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.