At the end of every retreat I teach, I take notes about how things might be improved the next time around. I notice the things that go well, the things that fall flat, the rhythm of the days and the balance of activity, engagement, adventure and rest. And at the end of each retreat, especially […]
Virtual Vacation: The Power of Story Read More »
I woke up this morning to another visit from the Scrabble Fairy at my door, though this message, like the others, only makes sense if you’d been here. It would take me a whole blog post to explain why I laughed out loud when I stepped out of my door and saw these tiles: But
Virtual Vacation: The Hoot in Hootananny Read More »
This morning in our second full writing class, we talked about the importance of sensory details and then did one of my favorite exercises, practicing the art of “bare attention,” drawn from Vipassana meditation practice. After some instruction, I sent everyone out with jackets, sweatshirts and hats, a notebook, pen and a plastic chair–into the
Virtual Vacation: The World in One Square Foot Read More »
After celebrating our son Eli’s college graduation in Boston and spending a luscious week with my partner, all three of our kids and both grandkids in Granada, Spain, I said goodbye to my family and set off alone for Scotland to teach my retreat at Newbold House. I arrived back at Newbold House at midnight
Virtual Vacation: Arriving at Newbold House Read More »
I’m getting ready to go on my first major trip since my mother died, more than ten months ago. I am remembering how I started every travel blog I ever wrote-going to visit my mother to say goodbye. She’d sit there under her wall of masks from her travels all over the world and she’d smile at me,
Virtual Vacation: Setting Out on A New Journey Read More »
It’s my last day in Mexico and we’re heading back to San Miguel. We passed once again through Tzintzantzun. We drove through the wonderful gauntlet of huge statues, past the town market, and there the carnival we’d seem disembodied on the road day after day. Now it was all set up and ready for children:
The Virtual Vacation Mexico: Adios Mexico Read More »
I woke up before dawn this morning, quietly dressed, and went out for an early morning walk. The air was bracing and I was glad I’d pulled on my fleece. I headed off, thinking I’d walk as far as I could in a single direction so that I wouldn’t get lost. After a couple of
The Virtual Vacation Mexico: The Real Mexico Read More »
As we wandered around Pátzcuaro this morning, doing a little shopping, we came across this storefront. Apparently, even AA obeys the rules of signage in this colonial town: “Once,” Suzy told me as we walked, “I was in Oaxaca and I came across the national headquarters of ‘Neuroticos Anonimos.’ Now that’s a 12-step program we
The Virtual Vacation Mexico: Copper, Copper Everywhere Read More »
Breakfast at La Casa Encantada was served at a wide wooden communal table with beautiful place settings, hot coffee or tea, freshly cut fruit salad, three choices of eggs cooked to order, beans and toast. It was a pleasure to get to know some of our fellow guests, the food was delicious, and everywhere I
The Virtual Vacation Mexico: The Sound of Hummingbirds Read More »
I really wanted to sleep in this morning. I was dreaming of ten hours of sleep and not opening my eyes until 9 AM, but at 5:30 I was wide awake. I guess there’s still a lot of adrenaline coursing through my body from being on performance mode at the conference. It was still completely
The Virtual Vacation Mexico: Pátzcuaro – Early Morning Read More »
At the end of last year’s writer’s conference, I spent one night with my friends Richard and Suzy before flying home, and that night we cooked up the idea of going on a little road trip at the end of this year’s conference. It’s demoralizing to work so hard and be so exhausted only to
The Virtual Vacation Mexico: On The Road to Pátzcuaro Read More »
I’m sitting in a big white tent with a floor of green grass, looking out at eight rectangular tables, set in rows, full of 22 of my students. I’m teaching my last class of the conference, on “The Unusual, Quirky Detail.” Right now, they’re in the middle of a writing exercise in which they make
The Virtual Vacation Mexico: Last Licks Read More »
Since I was a little girl and my parents took me to the sprawling Collingswood auction and flea market on Sunday afternoons, I’ve always loved outdoor markets. I was particularly fascinated by the auctioneer who spoke so fast I could only understand one if ten words he said. And it was all in English. Ever
The Virtual Vacation Mexico: Tuesday Market Read More »
Some of you may know, from my previous writing, or from being in class with me, that I had an identical twin sister who died when I was a day old. I’ve grieved Vicki all my life and have always had a deep fascination with twins. Last year at the conference in San Miguel, I met a woman who’s almost as
The Virtual Vacation Mexico: Lost Twin Read More »
One of my favorite things about this year’s San Miguel Writer’s Conference is that my co-author from The Courage to Heal, Ellen Bass, is here teaching poetry and giving a keynote speech. I had the honor of introducing her and preparing my remarks took me on a long trip down memory lane. My introduction was
The Virtual Vacation Mexico: Coauthors Forever Read More »
