SEEING WITH AWAKENED HEART- WORKSHOP

Professional photographer Jim Crotty and poet~psychologist Stephen Emerick, offer this creative workshop and retreat open to photographers and writers of all levels. Hands-on instruction through field study of photographic techniques in nature photography will be mixed with the alchemy of the spoken word. Participants will experience the sharing of imagery and poetic writings and hear emerging responses in a supportive group setting. The workshop package includes facilitators and instruction, two night’s lodging, breakfast each morning, a three course dinner both days and one brown bag lunch. The Inn is excited to offer this workshop scheduled for April 15-16, 2009. Space is limited, so you will want to reserve early.

TIME DAY WITH JUST THE GIRLS

Spending time with family is very important to me. And, I’ve been fortune to have the opportunity twice within the last two weeks. My sisters decided it was time to visit Sarah (my daughter) before she graduated from the University of Dayton. Two weeks ago, we picked Sarah up from school and spent the afternoon in Yellow Springs. If you haven’t been there, you are missing a small, quaint town with wonderful shops and places to dine. After that, Sarah showed us around campus. My sisters decided they would rather spend the night at a hotel than campout at the girl’s house, so we checked in next. Then, we took Sarah to a yummy Thai restaurant. We enjoyed good food and martinis. The evening really took off back at Sarah’s house with beer games. Anyone who knows me, knows I love to play games, but drinking beer is not my thing. But, not wanting to be a poor sport, I hopped right in. As the evening wore on, we went to two bars which were within walking distance. A good thing! Finally, at 1:30am, we left Sarah and her roommates at the bar and went to bed. All three of us sisters are early to bed people, so it was very late for us. We had bunches of fun that evening, making memories that we will never forget. We laughed, played and talked more than we have in a long time.

Last week, Sarah came home for a couple of days. This was especially nice since she wasn’t home this past summer due to her job at school. On Friday, Sarah and I had a mother-daughter day. As I’ve told Sarah before, and my mother had told me, the older my children get, the more I enjoy my time with them. And, just having mother-daughter time is even more special! We started our day by attending a breakfast gathering in Columbus where we were fortunate enough to be the guest of the Joseph Palmer Financial Group. The owners, Mark and Matt Palmer, extended an invitation for us to join them. They knew I really liked Matthew Kelly, author of Dream Manager, and he was the featured speaker. What a way to start the day, an inspirational speaker! Then, off to take Sarah shopping at Easton, have lunch and be pampered in the afternoon at a spa for massages and facials. Now, is this living the life or what?

As always, I am blessed to have wonderful women in my life and to spend some quality time with them. Try it sometime, you are sure to laugh, love and smile lots. Living life to it’s fullest is so important.

GATHERING PLACE UPDATE

Wow, it’s coming right along! At least this week, anyway! If you would ask Terry how last week went, he would say “don’t ask.” Ellen kept trying to smile and say “it will be alright”. Last week, on Monday, the workers cut the phone line. Now, if anyone knows about October being the busiest time of year, then, you know being without phones for 8 hours is not a good thing. Ellen wasn’t smiling during this time. Then, on Wednesday before dinner, the workers cut the gas line. It’s a little hard for Chef Anthony to cook before dinner, but that was repaired fairly quickly. On Friday, in another place, the gas line was cut again. Fortunately, this happened in between breakfast and lunch. And, if this isn’t enough, on Friday, part of the septic line that goes into the lift station collapsed. So, the front driveway that had just been graveled had to be dug up.

The good news is no lines have been severed this week. In fact, all lines including the phone, electric and water have been buried. The large holding tank for the gray water was installed. Now, Kelly, gets to reseed the front yard. The walls and roof are on for the lounge area. And, as I write this, Terry and helpers are putting up the log cabin. Hopefully, barring any problems, the cabin will be up by the end of this week.

Stay tuned for next updates.

GATHERING PLACE CONSTRUCTION

Construction is under way on the new Gathering Place with excavating being completed and footers being poured. Much of the planned construction will be used to conserve the use of energy by utilizing the earth.

Florida Trip

Last year, Terry and I spent a week with our friends, Kathy and Craig Hungler, at their condominium in New Smyrna, Florida. It was such a peaceful trip we decided to go back this year. New Smyrna is located on the east side of Florida about 30 miles south of Daytona. And, it’s only about 75 miles from Orlando. It is a quiet, quaint community. Even though there are some high rises, it is not all developed, nor it is expensive, like so many other communities. Our daily activities include walking the beach (with some exercise involved), reading, sitting in the sun, eating out and cooking fresh seafood in, visiting galleries of local artists, and just plain old lazying around!

For me, the ocean and walking the beach provide the same nourishment for my soul that the Inn and Hocking Hills does for many of you. There is a connection with the earth, air, wind and water. It’s a place that allows your mind to “quiet down” and not think about the fast paced life we all live. Terry and I are blessed to be able to not only vacation in such paradise, but be able to work in one too.

We will arrive back home next week after visiting our son Benjamin for parents weekend at North Carolina State. Until then, take some time for yourself and enjoy life!