Can we make it an annual event???

I know I promised a post on my two weeks in Eastport, Maine.  But every time I sit down to write about it I'm stumped: how do I summarize such a magical experience?  And I'm not even worried about sounding "touchy feely" or anything like that -- I probably will!  I just can't seem to make it all squish down to a few paragraphs of description.


Let me just say that it was a creative dream:  I had so much energy and joy to put into my work ---- and, thanks to my family who made it possible for me to get away, I could stay awake for hours to see an idea through and know that the only thing I had to worry about in the morning was getting the dogs out for their morning constitutional before there was an accident.  Then I could be right back at my little table with a cup of coffee and everything I needed for creating.  Creating what?  Well...  a lot of my energy went into jewelry -- the rest went into taking care of me.  


I can show you the jewelry:

There are about 15 necklaces on the mannequin, a journal I made while there, and "thank you" cards for me dear friends Lissa and Lindy who nurtured me for those two delightful weeks.

If you look closely, you will find that many of these necklaces feature little "sea treasures" from my gleanings on the Eastport shores.

Okay, so that's the jewelry part; but how do I convey the "me" part (which, by the way, is not separate from what I'm making)?  I am going to defer to the Dalai Lama:

Thanks, Pina, for posting this on Facebook!

I think that I am finally waking up to how very important it is for me to take care of myself.  Time away, loving family and friends, all the other support in my life: these have helped me to this realization.  Now the journey will be learning how to maintain self-care.  So, clearly, I need to make the two week retreat an annual event. 


Finally, I just have to indulge in some images from Eastport:

Looking at the harbor below my deck. 

Cobscook Bay

A blueberry field in autumn glory.

 Peace!