Join the Two Writing Teachers blog for the Slice of Life Challenge.
I don’t know how I have come to be so blessed. If you’ve been keeping up with my blog or Facebook posts, you know I spent two weeks in Tanzania, Africa, a gift from my amazing mother-in-law. And today, I am in upstate New York at Tara Smith’s farm. Like Tanzania, the nights and mornings are cool, and that alone is reason to leave South Louisiana in the mid-summer. Unlike Tanzania, this place is lush and hilly and green.
On the farm, I can breathe slowly. I feel an energy for just being present. Tara is a perfect hostess. She ran down the hill from her writing spot five minutes ago because I asked for a lap blanket. Our dinner was fresh and delicious beginning with Caprese salad and ending with sliced watermelon. This morning, blueberry pancakes, my favorite.
I was trying to remember how I got here. Not in a geographical sense, but when did I meet and become so attached to these friends? I am here with Tara, Julianne, and Kimberley. (They are each writing a post today about our time together.) The fact is I can trace each friend back to this very space, my blog. We met through a commitment to writing and sharing our lives with each other. Connections happen here that I do not plan or predict or that I even realize are happening until a day like today.
Julianne traveled from L.A. and I traveled from LA. to be together on a hill in Washington County, NY.
This is Tara’s house on the farm. It is as lovely and charming on the inside as you can see from the outside. I am back in time to a place of stillness and grace.
This is Sophie. Every farm needs a dog like Sophie, keeping watch and providing comfort.
The four of us are taking a break from talking to write our separate slices. Sharing our slices of life is what brought us all here to be present with each other, to make space for writing, and to enjoy the abundance of life. I am so grateful for Tara’s generosity, for this community of writers, and for this amazing gift of nature. I can believe the world is good. I can feel hope. I can be me.
Morning walk in the woods.
gentle moon
rising over the hills
abiding grace
Reflections on the Teche 
It’s the most delicious space and company. I wish for everyone to have a time like this. Make time for oneself, for you are the person you wake up to each morning.
How Lovely, Margaret. Enjoy!
We can see Vermont from here!
What a perfect portrait. Lucky us!
The first one I’m reading. Love that you all can have this time together. Happy friends writing is the best thing!
The world is good, and I’m glad you have this time to enjoy some of its best parts — friends, nature, creativity — to build strength for what feels harder. So lovely to think of you all together in person in a beautiful place!
Your photos tell a story as well! Enjoy each others company!
awesome ! the place looks amazing!
We are all “green with envy!” The photos make it even more inviting. Looking forward to hearing more about your time together and seeing more photos.
Yes, your photos do tell the story. How wonderful to have such great company and a beautiful place to spend some time….and with a big black dog to join in the fun!
That is so awesome! I love the closing verse. Grace, truly.
Thank you, Margaret, for sharing this snapshot of your time on Tara’s farm. It sounds heavenly.
It looks like such a special time for you all. That photo of you all walking in the woods together with the dog is perfect, a lovely slow moment in time. Have the best time!!
So lovely to have you here…the farm has come into its own as a writing place at last!
Margaret, the time to write is sacred time. Your memories of this trip and the Tanzania one must be seared in your spirit. Your writing is flowing.