For the last twenty years I've booked myself into a writing or poetry workshop at a rustic Big Sur, CA retreat, Esalen Institute, and I let nothing get in the way of my going. It is my time away from family and friends including my husband alarm clocks, traffic, grocery shopping, cooking daily meals, telemarketer calls, daily newspapers, television, politics, cell phones, and if I choose, all internet connections. It's a breath of fresh air. It's my yearly chance to get away and unwind. As soon as I've packed up my car and gotten on the road, my special time begins. And once I'm out of the Los Angeles area and well on my way toward Santa Barbara, I begin to relax, sink deep into my driver's seat, take some long deep breaths and watch the beauty of the world go by. The hills look like they are painted with sweeping brush strokes of mustard yellow, the rows of newly planted grape vines stand tall and proud, and the clear sky except for a few Georgia O'Keefe clouds beckon me up … [Read more...]
Happy sixth anniversary
Our son and daughter-in-law were married in our garden six years ago today. That is significant not only as a celebration of their love for each other, but that they wanted to get married at the sight where my son's brother, our son Paul, took is life in 1999. For a long time Ben didn't want to be here, but that all changed on his wedding day. The wedding was beautiful and the event was not tarnished by unhappy memories. My memoir Leaving the Hall Light On was published less than a year later. It is, as the subtitle says, A Mother's Memoir of Living with Her Son's Bipolar Disorder and Surviving His Suicide. Although the story is sad, the memoir is also about survival. That said, I decided to end the book with an Epilogue about the Wedding in the Garden, on a very upbeat note. Here is the poem that ended the Epilogue. I hope you'll read the memoir and entire epilogue as well. And if you have read Leaving the Hall Light On, please leave a review here. Five star reviews help … [Read more...]
Inspiring Spaces Blog Hop: share what ignites your creativity
My friend Cate Russell-Cole has started the Inspiring Spaces Blog Hop, and I had to participate. I created the room in our house where I write six years after the suicide death of my son Paul. It was the last room he lived in. I've written about this room and how meaningful and healing it is for me before A version of the following poem appears in my memoir, Leaving the Hall Light On: A Mother's Memoir of Living with Her Son's Bipolar Disorder and Surviving His Suicide. Making Room for Me After six years I stacked Paul's books and records, once in alphabetical order on his closet shelves, in boxes out in the garage, and finally cleared away all the dust. I recreated his room and closet, with a new hardwood floor, a bay picture window, deep taupe walls, a white ceiling and crown molding, and file drawers and book shelves for storing my books and poems. I refurnished his room in shades of black and orange. The sofa is like a futon because he … [Read more...]
Garden Ganesh
It's beautiful out. The heat has abated and there's a nice cool breeze running through the yard. I finally found a Ganesh for our garden while we were in Ojai a couple of months ago. Here he is. And here's a little Ganesh information: "Ganesh is Lord Siva's and his wife Parvati's son in Hindu mythology. He is a symbol of overcoming obstacles. His broken tusk symbolizes a difficult, unconquered obstacle. His vehicle is a mouse which symbolizes difficulty in removing an obstacle. His large belly means he is very content which is a juxtapositional meaning." I like the way he watches over our fountain. It looks like he fits right in - especially the overcoming obstacles part. Plus I can easily see him from my office window. I also love this little succulent garden. It gets the right amount of sun to thrive. … [Read more...]
Esalen Big Sur CA photos
Esalen is one of my favorite places. Its beauty, serenity, and healing powers cannot be surpassed. Here's a few shots from my cell phone camera. My favorite view from the hot sulfur baths The rocks below The back garden Resident blue jays Last look … [Read more...]
The coral tree has leaves again!
Remember my rant about the butchered tree? Well, I'm pleased to let you know the tree is coming back. In fact, the leaves are coming in fast and furiously. So maybe I shouldn't have been so hard on the butcher - oops, tree trimmer. Here's how it looked yesterday. My succulent garden is looking pretty good too. … [Read more...]
A gray Friday
It's been drizzling all morning and downpours are expected tonight. So it's a good day to show off our front garden's dazzling spring Clivia blooms. They started blooming early this year since it's been so warm, but unfortunately they last only a short time. Today's rain gives them an extra special sparkle. … [Read more...]
I love my garden
Sun Tipped Leaves An Isolation Poem Every day I isolate myself in my office. I sit there for hours thinking, looking out my window at my cement pool and fountain. And I write a little in between. I like the isolated space to do my work I like that my husband stays away I like the solitude and quiet. And I like that as the trees rustle outside, their leaves tipped with sunlight, I can't hear their sway I can't hear their song. … [Read more...]
I know Spring is here when the clivia is in bloom
My favorite time of the year is when the clivia is blooming. The blooms are in full force right now especially after yesterday's downpour. We don't have much of a front yard - in fact we hardly have any yard at all - and most of it is in the shade, so clivia is the perfect plant for us. I just wish the colorful blossoms lasted longer than a few weeks in early Spring. Check out the succulents too Clivia at full bloom … [Read more...]
