With these words, I begin each new book.  I press the little button on top of my brand new "nook," read the sentence, and wait.  And wait a little more.  It's the price to pay for an exciting "largest font that's in your face" kind of reading.   I knocked these ereaders for about two years before I went to the dark side.  That it has wifi is a plus, that I can read newspapers on it is another.  And by doing so, I'm probably helping an industry become extinct -- like the dinosaur.  But, it's bound to happen.  What's another gadget that requires an USB cable.  That requires charging.  That needs you to touch a screen.  I'd already had enough experience with my iPod, camera, cell phone, laptop, so another techy piece of equipment doesn't stress me out. 

What this signifies is that I'm doing a lot of thinking about what I've done and what I want to do.  As I hit my half way to a century mark, and gone two more years past that,  (do the math), I want to do a lot of stuff before the muscles start to shrink, the mind starts to wander, and the feet start to fail.  Therefore, I'm embarking on two new projects.  And of course, you will be able to hear about all it through my new site, The Hudson Valley Beat.com.  It's allowing me to be my own boss, and be the publisher of an online site for fun, for laughs, and because it's my passion.  It's meant to "celebrate the goodness of the Hudson Valley," it's people, places and products (homegrown and homemade).  Expect great pictures, and the goofy stories you expect from me.

The second is my quest to become a Yoga teacher.  I was inspired by one of my first yoga classes about twenty years ago.  Given by a senior citizen, a grandmother, who ran an adult ed class on Long Island; her "regularness and average flexibility" caused me to vow that I'd be like her when I get to that age.  Now, in order for me to get to her level, I better start now.   My first class was just tonight (9/2), and I'm ready.   

Watch out for news about this site - its launch date is probably around September 15, but you'll hear all about it.  You'll be able to facebook me about the site, and I'll actually twitter you all out there about where I'm headed, what stories are coming up, and any unusual positions I find myself in.  So, I'll be signing off from my open.salon gig, with a great big thank you, and a tug on my ear.  Namaste!