Personal retreating

The gift of time and place

Thanks so much for continuing to wonder with me! It’s been a while— I aim for about two posts a month, so I’m still good! I’m not actually MIA, but I’ve been in retreat.

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OK— you can be a little envious, I wouldn’t blame you. I’ve been on a personal writing retreat for 10 days in Maine, blissfully indulging in whatever I feel like doing, which is mainly wrestling with thoughts and words. Today is the first day sans cold, wet, windy weather— the kind of spring day that should happen a whole lot earlier than the end of May— but since Ginger and I have been holed up in this big cozy house, I didn’t mind the inhospitable weather. Just being in Maine with no distractions is a gift. So— lucky me.

a place to write....

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A retreat, among other things, can be a break, a sabbatical, a getaway. Or an asylum, sanctuary, haven, refuge. I’ve written a lot about the challenges and gifts of aloneness and living a solo life, and being on a solo “retreat” is nothing new for me. I’ll admit that I fret about using the time to full advantage and not getting enough done. But then I realize that sitting on the porch steps in the sun, reading a novel in bed, taking long walks with Ginger, making myself a leisurely breakfast, scrolling Substack with a glass of wine, taking myself out for ice cream while watching the tourists (always amusing)— all these things are part of my retreat.

That memoir? Though I didn’t get as much done as I’d hoped, I had an epiphany about restructuring it. New approach! New turning points! Who knows? Someday it might get finished. I’ll keep plodding along…

Today is my last day here, and FINALLY it’s no longer 45 degrees and grey and wet. Thank the gods and goddesses for that!

I hope your month of May has been melodic, merry and filled with meaningful musings. I’ll be back in June to celebrate my one-year anniversary on Substack 🎉

Ginger in her happy place

Thanks for reading Continuing Wonderment — Clicking on the 💜 means the world to me, and lets me know you care. Sharing or restacking this post would be a gift, and leaving a comment would warm my heart. 🙏