West Meets East©


By Caroline Patrick BorNei

Certified Red Ribbon Professional of the International Feng Shui Guild


Dear Diary, Too Much to Talk About!

Summer is my least favorite season, but this year July and August have been the most profound and puzzling months of 2010. I find April is still a nice month. The air is crisp and coolness fills the morning air, but in the late afternoon I began to mope, knowing that the following month of May leads to the dreaded June, July and August hot summer days. Yes, I know, I’m weird, but it is the truth. I’m sure my dislike stems from some hidden childhood summer trauma, such as my brother trying to drown me or threatening to burn the hair off my head with a lit torch he had fashioned with a huge stick and gasoline. Yes, those were the days before TV, air-conditioning or DVD’s. I was 5 and he was 11, and I learned very early on to run like Forrest Gump or die! I asked him the other day why he did all those things and he can’t remember and said, “ Yah, we had a good childhood. We didn’t get beaten up quite as much as the other kids in the neighborhood, and I can’t remember trying to kill you.” Yes, summers for me, were pure survival training, and it seems just like yesterday I hid out in a lot of trees. And PS, if you tattled, you got spanked first.

Also Living in Arizona for 20 years must have done something to my brain. That is why I now live where summer is short and sweet, until the air-conditioning goes out. Portland fills the bill for the time being, for many reasons. The city is big on supporting the arts, my loft is near the airport with no grass to mow, and when I travel, a simple key turns the lock on my condo. I know my neighbors on the whole 4th floor of Milepost 5 and they know me. My studio will be opening up next door very soon, as construction of the Phase II building is almost done. There are 154 very small rental units for live-work spaces, and they are almost all taken. A restaurant will be in the back part of the building. I only have to walk next door to paint.

I have three new series in my mind. I continue to create paintings, which are infused with Chi in many ways that I have learned from many teachers, my higher self and, of course, Grandmaster Lin Yun, who was an artist in his own right. The preparation of the pieces change the energy of the space in which they hang. I have two corporations which want to see these works, and also a showing and some demo images for Feng Shui classes, so I must get them finished. They can also be used in any home or business, in certain rooms to bring support or change, such as children’s rooms, entries for Career, or colors and creations for relationships. So fall and winter will continue to bring change to my life.

But back to some of the unique and profound things that made this summer go by quickly. Since they are numerous, I will just enter them like a diary. They may seem disjointed, but this is how life happens. Every day brings joy or sorrow or a combination of both. Expected and unexpected things occur.

June 15th. My grandsons are just now getting their summer vacation. Two weeks of snow in the winter and they have to do make-up days. They visit Portland and we do all the tourist things. I love them more than life, and they run when I kiss them since they are so old, 10 and 12, and in a minute are back leaning on me. We run, eat and play for a few days.

July 2nd. I go to the island house for the 4th of July, lots of fun. Wild salmon and steak on the grill, fried potatoes, corn, green beans and strawberry shortcake cooked by everyone and served by everyone. Fireworks in the driveway overlooking the Northwest San Juan Islands in the Puget Sound. Jackets are passed out before sundown!

July 15th. Talked to my best girlfriend in the Midwest. She has always been the happiness and healthiest friend since high school. She has been diagnosed with stage 4 liver cancer. I am stunned and shaken and told her so. We talked at length, laughed a lot, and then cried. She has had all the treatments doctors have to offer. She does not believe in alternative medicine, so never considered it, and doesn’t believe in Feng Shui either. Told her I would see her the end of August.

July 29th. Flying to California to attend a beautiful wedding in the Napa Hills. My friend’s daughter is marrying a really great guy, the love of her life. I will gather from them “The Blessing of Wedding Chi,” a wonderful thing to have. I will place some of my jewelry, watch and rings in a red cloth and ask them to bless these items for me. This is the best Chi you can gather for yourself. (For more instruction call me.)

July 30th through August 1st. Was in California for three weeks of working and playing. Wedding festivities went on for three days with rehearsal dinners, parties, going, coming to places, being with friends and the family members, barbeques, laughing dancing, eating and eating some more.

August 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th. Feng Shui consultations.

August 6th. Free-For-All Dinner, great time had by all. Answered Feng Shui questions free.

August 7th & 8th. Feng Shui consultations and trip to Nevada City to visit James and Helen Jay, Visited Helen’s shop, Lotus Mountain, first and then on to have some food made by James! Very good, I must say. Talked about Professor’s (Grandmaster Lin Yun, our foremost teacher of Feng Shui) ill health and his hospital stays, five times since April when I visited with him with a few of my students at the Berkeley Temple.

August 9th, 10th. Visited more friends and did some side trips. Did a “Red Rice Blessing” for a corporate client and what is call “Sealing of the Doors,” which is a great Feng Shui cure when moving into a new place or after someone has been sick or died in a home.

August 10th. On to Shingle Springs to give Feng Shui mini-readings at Spirit Journey and do a consultation for a 40-acre parcel with a new client who heard I was in California. She and her husband own horses and are building a dream house. I checked the property and drew the Bagua over the property, then did two quick watercolor sketches of the buildings which will be built, and their best colors for Feng Shui principles.

August 11th. Drove to Redding, California near Mt. Shasta, to visit friends and a student.

August 12th. Did a 2nd Feng Shui evaluation for a new house being built by a celebrity. The design is not what I like to see, as it has several “missing pieces” and needs a better design. I drew up new ideas as the architects learned about detail designs, which work in the correct 5-element cycle. I cautioned them where the staircase it placed and bathrooms. Wrong placement can add to financial loss and health problems. They continue to make the house a showcase instead of keeping the family healthy, happy and secure. So frustrating. Doubt if I will put my name on this assignment.

Later in the day of the 11th, I got the very upsetting news that my Feng Shui Master Teacher has passed away in a hospital in San Francisco. (Continued next week)

Caroline Patrick BorNei is a certified Feng Shui Practitioner and a Red Ribbon Professional of The International Feng Shui Guild. Her abilities as a consultant and artist are widely known in the US and abroad. Caroline has completed over 5000 consultations for individuals, large and small businesses. Return clients appreciate the value of her suggestions both mundane and transcendental, providing support on multiple levels. As a college art instructor for many years, Caroline understands the power of color; its symbolism and the visual effect images have on individuals in their surroundings. Her home base is Portland, OR where she continues to write, teach, paint, do illustrations and give herbal medicine making classes. She is available for Feng Shui consultations; Feng Shui art consultant, advises builders, architects and mentors a few serious students.

Call (503) 208-2960 or email caroline@fengshuiartistry.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.

Caroline’s “West Meets East” weekly newspaper column can be read from archives on her website www.fengshuiartistry.com.