North Carolina NOMAD experiences

Thank you to my friend Leah who invited me to come do a 

women’s writers workshop in North Carolina

 at NOMAD Farms among the 

chickens, pigs, cows, turkeys, sheep, and horses.

Above is a photo of me the day before the workshop

while it poured rain!!!!

Here's a photo of me now.

Mostly I have had to peck 

out this blog

one letter of the keyboard at a time 

because a week ago

I BROKE MY SHOULDER!

Our family has owned a trampoline for

DECADES.

I've loved laying on it to watch bats, birds,

planes, leaves, squirrels, and clouds.

I have been doing yoga on it for three years.

NO I did not fall off the trampoline while DOING yoga.

But I did fall off it while stepping down.

My doctor said,

"It looks like you took a hammer to your shoulder."

It felt like it.

I'll heal...

(I had to cancel 5 dog $itting job$!!!)

Enough of that!

Let's get back to the blog!

***

The day before the workshop we arranged tables and chairs

 in a semi-circle in an open air hay barn.

(Thanks for your help Keith.)

Leah made the place beautiful with signs, flags, 

flowers, table runners, 

and decorative pitchers for water.

Leah even purchased a microphone 

for me to use since I have been known to be soft-spoken.

The place looked amazing!!!!!

Leah put a sign on the country road and 

people parked up by the farm's store where 

organic, free range products are sold.

Participants walked down the red, rocky road 

where they were greeted by hay bales and fall decorations. 

Due to Covid concerns everyone was told to bring 

their own snacks and the ladies were seated 

with space to write and breathe facing forward. 

Just to be safe.

I brought a surprise ball with me which we 

unwound to discover toys inside.

It made the group laugh, smile, 

and become bound together as one.

The workshop was two hours long. 

That gave people time to say hello 

and time for me get through my agenda. 

(The group knew each other from church.)

We had all ages there, from high school - up. 

Each of the ladies brought their own drinking vessel 

which I had asked them to bring. 

Each woman was to give a “mug shot“ about themselves 

by sharing why they had brought that cup.

The insights we gained about each lady 

were charming, personal, and touching. 

I collect mugs. I buy them at thrift stores. I give them as gifts. 

I received these English Bulldog mugs as memorials when Magnus died.

Mugs help me remember people and places I love.

I shared about some of the jewelry that I was wearing

and the mug that I had brought. 

I have the Starbucks collection of states. 

I even bought a Starbucks mug when I was in India. 

I love buying handmade pottery mugs.

I actually bought this jack-o-lantern mug 

off etsy while I was waiting for my plane

to take off for NC. 

It's by a favorite artist: 

Michael Bridges.

We opened the literary part of the workshop 

by having folks share small selections

of published writings or their own writing.

So enjoyable! 

I told the ladies a little bit about my experiences

 as a writer and about my book 

On Second Thought: Encouragement from God Retold and Resold.

 My book has essays about my experience running a resale store 

that had an art gallery inside of it. 

The short essays are full of insightful connections 

about how the artists, consignors, customers, and merchandise 

all affected me - during a recession.

Here’s the essay from my book I chose to read to the group:

Then it was time to write! I always give my groups the option to use a prompt. 

I had two prompt words that I chose to share with this group: home and hometown. 

We wrote for 15 minutes. 

Then I asked for a thumbs up if people wanted more time for writing. 

Then the ladies were invited to share picking the next person

 to share, with all the participants 

having the right to pass and not share - which happened. 

As the ladies were writing some chickens came into the barn 

and made some clucking noises. 

We also could hear cows, pigs, horses, and sheep.

Lots of mooing, baaing, and braying. 

After the ladies shared we did a Wrap Up in which they 

commented tidbits of where they may have been surprised by 

their writing or the experience. 

Then I gave away door prizes and we ended on time!

The group was invited to go up to a log cabin store 

where we could buy meats, eggs, and t-shirts. 

I bought a t-shirt of course! 

Leah purchases 

their free range meats at a 

farmer's market.   

(Or process-a-ecuted. Hahaha. )

The setting of the farm was absolutely glorious! 

During the summer the owners hold a camp for children 

in which the participants keep field notes. 

Make sure you check out the website for this amazing place.

NOMAD Farms

THANK YOU DANA AND MARK

FOR SHARING YOUR SLICE OF HEAVEN.

***

Since it's tedious pecking out words I've used my microphone too.

But you can imagine the typos...

So I'm not going to explain the 

next slew of pics much.

Most of all I want to say:

I HAD FUN VISITING YOU LEAH!

I LOVED YOUR COOKING, 

DINING IN YOUR BEAUTIFUL HOME,

WORSHIPPING AT YOUR CHURCH, THRIFTING, 

RESALE SHOPPING, AND ANTIQUING WITH YOU,

AND BEING WITH YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS.

THANK YOU!!!!

Here's evidence of a fantastic week:

Souvenirs of Winston  Salem.

I wanted to buy this:

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PRAYERS FOR ANGEL

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Cookie - owner of Shabby Antiques for 40 years.

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I got to go to Charlotte to visit friends!

My honorary daughter, Jasmin.

My Other Mother and her daughter, my childhood best friend.

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The photos below are all mixed up.

Some are Sawtooth Studios, some shopping, some a gallery.

Too hard to fix with one hand.

Sorry.

***

Don't forget, October is breast cancer awareness month!

I am thankful for my friends!!!

Anyone else want me to come do a Writer's Workshop?????