Jo March's Hat

When the writer's conference was over, a group of us were sitting on the patio discussing all the reasons why we couldn't write.  One of the reasons was family members who interrupted the work in progress, though it was often innocently so.  I mentioned that Jo March had a writing hat...and I only just now found the quote.

Here it is for all of us:

Every few weeks she would shut herself up in her room, put on her scribbling suit, and "fall into a vortex" as she expressed it, writing away at her novel with all her heart and soul, for till that was finished she could find no peace.  Her "scribbling suit" consisted of a black woollen pinafore on which she could wipe her pen at will, and a cap of the same material, adorned with a cheerful red bow, into which she bundled her hair when the decks were cleared for action.  This cap was a beacon to the inquiring eyes of her family, who during these periods kept their distance, merely popping in their heads semi-occasionally, to ask, with interest, "Does genius burn, Jo?"  They did not always venture even to ask this question, but took an observation of the cap, and judged accordingly.  If this expressive article of dress was drawn low upon the forehead, it was a sign that hard work was going on; in exciting moments it was pushed rakishly askew; and when despair seized the author it was plucked wholly off, and cast upon the floor.  At such times the intruder silently withdrew; and not until the red bow was seen gayly erect upon the gifted brow, did any one dare address Jo. 

Louisa May Alcott (1832-1888)

Little Women

Ah, the ocean!

The one regular reader of this blog (my mom--and only because we shamelessly set her computer up that way) knows that I tend to update it only when I travel.

This is a picture that I took last night.  Isn't it lovely?  Don't you wish you were here?  The soothing sound of the surf, the lovely orange glow from the sun...how gorgeous is that?

Yes, you might be wondering how I managed to get here after yesterday's post.   Boy, that girl travels a LOT you might even be thinking.

Yeah, right. Double click on the photo, and look at the very bottom.   I'm vacationing in my spare room.  While I was gone, my husband exchanged the digital box in the guest room to one that is HD, just like the tv.  And this...is a picture of the Sunset channel.  Sounds just like being at the ocean.

I might be here awhile.

A tale of two castles

The writing conference wrapped up yesterday.  I was humbled by many of the people I met, and awed by what they could do (Angela Hunt, Kathy Mackel, Nancy Rue and James Scott Bell are brilliant and gifted teachers, and my writing buddy Amy rocked).  After our classes were over, many people headed out right away.  My new Canadian friends and I stayed over, and it was lovely just to get to know them better.  People are fascinating, make no mistake.

This morning after rising bright and early, I took one more walk around the promenade loop.  This is probably the easiest of all the trails, but hey, I had my cane, so I was okay with that.  I actually saw the eagles on the nest this time, and took the best picture that I could, without a tripod.

The only thing not enjoyable at the castle was the wretched cold I picked up.  I was blessed by more people than ever before in my life, thanks to all my sneezing (and yes, just because, too).  Then there was the coughing, the sputtering and all of that fun stuff.  And who needs to breathe, I ask?  Apparently not me.

It was a dreadful trip home.  I was feeling pretty conspicuous with all my coughing, hacking, and sneezing.  In the aftermath of H1N1, I can understand why people were glaring at me, and I know what kind of incubators planes can be.  There wasn't any hot water on the first flight (so no tea for me) and no air conditioning on the second flight (which made the vast amount of space one is given on an RJ200 even more delightful).  I thought the cold was out of my ears and into my chest, but alas, as we gained altitude I soon realized that it had put a downpayment  for both places.   By the time I landed at home, I knew I was twice as sick as when I started the day.

Know what makes my life so great?  My super guy met me at the gate, grabbed all my stuff and brought me home.  Then he sent me to bed, brought me some tea, tucked me in and took care of all the unpacking for me.  He's already doing the laundry and there are fresh flowers in the only spot of the house where Lynxy won't eat them.

Glen Eyrie was great but it doesn't hold a candle to the castle I have here.

Day Two at the Castle

Yesterday was intense.  I'm learning a lot, being teased, making new friends.  I'm finding new people to respect and learn from, and a whole whack of books that I want to take home.  It's a great group and a great location.

Last night I went to bed early, and actually fell asleep.  I slept four hours in one stretch--and then slept for another couple.  That was pretty much the most sleep I got in one night since, well, forever.  I woke up super early though (4:30!) so spent some time talking to people at home, and then went for a walk.  It's a lovely time of the morning...quiet and peaceful.

This is a place for solitude.  Solitude is a grand thing!  I may just have to make this an annual affair.

A day at the castle

My purpose for being in Colorado is to attend a writers workshop which coincidentally will allow me to spend some time with one of my favourite people.  She tells people that we have been friends for twenty years, and I hadn't stopped to absorb that.  It doesn't seem that long...it also seems like forever.  She is someone who has earned my trust, someone that I will drive a few hours to see, someone that I treasure as much as it is possible for me to treasure anyone.

She is a brilliant writer.  She has insight, and a clever way to put words together.  She observes things that I only wish I could see. She is beyond delighted to be here, and it is fun to share in that joy.  This is, I think,  her safe place.

It scares me half to death.

The conference is small and cozy, and in the most unexpected of locations.  Spectacular scenery, very friendly people, seemingly very well planned.  I have an historic room and a four poster bed.  The program is flexible, and I have lots of choice.  It should give me everything that I need.

The problem is that what I need may require me looking at things that I had very firmly sent to a corner with a strict admonition to behave.     What if they come to the party and have a grand old temper tantrum?

And what if I can't write?

Then again, what if I can?

Happiness is a Day at the Zoo

I am currently in Colorado Springs.  I arrived on Friday expecting to be in the mountains, but instead, it is more like a semi-desert with a mountain view.   I have so far found the people to be exceptionally kind, the plants intriguing, and the signs hung on overpasses declaring "welcome home, daddy" to bring unexpected tears.

I've been staying at the Doubletree here, and I have had a most pleasant stay.  For one, they hand out chocolate chip cookies upon arrival, and they are better than mine.  I hate to say that.  But it's true, and I am soon going to be on the hunt for a copycat recipe, or to make one myself.  I'm so tempted to grab a dozen for when I leave.  You know, to test and stuff.

In a couple of hours, I'm meeting up with one of my favourite people in the world, and we are going to a conference together.  But when I was researching a place to meet up, I realized that the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is but ten miles away.  And I'm a real sucker for zoos.  Any zoo.  My favourite kind of day is to wander a zoo, laugh at the antics of animals, especially if they are in a large enough habitat, and learn something new.

I'm particularly fond of giraffes, so when I realized that this zoo has a large herd and a feeding station....well, I knew I needed that as much as I need a retreat.  So yesterday, a kind gentleman from the hotel gave me a ride, and a city tour, and I spent the day enjoying animals, the mountain air, the sun, a bit of breeze, giraffes and more giraffes, and for lunch....a foot-long dog "ready to party".

Here are a few pics from the occasion...