So I turned 66 in December. Turned. What an interesting way of describing an advancement in age. I’m still the same, but I turned. I didn’t pirouette, or do the hokey-pokey, or turn into something else…just turned! Hmmm

Moving on…I love my age. I still feel like a wild and wacky girl inside, but with a lot more wisdom. I’ve learned to take life one moment at a time. Time to breathe, to contemplate, to take long walks, to be more conscious of what I take into my body, drink lots of water…to just be. My biggest advice for you is to stay connected with like minded people. Women spend time with other women, and the same for the men.  My hubby and I will be celebrating 45 years of marriage. We’ve been traveling to the Big Island, Kauai, and visiting friends and family in Florida. We love our precious moments with our granddaughter who is the light of our lives. Our children live close by, and they still like us, which is a bonus. We’re blessed. More travel is in our future, but we’re looking to go to some more exotic places. Not sure where that is yet, but it will come.

We lost some friends who passed on over the last few years, and some who experienced strokes.  Life is surely precious and we’re feeling the aging process in our bodies with some aches and pains. Tomorrow is a mystery. There might not even be a tomorrow. So for today, in this moment is where I live. There is only now, and I’ve chosen to be happy, keep my body moving, be compassionate, loving, stay connected with community, and have as much fun as possible!!

My share…Don’t wait for anything. Tell the people in your life what they need to know before you die. Don’t be afraid of the consequences. Speak your truth. Stay connected. Be the light, even if you don’t feel like it. Someone else might need to bask in it. Dance, sing, listen to music. You can fake it until you make it! Give a smile out…they’re free. Love yourself, and don’t give in to your “monkey mind”.  It’ll want to play tricks on you. Just say “thank you”, and move on to the next thought. Life is short…seize the day!! Peace & Love, Michelle

Did you ever have one of those moments that you stood up in response to a thought in your head that was telling you that you had to do something? And then, you take three steps in the direction you thought you knew where you were going, and had no idea when you got to where your brain at the time sent you was even the right place. Then you stand there thinking where the fuck was I going?  And what was I going to do when I got to wherever the heck that was? Shit!! The closet, fridge, sink, or to the bathroom? Or did I have to fix something, get a utensil to cook with, a pen, or just a tissue??

So, of course in the end you turn around, go back to your seat at the computer, or wherever you think you were at the time…until you have another brilliant thought!

Since my last post I moved into Seattle from Bellevue and LOVE it. We bought our retirement home looking out at the Puget Sound and the Olympic mountains. Life is good! Our adult kids and grandchild live within 15 minutes, and we love getting together. I’ve maintained the traditional  family dinners, outings, and vacations, which if you read my book, my folks did the same. Now we are the hub.  I love how we really enjoy each others company, and are passionate about the same things. Right now the big topic is “Bernie”…..we’re keeping our fingers crossed for the right change for this divided country. Conscious vs the unconscious!!! We’ll see in about six months who wins. We may be getting our visa’s to move to Canada…if they’ll let us in!

My husband and I are blessed with a wonderful community of like minded people, and attend couples gatherings, women’s and men’s retreats, and staying connected with other women is what makes my heart sing! As anyone who is in a committed relationship knows, it’s vital to have someone to talk to who can relate to what’s going on in our lives. I hope you have someone to reach out to. If not, let me hear from you.

Be well out there, connect with nature, enjoy the sounds around you, have time to meditate, and don’t let your mind play games with you. Just say thanks for sharing and put your thoughts on something positive and beautiful. You are love!!!

Thank you to all who have purchased my book. As you know the proceeds goes to many good causes so please tell your friends to pick up a copy. With love from a grateful soul.

To all of you out there searching for the perfect moment to tell that someone in your life that your love them…..don’t wait, now is all we have. This is the moment!

Wishing you all a magical 2013…you’ve got the power to create the life you want!

Each month I donate my proceeds to a charity of my choice. That’s my way of paying it forward.

With Love, Michelle

AMAZON is selling my book  http://www.amazon.com,  plus you can order it for your Kindle. If you want a signed book,

let me know and I’ll send you one via my home from Bellevue, Washington.

As a contemporary of Michelle and one who came of age in the 60’s I
found her book to be particularly interesting. It reminded me of the sense of adventure
and of all the possibilities with which we faced each day back then.
Michelle held little if anything back and I was amazed at how revealing her memoir is.
I recommend this book to any child of the 60’s.

Thank you Michelle for your openness and candor,

Larry Paull

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Wow is all I can say after reading Michelle Blum’s book ” Pelham Parkway and Beyond ” Thank you so much for holding my hand as we walked through our teen and young adult years. No matter which way I turned you were always there, sometimes by ourselves or in a group. I can say with total conviction that these memories were true because I was there. Thank you my sweet friend for the tears and mostly all the laughs. Anyone wanting to take a trip into the life of a sweet Hippie young girl this is a must read.

LOVE Ya Howie & Donna

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I just finished your book and loved it, will def. be writing an amazon review! I loved hearing your voice as I read.

Juliet Xoxo

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Michelle, I really got into the book. Thanks for putting your past out there. For me it brought back some great memories of a wonderful time in the Bronx and being part of it all. Anyway, it sounds like everything turned out just great.   My son commented that he had never seen me read a book so quickly. I truly enjoyed reliving some of the past. Thank You!
Love Always Larry N.

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Thanks for the memories.
Great read. Tevie

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Hey Loving Sister of mine…Amen to what you wrote!!  Of course that’s THE PAST…..I found it incredible & gutsy to reveal all your AMAZING {some funny..some sad} adventures!!!   As I said….you did a GREAT job {poetry & all}  and I applaud you for the wonderful accomplishment!!!  You’re an AMAZING & LOVING person with so much substance & insight…and you will forever be my best friend…besides being a sister to cherish for a lifetime!!!   Keep doin’ what you’re doin…enjoying each day to the fullest!!!  It fills my Heart & Soul with Happiness to see that you are experiencing so many wonderful current adventures & Loving times with Stu..and the whole family!!  Your Happiness…is My Happiness…forever your loving Bro….JDB

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I originally started this memoir after the passing of my mom. She died 20 years ago. I found myself in a sort of frantic state that I might forget the important memories of our past together. Thus started my need to document every memory and event I could remember. After talking with my brothers about our family gatherings, so many stories started swirling around in my head. Lists turned to pages which turned into chapters, which included, of course, my neighborhood. Pelham Parkway was my stomping grounds for my first 20 years on this planet. So many different places and people weaved in and out of that time and I realized that there was so much more than just a couple of pages to write about. The street that I lived on had its own story; my schools, friends, extended family, vacations, the Catskills, dysfunctional lovers, etc.

This catharsis turned out to be just what I needed to be able to release whatever I was holding onto and move forward to the present moment. I loved and hated every second of this process. It was hard bringing up some of the painful memories of my teen years, but now that I’ve completed it, I feel lighter and happier.

I hope you enjoy my adventures.

Love, Michelle

It seems that I didn’t check this out before putting it in my book. Pelham Parkway is in the Central part of the Bronx, not the northwest. Sorry for that mistake.