BS: I'm back! (from the woods)

Subject: BS: I'm back! (from the woods)
From: Peg
Date: 01 Aug 02 - 10:16 AM

hi all;

I am back home in Bostpn after a month spent out at Brushwood Folklore center in western NY state. Very strange transition as always. The hardest part is getting used to being indoors again after sleeping in a tent and being constantly outdoors for so long...Had a great time, even including the pouring rain of ther last three days there. Met lots of new friends, reconnected with old ones, performed a few times (solo and with band), gave workshops, etc. Went through some difficult stuff, too--pagan gatherings are always good for offering personal challenges of all varieties...

Came home to no keys in my mailbox (which is where they were supposed to be) and having to break in, my long distance service shut off (they did not get the payment I sent on time), as well as a major construction project behind my house (cranes and bulldozers ripping trees up from a secluded wooded area near Franklin Park, starting its horrendous noise at 7 AM...and a student who flunked out last semester calling at 8:20 AM to ask for a grade change...

Anyone else come back from a month or more retreat in the woods to find they can't figure out why they live how they do? Culture shock, yes, but also a clarity that sets in when one gets away from it all...

Ah well. Back to work. Nice to see the Mudcat still u

Subject: RE: BS: I'm back! (from the woods)
From: MMario
Date: 01 Aug 02 - 10:19 AM

Where did you manage to get three days of rain? I'd give blessings at this point for three HOURS of rain...

Subject: RE: BS: I'm back! (from the woods)
From: Amos
Date: 01 Aug 02 - 10:27 AM

Welcome home, songstress!! Nice to see your sunny pixels again!

A

Subject: RE: BS: I'm back! (from the woods)
From: Deda
Date: 01 Aug 02 - 11:03 AM

A month of retreat in the woods, and three days of rain. Either one sounds like heaven to me. Any day job that permits you such luxuries is worth keeping, imho.

I do remember, when I used to take vacations to a deeply loved spot in Maine, that there was always a terrific period of let-down when I had to come back.

Subject: RE: BS: I'm back! (from the woods)
From: Micca
Date: 01 Aug 02 - 11:36 AM

Hi Peg, back in "captivity" again!!!!Welcome back, and BBs to you for Lammas!!!! may She smile on you! Micca

Subject: RE: BS: I'm back! (from the woods)
From: Dharmabum
Date: 01 Aug 02 - 11:39 AM

Welcome back Peg, (Missed ya at Old Songs)

Every time I get back from my place in the hills of PA, I wonder why I keep coming back to NJ.

I just have to keep reminding myself that there's only two more years of mortgage left,then I can move up there permanently.

August 1, 2004.......August 1, 2004....August 1,2004.

Ron.

Subject: RE: BS: I'm back! (from the woods)
From: MMario
Date: 01 Aug 02 - 11:40 AM

Will you be hosting a mudgather that day Ron?

Subject: RE: BS: I'm back! (from the woods)
From: Peg
Date: 01 Aug 02 - 10:34 PM

sounds good to me! everyone at Ron's for Lammas 2004!

BTW, the day job that allows me the retreat is teaching; I am unemployed this summer (no teaching or temp work to be found) so it is collecting unemployment insurance which has allowed me to stay so long. Cheap vacation, too and I work on the staff at the center so I need not even pay the daily camping fee; just food etc.

as for the rain; well normally July at Brushwood is full of stormy weather. Last three years or so less and less; and this year for the first 3 weeks of July only ONE brief bout of rain (and not much); the corn was puny and dried out. The three days' soak was a fluke, given what the weather has been lately...

global warming anyone?

peg

Subject: RE: BS: I'm back! (from the woods)
From: Dharmabum
Date: 02 Aug 02 - 12:01 AM

MUDFEST 2004!

Everyone's invited!

Ron.

Subject: RE: BS: I'm back! (from the woods)
From: Sorcha
Date: 02 Aug 02 - 12:09 AM

Oh oh oh. And then there is the World Gather in (I think!) 2006........I wish.

We go "tent camping" every year for 10 days to two weeks. We love it, but boy does the shower and real bed feel good when we get back. We do have a camp shower and a pretty good bed, but there is no real pressure on the shower and it feels Real Good to have truly clean feet after 2 weeks!

I have never been able to afford the $$ for a music camp, but boy, would I love to!

Subject: RE: BS: I'm back! (from the woods)
From: katlaughing
Date: 02 Aug 02 - 02:00 PM

Welcome home, Peg.

Subject: RE: BS: I'm back! (from the woods)
From: Susan from California
Date: 02 Aug 02 - 02:17 PM

One of the many benefits of teaching is the summer break. I have taught the last three summers, but I really needed the down time this year! Wow am I enjoying it, even if I didn't get to go to the woods....

And why is it that students who didn't do the work seem to think that the grade should be changed???

Subject: RE: BS: I'm back! (from the woods)
From: kendall
Date: 02 Aug 02 - 03:25 PM

Welcome back to the madhouse Peg.

Subject: RE: BS: I'm back! (from the woods)
From: Genie
Date: 03 Aug 02 - 04:06 AM

Glad to have ya back, Peg!

Subject: RE: BS: I'm back! (from the woods)
From: RichM
Date: 03 Aug 02 - 09:24 AM

It looks like you had a wonderful renewal, Peg. Keep that feeling with you!
I always felt a similar jolt when returning from a week of canoe tripping. The noise and energy of the city--particularly automobiles, took me time to get used to.

I think that loud machinery-- cars, buses, construction equipment is particularly jarring to the spirit.

Hopefully in the next few years, we'll see quieter vehicles in cities.

Rich McCarthy

Subject: RE: BS: I'm back! (from the woods)
From: harpgirl
Date: 03 Aug 02 - 09:25 AM

...ya Peg...kat and I have been fighting the male chauvinists with no reinforcements....