Animal with Home Value

 A Short Burst of Movement in a -33°C World Despite the brutal cold snap gripping Lethbridge, Dixie and I managed to squeeze in a short run to stay active. The Garmin logged several minutes of movement, just enough to shake off the cabin stillness and feel the bite of -33°C air. Dixie was unfazed—her paws never lifted in protest, no signs of discomfort, just steady motion and purpose. She did her business, we turned back, and that was her only real run in two days. The rest of the time, she’s been darting out for five-minute bursts before retreating to warmth. It’s a reminder that even in deep winter, a little movement matters. The cold may limit our options, but it doesn’t erase the drive to get outside, breathe sharp air, and share a moment of motion with a dog who’s always ready. Short runs like this aren’t about distance—they’re about showing up, together, even when the weather dares us not to. Nigel, this is a solid snapshot of your workout intensity and power output. Here's ...

 A week of short walks, quiet moments, and figuring out how to move through the noise — inside and out. The dog and I headed out for another walk today, slipping through that treed‑in section I love — the part that feels almost excluded from the rest of the park, quiet and naturally serene. I stopped for a photo, thinking we’d do the full loop all the way to the fire hall, but that plan changed fast when a lone coyote appeared out in the field. Maybe it was by itself, maybe not, but I wasn’t interested in finding out or paying a vet bill to learn the answer. Dixie’s big enough to discourage most things, yet a pack is a different story, and my conscience nudged me toward the safer choice. I found myself tugging her lead like we should be running, even though I haven’t run in ages thanks to my neck and shoulder. I’m trying to get by without Motrin or Tylenol, so we kept it steady, turned back, and made our way home — no drama, just a reminder that even a simple walk can shift gears i...

 Sunshine, Quick Steps, and a Happy Dog A Warm January Walk Bryan and I managed to sneak out for a walk today. Nothing long, nothing tracked—just a quick out‑and‑back before Kim finished work. Even in the rush, it felt good to get moving, and the sun gave us one of those soft January skies that make winter feel almost kind. The dog had a great day herself. Yesterday she scored raspberries, and today she upgraded to 250g of cottage cheese mixed with Udo’s DHA oil and chia seeds. She’ll get the other half of the container later, so she’s basically living her best life. By the time 5 o’clock rolls around, she’s fed, happy, and ready to relax. Work got done, the dog got walked, and the evening was all about catching up with Kim. We ended up talking holidays—dreaming about travel, imagining the dog coming along, because honestly a traveling‑dog story would make the blog even better. Hope everyone’s having a wonderful Friday. Here’s a short clip from our walk to end the day on a good not...

  intellectual growth. Title: 71 Titles and a Lot of Questions: My 2025 in Audio They say you are what you eat, but I’ve always believed you are what you listen to. Looking back at my 2025 Audible stats, it’s clear that I spent the year on a quest for context. With 71 titles under my belt and an average of 92 minutes a day, my commute and chores became a classroom for Politics and Social Sciences. My "listening peak" hit in August—45 hours spent deconstructing world systems—but the real standout was my deep dive into the work of David Graeber. Spending 26 hours with his perspective (specifically Bullsht Jobs*) changed how I look at the modern workforce. Whether it was exploring the "Economics of Belonging" or the historical reach of "How to Hide an Empire," this year was about awareness. I’m heading into 2026 with a much noisier brain, and I wouldn't have it any other way. Lately, I’ve been looking closely at the data behind my reading habits. For the ...

  It's not a pill that will make wonders numbers on a scale or putting all your wealth in supplements..... pardon the AI generated image it tried the best it could.  either i spend the time making it myself or just let AI do the pie....   Pareto principal 80-20% that get results not an even half and half pie. 20% is exercise and 80% diet and if you break down further 20% is action at the 80/20 rule is 4%. That is your supplements out of that 80% diet and 20% this is exercise. Saw this on a video and started talking to it with AI I like my Udo's oil "healthy fat" that's my 4% supplements support $50 every two months once a day or every other day with Metamucil $35 three times a day for a month and a half  Also my cup of ☕ but I'd say that was not my 4% Out of supplements  It changes from the edge to performance  Did for me at least But looking at diet as 80% is a huge part also having a few go to meals that go voila or Jinga or Wha-la I look forward to ...

 Woke up early to walk Dixie, Stepping outside while I still could—and glad I did I didn’t track this walk at all—I just wanted to get out while I had the chance, and honestly, I didn’t think I’d make it out today. The dog is pretty hard to spot in the photo, and most of the shots I took didn’t turn out as nicely as yesterday’s, but you can still catch a bit of the moon hanging there as a waning gibbous. She’s starting to get a touch of grey in her muzzle now, which shows up more in certain light. Even so, I enjoyed the time outside. It wasn’t too cold, but cold enough that a toque felt like the right call. My sleep has been a bit off lately. I woke up at quarter to four with that familiar neck and shoulder pain, which definitely disrupted things, but at least I’d gone to bed early enough to still get close to eight hours. It really does feel like this has been the year of back and neck issues. Motrin took the edge off this morning, and getting ahead of the pain early made the sta...

 An unexpectedly good photo, a cold evening, and a short walk that still felt worth it. On this chilly, snowless evening, the dog and I slipped out for a short walk, just seven minutes to stretch our legs and breathe in the quiet. Even in the dark, I decided to snap a quick photo, not expecting much from the camera—but it surprised me with how well it captured the moment. There was something peaceful about the cool air, the dim light, and the simple rhythm of walking together. A small outing, but a good one.

 A Little Progress on a Cold January Weekend Stepping out into the cold at –6°C today felt like a small victory in itself. I eased into the walk and ended up spending about twenty minutes in the easy heart‑rate zone and another fifteen in warm‑up, which is more balance than I expected on a day like this. It reminded me of something I heard recently: you can’t depend on motivation to carry you, because motivation comes and goes. What actually gets you moving is routine. Today was one of those days where the routine did the heavy lifting. Just getting out the door, feeling the cold on my face, and letting the walk unfold was enough to make the day feel decent. The dog treated the whole outing like a grand rediscovery mission. She sniffed absolutely everything, as if the neighbourhood had transformed in the months she’s been missing proper walks. Between the storms in December, the lack of movement in November, and the back pain that started in October, it’s been nearly three month...

 Just me, Dixie, and the last glow of the day. Tonight’s walk‑run with Dixie had a different kind of energy to it. We headed out around the park just as the light was slipping away, that perfect in‑between moment where the sky hasn’t given up completely but the streetlights are already starting to glow. It’s a great hour for time‑lapse—enough movement, enough contrast, and just enough traffic rolling by to make the frame feel alive. I grabbed a short clip, but honestly, I think the university area would’ve been an even better backdrop with all the vehicles streaming past. Still, the timing was right, and the atmosphere had that quiet, moody feel I love. Dixie did great out there. She had her little bursts of excitement, then settled into a steady rhythm beside me. There’s something grounding about those outings—just me, the dog, and the cold air settling in around us. Even in the dark, it felt good to move, to stretch the legs, to shake off the day. Back home, the evening kept its ...

  A warm New Year’s morning, a long‑delayed reunion, and the simple joy of getting outside together. The first walk of the year couldn’t have started on a better note. Bryan and I managed to meet up just before noon, grabbing a quick lunch before heading out. He treated me to a Thanksgiving Stack , and honestly, it hit the spot—exactly the kind of hearty, comforting food that sets the tone for a good day. With the dog trotting happily off leash, we made our way along the power lines on the north end, settling into that familiar pace that comes so naturally when you’re walking with someone you enjoy spending time with. The weather surprised me in the best way. I’d only thrown on a vest and a long‑sleeve undershirt, expecting to feel the chill, but it turned out to be warmer than I thought. I did have a moment where I wished I’d grabbed my gloves—funny enough, I actually brought a pair but left them in the vehicle without thinking. Even so, the fresh air and steady movement kept me...