Retreating

[Valentine]

In a day or two I'll be retreating to a little tiny cottage in South Carolina USA near the marshes. I'll have no cable tv, no internet (unless I can capture a random wireless signal), no telephone (except when I turn on the cell after 7PM in the evening for those "free" minutes). I will have lots of books, some art materials, my little dog, and my thoughts. Its time to get inside myself for a while and see if I like what I find. :? Do you ever want to go off by yourself? Most of the folks I know (particularly those in my age range which shall remain unstated ;) ) would even consider the thought of driving 350 mi alone to spend a couple/weeks in solitude. They think I'm nuts, but I think it'll be pleasant. I'm realllllly looking forward to reading the book "Water for Elephants" by Sara Gruen, finishing the bio of Einstein and much Bible reading and study without distraction. I'm also looking forward to long walks on the beach and long marsh walks. What do you think? Am I being selfish to covet this time? Is there something abnormal about a desire for aloneness?

[ravenscape]

I don't think it's selfish or abnormal. I've been craving a retreat of some sort, too. But this summer is so crazy with all the remodeling, it would be terribly selfish for me to leave everyone else home to deal with it.

[Valentine]

Thanks, Raven. I'm thinking I'll leave early in the morning and perhaps when I return I'll be more refreshed and invigorated.

[monkeywrench]

That sounds purty cool Val!

I wouldn't mind doing something like that at some point.

[BelindaP]

There is nothing at all wrong with it. In fact, about once every two years, my husband will take the kids to visit grandma down in Texas, and I will stay at home by myself. It helps keep us married. Both of our families think it's odd, but it is very healing for me to be alone once in a while.

[Texas Lynn]

Enjoy. It reminds me of the movie Conrack with Jon Voight. Do you speak Gullah?

[Valentine]

Enjoy. It reminds me of the movie Conrack with Jon Voight. Do you speak Gullah?

LOL, LOL, actually, I do speak fluent SOUTHERN. :) I seldom lapse into my "southernese" at home since my husband is from the north. He almost DIES when he hears my real drawl in action, but it is quite pleasant in SC to be hear it and speak it. I haven't run into anyone in Murrells Inlet (where I'm headed) who speaks Gullah, but I think I'll venture out into the marshes and try to look for them. :) I'm leaving in the wee hours of the morning. I hope you kids have fun while I'm gone. If I can capture a random wireless signal, I'll pop in for a bit. {{hugs}}

[little owl]

Haha....I've been at the beach in NC (I live in SC) for the last week without internet. Still there, picked up a signal though :D Anyway, have fun :)

[CaDan]

That's how I studied for the bar exam. I didn't have enough money to pay for a prep course, so I went to my parents' cabin. No phone, no TV--just me and my books.

By the end, I was dreaming about the Rule Against Perpetuities. That was weird.

[cas07]

i hope you have a fulfilling time. i see nothing at all wrong with wanting that alone time. i am blessed to be able to do that on a fairly regular basis. when i go to conferences, i am able to have alone time, just being able to sleep in a bed uninterrupted by two or three little ones is a wonderful thing. i don;'t often have a lot of time alone, but it seems to be enough. plus i go on a women's retreat with church once a year, and outside of praise and worship i have no responsiblities, so i often spend most of the weekend alone. i am not sure how i would do with a faily long period of time alone, but my short spurts are great. i am thankful my husband is supportive of me having that time...

i know what you mean about the southern drawl - i grew up in georgia and started life out with a drawl. over the years, moving around in the military and then landing in california for the last 35 years, it moved to the back burner but never left. anytime i am in the south (case in point last month in texas) i come home with quite the drawl - LOL

take care, be safe, and let us know when you get back...