Several months back, I received an email from Kristine Carlson at Book Doulas that caught my attention, beginning with an interesting phrase, “Consider this.†The lovely email proceeded to describe a weekend writing retreat at Mount Shasta, California. Something about those two words felt like liquid light singing a familiar tone that I had not experienced since my years traveling in Scotland, and Austria, years ago.
I had been on the lookout for some sign of support, but this surprised me. I assumed my retreat years were behind me – mainly because I saw myself as too reclusive to participate fully in a talkative women’s setting. The past several years of lock-down had reinforced that assumption, I guess.
I know the ‘call’ when I hear it
and I trust in its wisdom.
So, by the following day, my registration, flights, car, hotels for logistics of the adventurous weekend was put in place. Little did I know that this would be a trip like no other.
Preparations involved, submitting writing samples, so I went to work “heads down” quote into laying out rough chapter outlines for my new book. My first task was to establish a working title for my new book that I had put off for the last four years. I decided on “Magi of the Temple.†Then I tackled laying out rough chapter outlines, along with a short synopsis of my first two books; The Häling in the Scottish Templars and Voyage of the Templar Guardians.
This very exercise helped me to realize just how far I had come in bringing forth the story that began 20 years ago. I had received direct support from loving friends for the first two books. However, writing my third book was turning out to be solitary, mainly because three friends, who had supported my writing as beta readers, had passed away; not to mention adapting to the ever-changing complexities to work/life dynamic. In other words, it was time to take a higher view of this long-term project and chart a new course.
Early the day before the retreat was to begin, I squeezed my writing life into a carry-on, which included copies of my first two books.With my ailing shoulder taped for schlepping the heavy suitcase, I stepped into a new weekend adventure, leaving the Houston heat behind only to face hotter conditions in Sacramento. The only rental car available was one with way too many miles on the odometer and a “Maintenance Required†indicator signal on the dashboard. Not a solid start, but I took the car on the road, trusting spirit to keep me safe on the three-hour drive north with the temperatures reaching 109 degrees. Passing by orchards and farms, I felt the plants also gasping for cool respite.
The flat straight away tightened into mountainous curves, and finally came a bridge spanning refreshing Lake Shasta. I sensed a shift in the atmosphere, as I checked into Mount Shasta Resort, and entered a redwood grove to find my tiny cabin near Lake Siskiyou.
After a four hour fight and then four hours driving, I realized I had not eaten a proper meal all day. So I unloaded my luggage and then returned to the restaurant, a short drive from my cabin. There, I enjoyed a delicious salad and caught my first glimpse of the magnificent being that is Mount Shasta. Somehow, it was the most delicious salad I had eaten in a very long time. I savored every bite as I began to acquaint myself with her breathtaking grandeur. It felt this massive PRESENCE greeted me through the soft haze. Although she was the largest mountain (second to Mt. Denali) I had ever encountered, I felt welcomed, awed and humbled by this uncanny connection!
The night the air finally cooled somewhat. Exhausted, I slept until dawn, ready for a bit of exploring. I was not due at the retreat until 4 PM so I tuned in to the ancient trees surrounding my cabin. What a gift to be able to commune with the various trees, elementals and creatures within these woodlands before heading into town for a bite of lunch.
Mount Shasta is a charming town with a big personality and I was grateful to locate the original Black Bear Diner for a bite of lunch. As I entered the iconic building, with its rustic ambiance and friendly servers, I noticed the restaurant was brimming with several dozen California firefighters, enjoying lunch to its fullest. Turns out that this seating of gentleman was one of several that day.
After lunch, I headed up the mountain, exploring various sand flats and Vista points, until I reached the top where the labyrinths were waiting. This was my first visit to Mount Shasta wilderness with its daunting beauty. The views were breathtaking! At group of musicians were settling in for a weekend ‘of serenading ‘happening’ at Bunny Flat trail head. As for me, I was ready to descend the mountain, and begin my retreat, but I greatly enjoyed driving those curving mountain roads on my own. No ‘Jesus take the wheel’ here! I had to focus ever second.
The weekend was wonderful – A lovely property with even lovelier souls – great coaching, acceptance, recognition of my work’s value and inspirational support. Of course I had fun meeting new friends, lots of laughter and, of course, enjoyed the cooler weather to be found in the higher altitude. The rugged beauty was both majestic and powerful. I was particularly grateful for the warmth within the group work.
Layered on top of all this fun was hurricane Hilary, which came ashore along the southern California coast, and traveled northward through California and into Oregon. It was virtually unheard of for a tropical storm to make it as far north as Mount Shasta, but on departure day, I found myself threading the needle to drive back to Sacramento and make my flight before the storm hit. 5:30 AM the following morning, the storm passed over Sacramento as I boarded my flight to Phoenix, where I was to join my husband for our family week in Sedona.
Soon after, Mount Shasta was bombarded by torrential rain. Mudslides (volcanic ash soil) and floods roared down the mountain side. Those same firefighters, enjoying their dinner at Black Bear diner went from fighting nearby forest fires to sandbagging routes to direct mud down the mountain. Reports were that the structures at my retreat escaped damage thank goodness. But many were not so fortunate.
The space created to make this trip happen, even in the face of life’s cross currents has been a reminder that faith in the process matters. The context of larger events and complex logistics, highlights the importance of staying the course. From this point forward, the magnitude of work lying ahead calls me to keep my functioning high to complete the writing phase of this project. Then an uncharted chapter will begin of publishing.
There is no doubt that I will finish writing Magi of the Temple. But I foresee a clear choice point/crossroad in the near future, where I will decide how to proceed. Navigating the rapids of the publishing industry requires discernment in timing; discernment in who to trust; discernment in allocation of resources. Did I say discernment?
Yes, I have confidence enough to choose wisely. Publishing is more than mere distribution. It is about remaining true to the work and being strategic in steering clear of the sharks. However, I remain hopeful in knowing that past 20+ years devoted to writing these books will see a happy ending.
