Retro is in, right?

Yesterday was an awesome day. 

It was the final writing class of the semester, so that was a little sad. But, a few of the people I really like in the class and I are going to get together every other week, which is cool. Because (to mangle a line from Denise Levertov), it’s rare among worlds to find a paradise that is a kind of poem. It is a place to let tiny seeds of thoughts that have been languishing in the dusty corners of our minds and hearts finally get the chance to sprout and thrive.

I went to an afternoon potluck with my earth mother-y friends, chock full of goodies from our gardens and neighboring farms. I find I really like eating seasonal and local. I always did try to eat that way, but now it is almost exclusive. It seems to be a much more natural way to live. I know that my life is a lot slower now, with no one to take care of other than myself and my aging cat. And, that slowness allows me to be choosier about the details of my daily life. We did have fun at the potluck and the food was terrific.

Last night I attended a clinic on how to fix your bicycle chain while on the trail. It was for women only, so they didn’t have to feel self conscious about not knowing things. I had a good time and saw a lot of the ladies I know from the trails. The trainers were men, though, and I found one of them very intriguing. I tried to figure out exactly what I liked about him, his voice maybe or his kind eyes. I noticed he wasn’t wearing a ring. I would date him if he asked me – I know I’m married. It’s complicated.

Today was a great day, too. I got a lot done around the house, and, more importantly, I got a short story written because I had a deadline. My daughter did a quick edit on it and … the editor loved it. Things move so much more quickly with computers and the internet. I am not sure that it is what is best for written language. I like the slow process of refining writing. I think technology is causing people to put out writing (just like I’m doing with this blog) that is substandard. Other people are getting used to reading it and think it is OK, just because it is what they’ve been exposed to. Now, we have poor editing in major bestsellers and no one seems to notice anymore. Anyway, I love the craft of writing.

Tonight was Pizza Pals. Maybe I’m a couple of sheets to the wind right now. But, it is the night I just cut loose – no classes, no meetings, just friends, food and fun. One of our members is depressed. He always has his ups and downs, but right now he’s on the outs because his roommate went home for the holidays. He’d gotten used to having someone around. We will all have to figure out ways to spend time with him so he’s not so lonely.