Catching Up

I began to panic a little. Hadn't worked on the book (not mine, but one I've been assigned to write) for a number of weeks. So many things crowding in and seeming more important -- but deadlines loom and stress was setting in.

I'd heard about a Catholic retreat centre about an hour away -- came well recommended. So I packed a wee suitcase, loaded up a bankers box with all my research, articles, notes etc -- took along my laptop and headed out.

It was slow week there, so the sisters had reserved the cottage for me at a very reasonable price. I was pleasantly surprised:

It was SO cute!

And I had it all to myself!

A tiny kitchen with everything necessary (meals were provided anyway, in the dining hall)

A comfy little bedroom with an on-suite bathroom

I'm glad I had anticipated there probably wouldn't be desk, so I had loaded up a folding table -

lots of room for it, and great to spread out all my stuff.

(my suitcase is underneath it to rest my feet on.)

Got TONS of writing done -- 21 hours solid, over three days. Feeling a little less stressed now!

And when I needed a break there were acres and acres of beautifully maintained lawns and walkways to explore, in every direction:

It was pretty isolated. The 'big house' was up a hill, a few hundred yards away - not so serious in the daytime, but it was a bit spooky by myself in the cottage at night -- especially in a thunderstorm with the lights threatening to go out, and 80km per hour winds roaring through the trees all around!

But morning came and the sun came with it... and I and the cottage still intact.

The sisters were very sweet and so very accommodating. I think I'll be back!

Oh, I almost forgot -- don't you just love this painting, hanging in the cottage living room:

(you might need to click, to enlarge and get the full effect)

It's called "The Cardinal's Portrait"

by Toby E. Rosenthal

Love it!