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Kanuga Conference Center
Every time I go away on a trip and then return I come home a new person. This time is no exception. Yesterday afternoon I returned from four nights at the Kanuga Conference Center in Hendersonville, North Carolina, and then a one night visit with my daughter, her partner, and my grandkids. It was intense. All of it.
The conference was about journaling and I have not yet processed all that I learned and how it may effect how I move forward. But just let me say that I am full and must now slowly begin to digest the nourishment I received. I met wonderful people like Christina Baldwin, who wrote Story Catcher and whose quote you will find on the home page of my website. She has long been an inspiration to me and her words kept me working on my soon to be published book.
I discovered that both of my grandkids are taller than I am and that I don’t see them enough. They are growing toward adulthood and I can’t seem to keep up with them. Zoe and I had a lovely afternoon together while the rest of the family was otherwise engaged. We walked around Lake Tomahawk, share delicious, chocolate salted-caramel ice-cream and listened to live blue-grass in downtown Black Mountain. We made plans that once she has her drivers license next year, she is going to come up here to Charlottesville so we can go visiting places like Monticello, Thomas Jefferson’s home, and the many other historic sights we are home to.
Next week I’m taking a few days to go on retreat. No phone. No fixed schedule. No blog post. Just the sound of the Atlantic pounding on the shore, some good books to read, and taking in the natural world of gulls, dolphins, and shells that wash up on the shore. I’ll be back on the first of June with my newsletter and on June 7th I’ll be back here with a new blog post.
May Peace Be With You
Lake Tomahawk
Enjoy! Great picture!
enjoy, Enjoy, ENJOY!
Dorothy and Laurie,
Thank you so much. I plan on enjoying every minute!
I just ate lunch and the words, full, digest, and nourishment in this post stood out. Then I took a nap to let it all process . . . as you will enjoy doing next week. You’ll feel like a new person again. 🙂
One day I’ll move away from all the busy-ness now and do the same.
Yes … Full … Digest … Nourishment. I can hardly move I’m so full. I just returned from my acupuncturist who said I need to rest now. Yes, I will.
Enjoy your most deserved break, Joan. When I saw the title of your post , I thought you meant returning from BEA but you had a another conference after that. Ambitious! Peace, my friend.
I’m too ambitious, Kathy, and learned I should not do two back to back trips. Part of me thinks I’m still 35 years old. But my body tells the truth!
As I read this, I could see you in your home, in your studio, with your journals. Such a treat to know the person behind these posts. Enjoy your retreat, Joan.
These are knock-out photos, Joan. Your artistic eye filters everything you do.
I am feeling exactly the same way you are. I’ve learned that it takes me about one week to absorb, organize, reflect all the depths of travel when I return.
I love the idea that each time we return we are new people. Yes!
Shirley, I know you are just returning also. I’ve been fascinated by the idea of changing yet returning. I also feel I’ve been away for a year, but it’s only been about 10 days in all. After you absorb and reflect I’d love to hear about your trip.
I’m on a gardening retreat. Today, I potted many plants and did lots of weeding and watering. I’m hardening off tomatoes and peppers for the vegetable garden, plus my friend’s plants. They have to be watered and encouraged each day. The Lupines are ready to bloom which means it’s the season of Vic’s death. I’m the Lupine Lady with a little underworld twist.