Motivation. . . . . . . . . .

This morning:  I watched this sweet female Eastern bluebird searching the

 feeders for breakfast on yet another below freezing morning in the garden.

Her mate soon joined her, always delightful to see.

The sun is bright but the air bitter cold.

Snow is forecast for tomorrow, starting around 5:00 am which will cause

 early morning traffic havoc. Yellow school buses are likely to remain

in their parking lots, kids will don parkas and boots, fashion makeshift sleds,

 then search for a hill - which around here is usually no more than a slope.

Tonight will see a rush to the grocery stores to 'stock up' on bread,

milk, and perhaps wine and beer! Although the snowfall is expected to be light, 

and on Thursday it will warm up again and surely melt, people in the south get 

nervous at the thought of being snowbound without a stockpile of essentials. 

This is the roller coaster winter weather of the southeast states.

~ Female Eastern bluebird ~

While outside checking the firewood supply for tonight and tomorrow - we'll be

 staying close to home - filling bird feeders and melting icy bird baths, I also chased

 off five squirrels gobbling down seed and suet. This one refused to leave, playing

 'catch me if you can' on the tree branches - I gave up yelling and hand clapping

 allowing it to return to nibble for a while.

Oh, why the title of Motivation for today?

Last night I went to my first Tai Chi class!  

I roped in daughter, granddaughter, and two neighbors to join me.

 We had two hours of verbal instruction and learning the beginning

 position of this ancient Chinese exercise.

I'm planning to continue and hope the others will also. The group was

an interesting mix and the instructor pleasant. I've always wanted

to try this gentle, excellent way to get the body and mind moving.

I'm now having to admit that at this age 'gym rat' is not listed in my

 personal profile!  This way of exercising (although great for all age

 groups, and the younger you start the better) seems to be the way to go.

I need more balance and less stress so hopefully this will work for me.

Have you ever tried Tai Chi?

P.S. Don't forget, if you haven't entered my

 travel contest yet, do check yesterday's post.

  Many of you have already submitted some awesome guesses. 

There will be a little prize later for the winner when

 I return from the trip!