Full but low activity day :)

This picture hit me as I am trying to figure out what idea it is that I am rallying around...body was not too active yesterday, but mind certainly was.  Dreams were.  Interesting time during this "dreaded" Oct 15-Jan 15 time.  No in-person people in my day yesterday. FEN O&E Cmte meeting in the afternoon.  I say that but then I remember I ran into - 3 different groups of people outside of LaSalle Market as I wrapped up my walk. :)  One couple had the answer to a question I had since the chicken pot pie dinner, one commiserated with me re "people", another asked me if I had seen the auditorium reno progress at former school #2...I guess that was a people active block.  :)  

Other than that yesterday - watched my Chicago shows, walk, FEN meeting, great leftovers from landlady (peas and pasta dish landlord makes), cookies she made, strawberries that TX/NM friend left behind.  I have too much to eat in my apt as we speak.  VERY interesting situation in my apt.  Maybe that is why dreams are particularly active.  Body is being asked to process lots more as I sleep.  :)

Today - watch L&O shows, walk, massage/pick up book that is on hold at library. The nerd reich : Silicon Valley fascism and the war on democracy  Recommended to me when I was on my Eggers dystopia, Silicon Valley whistleblower phase.  :)  Can do my monthly financial report later today or tomorrow. And making a mental plan on how to approach the town Halloween Parade that will take over my street and go to all hours tomorrow.  Oh well.  :/

What you see and hear today may be worrying but in the greater scheme of things it is of no real significance, so don’t get wound up about it. There are always bad things going on in the world but that does not mean you are personally responsible.

A dip in motivation or energy may have forced you to slow down over the past couple of days, dearest Libra. Give yourself permission to switch gears and connect with loved ones while Venus Rx aligns with the nodes of fate. Resilience is sustained when you take time to appreciate the fruits of your labor. As the Scorpio Sun and Cancer Moon align, indulge in simple pleasures, trusting that more blessings and success are on the way. Take a breather from dynamics that have felt stagnant or restrictive as Saturn activates, and reflect on whether you need to set new boundaries. Review your online shopping habits as Mercury Rx and Mars square off, and highlight issues around impulsive spending. 

Emotions may cloud your thoughts as things start to heat up in a heavy way, Libra. In an effort to keep things light and energetic, you may be missing the core of the situation. Don't glance too quickly over all the issues. The answer to the riddle is right there in front of you. Stop for a minute to catch your breath and you will find the solutions that you seek.

Light and energetic, new boundaries, riddle answers, no worry about online shopping or any other shopping.  :)  Have a good Friday.  

Powering through :)

This has been a vibrant October with colors.  And active.  And...expansive.  Not sure about that last word, but my small slice of the world that I interact with on a daily basis has seemed bigger. (Sort of like that warning in the side mirrors of a car)  :)  Will spend some time with that thought on my walk today.  

Yesterday - cleaned apt, watched NCIS NY, walked with family friend (made a plan to go to Parkville Market next Wed for lunch and then AC Petersen's for ice cream - THEN the b'day will wrap officially for 2026)  :) , EOLD, Shake Shack lunch with swimming lady, she drove me over, I walked back.  Then GA DC.  Got out of DC to find text from TX/NM friend.  She had arrived back in NM Tuesday night, then in the car at 5:17 a.m. Mountain time to head back to TX.  Her message came in at 7:36 p.m. Eastern time.  11 hr 45 min road trip.  Her next trip might be Mexico.  She and husband have gone to Mexico to the beach for decades for Thanksgiving.  With kids until a few years ago.  Meeting up with friends and their families.  We will see if they go or not this year.  Lots going on in their TX/NM lives as we speak.  But she lives life much bigger than I do.  :)  Not a big "club" who lives as small as I do.  :)

Today - watch my Chicago shows, walk, FEN O&E (blog) Cmte meeting.  Nothing else on paper calendar.  (but paper calendar is sitting on a cleaned up and wiped down table top in my office!).  Was drawn to cleaning it yesterday.  Would love to get a bit deeper into W&T book club book.  Last week has not been reading supportive.  :)  The read I have been enjoying is The Demographic Edge/Joseph Coughlin.  Nothing - in my mind - should be decided without doing some people counting/age analysis.  His column yesterday "Built to Last, Staffed by Whom?"  This sentence hit me - Demographic projections can’t tell a CEO where to build the next factory. They can reveal what conventional investment analysis may miss: how much the population beneath today’s assumptions will change over the life of the asset.  Hope decision makers are counting, looking at human "pipeline".  

As one of the zodiac’s Air signs you possess plenty of common sense, but what you see or hear today could turn your head and lead to you making a decision you may regret. While your ruler Venus is moving retrograde you cannot afford to take risks.

Don't stay cooped up while the Gemini Moon and Jupiter align this morning, dearest Libra. Venture out to socialize, and you will likely find yourself in the right place at the right time. Keep an open mind and follow through on any connections or ideas that stand apart from others to maximize these auspicious vibes. You may also see an opportunity to revive old projects or collaborations once Venus rx, the nodes of fate, and Chiron activate later today. Bring order to goals you're intuitively drawn to after Luna enters Cancer this evening. Just try not to let optimism get in the way of practical planning when Neptune grows restless tonight, or you will quickly become overstretched. 

Emotions may cloud your thoughts as things start to heat up in a heavy way, Libra. In an effort to keep things light and energetic, you may be missing the core of the situation. Don't glance too quickly over all the issues. The answer to the riddle is right there in front of you. Stop for a minute to catch your breath and you will find the solutions that you seek.

Sounds like another Stop, Look and Listen day...wish me luck.  Have a good Thursday.  

Week is still rolling... :)

Thought I would be "alone again naturally" as a song says once TX/NM friend pulled off Main St yesterday, but no such luck.  Swimming lady chose today Wednesday to go to Shake Shack for her first time and would I join her...  The good news I can just power through this week and then start November back on my usual routine of walking and eating.  TX/NM friend left me MORE leftovers from her grocery shopping.  :)  

So yesterday - watched FBI, ran dishwasher, went to Shoprite for a $18.22/$14.57, 9 item day.  Went for a short walk.  Met TX/NM friend at the apt. She used my apt's dumpster for trash and recycling drop off.  Then she was off to airport.  She left at 3:15 p.m. eastern time, got to ABQ at 9:25 p.m. mountain time...Eastern time to Mountain Time yesterday to Central time today...  Long day yesterday and 12 hour drive today. Yikes!  Then I went for a mid range walk.  Back in time for 1 p.m. CA DC.  In bed reading at 7 p.m.!  No time zone change for me. 

Son will be doing a time change today - he and his father are off to El Paso TX and then their 10 day trip.  Son assures me he will send some pics to my picture frame.  :)

I am loving our W&T book club book.  Annie Dillard - "An American Childhood more than takes the reader's breath away. It consumes you as you consume it, so that, when you have put down this book, you're a different person, one who has virtually experienced another childhood."  Love all the phrases that bounced around her family home.  

Today - we will see if I get apt cleaned before walk with family friend.  Then EOLD - Where Does a Death Doula Fit In the Aging Care Team? with Natalie Adewunmi at noon. Then Shake Shack lunch at 1:30 p.m. with swimming lady. I will walk back home from lunch.  Then GA DC at 7 p.m.  Good day ahead assisted by the incredibly wonderful weather we have been experiencing.  

Balance of week - FEN blog committee meeting tomorrow, massage Friday, and the "dreaded" town Halloween Parade -https://collinsvillehalloween.com/ -  on Saturday.  I will hunker down, keep lights off, fall back on the clocks and just look to November 1 and the time change adjustment week ahead.  Again more of the Oct 15 to Jan 15 land mine time period.  :)

You might want to believe that friends and family members are thinking along the same lines as you, but that’s very unlikely. In fact, you could find they go out of their way to change your mind on a subject of major importance. Don’t let them.

Efforts to sidestep drama will no longer sustain the peace, dearest Libra. As Venus rx and Chiron face off, try to see the value in hashing out issues so you can actually resolve them. Letting bad behavior slide will only brew resentment. Also, loved ones won't feel inspired to change if they don't know their actions have upset you. Luckily, as the Moon moves through socially perceptive Gemini, it will be easier for others to understand where you're coming from. Luna forms soft aspects with Saturn and Mars tonight, offering an opportunity to restructure relationships by setting boundaries that foster mutual respect.

Decisions regarding investments, savings, or other financial matters might need attention today, Libra. Don't panic. You're in the right frame of mind for this. Your business sense is at an all-time high, as is your ability to focus on the task at hand. Intuition plays a strong role. Even if you don't feel like it, it's important to get this done. Tomorrow you might not be quite as focused as you are today.

Hmmm....I will keep myself in the "stop, look and listen" mode as I move through today.  I might not be the only one working through stuff - as to people, places and things.  :)  Have a good Wednesday.  

Chore schedule :)

I did get clothes washed yesterday, no walk, ride to and back from Cambridge, GREAT food - chicken pot pie again and apple walnut cake with maple syrup whipped cream..., home in time for ZEN DC.  So little reading over the last few days.  Today after TX/NM friend swings by to drop off trash/recycling for my dumpster/bins, and some food for me, I will see about reestablishing equilibrium.  "Equilibrium means a state of balance or stability where opposing forces, influences, or actions cancel each other out, resulting in no net change".  I will not complain if I end up in a change up and to the right, but I can find comfort in no net change.  :)  This time of people and things to do over the last week has felt very guided and led - only one night of overnight company, did not have to turn the heat on due to good weather, meals felt right, sleep felt right, did not miss any of my paper calendar events.  Incredible guided meditation on Sunday which pretty much pushed the reset button for me.  Think I mentioned it yesterday, but it was worth two mentions if I did.  I will be doing some readjusting next week on the dreaded post time change week.  Why do we continue doing this to ourselves.  Oh well.  

Weather has continued to be my friend!  Incredible as I saw a bit of news from southern parts of West and East coasts.  Today will be another good one.  Plan for the day - Shoprite/ALDI run.  Very limited needs with all the food leftovers/gifts.  Walk a bit.  Visit with TX/NM friend before she heads to airport. Then a bit more walk.  Then CA DC.  Then a bit more walk.  Nothing on my paper calendar except the CA DC. 

Will reach out to swimming lady who wants to go to Shake Shake for her first time.  Reach out to a college friend who I did not hear from after I sent b'day wishes...hope she is OK.  She was battling some stuff.  Start getting myself ready for next "adventure" - Thanksgiving at sister #1's.  AND it is massage Friday this week - she will have lots of work to do.  :)  Will hope to hear from son before he and his father head to West Texas for their adventure.   Son found one of his old "go-pros" so there will be a video for this trip.  

If people you work with are too scared to start something new, that’s up to them, but don’t let their fears hold you back. The Sun in your sign gives you a high degree of protection when it comes to taking calculated risks, so why worry?

Seek meaningful interactions without becoming overly familiar, dearest Libra. You'll crave connection that scratches beneath the surface while the Taurus Moon aspects Mercury Rx, Jupiter, and the nodes of fate, but others may be slow to open up. Now is also a good time to review the terms of any new commitments you're considering, but hold off on deciding for now. Major news could trickle in and shift your perspective once Luna enters Gemini this evening, helping you avoid costly mistakes. Follow your heart and enjoy playful exchanges with the people you love as Neptune and Pluto activate tonight.

Emotions stemming from past experiences might cause you to assume undue responsibilities, particularly concerning family members. This is fine as long as you realize what you're doing is as much for you as for the other person. Whatever tasks you assume may allow you to release old traumas and give form to your plans and ambitions. And don't be surprised if those you help today go to bat for you later.

No plan for risk taking :), no problem for not making any big decisions right away :), release old traumas - I will take any of that :).  ANOTHER great gift bag from cousin (more peeps) and great card from dear friends in NC.  Set the table for good end of day yesterday when I got home to my mailbox.  Will take that all that good energy into my day today.  Have a good Tuesday.  

Winding down. Phew!

Sister #6, her daughter and a cousin's daughter met for a sec in NYC yesterday.  Lots of people covering a lot of ground over the last few days in my world.  Yikes.  But today we are closing in on "back to normal".  Wish me luck.  

Yesterday - sister #4 and I were off to LaSalle for breakfast.  Then a walk.  TX/NM friend was off with her brother.  Her sister showed up on Main St just as sister #4 was pulling out to head home.  She took her parking spot and she and I sat outside LaSalle while she had a snack and we enjoyed another incredible day of weather.  Then I headed to apt for Death Sangha.  Incredible guided meditation.  The facilitator hit the nail on the head for me in making that our activity.  Then I did a walk - but only to Burlington versus Unionville.  Had already done 3 miles with sister #4 earlier.  I was done outside for the day and got ready for Albany CA DC.  Great day of input. 

Today - TX/NM will be over to pick me up at 9:15 a.m. and we will pick up our passenger and head to MA to see an old time friend.  Passenger is her SIL.  Fingers crossed for no road construction or traffic as we head north and east.  ZEN DC tonight which I will hope to be home for.  Think it will work.  

Sister #4 shared that the word on the street of late is niece #2 is moving back east after a decade or so in California.  We will see if that materializes.  That will be very interesting for sister #1/mother.

Shocks to the system could brew insecurities, darling Libra, due to a harsh aspect between the Scorpio Sun and Pluto. Whether you're dealing with missed opportunities, financial woes, or a broken heart, try not to let these disappointments affect how you see yourself. Be mindful of how you seek comfort as you navigate these choppy cosmic tides. Avoid overspending and unhealthy indulgences, since compulsive behaviors are hard to stop once they start. Luckily, the Taurus Moon strengthens your resolve if you maintain a steadfast devotion to empowerment and self-improvement. Watch out for peer pressure when Luna squares Mars this evening, and remember that true friends won't sabotage your progress.  

Past impressions that you may not even know you have could enhance your ability to deal with practical matters today, Libra. You might need to handle some paperwork regarding a settlement of some kind. The thoughts and feelings of those closest to you are more apparent than usual. You may tailor your behavior toward them accordingly. Spend a quiet evening with your loved ones. You won't even need to talk.

My other cosmic guidance not posted yet...  :)  Will look later.  Road trip, visit, home by 7:30 p.m. I have had a very supportive few days that could have been chaotic.  Stayed within myself while still mixing and mingling within a comfortable range of motion.  Keep the good thought for today.  Have a good Monday.  

Up until 10 p.m....that should tell the story of yesterday :)

This saying was in my stoic weekly email yesterday.  Spoke to me as I was starting a very peopled, front-facing day.  How people define self-actualization was a good way to start.  

After my morning routine on the computer, I took a walk around the block and waited for sisters #4,6 to arrive and then down to LaSalle for lunch and then cupcakes that sister #4 brought up.  Sat outside on the picnic table in the sun then headed to the high school for the athletic complex dedications in the name of two family friends.  One older - 89 yrs old and still alive, and one younger, 65 when she died two years ago.  Older honoree - I babysat for her kids, godmother to her youngest son who I saw yesterday.  Long history with their family, very little contact of late.  I borrowed a snow shovel from her husband in 2006...still have it.  :)

We walked up to the school, then I walked back with sister #6 who needed to take off to go to her daughter's for an NYC trip today.  Then I walked back up to school to watch some of the field hockey game with sister #4, then we walked back to apt and then head to gathering at family home of the younger honoree.  Did not get home until 10-ish!  

Today - meet up with TX/NM friend depending on her family activities.  Walk with sister #4?  Everything up in the air but I will hope to get to Death Sangha at 1 p.m. and then will get to Albany CA DC at 7 p.m.  Tomorrow of to Boston area.  TX/NM friend leaves on Tuesday.  Will be lots of unwinding for me to do on Wednesday.  :)  

Do you tell the truth and risk hurting a loved one’s feelings, or do you twist the facts so it’s not such a shock to their system? The full moon makes the answer crystal clear: Give it to them straight now or they will suffer more later on.

Venus retrogrades back into your sign this morning, dear Libra, stirring up uncertainties around love, money, and your public image. Curb negative thoughts that cloud your judgment, breaking cycles that cause you to be overly harsh with yourself. Loved ones swoop in to improve your outlook, thanks to sweet connections between the Aries Moon, Jupiter, nodes of fate, Chiron, and Venus rx. As family and friends shower you with compliments and encouragement, trust that their kindness is authentic and deserved. The Taurus Full Moon rises this evening, forming a tense square with Pluto. Though you may be eager to secure romantic or professional commitments, now might not be the best time to push such agendas. 

Upsetting news that you receive from far away, perhaps by phone or email, could send you into an emotional tailspin. There's an aura of uncertainty about what you hear - it may not make sense. Before you pass along the news or panic, Libra, make sure you know all the facts. You're likely to find that it's been blown all out of proportion. In view of this, you deserve a fun evening.

Will watch my mood today.  Full moon.  Straight talking.  Let's hope I do make the Sangha.  :)  Have a good Sunday.  

Can't see the ocean for the people, but good pic :)

Weather has been a gift during all the people time.  I have spent as much time outside as possible.  

So yesterday - watch L&O shows, walked to library to drop off Bronte book - couldn't soldier on with it/and picked up another Eggers and Paper girl : a memoir of home and family in a fractured America ..., talked to former Houston co-worker on my walk, met up and walked with TX/NM friend, she headed off to her massage, I headed out for another walk.  So pretty much left apt at 9 a.m. and got back at 2:30 p.m.  Had my stuffed pepper from landlady (who also left some cookies for sister visit today).  Called it a day.  

Today - Watch All-In, Boston Blue, waiting for sisters #4, 6 to arrive if #6 has not reconsidered and simplified her day by choosing not to come here but go directly to daughter's for their trip to see a Broadway play tomorrow.  We will see.  Field dedication at school for family friend who died last year is at 2:15 p.m.  We will go to LaSalle for some lunch before, sisters will go up to gathering after at friend's sister's house.  I will pass on that.  Don't know yet if anybody is staying with me tonight.  

I might swing by store tomorrow since we are off to Boston area on Monday.  TX/NM friend leaves on Tuesday.  I will recircle my wagons on Tuesday afternoon.  :)

You may dislike being told what to do by someone you don’t respect, but if you think about it you will realize they are right and that, on this occasion, they could be doing you a favor. Good advice is good advice no matter where it comes from.

Curb impulsive shopping throughout the coming weeks, dearest Libra, taking note of any triggers you'd normally resolve with retail therapy. Cleaning up your finances should be a top priority as Mercury stations retrograde in Scorpio, especially if you've accumulated debt. Don't let shame deter you from thoroughly examining your monthly bank and credit card statements. Though this process may feel rough at first, you'll gain a sense of control when the Aries Moon and Saturn unite. If you're seriously struggling with the fallout of irresponsible spending, consider joining a support group when Luna and Mars align midafternoon. 

If you've been planning a long trip by air, Libra, today you might doubt whether you should continue with your plans. Money or safety might be the issues. Be aware that your fears may run away with you. The situation may be more secure than it appears. You might want to attend an online class or lecture, perhaps on computer science or some other technology. As with the vacation plans, try to view this objectively.

Will keep mind and ears open today to see what comes to me.  No worry on shopping.  No retail therapy for me.  Retail trauma is more like it. No travel plans or trauma. :)  Have a good Saturday.