"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.

The One and Only Lion of the Senate.

"Bill by bill, provision by provision, he expanded government health support to millions of children and the elderly, helped millions more go to college, opened the immigration doors to millions of new Americans from continents other than Europe, and protected the civil rights bulwark of the '60s through a long period of conservative domination." --Peter Canellos, The Boston Globe.

A singular son.

James flew back to Pittsburgh last night on a red eye special. While Leroy cooked dinner, James and I hung out in the reading room, wehre he introduced me to Bravo's "Top Chef" program. As readers know, both James and Leroy could qualify for that title in our household.

Leroy cooked orange roughy for he and James, and created a baked pasta dish with vegetables and cheese and pecans for me. He added fresh sweet corn, tomatoes and lettuce. Then he turned around and wrapped leftover fish into two tortillas for James to take on the flight.

Since I'm usually the photographer, Leroy was kind enough to take this photo of the two of us. I'm as proud of him as he is of me.