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Simply Authentic...Your Soul Voice is Calling. Take a Creative Excursion

Writer's picture: Kimberly GenlyKimberly Genly

Take a Creative Excursion When I was married and a stepmother to teenagers, I took a solo weekend retreat quarterly, basically to save my sanity. Every time, I came home not only rejuvenated, but kinder and more loving towards those sharing my home. Now that I’m a self-employed writer, actor, teacher and facilitator, I regularly do the same thing to get my creative juices flowing. Often it’s just a day trip; sometimes an entire weekend, all by myself, preferably to somewhere I’ve never been before. I’m on one such creative excursion/working retreat as I’m writing this. I set my intention to find a cottage style place to rent near water and places to hike, with a fireplace, and wi-fi, for no more than $50/night…within 72 hours. I found it within one hour, on-line. “The Enchanted Cottage” in Springfield, Oregon, a half mile from the McKenzie River. I couldn’t be more pleased with my choice.

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Robin, the woman who rents out this space (her own private sanctuary) is a Reiki II Practitioner with multiple tattoos (I see from photos on the frig she was once, and perhaps still is, a Harley Girl.)  The first thing I saw upon pulling up out front was a black cat, smaller and quicker than my own Lady Jane.

Then Robin, and smelt such an intriguing fragrance I later asked what it was. It’s the Daphne bush close to the front door with this cloth sign hanging inside the window.

Robin told me about the hiking places close by, the coffee shop/bakery and restaurants with organic burgers and locally sourced foods within walking distance…I ultimately opted to cook in and found all the groceries I needed in a five-minute drive to Safeway. Then I couldn’t wait to put on my walking shoes and explore the neighborhood. Walking in new places is one of my top five favorite things to do. I ended up in the Washburne historic district, entranced. Every home is different, many built in the early 1900’s. I saw a red-shingled house with charcoal shutters, a gray one with a bright peach door, and another made largely from river rock with a heavy oak door. Most had large front porches with chairs or benches for people to sit on. Some with gazebo archways in front covered with vines and white lights. One apartment building with a concrete parking lot, likely built in the 60’s, reminded me of the very first apartment I ever rented for myself in Phoenix, Arizona, when I was fresh out of college. I saw more delightfully decorated front porches than I remember ever seeing before. Daffodils, crocuses, and cherry trees all sporting their spring blossoms. I saw a spiny, spiked monkey tree for the first time in years. Squirrels chirped at me from fir trees so old and tall I’ve only seen them within city limits in the Pacific Northwest. One particular row of…was it rhododendrons?...if so, it’s the tallest cluster of rhodies I’ve ever seen…bellowed a concerto of bird song. It sounded as if 1000 birds of 100 different breeds were in that one cluster. And the wind-chimes! And the cats!

I have never heard so many wind-chimes, nor seen so many cats, in one neighborhood. None with a collar or a name tag. One short haired blush ran away when I said hello. There were two blacks with short hair. One grey with short hair and green eyes. One gray with long hair, a white chest, and yellow eyes. And too many others to count. Then I came back to the Enchanted Cottage and found these two in the driveway. Mishi, the tortoiseshell, followed me around.

Then came these four feathered friends.

I’ve never met such tame chickens. Two let me pet them. I had locked the front door, thinking I wouldn’t go outside again, yet I stepped out when I saw Mishi on the front porch again. I picked her up and gave her a hug (the cottage is an allergen-free zone) and accidentally locked myself out without a key. I couldn’t contact Robin because my phone was inside. She pulled up next door 30 seconds later. When I said, “I can’t believe you happened to pull in within a minute after I locked myself out”, she said, “Oh, I can,” and handed me two stems of fragrant white carnations from the two bundles of fresh flowers she had brought home. I found this little container, snipped the stems and made a lovely miniature bouquet.

I am in a magic zone right now.

Remember we can all create this for ourselves, any time we want. Step away from your regular life. Set your intention. Invite in some magic.

You’ll come back to your daily routine kinder and more loving. And possibly having accomplished a great deal as well. Authentically Yours, Laura

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