Welcome Writers -- Check out the Labyrinth

From the beginning, I wanted Pennsyl Pointe to be a place where friends, family, writers and other artists could relax and cultivate their creative talents. The natural beauty of the place has always inspired me, but I thought we could make it even more interesting by tossing in a few creative amenities. Summer brought the introduction of a wonderful new landscape feature. I persuaded my long time friend Indigo Raffel, a Pittsburgh-based artist, to visit the retreat. Indigo’s work has been a creative force for many groups including the Norris Square Neighborhood Project in Philadelphia, the Mattress Factory and Friends of the Urban Forest in Pittsburgh. During her visit, she helped me create a labyrinth on the grass up the hill from the retreat house.

The use of labyrinths can be traced back to medieval Catholic cathedrals. Originally, they were used as a site of pilgrimage. The most famous of these is the labyrinth in the cathedral at Chartres. Because international travel was extremely dangerous during the Middle Ages, visits to labyrinths were used as a substitute for a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Geometrical designs were created in cathedral floors using pieces of marble in various colors. The labyrinth at Pennsyl Pointe was made with sand and granite rocks that outline each circuit of the labyrinth. Now, don’t confuse a labyrinth with a maze. This is not a walkway meant to puzzle you and there is no danger of getting lost. The rule is: one way in, one way out. Your walk in the labyrinth is intended to help you relax your mind and discover new solutions for old creative problems. I’m very happy that this weekend, Indigo will be visiting again along with several members of my family. With this gang of innovators, our holiday weekend at Pennsyl Pointe is sure to be an experience out of the ordinary.

Writers' dilemmas -- The Search for Inspiration

Good writing doesn’t require an exotic setting or extravagant plot. The essential ingredient of compelling work is the writer’s ability to describe, in an original way, that ineffable quality that made the story irresistible to them. Not every writing idea triggers a truly creative response. Writers need reflective time to sort through potential brainstorms and find the one that can be transformed into an exciting story.

To refine those inspirational ideas, I take long walks on the roads around Pennsyl Pointe. Time among the busy creatures of the Pocono woods sets my thinking free. Back at the house I have a shocking pink Moleskine notebook that I use for jotting down details of story concepts. Since legend (and persuasive advertising) suggests that Moleskines were used by famous expatriate artists including Ernest Hemingway and Pablo Picasso, writing in mine makes me feel more inventive. Keeping a log of inspired ideas also ensures that I have no excuses for not writing when my Sunday creative time rolls around. On my list I include possible characters, provocative events, and weird stuff that gets stuck in my mental freight. Right now, I owe myself some writing on blue herons, Mexican immigrants and phony aristocrats. But I still haven’t crossed injured spiders off the list.

Writers dilemmas -- the battle against isolation

Meeting creative people in the Carbon County area isn't easy. People live far apart and, between work and family obligations, most of us have to drive quite a bit. This past weekend was a good one for me because my writing activities gave me the opportunity to talk with others who write -- and they live just a few minutes away from me.

One of the biggest problems faced by many writers is the sense of isolation that accompanies the job. It's very difficult to be focused and meet deadlines when other people are around -- but passing hours along at the computer screen can be awfully lonely. Writing groups and workshops can be a key resource for writers fighting this battle. Workshops provide an amazing opportunity to meet people with common interests and experiences. You might see the same people in the video store or the gas station, but you're unlikely to discover your shared interest.

My work over the past few years with the Liberties Scribblers writing group in Philadelphia has been a valuable source of inspiration. Other writers in the group bring a great deal of insight and humor to our discussions. Members' critiques of my work have helped me polish projects and see creative possibilities I never imagined for myself. My great hope is that over time, I will be able to build the same kind of writing network in the Carbon County area. So if you're down by the creek writing alone, drop me a line.

As with all great loves, this one seemed to arrive unbidden. Yet on August 13th of this year, I’ll celebrate the one year anniversary of a relationship from which I’ve chosen not to escape. The days leading up to our big ceremony were a little frantic. There were sheaves of paper, long lists, lots of nervous phone calls. It was not my first trip down this path. Memories of those past experiences seemed to thwart my ability to make the simplest choices. What colors? What time? I just couldn’t decide without rethinking it a hundred times. In spite of my doubts, I proceeded.

When I woke up on that auspicious morning I felt like some caring friend had sent me a package of weather straight from heaven. I kept checking the horizon to make sure I wasn’t just imagining that blue and cloudless sky. We had scheduled a 10 AM ceremony and I was oddly punctual. But then, I’d long since decided that I really wanted this. For months I’d dreamed of it and planned. Supportive callers helped me through the final preparations – my mom saw no reason to turn back, a colleague assured me I was doing the right thing. My partner in this thing was sure too -- so I stayed the course.

He was sure, yeah, but he was also late. Even with him coasting twenty minutes behind, we got the business over with by 11. The house he no longer loved officially became mine. Our plans to celebrate the transaction with champagne and cake were scuttled by unforeseen work crises, but this did not disturb my happiness. I was ready to go back to Pennsyl Pointe and get things running.

I knew there’d be no real honeymoon. The house had more flaws than charms. But the rotting rugs and frayed drapes could not hide its beauty from me. Even now, one full year later, I remain bewitched. I am, however, proud to announce that I have renegotiated the original 30 year marriage (at 7.25%) down to a 20 year tryst closer to prime.