Thankful-Day 18

Thankful

for

my annual retreat

to the mountains

alone

my feet by the lake

(I always take a picture of my feet)

This is my third year
going to the mountains
and staying in a cabin for 5 days
and 4 nights
and doing whatever I want to do!

The cabins are pretty nice little rentals...

...the small kitchen being the downside.
I think the hope is that I'll eat all my meals at the restaurant in the lodge,
which is only open on the weekend in the off season.
So I bring simple food to eat.

I woke up at 6:45 AM on Saturday
and out the front window
I was greeted by lots of deer.

(picture through the window and not very good)

I made a cup of herb tea and wrapped up in my quilt
and sat on the porch
watching the deer
and the blue jays
and listening to the sound of nothing
as the sun finished coming over the mountains.

And last night
I looked up from my work
and saw the light outside the window
and grabbed my camera and went outside
for this photo...

No kidding.
This was the actual light.

I didn't tell my Mom I was going
because I didn't want her to worry.
(Now you know I went, Mom!)

Truth is,
doing this always makes me a little nervous.
But I don't want to live my life
in fear,
and I need alone time,
so I face my fear
and I go.

And it is always great.

And I'm thankful that I can do this.