Friday, January 23, 2009

Retreat

I'm off to quilt retreat for two days. Down to a hotel in Santa Cruz, located near two quilt shops, a beading shop, and the ocean. Not too bad.

Retreats are hot these days, and not something my mother's generation did. I think it has something to do with the fact that my mother's friends met in their neighborhoods or through their kids or married into the family. She saw them casually all the time. Over the clothesline or at the grocery store.

My friends are people I met as an adult through my interests: writing and quilting. And while I have friends all over the country and thanks to Facebook and email, I'm able to stay connected to them, my local friends are scattered over the county. No one right in my hood. Consequently, we make dates to hang out.

We get together at the local quilt shop to sew for the day. We make dates for movies, lunch, walks. We go on retreat.

Even though it's a pain to gather all my sewing tools, notions, fabrics, patterns, portable design wall and set up in a hotel room, it's well worth it. For two days, I'll be hanging with my friends, sharing jokes, and sewing tips and life experiences.

No clothesline in sight. Unless M decides to make more of her fabric bowls.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

I think there also may have been something almost "taboo" about women going off from their husbands/families/commitments for a whole day or two, which--thank goodness--is changing. Maybe this should be one of my 2009 goals--a real weekend writing retreat!

Betty Hechtman said...

Retreats are great. In fact my characters are on a retreat in the book I'm working on now.

Monica Ferris said...

I think the Internet has facilitated friendships with people at a distance. Various distances. It's too expensive and time-consuming to travel to each friend's house. How else to meet them face to face than at a retreat? Plus, I agree with Betty, retreats are great!

Anonymous said...

I think women are just starting to realize the therapy factor of a retreat. It is a chance for people to make lasting friendships with other women (and sometimes men!) who that can so identify with.


I just wanted to let you know about my 2009 Quilt Retreat Getaway Weekend which is held in Belmont, WI at The Travel Center on November 6, 7 and 8, 2009. The details are on my webpage at Quilts by barb or on my blogspot at Visit Quiltsbybarb quilt retreat blogspot

We would appreciate if you would help us pass on this information and we would love to have you join us!

Barbara Raisbeck,
Owner of Quilts by Barb