I've been swimming. A lot, I guess, but in that utilitarian way that happens in every season that isn't summer. It's not to say that the swims haven't been great. I had an exceptionally good one the other day where I finally figured out what I'm going to make for a commission next summer. Another where I sorted out some key plot points in this final stretch of novel-writing (which of course features swimming!). 

As I've been plodding back and forth (in my heated, indoor pool), I've been living vicariously through some UK swimming pals – Katie and Manda on Team Mermaids who are still swimming in the 6 degree lido, and Jill Gregory Page who is doing 30 days of sea swimming, and of course Jessica J. Lee's Berlin swim-ventures.

I'm far too much of a cold water wimp to jump on board with winter swimming (or even fall swimming, let's be serious), but I do have a cold weather swimming uniform: my Kate Pugsley swimming sweatshirt from Simons, and I couldn't help myself but pick up some of her swimming washi tape!

(I cannot wear this shirt without 20-year-olds stopping me to ask where I got it. Sometimes multiple times an outing! It's my cool kid magnet).

Look at these INCREDIBLE paintings by Vicki Smith. Aren't they just beautiful? There's a wonderful interview with the artist here. Thanks to the Jealous Curator for spreading the word (and it looks like Bau-Xi Gallery has a whole bunch of them!)

I just spotted Roosevelt's pool under the White House press briefing room. If anyone happens upon a teleporter and access to FDR, holler! And Kerry shared a tip about a former pool in the Club Monaco at Avenue Rd. and Bloor – the building was originally the Lillian Massey Department of Household Science and the pool and gym were the female-equivalent of the male-only Hart House (where the pool still exists and everyone can swim in). Thanks to Shawn Micallef's STROLL for the details.