Tuesday, April 8, 2008

Getaways by Angie Ledbetter

"Time for work - yet take much holiday for art's and friendship's sake." ~ George de Wilde

I'm thankful for this past weekend, as I got a chance to run away with women friends to a sleepy little bayou town for two days of communing with each other, nature, poets and other writers at an annual seminar.

There's always something interesting to learn, but more importantly, I get to experience the feel of a feather-soft bed and pillow, fresh coffee brewed in my hotel room, the relaxation of a couple hours' drive, the sharing of meals and thoughts with others whose company I greatly enjoy. I'm grateful for these opportunities and thankful they come my way a time or two every year. Even though I worry about what's going on at home -- this weekend was one of my son's Jr./Sr. prom and I missed the excitement of watching him don his first tux; sharing in my daughter's happiness in her new college life; the proudness I experience watching one son play school baseball and his brother compete in an State algebra tournament -- and in general, being available for all the mom things that happen every day of my "regular" routine, it was nice to be doing something different.

Without the very healthful and necessary-to-the-soul down times away to recharge my own personal batteries, I'm sure I wouldn't appreciate the never-ending stuff that goes on with my family nearly as much. As a bonus, upon my return, we gathered as a family to celebrate my dad's 71st birthday. What a way to end my mini-vacation!

All in all, a great weekend...one which I hope to repeat soon.

6 comments:

Barbara Quinn said...

Ahhhh...that sounds wonderful. We all need a break. Everything does fall back into perspective if we get a chance to step back a bit.
But I'm glad you're back! :-)

marilyn said...

wonderful roundup of our good times! marilyn

Kathryn Magendie said...

Sorry I had to miss it!

Mary Ann Ledbetter said...

Angie,
How good of you to already write of gratitude for our bayou writing weekend. Five Baton Rouge ladies let loose upon the little town and the writers conference! I'm grateful to you for, as usual, driving me home; for celebrating my b-day on the exact day as the conference; for the five of us together all weekend, doing the things we love--eating, writing, sleeping, talking, eating, writing, sleeping, talking. Some things you just can't get enough of.

I'm grateful for the baby of our group for driving me down there. Guess that means I'm also grateful to be old enough to be chauferred everywhere lest we land in a ditch (apparently my favorite landing place) or take our a mailbox or two (also a frequent occurrence).

Thank you all. You know who you are, including Kat, the Moon Howler. Thanks for being the best friends and sharpest critiquers a girl ever had.

Love,
MA

Unknown said...

Yes, Mommy things are fun, but they always seem to overlap with other things. Four years ago I applied and was accepted into a writer's workshop I really wanted to attend, but it ended up conflicting with my daughter's high school graduation. Not much choice there. The good news is I applied again this year and will be attending. In case you did the math, college grad is mid-May and this comes in June–ha-ha.

Angie Ledbetter said...

Yes on all the good thoughts, writer friends. We're making strides...no matter what else has to be temporarily put aside. Yes!

Listen to our Podcasts