Tweet at SLICE2013!
This
is going to be a lumpy, bumpy slice of life because I’m not sure how to tell
you about my adventure last week at the Highlights Foundation with 17 other poets (including our leader, David L. Harrison and skyping with Renee La Tulippe and J. Patrick Lewis); sometimes a few editors, like Rebecca Davis, Sr. Editor for Boyd's Mill Press; a kitchen staff (thank you chef Joe); and time, time, time. Oh wait, I guess I just gave you a summary. And my hope is that you can fill in the rest,
with words like marvelous, comforting,
supportive, filling, inspiring, exhilarating, friendly, informative and a.very.good.time! Here is a sketch of my little cabin from my notebook:
Here are some photos to fill in even
more.
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| view when I walked out of my cabin each morning |
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| my cabin no. 8, in the middle |
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| a place I sat to write, a stream flowing by below |
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| an old log I thought looked like a creature about to move through the leaves |
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| the outdoor patio where we had evening entertainment from each other! |
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| a space to sit and write while being inspired-rocks with words-see next pic |
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| a close-up of words on one rock-a special place |
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| oh wouldn't everyone love this swing? |
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| beautiful starry flowers still blooming large |
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| my desk where I wrote too |
Among so many
good words of advice, from David L. Harrison, our wise leader: “YOU CAN’T
IMPROVE A BLANK PIECE OF PAPER!” No more
need be said! Write, write and write
some more!
Here’s something I wrote to the tune of
“dirt”, and it may change, I hope improved, but thought I had to show you that I did write, and write some more!
Little Janie adores the taste
of the tasty pies she makes for lunch.
With dirt and water, pebbles and grass,
she also loves the way they crunch!
Linda Baie ©All Rights Reserved
49 comments:
Oh, Linda, what an opportunity! My favorite pic-you in the swing! And yes, I would love to go up in that swing too. My favorite words-marvelous, supportive, inspiring...just like Tuesday SOL!
What a great experience! It must have been SO much fun there doing the work of writing!
Your words and images definitely capture the magic of your "camping with words" experience. I love the image of the rocks, too, and was just thinking how much fun it would be to do this with kids...now to get some rocks....
I'm so glad you didn't include the address of those cabins. Because I would have left my house with my three children still sleeping, and driven straight there. Looks so peaceful and inspiring!
Looks like a really, really special time and place! Your photo essay captures it perfectly!
Talk about an inspiring place! How could you not write with all that beauty surrounding you! Sounds like a fabulous time, just as you knew it would be. I agree, that log does look like an animal creeping along ready to surprise someone.
Thank you Ramona-it was indeed like SOL Tuesdays!
Thanks Donna-you would have been a great addition to the poets!
I know these rocks are not inexpensive, but some of us thought we could do similar things with painted words, Anita! Hope you try it! Thanks!
It was one of those quiet times we just don't have often. Glad you didn't leave your dear kids, though! Thank you!
Thanks Carol, it was indeed!
I love being out like that, like you, Elsie, imagining things. And it was a different kind of woods from the Rockies, so very fun to see them, too. Thanks!
Linda,
I love your photos! I was in Cabin 15, where Jone M. had been before me a few weeks! The karma! I am so sorry I could not get there this time. I also would like to join in on the evening fun and David's talks. Next fall, it is on my list, but I am thinking Verse Novel, too. I am so glad I got to say hello. I want to go for a peaceful writing time and I know they offer those. Lovely retreat in so many ways. Janet F.
So glad you did stop in, though. Maybe another time, Janet? It was a wonderful time for sure!
Ah, sounds just magical, Linda - and I love your sketch: such a delightfuly cabin-y sort of place!
What a joyous post...I am so happy that you got to make this trip, and grateful that you shared it. And what a charming sketch...beautiful! May the spirit of this week stay with you... xo
Thanks Tara-will tell you all about it when we get together!
Thanks Amy-wonderful experience last week that I won't soon forget!
I am sure the pictures only show a glimpse of the experience you had. What a gorgeous place. I love the cabins but I am a "cabiny" kind of girl!
The cabin was very cozy, and it was nice to be with everyone too, then return to the cabin later. You would have loved it! Thanks, Leigh Anne!
What an amazing experience. Just looking at the scenery made me want to write. Glad you had such a wonderful time.
The pictures are wonderful! The old log made me think of dinosaur stories. It sure sounds like you had a wonderful time. Thanks for sharing a few bits with us.
Thanks Katherine. It was lots of fun.
You are so welcome; I'm fairly bursting with all the details of this past week, Jaana. Thank you!
Oh Linda! This looks like such a wonderful experience! I love the cabin, the writing places and everything in between. I'm sure there was inspiration surrounding you everywhere. The poem about Janie reminds me of a little Janie I know! :)
Whoa. I want to go there!!!!! The cabins are so cute and the scenery is incredible! (I saw the rocks on your Facebook and wondered what they were about... now I know they were part of something really special!) Reminds me of the cool tree I found this summer during our Writing Project retreat! Isn't it wonderful how nature can clear your mind and release those words? :-)
What a great place to write and reflect! Looks beautiful. I'll bet it was a great experience...
What a wonderful experience! Thanks for sharing the pictures and reminding me how relaxing and inspiring the natural world can be.
Your photos took me away to that wonderful peaceful place for just a minute. Thanks for the reminder about the blank page. I keep using the excuse, if only I had time. Nice that you could take that time. What a gift!
How fun for you to know a little Janie-one of my favorite names, from an old friend. Thanks, Robin.
Jennifer, I thought of your posts last week with all those beautiful woods! Yes, it must have been so similar an experience!
It was indeed, Deb. Now we need a 'slicers' retreat, don't we?
Thank you- it was a special outdoors place.
I just spoke with a friend yesterday about all the ways we can find to keep from really writing, Margaret. I hope I can keep the inspiration from last week!
I love digesting one of your posts with words and images and sketches. Write Write Write... yes, I don't mind if i do
Bonnie
Cheers Bonnie, for a great rest of October!
What a beautiful place to be writing!
Thank you, Miriam!
Looks like a lovely event - and beautiful photos!
Thanks Maria. It was a good time!
I love the sketch, the photos, and the poem. It looked like such a great escape.
It was Holly-thanks!
Cabin No. 8 looks divine! What an experience you must've had last week. Where was this retreat? (Would you mind emailing me w/more info?)
It was a wonderful place, cabin & all, Stacey. And yes, will e-mail you! Thanks!
Linda, I loved seeing these photographs, but especially your lovely sketch. So sweet! I was a mudpie baker, like Janie, long before I was allowed to cook real food. Fun poem.
Thanks Laura-takes me back to my mud puddle days, too!
Linda, that's a great picture of you on the swing! It sounds like you had an amazing experience. Thanks for sharing it with us!
Linda, I love the picture of you on the swing. It sounds like you had an amazing experience. Thank you for sharing it with us.
Thanks Catherine-It was just a delight to do this!
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