"Cooking" Culmination

Ok, Jean and I have been cooking up the week's agenda for our retreat. I'm telling you it's going to be an interesting and expanding week!

Jean has us doing some things to stretch our memory, imagination and perception. She's always been such an adventurous creative, I've long admired and been frightened of her process. Her ability to problem solve in a painting has fascinated me. So, along with you all, I will be stretching and re-shaping my capabilities as I paint right along with you under Jean's gentle direction.

And me, I'm polishing up some new processes I'm just discovering in my explorings, as well, as trying to whittle down the existing possibilities I already have all written up. I want you to get only the juicy-iest stuff! The more time I spend in my journal, more mistakes I need to resolve and more emotions I want to express, the more I have to share with you. Believe me, it's not always a planned expedition. I like to include a sprinkling of spirit experience. So I'll offer optional morning "Sun Salute" (weather permitting, of course) and a sampling of Buddhist Meditation too. I'm so excited to encourage all of us to be more extravagant in our self-investigation and our risk-taking ~ to discover our limitlessness.

Both Jean and I are "chewing" on the balance of sharing lots of delicious processes, while wanting to give you plenty of private time for your individual development and indulgence. We want you to bring your dictionaries and thesauruses so as to play and augment your ability to express in words too. In addition to pigment play, I'm adding some "stitching" projects and emotion expression, beyond mere words!

And . . . as soon as Jean zips me a photo sampling of her "secret" plans for you, I'll post it here.

We've already got some pretty amazing women (one fabulous lady just finished knee replacement surgery a few weeks ago) signing up for this experiential retreat, I'm "fairly sizzling with delight" (who can tell me from where I got that quote?) waiting to see who else will be joining us. Come along, join in the pleasure of time to yourself, the wonder of nature and the deepening of spirit as we touch others lives.

How I Fell in Love with Lake Alpine

When I was living in California, I treasured my relationship with the Sierras - it had to take the place of my passion for the Rocky Mountains where I was raised. Early in my courtship with my hubby-to-be, knowing my loyalty to the mountains, he introduced me to the Lake Alpine area. We have camped there many a time and eventually, I grew very comfortable there.

I grew to know the "territory". The trails just up back our campsite were moderate and required no vehicle to access the trail head. The little village that the Lake Alpine Resort created with it's store, restaurant and cluster of cabins created a hub of activity and the owners were always a pleasure. I knew the swimming hole I loved to refresh in, the lake cove where it was always quiet, and the span of mystical granite with historic holes carved out by Natives grinding their food. On day trips, we'd brave it up to Ebbetts Pass and Mosquito Lake or for more of civilization, we'd drive to Bear Valley or Murphys. I felt at home there.

Later, we'd get our week-long camping trips all planned out. I'd be drooling inside to get to my favorite rock I'd discovered where I did my morning yoga . . . and . . . then, as my hubby got busier with his contracting business, we'd have to cancel the trip when he got jobs. I was disappointed and felt helpless.

In my spiritual path, I was learning to take charge of taking care of my needs. And, to be honest, nature, like the Lake Alpine area was one of my needs. So, I started planning a yearly trip up to Lake Alpine, by myself, only I was staying in one of the cozy lil' studio cabins in the village. I'd take a different hike daily, sketching, savoring the rugged, gorgeous mountain country. My precious personal journals are filled with images and several of my favorite fine art pieces were inspired from those visits.

Perhaps you can see, the return to this place, so precious in my memories, is pretty magical for me. I feel this special place helped me grow immeasurably and will always remind me of my core connection to nature, how it fills my soul with joy and strength. But to share this with all you very special women who choose to come along with Jean and I, I can't even find words to tell you my excitement and joy.

Our hope is that this "Women's Journaling & Sketching Retreat" will provide a place of sanctuary, growth, and renewal for all you who share it with us.

Namaste'