In Ohio

Saturday: Woke at 4:50 AM. Shower, and completed packing. Brief sitting, and the cab was at the door. Said goodbye to a sleepy MB, and then was off to the airport. Talked with the cabbie about being a night owl. An unremarkable flight to Detroit. I slept some. Also drank as much OJ as they would give me. Had the row to myself. A crazy color-organ psychedelic walkway was nearly too much on only 3 hours sleep. A bagel. In Detroit, while waiting for the next flight, I deleted some unused pictures off my cell phone. A puddle-jumper to Cincinnati. Some cross-winds while landing, and a surprisingly loud decent of the landing gear. Found the baggage pickup, and made contact with the woman that was riding with me to the center. My guitar was not in evidence. At the baggage desk I learned that it didn't make it onto the plane with me out of Boston. They said they would send it along to the center. Mgs and I got the shuttle to the rental car company. A pinched face woman wearing a pin symbolizing joyous children sat across from us. Got the car, and got on the road.

Stopped for some lunch at a food court. I got a vegetarian sub. Tasty, but my sunglasses were missing when we went to leave. Then I thought about the satisfying 'thump' the waste had made as I slid it into the trash receptacle, and realized they had been on the tray. Dopiness is its own reward. A short while later we were at the retreat center. We barely had time to get settled before the first session began. Talking with D.A. I found out that there are strange similarities between this center, and the Roundhouse where the NST weekend was held last week:

*Both facilities feature roundish structures. The roundhouse is round, this one has a main octagonal building.
*Both facilities were designed by women with a vision, who also founded the center. Traditional architects were not consulted.
*Both facilities were designed to bring communities together.
*The location for the main buildings of both facilities was guided by an intuitive sense of the energy of the land.
*Both facilities use a 'unique napkin ring' method for reducing waste at meal-time.

Not to state the obvious, but "It's a sign!"... I just wish I knew of what!

The weather was absolutely lovely today. Mild for this time of year and sunny. A light wind blowing fallen leaves about. I feel a great buoyancy at this place.

After the first session, during which time I made a nice connection with one of the more experienced participants, we had dinner. A pasta with vegetarian chili dish and salad. Quite good. I sat at the table with Bdi and others and talked about the temperaments present in different parts of the country.

A lovely soak in the hot-tub. With foot rubs under the stars.

Gave MB a call, leaving a message that I was alive and feeling fine.
The second session of the evening, ending with a lot of jumping around and drumming. Amazing the amount of energy I have at this point.

Back to the farmhouse. I was very lucky in my room assignment. I have one all to myself, and it has a little stuffed monkey in it and it's just wonderful. A quick shower. Morning practices.