"Don't fear the Tiger, until the Tiger is in the room"

Happy November, one and ALL!!!!!!!!  

 It feels like a good time to post, to update, to be thankful...

heart leaf from a walk on new york creek

Truthfully, my thankfulness is a steady stream of consciousness, running like a tape, in the back of my chattering mind (sometimes even stopping the chattering!). It is a state of Being now.  Gratefulness is such a great conduit to Joy, and I want as much Joy as possible in my Life. ALL THE TIME.  So I keep the Gratefulness fired up.  On tap.  Every day is Thanksgiving!!!!

Swami's Gardens, Encinitas, CA

Along more traditional lines, I was thinking lately about ALL the many, many lovely people who have helped me along my life journey so far.  I stand on the shoulders of Giants who opened powerful doors for me, shared great ideas, presented possibilities, opportunities and great solutions.  Without them, I would not be here.  Living the Dream that I am.  NOTHING that I ever accomplished was completely of my own doing.  Not even close.  It was always with the help, support, kindness, caring and love of others.  I think there are times when our egos take the wheel and try to tell us:  we are so strong and independent; we did this ALL BY OURSELVES.  In my experience, this is not the case.  I try to remember this always, be grateful for it, and pay it forward.  With that:

THANK YOU TO ALL MY PARENTS, FAMILY, FRIENDS, TEACHERS, MENTORS, GURUS, CO-WORKERS, AND RANDOM KIND STRANGERS!!!!!!!!!!

And that's all before this current colon cancer situation showed up in the Body. Since then I have depended on the strength, wisdom and amazing talents of my healers, doctors, family and friends, who have stood by me to hold me up.  I could never have gotten through this alone.  No way.  You know who you are!!! The fight and the journey goes on.  I don't give up and neither, thank God, do YOU.

Update on the medical stuff.  All is moving along well.  I have 2 more chemo sessions, the next being this Nov 13.  People, I cannot WAIT to be done, to get clean, to move on.  My body is SO amazing in what it can endure and how it cleanses and processes it all.  It has been helped along immensely by the amazing Ayurvedic and Acupuncture treatments I receive regularly. Every other week, the lovely Nitya works her healing magic for FIVE hours on my body, mind and soul. So cleansing, nourishing and uplifting, I feel almost normal when I leave her clinic. I am absolutely ready to be DONE with chemotherapy and to treat this body with only tender loving care and good, clean food and drinks. 
 
ALSO TO BE NOTED, A few recent landmarks IN MY LIFE:

•  I am retired!!! From Federal and other professional service after 26 years!!!! Yay!  I am beyond grateful to the folks at DMEA who helped me to make this happen at exactly the right time.  They are amazing professionals and wholehearted people.  I am also grateful for all the wonderful people and experiences at the US Army Corps of Engineers (Sacramento) , NAVAIR (China Lake, where I spent 16 years learning so much from the BEST), and the Early Intervention Research Institute (Utah State U, Logan, UT). 

• And my Uncle Myles came to visit!!!

From Belfast, with Love.  Still hits a mean drive!

The BEST man ever!

• Oct 27 was my birthday.  We celebrated with family and friends and it was a truly beautiful month--because a birth DAY is not enough.  Just take the whole month and treat yourself like the magnificent person you are!!!

Birthday Brunch on the ole Sierra Railroad

Beautiful Birthday dinner at the charming Cafe Majaic, Lotus, CA

• October also included a special long weekend in Encinitas, Ca.

Soaking in the expansiveness from Swami's Garden

Breakie w/ my beauties in Encinitas

Pat and I send you all our love and heartfelt thanks for your continued thoughts, prayers and support.  I hope that you are enJOYing life to the fullest, close to the ones you love.

swimming in Lake Natoma--the BEST cure for any symptoms

XXOOcoco

"Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, and today is a gift: that's why they call it the Present."

-Eleanor Roosevelt