The anticipation and excitement is almost overwhelming. I so very much enjoy coming to this retreat in Scotland. It is never long enough but also just right.

I get to play with a film camera. I have become more and more intrigued by the medium. I love my digital but in the same breathe I love the excitment and waiting for a roll of film.

I wish to live by the sea

Where the wind blows and the gulls play on the breeze

The water heaves and the waves crash against the rocks

I walk along the empty beaches, thinking how fast the world flies by

Sand in my shoes and wind in my hair without a care in the world

The silence is deafening, but my thoughts are louder

Calm is needed, let the waves wash it all away

Creative Writing Workshop

I hear . . .

Silence, the birds calling. Time calling. I hear my heart beat and my mind races. I hear the cars and honks, but I crave quiet.

Busy day creating with words, sounds and photos. Finding what works right and then it all flowed together.

I am doing today’s “Thought of the Day” sitting at a picnic table along the shores of Loch Maree in the Highlands of Scotland. This is the last day before the journey home, starts. I can hear the smal creek, it’s water tumbling and singing along the rocks. The wind in the trees and the water of the loch lapping on the shore. The breeze ruffling the leaves and the small birds talking in the trees. There is a large mountain across from me on the other side of the loch, tall and majestic, but so very different to my Rockies that sparkle in the sunshine with their white winter coats on. Today is a day of very mixture feelings, the excitment of the adventure is coming to a close for another year. The friends I have made who I will truly miss their present. The experience, both the photographic and simply sitting and chatting. Evening meals, of great food and lively chatter. One day again, I will come and do it all again!

Ahh, time to start the journey home. How can that be, I just arrived. The month’s of preparation, organizing, waiting, has arrived and ended in a blikc of an eye. The previous evening was spend in laughter with great and caring people who I truly enjoy. Keith with his beautiful laughter and great smile. Dan with his quiet presents and quick smile. Jerilyn who captured the wonder of a new place. David who was quiet but cheeky and also ready to learn. Karen who sparkled! Neale, who is the gentle soul with silliness and fun just under the surface. And Lynn “the Mother” of the group, who kept us all inline but her smile quick and caring nature shows through.

I will miss these people who become a small family for just a few days. The parting was hard this morning, it always is. But “parting is such sweet sorrow”, however at the end of the day I will be back to play in the Highlands again. See its glens and watch the sun and shadows race across the landscape. To wander through the ancient lands and sit in a cozy coffee shop.