A wonderful momento from New York, where I am now and honesty. Later-an addition..

posted by Patty James @ 7:53am, Saturday 15 May 2010.

As you know I interviewed kids at my friend Nancy Easton's house last Wednesday and really enjoyed visiting with all the kids there including hers. Sadie is her daughter and as I was getting ready to go, Sadie handed me this drawing she did of me. I get teary just writing this. A beautiful gift-thank you Sadie!



Yesterday I woke up in NYC, went to New Jersey to pick up Patch and Wilma, who were very happy to see me, drove back into NYC, through Connecticut and went to sleep last night in Marlborough, Massachusetts! I always let the dogs know when we made it to another state- that's 20 states you two! They like being up to date. Actually they have both been to Oregon, so technically it's 21 states for them.

Today I am doing some consulting work that I need to catch up on as well as organizing some kid's interviews in other states. I have Maine and Vermont interviews to confirm-technically, they have been confirmed, but I always do a last minute check. Illinois interviews are set up by my friend Victoria, so no confirmation is needed. You ask her once and it's done-I love that.

I need to find a reasonably priced cabin in Bar Harbor, Maine, or just a camp ground if the weather permits. I plan to drive to Maine tomorrow night after kid's interviews at my friend's Karen and Marco's house in Acton Boxborough, MA. Before I left I knew that there were two places I wanted to go to and spend time in-I didn't know why, but something told me to go to St. Augustine, Florida and Bar Harbor, Maine. I now understand why I went to St. Augustine and if you have been reading my posts all along, you know why too, but Bar Harbor is still a mystery. I was chatting with Kathryn yesterday and told her that I really shouldn't drive those 3 hours out of my way (from kid's interviews) but she said, basically, oh yes you do. She knows I have been talking about Bar Harbor since before I left, so I'm going.

The woman, Judith West, who interviewed me in NYC said something pretty simple, but important. "Why are you waiting to finish the project to start the curriculum? You have a good idea by now about what the kids need-start! Change it later if you have to." I have done an outline and I will build on that. She's right, I should be starting to develop the programs-in my spare time...

I have begun the book that I am working on with Bill Telepan, but now will also work on program development. I'll post something soon. Speaking of the book with Bill-about what the kids say they want and need-it's a cookbook, nutrition book and much more. I know it generally takes a year to write such a book (at least) and a year to edit, but I am going to try to have it done by spring of 2011 with the bulk of the work done from January-April of next year. If I take Amy up on her offer to live in her place in Nova Scotia from January until May, I figure I can get it done. I am a little concerned about being lonely, we'll see. I think I am actually more productive with some company, oddly enough. I'll figure it out.

These past few weeks I have realized that many times I don't say what I am thinking in my closest relationships and some things were eating at me. I would find myself staring out the window thinking when I should have been working. Do you ever find yourself not saying something because you think you are sure what the other person thinks and feels? How stupid is this? How can we know? All we can do is to say what we are thinking and see what happens. That is often scary-whether it be with a person we are in a work or personal relationship with- because it makes us vulnerable. So be it, I have decided. Deep breath and say it. Have you ever seen the bumper sticker, "Speak your mind, even if your voice shakes." I did that and I am so happy I did. I would love to hear your stories...

I had a nice fruit plate-nice fresh fruit-at the hotel this morning. Too much rich food and drinks in NYC....I felt my clothes were a tad tighter. That will be changed by the end of this next week. Get control early!

Another walk with the dogs now, back to work and then a work-out in the gym.

Tomorrow's kids interviews won't be posted until Monday as I have a long drive to Maine in the afternoon.


Later.....after much research in Bar Harbor, I found a cheap cabin! You can hardly camp for this! $39.00 a night. Yes, it's rustic, but not as rustic as camping and they allow dogs. It's the last cabin on the little lane, close to the ocean. Perfect!

Here's the link.....    http://www.hinckleyscottages.com/cabins.asp