When I rediscovered this blog a few days ago, I was grateful that Pamela so evocatively described what I have been feeling all summer…with growing intensity each month, until in early August I thought that my pining for an empty house by the sea would make me an unsatisfied, sulking woman for the rest of the summer.
But this weekend, I was given the idea (delivered fully-formed into my mind), that it was time to stop thinking about the rustic beach cabin on Cape Cod where I would spend the month of August in solitude, or the simple cottage on the tidal creek where all is sparkling blue and marsh green outside the window that spreads in front of the spacious desk where I will make plans and write and gaze…and get real.
Neither are in my budget, nor do I have invitations or directions to any such dwelling-places in the real world…in my real world. But I remembered that my parents-in-law are out of town…and that their house is blessedly free of any living things that need tending…and that the rough wooden table in the sunroom and the bleached wooden deck might lend something of a seaside air (with a visit to the nearby river beach for good measure)…and with the telephones turned down and their tabletops filled with my own notebooks and laptop and supplies, I could create something of a retreat spirit.
So I am enjoying a few days business retreat to take stock and dream and organize as one season draws to a close and another begins to draw near…and the half-moon hangs in the August dark. I will share some photos of my make-do retreat over the next few days…
Kerstin August 16, 2013 at 8:43 am
Oh, but this is just perfect! I often find that I find exactly what I was looking for in those improvised spaces. And I love the look of this one, very serene, cozy and comfortable. (P.S. I couldn’t find a way to comment just with my name and website address so I am using my old out of date blogger account ID, I am really from http://www.autumndiaries.com)
Kathleen August 16, 2013 at 2:56 pm
I have to admit, I literally spent years dreaming of returning to the east coast. I was transplanted to NE Ohio and longed to return to the sea. Last year I spent time in beautiful England. Our son in law is grew up in the Lake District. My daughter lived there for a little over a year. It goes without saying its a beautiful place. There was a time I would have got the old…wouldn’t it be wonderful if…It’s funny maybe due to staying there with the locals I didn’t get that feeling. I was rather surprised how much THEY love where I live! It was then I realize the attraction to many distant places is a sense of freedom we have for a short time. I came home and really looked at my humble little world and realized I love this place. There’s a beautiful beach 35 min. from my door. No it’s not the ocean but its massive and offers the same sense of calm that I get at the ocean. For the first time in my life I’m not doing the…wouldn’t it be great! Finally I’ve discovered I have it great. No the grey skies in winter aren’t great but I truly believe that’s why so many people here are out door people. We savor every single minute of sunshine. Enjoy your place of peace. It took me a life time to really understand the meaning of ” peace be with you.” It’s true the best things in life are free!!