changing writing space

At some point before going on writing retreat, I moved my laptop downstairs. Right before Christmas I wasn't doing much writing and it felt more cozy having the computer down here by the tree and the woodstove. Since getting home from writing retreat, I haven't taken the laptop, my camera, or the big bag of books and moleskines back up to my writing garret. The only thing I've done up there is put away bills and receipts.

We have a nice big desk right by the kitchen and this is where I've planted myself since Tuesday. I've taken this last few days off from novel writing, but it's time to get back in the swing and I'm trying to figure out WHERE. Right now I'm having a slight urge to move my writing chair and ottoman down to the bedroom and set up camp there.

I'm not sure why - I love my writing space upstairs. Maybe I just need a change. Or maybe it's time to re-do the garret. I wonder if I'm just tired of the way it's organized ... I might play around with that on Sunday.

Thought I'd seek some assistance from the Chinese Fortune Sticks that found their way into someone's Christmas stocking this year:

"A very jealous person will quarrel with you."

Oh lord.

hot stone massage

I had one today, and it was wonderful. I've had some lower back discomfort for the last three weeks or so that disappears completely when I ride but bothers me most of the time otherwise.

Harriet did some work on the lower back and found one side significantly tighter than the other. When she worked on the psoas muscle on the left, I felt it in back on the right. After the massage, the "hinge" of discomfort in my lower back had disappeared. Upon sitting, I felt a small "dot" of discomfort in the lower right back. On the drive home that expanded to a small "circle" of discomfort that has now disappeared.

I've scheduled a return visit for next week so I can get this resolved.

The stones were amazing - they warmed and grounded and absorbed.

Insurance companies should pay for bodywork - I totally believe we'd all be healthier and happier if we could get this kind of work done frequently. It shouldn't be a treat - it should be part of our overall health care.

home again, home again, jiggety jig

Quite wonderful to be here, I must say.

live and on location

Blogging from the coffeehouse local to the writing retreat, which has WiFi. Two other writing retreaters have made the same trek and there are four different conversations going on around me, all fascinating.

It's hard not to stop and listen.

The revision is going well. I'm restructuring, which can be difficult for me, but it's falling into place down here.

I had forgotten how much I love this book.

the ravens are here

Have come to a local coffeehouse here on writing retreat with friend and fellow writer Dawn Wilson. As soon as I got my laptop plugged in and sat down to sip my coffee and check email, I glanced out the window and there was the raven, in the middle of a parking lot. Moments later, it was joined by a pal.

Business as usual.