The Breakmen are multi-instrumentalists who swap between handmade tele-caster guitars, Hammond organs, mandolins and harmonicas, all backed by some of the best drummers and studio musicians in the country. With a new approach to songwriting and an effort to create something lasting, the group is ploughing new and fertile ground in the Canadian Folk Music Scene.
The Breakmen – Ben Rogalsky, Archie Pateman, Lee Watson and Matthew Lawson – are performing at Carlin Hall Feb. 13. Tickets are $15 and available at Acorn Music in Salmon Arm. Visit http://www.thebreakmen.com/.
