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Monday, September 19, 2016

Treasured Times



       I'm slicing with the Two Writing Teachers community today. It's always a pleasure to read what everyone writes about their lives.

         The last time I posted was about point of view, and I think I may always be considering it, trying to learn from others' opinions, too. This touches growth mindset too, doesn't it?

So, I had the extreme pleasure of joining Georgia Heard, Rebecca Kai Dotlich and an amazing group of poets at the Highlights Foundation retreat poetry workshop last week, "The Craft and Art of Writing Poetry for Children". And again, the time opened my mind to some new ideas, and affirmed old ones. Listening, "hearing" others' POVs excited and taught me. 
            Some of the group I had written with before at an earlier retreat, some are teacher/bloggers I've met at NCTE. Some are poetry Friday bloggers I've written with for a long time and was thrilled to meet and know better. And those new to me, so glad to make good connections, beginning friendships! 


            Today, I imagined writing about my time, and grasp for the right words. As I chose a few favorite pictures, the word that kept coming is "NOURISH". From the pickup at the airport to the welcome from those already there, to the hugs from everyone when I said goodbye, and once again was chauffeured off to fly away, I was nourished. The word "nourish" is defined by the online Oxford Dictionary as to "Provide with the food or other substances necessary for growth, health, and good condition." Indeed!  I was nourished with food, friendship, enlightening conversations, fun, a space of my own, nature, and learning. I will try to share another time some specifics for writing that were shared. They are not necessarily new to me, nor will they be to you, and much centered around reading, a lot, and studying what other poets do. Then, writing, a lot, and using mentor texts as you practice. I know that's what many of you do, and also what many of you teach. Best practices! It was a wonderful time! People pics are many, but I've chosen a few favorites.

A small group sharing poems and giving response-me, front left!

I loved spending time with Catherine, trying in our few hours
together to get to know each other a bit more.

Our lovely teachers! I've spent some time in the past with Georgia, and
was delighted to meet and get to know Rebecca.


My special cabin. Ah!

The barn, our meeting, eating, relaxing
and working place!

A favorite place I visit and write-down by the stream and the special
stone wall.

 

two favorite flower pics

a wider view of the barn

That last morning, a walk and finding webs all over
this field, a final gift to take away!


46 comments:

  1. Linda, I'm envious of this luxury of time and space that nourished you. It looks like you made the most of it. I'm looking forward to reading more of your poetry on Fridays.

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    1. Thank you. This was much inspiration, Kimberley!

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  2. Oh, this is how I imagine heaven! Poetry. Friends. Beautiful places. :) Thank you for sharing your time with us!!

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    1. You're welcome, Michelle. I know you've been there and remember!

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  3. I'm living vicariously through you, Linda! What a wonderful experience. Thank you for sharing those pictures too!

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    1. You're welcome! It was a delight! Hope you might go someday, Jennifer!

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  4. White snakeroot! (That's the flower on the left that you asked me about--it is indeed related to boneset which is all I could come up with at the time.)

    Thanks for sharing your lovely photos and thoughts--it was indeed a nourishing time.

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    1. You're welcome, Buffy, and thanks for the ID of that flower. Those tiny blooms are so lovely. Now I need to look to see the "why" snakeroot!

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  5. I'm nourished by reading this and seeing the photos. AAAAH! And I look forward to hearing more!

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  6. Another photo slice today! Pictures do say a lot, and yours say you absolutely cherished every moment of your workshop experience. In my slice today, I share my daughter's trip to Ireland via pictures...a very nourishing experience for her, too.

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    1. Thanks, Barbara, will look for your Ireland time. Fran also shared a photo trip!

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  7. Thrilled for you, Linda! You deserve this regularly! Many hugs...I look forward to reading some of your writing that comes from this week. xx

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    1. Will share as much as I can, Amy. It was pure pleasure to be with this group, amazing time! Thanks!

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  8. How thrilling. Nourish is the perfect word to describe what happened. It seems like there was nourishment from everyone and everything around you. How full you must have felt at the end.

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    1. Yes, I really did. It was a time that seemed to mesh together so wonderfully. I am fortunate to have been there! Thanks, Bob.

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  9. Those beautiful pictures make me long for some time away to read and write! Thanks for taking me there!

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    1. You're so welcome, Ricki. I hope someday you can find that place for you!

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  10. Linda, the writing retreat sounds like the perfect mix of friends, reflection, pondering, and writing. What a beautiful setting to explore life introspectively. I can't wait to hear more.

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    1. It was terrific, Carol, a mixture to love! Thanks!

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  11. What a delightful week away! Time to be outside, time to be inspired, time to write, time to visit, time to be nourished. Thanks for the beautiful pics! That stone wall reminds me of the one my dad built, all from stones he dug out of the spot where he created our family garden.

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    1. Oh, I love hearing about your dad's stone wall, Ramona. It's been a fascination of mine for a long time, reading about them and seeing pictures. There are some walls in the mountains, but fewer here. It was a great week!

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  12. Inspiring post, Linda - then again, everything about the Barn and surrounding grounds is inspiring! Glad you had a great time.

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    1. Thank you, I remember our time together that first time for me, Matt. Missed you this time. Cory, Heidi and Linda D. were there!

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  13. Sounds like the perfect time, my friend - the photographs give us some special glimpses into your time there.

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  14. You have a perfect title for this post - treasured times. Your experience, the inspiration, the company, feeling nourished - these treasures are more valuable than anything with a price tag.

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  15. Sounds like a fabulous writing retreat! What a beautiful location. Love that you were nourished by the experience...what more could anyone want from writing alongside others? Nourished. Love it!

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    1. Thanks, Maureen. As I've written more than once above, it was a marvelous time!

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  16. I am so envious of your experience, your treasure, your nourishment.

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    1. I hope you can be there someday, Leigh Anne. It's a wonder!

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  17. Nourishing is exactly the right word to describe our time at Highlights. I'm still full of ideas and inspiration! It was such a treat to spend time with you, Linda. I hope we can be there together again next year!

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    1. I'd love that, Catherine. It was such fun to spend time together! Hope your week is starting beautifully!

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  18. Oh, that would be wonderful, you two... Nourishing is indeed the perfect word for our collective time together, and our private writing space, too. I felt like I thought I might - like I'd known you both forever. So special to reconnect with folks I'd had the pleasure of poem-making with before, and to meet new friends as well. Let's all do it again next month...! ;0)

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    1. I've told many how much I wish that some of my connections lived closer, and you are one of those, Robyn. It was pure fun to spend time together. Thanks, and next month sounds wonderful, and probably not going to happen, sad to say.

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  19. How wonderful!
    Loved seeing the photos!

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  20. Linda, I really enjoyed meeting you. Like you said, it felt like we were all old friends. That's pretty amazing! I miss everyone, and coming back to the real world has been a challenge. Thanks for the pictures!

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    1. It was so good to meet you, too, Linda. The time was so short! You're welcome to the pics, hope you've had a good week back!

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  21. So happy to hear about your experience and see your photo! Sounds like a whole lot of nourishment to soak in!

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  22. Thanks for sharing the pictures, this really is a place I would like to go to at some point!

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    1. I hope you will, Michele! It is a terrific place!

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Thanks for visiting!