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...

Catching up

Last week, I went home to see my family.  The last time I was there was in August, to celebrate Mom and Dad's golden anniversary.  This week, I went home just because. 

I promised myself that I would take some time to rest, that I wouldn't be too busy, that I couldn't see everyone.  I mostly kept that promise but it was hard.  I don't like being that close to people that I love and not being able to see them all or spend hours on the phone with them.  I didn't HAVE hours.  I had moments.  So to all my friends who are upset that I didn't connect with you, I am sorry.  I hope you can forgive me and I hope you can understand.  I'm blessed that there are so many of you...I'm grateful.  I love you but I just can't make it happen every time. And why am I writing that you may ask?  Because someone didn't understand and now I feel really guilty about it all.  So again, I'm sorry.

Here are some of the moments.

Dinner with Mom and Dad here.  After we got through the usual routine of who could afford to pay for what, I really enjoyed this private time with them.  It was ironic that my Auntie Bev and I decided to fly in on the same day...and it was unfortunate that snow delayed her flight be many many hours.  Consequently, she missed dinner, but I'm sure we ate enough to sort of make up for that.

I had lunch with Shelley, which was as always a delight.  We have much in common and we took advantage of the time to commiserate about our current situations.  And she told me about Italy.  I want to go to Italy.  Just not when a volcano feels the need to express its displeasure.

With the help of Boston Pizza, we hosted a party for all the kidlets and their assorted hanger-ons.  By that, I mean their parents and grandparents.  Can I just say how selfish my sister is for wanting those kids all to herself all the time??  Yes, in fact I can.  It's MY blog.  And also, that my newest great-niece is a gorgeous little thing.  And that my youngest niece is just growing up to be a lovely teenager, and that my  eldest niece is a really great mom, and seems to have found herself a nice man to share it with, and that my nephew is hilarious, and that it was a delight to see a little girl jump up and say 'my daddy is here, my daddy is here, my daddy is HERE!'?  Indulge me while I also mention that I love my aunt for saving my arm from coffee burn, and to express my thankfulness that said coffee landed on me and not on the bare shoulders of a 3 year old.  I don't think that the restaurant handled the evening very well, but I don't care.  From my perspective, it was a great evening full of crazy sunglasses and lots of teasing and best of all, we didn't have to cook or clean.  So thank you, kind serving people.

I had coffee with some touchstone-type of people, and we found a new little spot called the Three Bananas Cafe.  You should go, and your latte could look like this too.  If it looks that good, think of how wonderful it would taste (it was sooooo smooooooth).  Add in a good healthy dash of laughing and it was a great way to spend an hour.

My sister-in-law and I met for sushi.  I love sushi.  I can eat a lot of it.  She weighs half of what I do, and she can eat more.  She can eat a lot more.  I can't figure out how.   I'm jealous.  I'm also very grateful for the quiet afternoon we had for there were some real heart-to-heart moments coupled with some crazy laughter.  It could not have been more perfect, and I will always treasure it.

Then there was dinner with my parents, one of my best friends, and my very funny aunt.  Said friend shared the hotel room with me so that she could work on her novel.  I marvel at her mind, for the world she is crafting could never come out of my black and white way of looking at things.  Don't worry, I'll brag about her book when it is published, so you can find it at a bookstore near you.  She needed to ask my prairie parents about some much-needed detail, and much mirth ensued.

Then there was just one more gathering before we left the city.  Our 'ladies-who-brunch' club gathered and laughed and caught up, and told stories.  I loved that there were a few generations there, of people that I have known through my church for decades.   That was just one of the absolute best times, and I hope we make it a tradition. It was a GREAT idea!

It's always great to visit that home, and it's just as wonderful to come back to this home.  Life is good!