We started with art again this morning. I’ll be teaching our first writing class this afternoon, but we wanted to be out painting before the day got hot. When we gathered with our art kits on the street this morning outside our hotel, Brenda Porter handed us each a swatch of watercolor paper with one […]
In Wild, the author recounts her months-long hike along the Pacific Crest Trail, a journey that she took entirely alone after life as she’d known it had fallen apart. “It was a world I’d never been to and yet had known was there all along . . . one I’d staggered to in sorrow and
A Risk I Took to Save Myself Read More »
We just had our official orientation session. In the hours leading up to our 4:00 pm start time, I felt out of sorts as I always do before a retreat, workshop or new class begins. I took a nap. I looked at my notes for our orientation. I crocheted pink and grey ears for an
Our Journey Begins Read More »
Madrid. Relax and turn up the volume and watch these amazing dancers. There are four different windows into their performances.
I’m enjoying wandering around Madrid during these few preparatory days before the official start of our retreat. I went to the Prado today to drink in art for a few hours with my co-leader Andre. She and Brenda and I are meeting every day to go over last minute details. Our group starts arriving tomorrow
I arrived at my hotel jetlagged, grubby, and tired (I only let myself sleep 4 hours on the plane to help me adjust to the time zone here). But it was a pleasure to unpack, do a bit of handwashing in the sink, take a shower, step out of my airplane clothes and into shorts
First Walk in Madrid Read More »
It’s my last full day at home, time to let go of months of preparation and to embrace the actual experience before me. Regardless of what I hope this experience will be for myself, my two co-leaders, and for the women hiking with us, I have no idea what it actually will be. For instance,
The Camino Walks You Read More »
At Bryne-Milliron Forest in Corralitos today with our visiting daughter Eliza Bristol Davis. Walking again felt great. I can’t imagine better company or better weather. It was a perfect day.
Last Hike Before the Camino Read More »
“All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence.” —Martin Luther King, Jr. Tell me about something you do or have done with excellence. Describe it in detail, and with pride.
The Value of Excellence Read More »
I’ve had the funny experience of going around Santa Cruz the past couple of weeks and when I see people I know, they often greet me with, “So how are your feet?” My first thought is, “How did you know?” But then I realize—oh yeah, I wrote about it! Two weeks ago, when my feet
“I have made this letter longer than usual, because I lack the time to make it short.” —Blaise Pascal Take a first draft of something you have written, that you like, and cut it by a quarter. Then cut it by another quarter. Do four revisions, each time cutting it further. (It’s okay to add
Welcoming the Editor Read More »
This morning, I’m soaking my feet in epsom salts and lavender essential oil while reading a terrific book I was gifted for my birthday: The Emerald Mike by Kevin Fedarko, all about the history of the Grand Canyon and the river guides who run it. And the politics of dam building and conservation and a
Okay, I’m leaving for the Camino in two weeks and I’m really freaking out about my feet. My two reliable pairs of shoes that I trained in were worn out by my training. And so I’ve been back and forth to REI, trying out all kinds of shoes. After tons of advice and many fittings,
My Feet Hurt and I Haven’t Even Started Yet Read More »
“I give assignments to my writing classes because it’s hard to make something up out of a clear blue sky. . . . It doesn’t have to be anything. It can contain a character who shows up out of breath. It can contain a lake and a bunch of swans. There can be conversation or
Five-Minute Sprints Read More »
