Road Trip: The First Leg of the Journey to the Retreat

The area south of Spokane along Highway 195 is known as The Palouse. Today I traveled the first leg of my journey to McCall to the retreat. The stretch of landscape from Spangle to Pullman was glorious today with the green fields contrasting with the white clouds and blue sky.
I pulled off here to catch the rolling hills with the ribbon of highway cutting through the middle.
Here is looks like I was a lone traveler driving through the Palouse. Actually the road was pretty busy with road construction, cops catching speeders ( glad I set my cruise control), and slow moving farming vehicles.
Each time I stop in Pullman I have to go to Brused Books. It has an incredible inventory of used books and I always find titles that I have been searching for. When books are piled on the floor and laying sideways on top of others on theshelf you know browsing is a necessity. It is well-organized and the workers are very knowledgeable which helps even more.

My friend lives on a hill with this view of Washington State University. She also looks down on this community garden. Many gardeners were tending their vegetables and flowers this evening.

Same Time Every Year: Reading/Writing Retreat in McCall

Retreat: to find refuge, rest, seclusion, privacy, solitude, quiet, introspection, space, withdrawal, connection, relaxation, contemplation... a safe, nurturing place... from Judy Reeves, The Writer's Retreat KitThis will be the third year my friend Bev and I have organized a Reading/Writing Retreat for the Northwest Inland Writing Project through the University of Idaho. It is held the same week each year at the field campus at McCall, Idaho on the beautiful shores of Payette Lake. It starts tomorrow and runs through Friday. It is an incredible opportunity for teachers and writers to gather for four days of unscheduled reading and writing time. Many choose to work on academic writing. Some take the opportunity to read and discuss books on writing. Others work on personal writing. Writing workshops are conducted each day. Our visiting author is Lori Wallin, an author and instructor at North Idaho College in Coeur d' Alene, Idaho. Each day ends with a reading by one of the writers.

This gives you an idea of the rustic setting. Our writing room is to the left. The campus creates an atmosphere reminiscent of summer camp. The cooks ring a bell for meals and everyone eats in the dining room together ( other adult groups are also here at the same time). There is campfire every night where our group has the opportunity to talk, share writing, and enjoy each others' company.
This will be my home away from home this week. Last year I spent lots of time sitting with my laptop writing memoir pieces and gazing out the window at the lake. It was a very productive time. I am off to Pullman today and then the road trip to McCall begins tomorrow. I will be posting from the retreat all week.

Sunday Scribblings: Eccentricty

Top Ten Reasons My Students

Think I am Eccentric 10. I never watch six hours of television a day.
9. I don’t wear flip flops to school and when I wear sandals I wear socks because my feet get cold and I don’t want to hurt my toes.
8. I can’t ever pronounce Beyonce

or déjà vu and I always call Steve-O Jacko which gets much quick correction.

7. I hate scary movies with a passion, but they still try to

tell me the plot line every time they see one. 6. I watch the news, read a newspaper,

and check out the news online.5. I love to play classical music in the classroom.
4. When it is cold outside I wear a coat, gloves, and a hat.
3. I have yet to seen Shrek, Pirates of the Caribbean, or Lord of the Rings.
2. I have never played an X-Box game, gone paintballing,

done Laser Quest, and didn’t know what a Wii was until last week. And the number one reason my students think I am eccentric:
I don't own an I Pod ( yet!)

To find other thoughtful, amusing, and creative posts

of Sunday Scribblings, go here

A Day Just For Me

I love the artwork of Mary Engelbreit. I always have one of her calendars hanging on the wall in my study. This study also has a collection of her mugs, magnets, prints, books, and bookmarks. The print above is one of my all-time favorites. During a stressful time I can just picture myself in that chair and it takes me to a place I can rest and relax.

Today was the first day after the last day of school. I still need to return in a week to do some tasks, but today was my day to spend in the comfort of my home. I relished the idea of when I woke up I didn't have anywhere to go. I sat on the deck and drank coffee leisurely. I didn't pay attention to time. I sat and finished reading a fluffy feel-good book. I reread writing I had done recently. I toured the gardens. I spent time with the dogs and cats. JEJ made me a comfort lunch of tomato soup and toasted cheese sandwich.

I could feel my body decompress as I spent the day doing what I wanted to do. I felt the kinks move out of my neck as I petted the cats. I felt renewed energy as I smelled the roses and admired the vegetable garden.

As day moves to evening it looks like we may have a storm. JEJ just snapped this picture over Lake Roosevelt. I think I will go back to my chair on the deck with a glass of wine and enjoy the beauty of my surroundings. What a day to rest and relax.

The rain just started. Here is another shot catching the moving clouds. Nothing like a summer rainstorm to end a day just for me.

Summertime and Livin' Easy

When I began raising roses I often paid attention to the name of the rose rather than growing conditions, type of rose, or the size it would get. I loved names like Moonshadow, Brigadoon, and Carefree Delight. After getting a bit more experienced I was more aware of the types of roses I was growing. I was looking for a birthday gift for JEJ and chose the rose above just because of the name Livin' Easy . It described his personality and the tag information made the rose sound like it would be a beauty. This was my first introduction to the floribunda type of rose. I love these because they bloom longer than the hybrid tea. The blossoms are smaller and they usually do at least two big bloom shows. They blend in nicely with the landscape because of their size and shape. The glossy, dark green leaves make them an attractive shrub all three seasons. I gave him this rose about six years ago and it has been a blooming success every since. The flowers make a colorful addition to a bouquet. You can see one in the bouquet on my last post. I would highly recommend the Livin' Easy.

Spring Bouquet #11: Flowers to Say Thank You

As the school year draws to an end there are always people to thank for their efforts at making the school a better place. What better way to thank my principal for her excellent leadership than with a bouquet of fresh picked flowers? I decided to do a mix of blossoms and colors. The peonies in the center with their huge blooms and lovely scent are definitely the focal point. It made a perfect centerpiece this morning on her desk in her office resting among her papers, books, and files. I saw her later and the bouquet put a smile on her face!
Now I am off to finish the last reading of exams and final grades. Tomorrow will be here before I am ready I am afraid. Let's see... there must be some really good chocolate that can keep me awake for another hour or so..... let the search begin!