Too much technology
can distract a person from the things in life that really matter. My first born and I just returned from a spectacular trip to the Mendocino Coast. It was all about relaxing, reconnecting, and indulgence. We accomplished it all!
The birth of this book I’m writing, Out Of The Ashes, actually started from a writing trip I took last November to Fort Bragg, California. I was intending to write a short story for a writing competition and while getting inspired without distractions from my daily life, the character Gabriel Hart, surfaced. The story was to be called, Solitary Hart.
But then………an epiphany!
I started writing about the Valley Fire and my short story for the writing competition ended up being about WWII, and my grandfather. To answer the question you are all wondering, no. I didn’t win the competition. My novel ended up pulling all my energy and attention so maybe the short story piece wasn’t what it could have been.
Moving forward to this summer’s trip with my daughter, Fallon, we were going to let our creative juices flow in the fabulous coastal house. Seahorse Cottage in Albion is a wonderful place with great energy! Fallon is an artist and we were hoping she’d get inspired to sketch something to paint, while I was going to continue to write my novel.
WE GOT DISTRACTED!
From the moment we left, all we could talk about was sight seeing, wine tasting, great restaurants, the beach, botanical gardens, and shopping! We did it all! Of course we relaxed too, but in the little hours of evening spent in our sanctuary house, we both realized that I’d forgotten my laptop power cord, and Fallon forgot her art supply bag, because her fur-baby dog didn’t want her to leave and she was sneaking out quickly!
More time to talk!
Walking through the gardens in Fort Bragg, we had ample time to reflect on life. Creativity comes from inspiration. Surrounding oneself with the beauty of nature is not only inspiring, but rebuilds your spirit. It can breathe new life into you when you are feeling stumped, stagnant, or are just in a plain old rut! It was exactly what we both needed.
Being exactly 50 degrees cooler than home helped too! Ha!
I highly recommend everyone take time to UNPLUG from your daily life! Sharing time with my sweet girl, (who is now 22 years old……..where did the time go?), and in an environment that we could both be at ease, made all the difference in my life upon returning to the daily grind.
Eating well is never a problem for me on vacation! Fallon and I both love to cook too, so one night we made a beautiful Ahi Tuna salad with asparagus, (pictured above). I love Bloodymarys but can’t make a good one to save my soul! Fortunately, a little place in Mendocino makes one of the best! Fully loaded, it’s spicy, comes with celery, green olives, bacon, and a full size prawn! It’s a meal in itself,(yes, it’s me, above right).
It’s a very different relationship you end up with once your children are grown. If you are lucky, they become your friends. Oh, make no mistake, you are still their parent, and I offer my advice more then they probably would like, (Sorry Fallon & Emma), but it’s also heartwarming to be in the company of these people that you’ve created, and brought into the world…………. and you actually LIKE THEM! Ha!
The blessing is that they like me too.
I’ve fallen behind in my self-made deadline, for Out Of The Ashes, to be ready to submit to an agent. But I truly believe taking time to live and enjoy my life, with the people I so love, will only make my writing better, and after all, isn’t it more important to have a great product in the end, then rush a job for the sake of getting it done?
Anything worth doing, is worth doing well………. who said that?
Today, I read a great blog post from my sweet friend Jamey Gill. Go to her site at jagcagdesign.com to read her experiences with the Valley Fire. It is also the site for her amazing art that she creates and sells. Give it a look! She’s one of many Lake County gems! We really have so many talented people in our community.
This weekend should prove to be beautiful in Lake County, with the temps only in the high 80’s. So get out there and enjoy nature! I started my day off today walking my two dogs. Find your way of unplugging, and reconnect with your friends and family! Or do one of my favorite things ever!…………. find a shady place outdoors, and grab something cool to drink, and read a book,( preferably NOT from a kindle, or other techno-device! A REAL BOOK). You will be happy you did.
Enjoy everyone! Happy Friday!
