Dear Readers:

I hope your summer has been filled with relaxing, rejuvenating, and rewarding ventures. The days have just flown by in my little corner of the world. My newspaper column and online articles have kept my writing spirit happy, while motivational speaking opportunities prompted travel to some new frontiers including Lake of the Ozarks, MO. In more of a practice-what-you-preach vein, I also spent lots of time with family and friends. A visit to my sister’s in New York City took me to the play, Color Purple, and a visit with friends in the quaint town of Nyack, NY. A vacation with my husband (and miniature poodle, Rocky) turned out to be a lovely respite on a small cove on Harbor Island in Southern Rhode Island. While I love summer on the East Coast –and the gardening, picnics, outdoor concerts, etc., I must say that as Labor Day approaches I always get excited. For me, September is like a mini-New Year – a chance to jumpstart or recommit to projects, and create a plan for what’s left of 2007.  I feel energized. Maybe that sense of a “fresh start” every Fall is engrained in me, since I was born in September and therefore truly do begin a personal new year.