A Much-Needed Residency in the Desert in a Time of Sorrow and Strife Part 1

A Much-Needed

Me at the Desert Rat Residency

Residency in the Desert in a Time of Sorrow and Strife Part I

This last week, between a week of injuries, stress, and loss (besides the news, I lost an aunt, my father’s older sister) I was scheduled to go to the Desert Rat Residency in Palm Desert. This residency is special for several reasons: it is disability-friendly, it allows you to bring a partner with you, it has a half kitchen and a garden and swimming pool. And it is run by the fabulous poet Jeff Walt. I returned to sideways hail and snow in Seattle, so it was very beneficial to have five days in the Palm Desert with sunshine, birdsong and time to devote to reading, writing, and editing my manuscript-in-progress.

We spent most of the first day in Palm Springs, stopping at the Shag gallery and having dinner at a steakhouse playing old fashioned Palm Springs classic tunes. All the people were super friendly, despite worries about their families and friends over the mountains in LA. (Smoke was still visible from the plane once we rose over the mountains.) After the stress of getting to the airport and getting through security and all the attendant stress, (they left off our TSA pre-check on the boarding pass, the rental car agency didn’t have the car we reserved) – but I felt better the second I stepped into the gallery, and even better after a steak (Glenn got a wedge salad – so healthy – and a mezcal cocktail. But I’m the one with anemia, lol)

Once we arrived at the residency, we unpacked and started to try to relax. The night air was warm enough to walk outside and look at the planets above the palm trees. I set about working on my manuscript-in-progress, reorganizing, editing poems, putting in new poems and editing out older ones. Every time we stopped into town, the people were so friendly and upbeat, such a difference from the gloomy and let’s face it, somewhat sullen Pacific Northwest crowd. I tried a Dole whip for the first time at Lappert’s (hole in the wall with good date shakes, ice cream, sorbet, and of course, two Dole whip machines.) It was a little cold for the pool this time out, but it was still warmer than Seattle. Lots of Costa’s hummingbirds, a v of white pelicans overhead, mockingbirds and Western bluebirds. Besides being a lovely place to write, it’s a bird watching paradise. Below I am in the art hallway (custom art for each residency), pictured with the famous Kim Addonizio tote (link here,) Costa’s hummingbird with outdoor disco ball, and Glenn and I at a garden store nearby.

Me with pop art and Vinyl collection

I could tell you about the vinyl colletion or the fancy cocktail bar, but I have to continue this blog post another day, with pictures of the gorgeous pool and new mural and garden, and why this retreat was deeply necessary, as I am in the middle of dismantling and storing my bathroom as renovation demolition (the long awaited accessible bathroom project) starts tomorrow morning. I have not caught up on news or social media, or even laundry or unpacking. It is supposed to snow almost every day for a week. I have a stack of books to read, a goal of doing a couple of submissions and spending more time on the new-and-improved version of the manuscript, and thinking about whether or not to try to go to AWP (expenses, timing, health, and more concerns there.) Although it was lovely to be away from home, my cats were very happy to have us back. I’ll report back here soon…