BIRTHDAY GETAWAY

For my birthday in late September, I attended The Arc of Appalachia Preserve’s semi-annual Women’s Retreat.  Even a retreat owner needs a change of venue at times and I was interested both in surrounding myself with beautiful scenery, as well as seeing how another organization conducts their women’s retreats.


 

 

The scenery did not disappoint and was, in fact, surprisingly colorful.  On the last weekend in September, the foliage appeared to be at peak brilliance, at least in that part of Hillsboro.  We hiked through their “accidental prairie” (prairie seed purchased by a supporter after someone accidentally sprayed the field with herbicide), with Canada goldenrod, New England and New York Asters in full bloom.  We then entered the woods, eventually walking along the dolomite cliffs above the Rocky Fork River. 

The gathering was advertised as a “retreat designed to give an expansive time for rest and self-nurture,” so there was no programming per se.  There were offerings of morning yoga, a daily hike and massages throughout the 3-day retreat (for a reduced fee).  So while there wasn’t an opportunity to see how they facilitate a directed retreat, I did pick up a few ideas that might be worth trying.

One of those ideas is their shared meal – not just in the partaking of it – but also in the preparing of it.  Three recipes – an entrée and two side dishes – were assigned to three groups who prepared them from a bag filled with ingredients, pans, knives and directions.  It was very efficient and fun to do.  Our group worked on the Fruity Coleslaw Salad, which was wonderful, except it needed a bit of salt. :-)

The other idea, which we would consider if we remodel or build at Prairie Pond Woods in the future, was their composting toilet.  It was completely odorless, and fit nicely in the large 12-person, restored hunting lodge from the early 1900’s.  It goes to show that technology and design will come together to make more and more sustainable products in the future, especially if folks are willing to pay a bit more to buy or use them.

My goal for this retreat was to continue to read through TheArtist’s Rule and do the suggested exercises of poetry writing, prayer and art-play. The other goal was to walk down the road to find an open spot for viewing the Full Harvest (Birthday) Moon, which a few of us did on Saturday night.  And while sitting on the porch swing I did managed to write a poem…the first birthday poem I have ever written.

September 29

Today is my 56^th birthday;
a cold-cloth-on-a-forehead kind of day
where there is nothing to do but
breathe deeply and happily dream.

I was born at 3:27 in the afternoon.
A week later, as the story goes, Don
Larson pitched a perfect game for the Yankees,
while my dad held me and my mother slept.

Is this why I married a baseball fanatic?
Is this why I slowly come alive in the afternoon?
Is this why autumn often moves me to tears?

Perhaps while lying on my father’s lap, his
anticipation transferring to me, I looked out
the window to see a hundred red, gold and
orange mobiles, and fell in love with life.