West Meets East©

By Caroline Patrick

Create Good Childhood Memories

Living in The Great Northwest brings back childhood memories of great anticipation regarding Sunday afternoon radio programs. My dancing career was on the skids, my modeling days were over, which made me a very happy girl and in turn upset my Grandmother no-end. Now I wanted an athletic career and a pony to ride. But at the old age of 10, a final decision was made. I was going to be a Royal Canadian Mounted Police Person. This decision was based on a weekly adventure series which took place somewhere in the Klondike in Radio-Land. As the clocked ticked down to the best on Earth afternoon serial, I filled in my time listening to Sky King, Roy Rogers and Only the Shadow Knows ... finally the awaited adventure began. I could hear the gusting wind pounding through the airways as the announcer began to introduce the next thrilling sequel. The whistling blizzard filled my room with snow as the evening shadows added to the atmosphere that chilled me to the bone. Dressing in one of those Northern Tourist Blanket Coats designed with red, green and black stripes around the bottom, I curled up in my warm “cabin” bed and listened to every exciting word. I became THE MOUNTED POLICEWOMAN, dressed in my red Canadian uniform! I rescued innocent kidnapped victims and put a stop to crimes in the cold, most Northern La-La Land. My sled dogs took me to places no man has gone before ... or was that another program!

Summer is a great time to recapture “the good ole days.” Playing games with my grandsons takes me back to those Mounted Police Days. Last Christmas I found some cap guns and introduced the concept of cowboys, stagecoaches, horses and more! Their eyes began to have that far-away look as I described how to chase robbers and put them in jail. I patiently waited to see how these children’s teaching on non-violence would develop. I listened and respected my son's wishes on how he wanted to bring up his children. No guns, grenades, knives or swords were given as presents, and we became wardens to unwanted cruel toys. But life happened, and they began shooting each other with bananas when our backs were turned! So much for our efforts. Sticks became swords and Easter Eggs became bombs shortly after the Easter Egg Hunt. Where did we go wrong?

Somewhere between Star Wars, Harry Potter, Superman, Power Rangers and the evening news, we lost “the war” on pretending there are no weapons on Planet Earth! I decided Roy Rogers and Gene Autry weren’t that horrible, so the kids and I now hang out at the thrift shops, yard sales and the local low-cost retail stores looking for ammunition. Caps for our rifles and pistols are hard to come by, and we hunt for them in a systematic way. Since I am still the tallest, for now, I look on the top shelves for the newest shipments of ammo, while the oldest grandson scans the middle sections, and the youngest, who is the best hunter of the group, finds “escapee” rolls of caps under all the junk which has landed in a heap on the lower level of the toy aisle. There are three types of these loud, stinky-smelling red bangers. The old style in a long thin roll, the new plastic circles and three- or four-inch long beads of explosive powder. We are well organized and work together in an efficient manner to find just what we need for the next attack of a “stagecoach raid” in our backyard.

We are a well balanced crew and don’t spend all of our time on the range looking for outlaws. Cooking is another favorite, and burning dead tree branches and boxes with Grandpa is exciting. I sneak a peek up the hill as they sit around the fire and tell stories. Last week they learned the art of tree planting and fence building. Art in any form is still a favorite. Spending as much time as possible with these little ones is my current project and privilege. Soon they will be tired of being cowboys and pilots of boats, ferries, ships and airplanes. Girls with cute smiles will take there attention soon, and life continues on. I’m sure living in the Great Northwest will also affect their lives. Living in the outdoors on an island will be remembered and enrich who and what they will become. Spend time with your children. Give them the gift of good memories with family this summer.

To encourage playtime with children, make sure the middle right side of your house and outside yard is free of clutter. This area is dedicated to Children and Creativity. Feng Shui suggestions are a play area, round is the shape for trees, gardens and objects such as gazing balls. Pastel colors are best. Stay away from planting any white flowers which would touch the house on this side, as this is a no-no for this section. Inside the house, let children’s artwork hang in a “gallery” somewhere in this middle right room, hallway, laundry, bathroom, hobby room or bedroom. Or maybe this is your garage, which is an ideal place for a children’s gallery! This is a dining room in my condo, with pictures I have taken of my children and grandchildren. Two Chinese flutes hang at angles above the pictures, giving them special bamboo-Wood Feng Shui support of longevity, peace, love and protection.

For more Feng Shui advice and cures supporting children, their Health, education, taking exams and well being, I now have a new valuable assistant living in the Bay Area who will come to your home for consultation details on-site; she then sends the information and some pictures to me and I give the final email or phone consultation. This is a great way to have two experienced experts evaluate your home and business and head you in the direction of success. Contact me by email or phone (360) 424-1501.

CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS 2006------sign up now------

1. ART classes and workshops ---- from 6 weeks to Saturday All Day Workshops!

2. FENG SHUI ISLAND TOUR---- on site evaluations in the San Juan Islands, WASHINGTON STATE

Where is the entrance or “Mouth of Chi” to the Island?

Please email caroline@fengshuiartistry.com for more information on classes or to purchase her greeting cards.

For Pet Sitting call Barbara Pike at “I Care Pet Services,” 707-745-3420

There are many Feng Shui products available online, but here are my favorites where I personally shop, www.yunlintemple.org for the finest quality; www.harmonydesigns.net ask for Shelly; www.fengshuishopper.com ask for Marina; and www.fengshuifusions.com . All items are cleared and blessed.

Caroline Patrick Caroline's Feng Shui Concepts Mt. Vernon, WA 360-424-1501

caroline@fengshuiartistry.com www.fengshuiartistry.com www.moongateschool.com

Caroline Patrick, Feng Shui consultant/practitioner, teacher/speaker, Feng Shui artist and writer, lives in the San Juan Islands, off the coast of Washington. Her weekly newspaper article called WEST MEETS EAST is a popular Feng Shui advice column. She enjoys answering your questions, when possible. Some questions will be chosen for publication with the permission from the reader. Enjoy her new 5 Element attached-folding cards which can be used as a Feng Shui enhancement or correction in any space. Larger prints of several selected paintings are also available. For consultations, speaking/teaching engagements and art evaluations contact her at caroline@fengshuiartistry.com or visit her websites at www.fengshuiartistry.com and www.moongateschool.com.

Any suggestions given in this column are only for entertainment. Please contact your physician for any medical or herbal advice or diagnosis. Caroline Patrick is not responsible for any misuse of her advice or suggestions.