Why I Care.

There is so much bad news in the world today that many have become indifferent to it. Though I did not walk this year, I did raise money and awareness -- and I did support those who walked. You could say that I'm a busy executive, and wonder why I would do that. It's actually pretty simple. I was raised with a set of values that says when you can influence the outcome, you put your shoulder to the wheel.

Cancer wreaks havoc upon persons and their families. Breast cancer strikes both women and men, but mostly women. I have long believed that raising money for research into any form of cancer enhances the research for other forms. And we've come a long way. Just not far enough.

So rather than feeling blue, please celebrate the joy of walking with me in the photo essay below. Over 2100 walkers this year, even in such a terrible economy, as well as 300 support crew. And it's hot this year -- over 400 walkers seen yesterday in the medical tent for heat exhaustion.

We have known that walking is good for your health, and leads to more of those little endorphins running around in your bloodstream. Walking can also raise a lot of money, though we won't know exactly how much until closing ceremonies this afternoon. If you feel like getting outside yourself, and seeing 2400 focused people in action, please make it a point to attend the closing ceremonies today at 4pm at Seattle Center's Memorial Stadium.

This morning the walkers were dropped at North Seattle Community College to walk south for their last 16 miles. They came through Green Lake, my favorite place to walk, quite early. Here are some of the photos, and names when I can remember them now. Mostly, I hope the photos give you a flavor of the event.

Michelle and Juanita, two feisty Kindred Spirits.

A total of five Seattle firefighters who are based at the Port of Seattle walked this year, and here's one of them.

Here's the firefighter who carried the "My Mother" flag in opening ceremonies. All the firefighters wore their 40 pounds of gear through the walk.

The tall flags carried in opening and closing ceremonies are taken apart so that they can be carried during the walk, passed through the walkers so everyone has a chance.

A Kindred Spirits artwork, placed in Pit Stop #1.

The medical area, where blisters are self-treated and/or handled by the medical tent.

Tracy Kudrna is in this photo, though we can't see her. I was yelling to her and shooting at the same time.

Pit Stop Heaven.

And they just keep coming....

A little boy wants to keep hanging on to his mother...

More firefighters....

More Kindred Spirits teammates!

Kindred Spirits team captain Penny Kellam, and Jennine Linn. Penny will walk both in Seattle and in California this year. Jennine, who had brain surgery on May 25, walked 5 miles the first day, 7.5 miles yesterday, and plans on 6.5 miles today. She is feeling good!

The crew works so hard during this event! Here's one of the bike riders. They stay with walkers all along the route, guide walkers across intersections, and call for assistance for walkers if it is needed.

Here comes Kate Butt!!!

And still more Kindred Spirits!

Ramona Peck, a Kindred Spirit and a survivor, crewed this year. She is many things, but we know her as the mother of Jennine Linn.

Last photo, below, is of the Pit Stop #1 crew chief, who has just checked to make sure no walker has been left behind.

All Things Bright and Beautiful -- 2009 3 Day Walk

I will get names here eventually, but two are easy: on the left, Jennine Linn, who had brain surgery this past summer; and on the right, the other Annie.

Penny reading out her punch down list at last night's picnic, which, with relatives and friends, came to an estimated 175 people.

On behalf of the Kindred Spirits team, Jenny Sinanan presents Penny with a gift bag and a card.

Early this morning. Jenny and Penny, both flag bearers, behind stage talking with another flag bearer -- a man whose wife died of breast cancer earlier this year. He has two small children. He will carry the "My Wife" flag in opening ceremonies.

The Kudrna family was right there to support Tracy. She was one of seven or eight women who made up the "Survivor's Circle" this moning, and she carried the "Courage" flag.

Two more Kindred Spirits, Michelle on the left, of course.

Seattle firefighters fielded a team of five. This guy is from the Port of Seattle, and he carried the "My Father" flag.

Here's the back of his outfit, with photos and names of those for whom he walks -- in full garb.

Another Kindred Spirit carried the "Our Future" flag. Here she is with Jenny, who carried "My Aunt."

Pre ceremony gathering of flag bearers.

Here's the man carrying the "My Wife" flag down from the stage.

Here's "My Future" coming down from the stage.

"The last thing one discovers in composing a work is what to put first." T.S. Eliot

ASA is still a work in progress, like myself. I am enjoying myself thoroughly as I work through new protocols for juggling many balls. My former boss said in a note this morning that I thrive when my plate is full. So true.

Still working on regular morning pages for the personal side. I read lots of material and then post and offer my take on a current news item every day on www.anniesearle.com. I guess that effort is in itself another form of morning pages. Soon I'll be able to accomodate them both.

I've done pretty well at having coffee or a meal at least once a week with a friend. And at relaxing on weekends, including catching up with professional reading.

I have now completed my second week working with a personal trainer at the YMCA. I can see and feel the difference, especially on energy levels -- and I have also managed to get there on my own at least once on the weekends.

I plan to add a lunchtime walk of around 30 minutes as soon as I am fully healed from the foot surgery. Lots of liquids and fresh air free of gatherings of people are pivotal to my health plan.

My "time outs" never really materialized after the first couple of tries, so that's an area for focus. The idea here is that creativity is enhanced by jogs to regular routines and by spending time in places like visual or performing arts. I had an idea that I would start watercolor lessons again this fall, and need to look more closely into that resolution.

It's difficult to know at this time how impactful the H1N1 virus will be. I have a specific piece of work to finish around bio-events in general, and am hoping to do focus group work if the timing is right. Otherwise, it will be teleconference work. I do know that when I fly to an H1N1 conference in Minneapolis in a few weeks I'll be wearing the right kind of mask.

"Just remain in the center, watching. And then forget that you are there." -- Lao-Tzu

Flowers of the season brighten a rainy day.

Who would think we'd need a fire this late in the summer, before fall is upon us?

But summer is not yet done. The weather for next weekend's 3 Day Walk is forecast to be in the mid-70s. Though I won't be walking this year with the team, I am going to start walking during my lunch hours this week. I have missed seeing the changes that nature brings to familiar landscapes over time.

I started training at the University YMCA last week with Tami, and found the patterns of the weight room to be soothing. In between training sessions, I'm hoping to hit a qui gong or yoga class from time to time. Along with getting my seasonal flu shot, I know that the more fit I am this fall and winter, the better able my system is to fight off illness.

I love Labor Day weekend because it means transition. For some, that transition is back to school. For me, it's transition into the next iterations of both life and work.

First Fridays.

I've written before about the years old tradition in our neighborhood, wherein Jo and Charlie invite everyone to their home after work on the first Fridays of most months of the year. Tonight was made more special by the tomato growing contest.

An early look at the table, before everyone streamed in carrying still more food.

The first three contestants.

Charlie cuts up the fourth contestant's tomatoes.

Jo at the stove, and Elissa at the bar. A very good time is always had by all at these once a month events. It is great to live in a real neighborhood.

Don't be flu-genic...

I'm a risk consultant, and I would be shirking my professional role if I didn't remind the over 2,000 folks participating in Seattle's 3 Day Walk from September 11th to September 13th to stay healthy during the event. I'm sure everyone has enough tips on blisters and dehydration. I wanted to talk about flu prevention.

Walkers touch a lot of surfaces in any given day, including other people they meet on the walk. While there are hygenic cleanser packs outside the porta-potties, it would not hurt at all to tuck a small container of purell into your fanny pack to use at rest stops, before and after meals. These can be found in any drugstore, small enough to buy one for each day of the walk. -- along with small packets of kleenex.

Please also keep your hands away from your mouth. And cover your mouth if you start to cough. Finally, if you have a fever or do not feel well, please skip the heroics and visit the medical tents that you'll find in any pit stop or back at camp. The gathering of folks is large enough for everyone to practice the basic etiquette of flu prevention.

That being said, look for me to get some great photographs of the walk and post them here.

If you'd like your own copy of this poster, google "Seattle King County Public Health" and print it from the home page. The site is packed with good advice and checklists. Or you can read more about flu preparedness most any day on the "In the news" section of www.anniesearle.com.

Back to school.

What a charming time of the year this is! The weather is crisper but still sunny. The kids are already back in school, others start next week.

I'm going back to a form of school tomorrow morning -- when I start working with a trainer at the University Y. I have been without the regular schedule of training since February and, while my weight has held, my muscles all need sustained work -- especially since I have not been doing any significant walking since July.

The Seattle 3 Day Walk begins on Friday, September 11th. Though I'm not walking this year, I'll be attending the Kindred Spirits picnic on Thursday evening and staying in the hotel with the team, then riding over to the opening ceremonies with them on Friday morning.

With ASA growing as rapidly as it is, "back to school" has another connotation as well. I'll be welcoming our first intern/research associate at the end of this month, when the UW is back in session.