#NewThisDay Writing From My Photo Stream

Charles River, Morning Ski

Sunshine and fresh-snow cold. I have energy and clarity and eagerness to be out. First, a trip to the basement to gather boots, poles, skis. A first ski in fresh snow of this winter. I dress warmly; Charlie is ready, and Suzi too, and I worry if she will be too cold too soon but she must at least start off with us. Powdery wonderful glide to the river making my own tracks. Glitter sun. I am well. The river is sunlit and partially frozen and quiet. No wind. I have a busy day ahead. For now, just relaxing into trailmaking over these wonderful inches of soft, feathery foundation. The brook is running glassy and pure. Suzi trots girlishly happy behind my tracks. We are able to stay out for an hour. I will hope to get back out, even after dark. I attend a three-hour writing webinar with Vanessa Jimenez Gabb; a small group critique on our own poems. I have sent them in a week ago, and as I sit in the webinar I begin to feel, did I send the right ones? Then, we are reading and commenting on mine and I am feeling that Vanessa is getting them in a powerful way, bringing me new insights. Just the right ones. A small break, and then prep for the open mic I ran for the Journal of Expressive Writing. A great turnout of listeners and readers and featuring a wonderful poet from Nigeria, Ojo Olumide Emmanuel. Such a rich engagement for a January afternoon. Then, after dark, before dinner, I did get out again into the snowy woods. My daughter and I put on boots and dressed warmly, brought the special one, too, and walked out into the woods under a very bright half moon, lighting the way across the field, to the river, through the bare trees, shadows on snow and the fine fresh air in our faces. A chance to chat and catch up on our week, and share gratitude for lovely night and all the challenges we met this week. Then, in to warm up with the fresh vegetable soup she left simmering on the stove.