Your coming at the right time because it's finally sunny and warm. I was worried that Spanish weather would disappoint.
We will be writing. I don't understand how people could think we'd be doing anything else when historic and cultural sights abound, outdoor bars and restaurants fill up by 7:30, wine bottles are uncorked, specialty coffee shops are open all day, and flowers and new leaves fill the parks. What else is there to do but write?
Thank you very much for mentioning my Substack pages. Very kind of you. I plan to post from Granada so maybe we can work something out there.
Exactly! SO much time to write with no distractions at all 🤣. Even that weather.
And Amy is so right about the joy of spending time with our people. I had forgotten that incredible benefit amidst the joy of seeing friends! See you soon and thanks for your further demonstration of our seriousness 😉
Ah, so that's what a slug-fest is! You sound like a champion!
Have fun with your writers' gathering. On Fridays, I go to a portrait painting class for the same creative re-energizing. It's wonderful to be around my people. They understand my frustrations and successes. I can bounce ideas off them, and they are thoughtful brainstormers!
So happy to hear you do that too! Our people are the best, right? I'm certainly looking forward to time with my people as you say. And then it won't be too long until I see you irl as well! Thanks for your insights!
Oh wow, your trip to Spain sounds amaaaaaazing, Sabrina - I'm really excited for you!
But ugh, slugs! I absolutely love creepy-crawlies - spiders, woodlice, interesting-looking bugs, caterpillars, all that stuff - but slugs are absolutely gross with literally no redeeming features other than providing nutrition and hydration for my beloved garden birds.
Gorgeous post! I've been missing my reading, and so thrilled to find these words from you this morning. xxx
Oh thanks Rebecca, it is always a treat for me to hear from you! Yep, agreed that slugs are the worst! I've even grown fond of slow worms: apparently they love to eat slugs!
Oh, slow worms are lovely - I’ve only ever met one a few times. I’d love to have one living in the garden! I was thrilled back in March to find a hedgehog dropping, and of course hedgies looooooove slugs! The weather turned really cold after that, though - I suspect that the hedgehog might have regretted waking up so early after hibernation. xxx
Home will always be wherever one feels grounded and content.
When I drive out of the city, by the time I've cleared the 'burbs and am heading through farmland, I can feel stress draining away as if someone has pulled the plug from the bath. Once I can see Maria Island at the top of Paradise (sorry, I know that means nothing to you), then my heart is singing. By the time, my feet hit sand and I breathe salt air, with or without dog I'm home.
As to slugs - three cheers for beer. It works for snails as well. As does shell-grit sprinkled around plants. That's the other thing that grounds me - not slugs n'snails but gardens generally.
It is getting on the boat that feels like coming home for me. On the way out, there is the anticipation of the trip, but coming back from Southampton, it is just a slow relaxation and a feeling of coming home. xx
Thanks for your comment and I so agree with you Tracy! Much as I sometimes gripe about having to get the boat, it does create a more relaxed headspace and that is always a good thing!
So impressed with your slug trapping skills! Bravo on keeping your own little piece of ecosystem running smoothly, the planet thanks you! 🥰 So excited to see you very soon! I'm so glad we will have this time together, as well as time to write together. I think the timing is perfect, the weather has just turned and it is gorgeous and energising! I feel in a similar situation to you writing-wise, my attention has been elsewhere and on other things, so I'm also looking forward to getting back to writing. Hasta muy pronto amiga mía! 🥰 lo vamos a pasar súper bien! ❤️
Your coming at the right time because it's finally sunny and warm. I was worried that Spanish weather would disappoint.
We will be writing. I don't understand how people could think we'd be doing anything else when historic and cultural sights abound, outdoor bars and restaurants fill up by 7:30, wine bottles are uncorked, specialty coffee shops are open all day, and flowers and new leaves fill the parks. What else is there to do but write?
Thank you very much for mentioning my Substack pages. Very kind of you. I plan to post from Granada so maybe we can work something out there.
Buen viaje!!
Exactly! SO much time to write with no distractions at all 🤣. Even that weather.
And Amy is so right about the joy of spending time with our people. I had forgotten that incredible benefit amidst the joy of seeing friends! See you soon and thanks for your further demonstration of our seriousness 😉
And we didn't even list literary discussions, commenting on each other's work, and any other mouth moving exercises (like talking!)
I like the sound of these mouth moving exercises!!
Ah, so that's what a slug-fest is! You sound like a champion!
Have fun with your writers' gathering. On Fridays, I go to a portrait painting class for the same creative re-energizing. It's wonderful to be around my people. They understand my frustrations and successes. I can bounce ideas off them, and they are thoughtful brainstormers!
So happy to hear you do that too! Our people are the best, right? I'm certainly looking forward to time with my people as you say. And then it won't be too long until I see you irl as well! Thanks for your insights!
Have a lovely time in Spain. I’m looking forward to hearing all about it x
Thanks Vicki! I am very excited about it! I'm also looking forward to seeing you next month for our now ANNUAL trip to Glyndebourne!
Oh wow, your trip to Spain sounds amaaaaaazing, Sabrina - I'm really excited for you!
But ugh, slugs! I absolutely love creepy-crawlies - spiders, woodlice, interesting-looking bugs, caterpillars, all that stuff - but slugs are absolutely gross with literally no redeeming features other than providing nutrition and hydration for my beloved garden birds.
Gorgeous post! I've been missing my reading, and so thrilled to find these words from you this morning. xxx
Oh thanks Rebecca, it is always a treat for me to hear from you! Yep, agreed that slugs are the worst! I've even grown fond of slow worms: apparently they love to eat slugs!
Hope you are getting stronger! ❤️
Oh, slow worms are lovely - I’ve only ever met one a few times. I’d love to have one living in the garden! I was thrilled back in March to find a hedgehog dropping, and of course hedgies looooooove slugs! The weather turned really cold after that, though - I suspect that the hedgehog might have regretted waking up so early after hibernation. xxx
Enjoy your writing retreat!!!
Home will always be wherever one feels grounded and content.
When I drive out of the city, by the time I've cleared the 'burbs and am heading through farmland, I can feel stress draining away as if someone has pulled the plug from the bath. Once I can see Maria Island at the top of Paradise (sorry, I know that means nothing to you), then my heart is singing. By the time, my feet hit sand and I breathe salt air, with or without dog I'm home.
As to slugs - three cheers for beer. It works for snails as well. As does shell-grit sprinkled around plants. That's the other thing that grounds me - not slugs n'snails but gardens generally.
Enjoy your retreat. May the words be with you!
It is getting on the boat that feels like coming home for me. On the way out, there is the anticipation of the trip, but coming back from Southampton, it is just a slow relaxation and a feeling of coming home. xx
Thanks for your comment and I so agree with you Tracy! Much as I sometimes gripe about having to get the boat, it does create a more relaxed headspace and that is always a good thing!
So impressed with your slug trapping skills! Bravo on keeping your own little piece of ecosystem running smoothly, the planet thanks you! 🥰 So excited to see you very soon! I'm so glad we will have this time together, as well as time to write together. I think the timing is perfect, the weather has just turned and it is gorgeous and energising! I feel in a similar situation to you writing-wise, my attention has been elsewhere and on other things, so I'm also looking forward to getting back to writing. Hasta muy pronto amiga mía! 🥰 lo vamos a pasar súper bien! ❤️