A Note From the Highlands of Victoria

Greetings:

The hint I left on my blog last week for a story will wait one more week. I am on Day 3 of a 10-day retreat in the Highlands of Victoria, a 30-minute drive from the city centre and truly another world. Since we have allocated 15 minutes a day for all devices, and I am taking twice that long just to say hello, the story will wait until next Wednesday, our last day. By then, you will be expecting something amazing, so please lower all expectations to avoid a big disappointment. However, it was an interesting confluence of events that I would like to write about.

For now, today, will be a wave to all of you. I am with a wonderful group of people in a nature preserve with many sights, sounds, tastes, textures,  and smells. The variety of trees provides a full sensory experience all by themselves. And last night the barred owl woke me up to his distinctive call – this morning, besides all the hummingbirds, I got to hear the braying of a donkey, which is a sound I haven’t heard maybe forever?? So much delight.

Last night, we did a form of Japanese flower arranging(not Ikebana); tonight, we have watercolour instruction, and tomorrow, Haiku. This is in addition to yoga, meditation, hiking, swimming and so on.

May these glorious days of August bring sunlight into your hearts and all the courage and resilience you need to manage your everyday life.

Warmest wishes and gratitude to all of you, dear people. Thank-you.

PS, this wild bouquet wasn’t part of our evening program, but it is on the deck where we were working. I love the spontaneity of it.

PPS A big thank you to our teacher, Shirley, last evening, who went above and beyond in helping us all create beautiful arrangements.