Writers' Retreat

On Sunday, May 17th Jim dropped me off at Roberta's home in Wilder and she and I headed southeast to the Gathering in Greenbo State Park. The anticipation and wondering filled me with adrenaline and the three hour drive seemed half that long. We arrived around noon and went straight to the first workshop. When we entered the room Kate Larkin hugged me like we had been friends for years. I hope now that we will be. She is full of energy and happiness that is infectious. We settled in for her songwriting workshop and I was in awe! The room was filled with writers, poets and songwriters. Many of the attendees were all three. After her workshop we took a hike to a small graveyard then Roberta and I hiked one of the paths. ("Now don't worry Liz, its only one real tiny tick" Orange Cocoa Cake by Lou & Peter Berryman) Another workshop before dinner than a concert by Kate after. The group then brought out guitars, dulicmers, mandolins and libation and we had a "Swarp". Much like a ceilidh, we swapped songs until the wee hours.
On Monday we repeated this schedule of workshops, concerts and a swarp but included were readings during meals. Silas House, Anne Shelby and Jason Howard were among the writers who read stories while we quietly nibbled at our food, not wanting to make any noise that would interrupt the beautiful stories. In the late afternoon we recorded an open mike session in which I played Cadillac. Roberta did her famous underpants song and many of the other attendees read their poems and essays.
On Tuesday we had one more workshop, a concert and then said our goodbyes. It was my first and hopefully not last writers retreat!