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| Four rowers caught at sunrise |
I learned a ton about writing during this retreat, and I also learned an incredible amount about the six women who gathered together for the fourth time. That includes me, since I went without expectations and came back with an increased understanding of my own need to write, with a new sense of possibilities for now, and for the future.
Right now I'm pretty tired, since it's late in the afternoon and I took that picture right at sunrise today on our morning walk. Not everybody is an early riser, but Sandi, Deb and I took off this morning at 6:45 for a three-mile walk, which has become our standard way to get exercise over the past few days. It goes around Burton Acres Park, with a dock where we saw several rowers at the Jensen Point boathouse putting their boats into the water and heading out. I caught these Master rowers from the Vashon Island Rowers Club getting in some practice. We learned they were Masters rowers from the wife of one who was at the water's edge, who watched them and chatted with us for awhile.
We could not have had more wonderful weather during our stay, and as I placed my suitcase in the truck of Linda's car, fat raindrops fell from the sky, the first we had seen since we arrived. Perfect timing! And now I am looking forward to next October, when we will meet for the fifth time.
It was so much more than I anticipated, and I'll write more about it, I promise. For now, it's Wine O'Clock and I'm going to get lost in the Stephen King book On Writing. Deb gave us all a copy on the first day, and I dipped into it but had little time to read. And now I have all the time I need to process everything. Retirement is great.
:-)
I had to read back to previous posts to see what this was all about. It sounds like a perfect way to spend a few days. The area looks lovely.. a great place to run away with writing prompts.. and of course to run around with good friends.
ReplyDeleteI am so happy (but unsurprised) to learn that you had such a rewarding, productive and fun time.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your wine oclock. Looking forward to hearing more about your trip.
Blogging is great too. I will be looking forward to your next posts. I'm interested in the self and what it has to do with writing.
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear it went so well. I think some of us wish we were with you! Had some great views of Mount Rainier from the other side of the border.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful sunrise pic! Glad you had a good time with the writing girls!
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful sunrise and so nice that your entire holiday was so rewarding. Welcome back to regular D-Jan life with a new writing twist..
ReplyDeleteSpeakers and coaches on writing are always a positive for me, although it sometimes leaves me feeling overwhelmed at my own limitations as I see them. Hope you enjoyed your glass of wine.
ReplyDeleteYou sound content! Good to hear you are back home safely and that you enjoyed the trip. I think I would like Island life too but would probably go to "town" less than you:)
ReplyDeleteSo, are you going to dabble in fiction now? A novel, perhaps?
ReplyDeleteCongrats on a fine writing retreat on that beautiful island.
Goodness that went fast. Hope it wasn't that way for you. I come from a long line of island folk and it is a neat way to live.
ReplyDeleteWelcome back to normal. Bet Smart Guy is happy you are back.
Beautiful picture...I never saw the sunrise myself, but I'm glad you captured it for me to enjoy!
ReplyDeleteyou take so much from life each day. i admire that!
ReplyDeleteSuch a lovely post, capturing some of the magic we experience on Vashon each fall. I loved that last walk especially. It was so peaceful. Thank you for not only indulging my rock gathering, but also helping me carry them back! I meant to weigh them but haven't yet! Take care, DJan.
ReplyDeleteSuch a lovely post, capturing some of the magic we experience on Vashon each fall. I loved that last walk especially. It was so peaceful. Thank you for not only indulging my rock gathering, but also helping me carry them back! I meant to weigh them but haven't yet! Take care, DJan.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad to hear that you had a great time (I knew you would!) I can't wait to see what else you have to share about this experience.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful picture!
Its so neat how the love of writing draws people together....:)
ReplyDeleteLove your photo. Recommend reading "The Boys in the Boat" about the Univ. of Washington rowers who went to the 1936 Olympics. Look forward to reading more about your stay at the retreat.
ReplyDeleteCan hardly wait to hear more after you've had time to process. You do sound happy to be home but already looking forward to next time. What a magical place! What a wonderful thing you gals all decided to get together and happened to choose the perfect place, too. :) Welcome home!
ReplyDeleteI've heard great things about Stephen King's On Writing.. Curious what you think of it, and sounds like a great retreat. Here in our little place in the world, I'm working with a couple of our kids on writing narrative pieces.. an autobiographical narrative and a shorter narrative essay for Beau, since he's just in 3rd grade. It's amazing how much I'm learning along with them!
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