Wow what a month so far!  Experiencing Feng Shui philosophies and principles in many ways.

 Three of our relatives from Arkansas came up for a week, including Butch's Mom who is 87.  We took them to see "The Book of Mormon" and later in their stay,  I took them to the 9/11 Museum.  My mother in law really liked "Mormon",  and the performance got a standing ovation.

 The day before they flew home we went down to the museum.  We took the LIRR and then the subway, an exciting trip for them.  We were all moved by the museum.  As we approached the construction site, I lost it as the memory of going to that place when "The Pile" was being worked on came flooding back.  When we were walking the Trades' footprints in the museum I could have sworn I smelled that particular smell.  The one that had floated up on the wind to the Upper West Side when we lived there after the attack and during the cleanup days.  A lot of scary and sad memories came back.  But there were also reminders of how brave and committed the first responders were and how the city handled itself during that crisis. The bravery of the Flight 93 folks, the sacrifice.  The memorial pools/fountains are magnificent and it feels appropriate and somber.

I remembered the pervasive  'loss of innocence" emotion back then and the realization that the world would never be the same, my world would never be the same.  The dream I had been living in was over and I was crushed.  In time I created another dream life and I keep revising it as I go along.  And life goes on...

    I celebrated my 68th birthday on October 2nd and of course I continue to celebrate the whole month, so cheers to me!!  Jeannie and I went out to Montauk for three days to celebrate both our birthdays. It is a tradition;. a mother/daughter weekend. I went boogie boarding at a beach in town, because my two favorite spots, Ditch Plains and Poles were so crowded.  What a beautiful day that was, the water was still so warm folks were swimming all over town the beaches were full and bonfires sprung up everywhere.  Montauk is a special place in my heart, it is my writing retreat (again in my dreams).

    I  taught two introductory Feng Shui classes this month, on October 9th in Oceanside and October 20th in Long Beach.  They went well and now I am going to plan a class at RG 520.  I'll announce it in a future newsletter.  

    My weight loss plan is slow but steady,  I have now lost 6 lbs and am nearing a weight milestone which I'll speak about next issue.  Advice: as the weather gets cooler, get dressed and get out. The air is clean and refreshing.  Consider signing up for classes or a gym membership and commit to a regular routine, or purchase a piece of equipment that will be used, not stored.   

Have a Happy Halloween and stay safe,

Blessings,  Better and Better,   Patricia