The New Year has begun with far less fanfare than usual, but also with the fervent hope an effective CV-19 vaccine will become widely available.
Do you make resolutions? I asked around and most people want to lose weight, exercise more, earn more and declutter. Wistful comments, too, about traveling to see family or just traveling.
I want to lose more weight, too. Last year I lost a lot of weight but want to lose a few more kilos. My nutritionist talks about “set weight” and ignoring the number on the scale. She advises being happy with how I feel, consider my blood results and ease at buying clothes, but I’ve cruised along at this weight for a few months now. I feel ready to get going again.
Part of my plan was also getting fitter. I’ve worn a Fitbit since 2013 and increased the number of daily steps every year, plus done yoga for the last few years. Last year I added Pilates but the research suggests 3 hours of intensive exercise plus 150 minutes of gentle exercise (fast walking) a week is necessary for peak health. Bit overwhelming. Any clever ideas?
Earning more money is interesting. There’s so many sites online about saving money so maybe a balance between earning it and spending it is best. A friend of ours was bemoaning his lack of money. He was quite frank about his income so I was surprised he had no savings. We discovered he pays $130 more a month on a phone plan than he needed to ( $ 1560 saved over a year). He could save another $1200 this year by not buying a new model phone and using the existing one for another twelve months. Comparing prices and bundling the two insurance policies he has could save nearly $600. And so it went on. He was worried about spending $5 a time on coffee but meeting friends and chatting is a big part of his life. Save in other areas.
Decluttering is a bit of a challenge. I think I’m very sentimental, so keep baby teeth, old photos, loving handwritten messages, gifts from special people that I don’t really use, family pieces passed on to me and so it goes on. Do I need 23 vases? I use them for different arrangements at different times of the year. Needs more work.
So, good luck with your plans for 2021. I think many people have reassessed what really matters to them during last year and will maintain changes for a more simple, less frenetic life.
THE VIKINGS
Warriors of the North, Giants of the Sea
The Vikings: Warriors of the North, Giants of the Sea at the Maritime Museum in Fremantle, features the largest collection of authentic artifacts to come to Western Australia from Denmark. Developed by the National Museum of Denmark, this exhibition depicts the lives of the Vikings as warriors, traders, farmers, engineers, shipbuilders and seafarers.
The women are portrayed as artisans, fearsome matriarchs, warriors, traders, caretakers and explorers.
When discovered and explored, a burial site in Birka, Sweden was thought to contain the remains of a warrior, his weapons plus his two horses, one bridled for riding. Further investigations revealed the body to be a female, estimated to be 30 to 40 years old at death. Both Icelandic and Norse sagas and some medieval legends refer to shield maidens, females who wielded weapons and fought in battles.
Weapons included shields, spears, swords, axes and bows. Chain mail and helmets apparently were seldom worn.
Replica of Arabic gold dinar 800-1000 CE
Mount of Anglo-Irish origin 700-900CE
The bronze belt buckle is of Irish-Anglo origin 700-900CE
Stirrup and Bridle. These artifacts date back to the 7th century.
Intricately decorated stirrup iron. Everyday artifacts featured beautiful engraving.
This is a replica of the Cammin Casket c. 1000 CE
Gifts played an important role in trading relations between European and Scandinavian rulers. Until World War 2 this wooden box covered with thin, carved sheets of elk horn and gilt bronze bands was kept in the Cathedral of Saint John Kamién Domolski in Poland. It then disappeared. The original box was probably a diplomatic gift. The style of the box suggests it was made in the late 10th century.
The Åby Crucifix and a Victorious King
This crucifix was made about 1000 years ago from gilded copper plates on a wooden base. Christ is shown as a triumphant warrior, eyes wide open, a Viking moustache, noble robes and a crown.
Terminal from a harness bow depicting an animal head. Norway 900-1000 CE. The jewellery and every day metal pieces are intricately decorated and very beautiful. Unexpected levels of detail and fineness.
I also wandered upstairs to look at the re-enactments and other crafts associated with Viking life. The fine linens and woven wool in the costumes are apparently accurate replicas of found objects. So too were the clasps, buckles and broaches. The basket weaving, long bow and arrow activities and metal work were all interesting.
This exhibition is at the Maritime Museum in Fremantle until May.
Did you know January is BRAIN TEASER MONTH? So gather up your crosswords, codeword puzzles, sudoko, logic riddles and enjoy! All you need is a puzzle that needs some thought to solve.