Jen loves to have visitors at her B&B farm property in Breaux Bridge, Bonne Terre. Bonne Terre in French means good soil. While I’m sure this is good earth, I can see that Jen dedicates lots of her time to making it good. There are signs of her everywhere, in the mown lawns, the growing vegetables, and the attractive, rustic sculptures. Even in the bathroom, she has selected special aromatic soaps and adorable decorations. I have to admit I’ve had trouble settling down to write. I’ve moved positions at least five times.
I asked Jen how many chickens she has. She had to do the math because she has a variety of breeds, but she came up with 71 (or was it 79?). Nevertheless, chickens are everywhere. They are a humorous, noisy lot that make me feel like I am out in the country at grandmother’s house.
I’ve been meaning to treat myself to a full day of writing all summer long. With only a few weeks left before school starts, I finally did it. I worry that I will fill this day with things other than writing. Jen told me, “It doesn’t matter if you write or not. The point is you gave yourself this space to be present.”
I’ll likely spend the next few hours reading blogs, walking the grounds, and having coffee with Jen, but whatever I do is bon travail on this bonne terre, good work on this good earth. And look at me! For what it’s worth, I got a blog post written.
Please hop over to Amanda’s post on Persistence and Pedagogy. She’s a stop on the Bayou Song blog tour, and I love what she did with her kiddos.
What a lovely spot to inspire writing! You remind me that I don’t need a fancy or formal retreat to write!
This is just gorgeous and I love the chickens! I used to raise them but haven’t had a space for them or energy for them in the last couple of places I’ve lived. Someday! I love the idea of a self-created writing retreat. Being present and enjoying the beautiful space around you is a very good use of your time.
I love the idea of this retreat. You deserve it! You gotta fill up the well somehow, right?
Looks like a wondrous spot for a writing retreat, Margaret. Did you leave with some eggs as well as some new words on the page?
Mmm… I love the chickens and the idea of a full day to read and write. Thanks for reminding me that I can create this for myself. Now, can I talk the grandparents into taking the kids for a day while I work on being present? Probably yes. I can send them to this blog post as evidence of the necessity of a retreat.
The mention of chickens and writing together make me think of Blessen. Your retreat sounds happy and peaceful.
It’s so funny that you say that because I was a little afraid of the chickens and I thought to myself Blessen wouldn’t be scared.
I’m glad you gave yourself a treat. I am fascinated by chickens. I went to a rancho (a historic site in Los Angeles) this summer and they had quite a few beautiful chickens. I had no idea they could be so beautiful.
A beautiful space to be present 🙂
Your day sounds heavenly! I agree with Jen: even if you didn’t get a lot of writing done, sometimes we just need to give ourselves the “space to be present.” Looking forward to your dragonfly poem!
What a wonderful gift to yourself, Margaret. I love the dragonfly photo and hope you do write a poem to accompany it. Perhaps, it will find its way to my summer gallery, The Art of Summering. A day like you had sounds like a way to enjoy summer.
I agree with Carol–this is a fabulous gift to yourself. I also love your friend’s wise words: “It doesn’t matter if you write or not. The point is you gave yourself this space to be present.” What a lovely post!