Do you have the courage to be real? Do you show your true colors or are you just one those faking it to fit in on your cul-de-sac? If the latter applies, you are missing out on the fundamental joys of who you are on the inside. Your soul is all you’ve got. And, if you aren’t portraying the “real you,” life will catch up with you eventually. You can never turn back the hands of time. We cannot erase the mistakes of yesterday. If you aren’t being true to yourself, no one else is either.After stepping into the art world recently, I am finding much inspiration from staring deeply at paintings every day. I am finding that textures reveal tones, colors and layers and a story underneath each brushstroke. Our reflection in the mirror is similar to this. What do you see when you look at yourself?  Be still in the morning and ask yourself, “What do I love? What would bring me joy? What inspires my inner self?”

Just like a tree, your soul needs nourishment. Trust me, even if you are a parent, you must make adjustments for what you love or one day you could wonder what happened to that 12-year-old with dreams?

So, don’t try to fit in. Take time to make time for you. Life can be incredibly short. Be the person you can be proud of each day. Author Thomas Moore’s book, “Care of the Soul,” deals with this topic. I highly recommend it. After all, life isn’t a dress rehearsal and those “do-gooders” up the street? Trust me, they’re not truly your friends anyway. So make sure you’re at least a good friend to yourself. Because you are worth it!

Around town

On Oct. 29, I received some exciting news regarding Santa Fe Christian’s seventh grade flag football team: “ My name is Jason Stewart and I’m a former division one college basketball national champion turned flag football coach! I’m debuting with these guys and I love it.”

The flag football team helps prepare the boys for high school football. According to their website, “We view the middle school flag football program as a farm system for the Santa Fe Christian High School varsity program because we run an 8-Man version of the Wing-T offense that Coach Nick Ruscetta teaches … we are one big happy Wing-T family over at SFC!” Welcome Jason Stewart and good luck to you this season. Santa Fe Christian is one of my favorite schools in the area. I have included a photo of Coach Stewart with the seventh grade flag football team.

On Nov. 1, I received some romantic news about one of my favorite couples in Rancho Santa Fe. Karian and Tom Forsyth are usually on the scene

many places around town, while hosting sizzling spa parties by poolside during the summer. Well, Tom’s birthday is just around the corner in the beginning of December. Guess what his birthday present is each year from his bride? Karian takes Tom to the airport each year on his important day and whisks him away to an unknown destination, which he does not know about until he arrives at the counter and receives the ticket in his hand.

Last year, Karian surprised Tom with a trip to Whistler, Canada. I have included a photo straight out of a James Bond movie, with the couple standing in front of a red helicopter up on the snowy slopes in Canada. Can you say “movie stars?” Also pictured is Tom with his buddies here in the Ranch for their local celebration. I wonder where it will be this year for the Forsyths’ next big adventure? How lucky for Tom, wouldn’t you agree? Stay tuned until next month for that news!

On Nov. 3, the Rancho Santa Fe school board honored R. Roger Rowe students who received perfect scores on their STAR testing at their meeting that evening. Parents, siblings, teachers and friends all gathered together at the Performing Center of Arts to witness this wondrous celebration, that honors the students and their perfect winning scores. Superintendent Lindy Delaney was also there to encourage the students. She also gave them all a personal tip: “When shaking hands, make sure you make good eye contact, too.” Excellent advice! Featured here are two of the recipients, my son Jackson Tuck and Rachel Waite. Rachel Waite is the daughter of Lance and Anna Waite. And, just in case inquiring minds would like to know, Jackson Tuck, is also the son of well-known news anchor Michael Tuck. Michael is now retired, remarried, and recently had a baby girl with his wife, lawyer Jill Tuck. They live in the covenant in the Ranch. Congratulations to all of the students from that night. What a special evening it was for all us there.

On Nov. 5, I received a wonderful picture of a Rancho Santa Fe Garden Club member’s granddaughter, Reese MacDonald. Reese’s soccer team scored the winning goal that weekend and the girls were all smiles (so were the parents!) that day. Reese is featured with her best friend Alexi Aloni. Both girls scored important goals that day for their team.

Later that day, I stopped by Lemon Twist Fruit Stand in Rancho Santa Fe for a wonderful art exhibit by local artist Nancy C. Henderson. Nancy was selling her beautiful original oil painting under a perfect blue sky on that lovely Saturday afternoon.

I took a photo of Nancy proudly standing next to her art that day. Nancy’s art varies from local nature scenes here in Rancho Santa Fe to the rolling hills of Tuscany. If you would like to buy any of Nancy’s art for your own collection, visit nancychenderson.com.

Popular resident Holly Manion came out to lend her support that day, too. We missed each other by just 10 minutes!

In February of the year, I had the good fortune of being invited to Julien Hug’s
35th birthday party. That evening I had never seen Julien more thrilled to
celebrate his birthday with his loved ones. Jen Keslick — Julien’s girlfriend —
presented the most marvelous chocolate cake that I have ever seen. After he blew
out the candles, everyone cheered and clapped for our dear friend. I will never
forget that night in February when we all sat under the stars enjoying each
other, celebrating Julien’s birthday. Thank you Jen for inviting us that
evening. It will truly always be a night to remember.

In the end of

springtime, I started writing a “Hat Feature,” which basically entailed me
running around the Ranch looking for women wearing hats (I should have thought
of that issue before I decided to do it!). However, I had some great fun
stressing about the feature and managed to find some lovely women looking
fabulous. I have included a photo of Ranch resident Karian Forsyth featured with
one my best friends, Meredith MacDonald. We met on a Friday at Mille Fleurs and
you can imagine how excited I was when I had found someone in a hat to
photograph. Good times, pretty girls and a hat to feature in my column! Thanks
Karian and Meredith for always looking so lovely in the photographs around
town.

In May, I had the great honor of being the photographer to cover
the Kids Korps event in the Ranch. Believe it or not, I’m serious. I had the
work camera draped over across my shoulders and I must admit I was feeling like
Lois Lane while I snapped photos of the arriving guests. Maggie Bobileff and
Denise Hug have appeared together more than once and mainly it’s because they
are two of the best-dressed women in Rancho Santa Fe. Thank you Maggie and
Denise for always being so gracious and allowing me to photograph you at the
events.

At the beginning of the summer, Rancho Santa Fe Little League
came to a close with heavy hearts for my son’s team — The Durham Bulls. They
lost in the playoffs. However, look at this photograph! Have you ever seen a
happier group of boys? I felt like this photo was worth repeating because it
represents the glory and the fun all young boys must feel even after not winning
the game. Their spirits are alive and they do not look sad with defeat and proud
to be part of a team. Thanks so much to all of the parents who lend their time
and support to make Rancho Santa Fe Little League a wonderful experience for
everyone. I look forward to next year’s season, too. Beware! I will be there
with my camera.

In early June, I woke up early one morning to help make
1,000 strawberries for the Spring Fling Event, Best in Show, held at Helen
Woodward. If you’ve ever attended one of the Spring Fling Events, you know
firsthand it’s on the “must attend” event list in Rancho Santa Fe. I had so much
fun that night! I wore an apron, cleared trays, sampled food and ran into some
of my favorite Ranch residents. I am sharing a photo here of myself with Katie
Holcomb and her sister Rosie. They are both long-time residents who I am always
thrilled to see when I am around town. I believe my smile tells the story of how
much I love these two beautiful women.

In August, Karian and Tom Forsyth
had their first co-ed spa party. Let me tell you it was a great success. Hot and
sunny with drinks in hand, guests mingled as they sat poolside in the Crosby. I
took this group photo of some of the guests that day. One of the best hot summer
days of the year! A big thank you to Tom and Karian for always being so
fashionable and making Rancho Santa Fe look feel like Hollywood. But most of
all, for being my good friends and always including me at your incredible
parties.

In September, I attended a Rancho Santa Fe Rotary meeting in
late September. I had the honor of being the guest of President Patrick Galvin.
He had asked me to attend so I could be privy to hear the guest speaker, the
executive director of Susan G. Komen for the Cure in San Diego, speak about her
own personal fight against cancer. With heart, love and conviction, I was moved
by Laura Farmer Sherman’s imploring speech urging all of us to help in the fight
against breast cancer. Krista Lafferty is featured here with the guest speaker
and John Farris. Krista is all smiles, too, because her mother is also a cancer
survivor.

A very special thanks to the editor Laurie Sutton who is always
so gracious and allows me to make adjustments even past deadline. And, to all of
The Coast News Group for including me as part of your wonderful publishing
business. I feel very blessed and proud to be part of the newspaper world.

Read more: Coast
News Group – Reflecting on my year 2010 in Rancho Santa Fe