Monday, September 8, 2008

Country Retreat

I've been wanting to go on a retreat and get away from the city. You know what they say? Be careful what you wish for? I've been forced into a country retreat.

The landlord is doing a lot of rennovations which got me sick (dust, noise etc. environmental illness stuff), but at the first whiff of varnish on the floors below I knew I had 5 minutes to get out of the house or else. This explains a photo free post. The camera got left behind.

Our friends graciously offered me their camper and it is a lovely one. I did pack the dog, so some of the advantages have been going for country walks and looking at all the fall wildflowers. Purple asters, goldenrod, and dandelions. Nothing like living in the city to make you a fan of those cheerful drops of yellow.

The big beautiful trees are another hit. Oh, and one spot is just perfect! Three evergreens in a row like a family. They were waiting for me to discover them for a painting.

There are many difficulties left by my flight, plus I really miss my spouse guy. Still, there's lots of good to find in the situation.

We did get the tail end of a hurricane which meant a hard, driving rain and lots of wind. My favorite house of ours when I was a child had a tin roof. The sound of the rain drumming on the canvass above my head lulled me to a deep, secure sleep. A sleep swaddled in memory.

9 comments:

ArtPropelled said...

A blessing in disguise. Sometimes we are forced into doing what we need. I love the thought of it. Country walks, dandelions and "rain drumming on the canvas". I have a feeling you will get back into your art with renewed vigour.

Unknown said...

Shayla :P
sorry about the place you were supposed to stay, but the camper sounds good!! Your trip sounds wonderful..I'd love to go there one day. I also love the sound of rain, as long as it doesnt rain on a weekday morning. Much love and hugs :D

Shayla said...

You're right Robyn.

Hey! Mary Kate, you have your photo in the avatar now. It's great to see you :)

Jeane Myers said...

Shayla! I agree with Robyn - sometimes the unexpected gives us what we really need! Hope this turns out to be a positive experience - thanks for stopping by my blog

Sandra Evertson said...

Love your work! The red piece below is absolutely alive!
Sandra Evertson

picciolo said...

I hope you enjoy your 'retreat'! Sounds like you are in a beautiful place, hope the weather improves for you
: )

kate said...

Oooohhh...rain on the roof of a tent is one of my favourite sounds. And a camper would be the next best thing (or maybe even better as it might be a drier option). Your forced getaway sounds like a lot of fun to me! Enjoy it while you can!

Tracy said...

Hi, Shayla! Your temporary displacemet sounds wonderful...hope you are feeling better and enjoying the change of scene and fresh air! We're just back from holidays and feeling the jet lag...LOL! Talk to you soon! ((HUGS))

Anonymous said...

Your trip sounds lovely, I feel relaxed just reading about it! You describe it so evocatively that the photo isn't necessary. Its cloudy and heavy here but only desultory moments of rain have fallen...