December 5th, 2014
8 degrees this morning. Thank God for Subaru Outback heated seats. Gorgeous morning. Back in the groove of being up here, going by its pace, lovely, lovely morning. Pink morning skies, gentle, new. The snow looking white washed. I drove over from our friends Robert and Lenice, leaving Richard in flannel jams, and stoked the fire, got the coffee going, cleaned up, and welcomed Simeon and his breakfast delivery (an excellent quiche on top of granolas, fruit, homemade yogurt, jams, apple sauces and muffins left over from yesterday!). A terrific talk with Elena and Kym as they stopped through for a break from their writing – talk of structure, storytelling, form, head and heart wrangling.
It’s 5:50 pm now. They’re discussing Kym’s project (“Time’s Up”) downstairs. I unfortunately had to scramble to fix a printer and also schedule a new artist mentor for next week while also putting an audition on tape and couldn’t join in the discussion, but the talk is warm, constructive, energizing.
Yesterday morning (the 4th) we all took parts in reading Diane’s “The Sweetheart Deal” out loud, even in this stage of development, an involving, theatrical investigation of loyalty and family set against the backdrop of the UFW’s struggles in 1970 California. The afternoon held talks and inspirations surrounding Elena’s work inspired by Homer’s The Odyssey. Lots of writing, lots of “eureka” moments. And the meals are the places where the day’s discoveries are shared, loosened up, storied. There’s a gratitude for being here. Lovely.
Dec. 6th
It’s 9:00 am now.
Around 6:30 last night (it gets dark up here just past 4) we were joined by Jennifer Kiger from Yale Rep who will be helming a workshop/discussion this morning. After we welcomed her into the fold, we all piled in our 2 all-wheel drive Subarus (the New England cars!) and brought everyone to Robert and Lenice’s where they hosted a wonderful dinner of risotto, cooked squash from their garden, turkey cutlets with capers, salad, fruit, and wines. And there was Anu, their golden lab, nuzzling in beside people for pets and pats and giving warm licks of love. I had to get down on the floor and hug on her later in the evening. Fantastic stories from everyone lit up the evening. Lots of laughter. And our hosts sitting there, smiling, joining in, so happy to have their home enlivened by such a vital, creative, stimulating group.
I’m doing a little writing of my own this morning; Richard took the reins of getting things going over there, then off for a grocery run. Elena’s sharing 14 new pages she wrote yesterday at 10, then Jennifer’s workshop, lunch, a quick reshoot of the audition, possible break time and hike – perhaps a dash over to Fairlee and their Christmas store – then a reading of Diane’s “The Sweetheart Deal” with newly incorporated changes at 4.
We got 4 inches of snow last night. Sleet today. I will hike over to the place a little bit later, a mile from here, a good morning jaunt.An Addendum
And may I say what respect I have for Jackson Gay who created the idea for these retreats and is guiding them with such respect, balance, cool-headedness, intelligence, and warmth. Watching her at work reminds me how rich I am counting her as one of my friends.
And may I also say how much Richard Waterhouse, my husband, contributes to this weekend. He’s been a reader, a contributor of ideas (whether around the table concerning a particular project just read or for larger Fuller Road issues), a quiet planner and administrator of all food related issues, so many other things. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
And to our 2 directors – Diane Rodriguez, Elena Araoz, and Kym Moore. Our home is so happy to be breathing in and absorbing and passing on the creative spirit coming from these wonderful women, our first group of creators at Fuller Road. We’re all beginning a tradition.
8 degrees this morning. Thank God for Subaru Outback heated seats. Gorgeous morning. Back in the groove of being up here, going by its pace, lovely, lovely morning. Pink morning skies, gentle, new. The snow looking white washed. I drove over from our friends Robert and Lenice, leaving Richard in flannel jams, and stoked the fire, got the coffee going, cleaned up, and welcomed Simeon and his breakfast delivery (an excellent quiche on top of granolas, fruit, homemade yogurt, jams, apple sauces and muffins left over from yesterday!). A terrific talk with Elena and Kym as they stopped through for a break from their writing – talk of structure, storytelling, form, head and heart wrangling.
It’s 5:50 pm now. They’re discussing Kym’s project (“Time’s Up”) downstairs. I unfortunately had to scramble to fix a printer and also schedule a new artist mentor for next week while also putting an audition on tape and couldn’t join in the discussion, but the talk is warm, constructive, energizing.
Yesterday morning (the 4th) we all took parts in reading Diane’s “The Sweetheart Deal” out loud, even in this stage of development, an involving, theatrical investigation of loyalty and family set against the backdrop of the UFW’s struggles in 1970 California. The afternoon held talks and inspirations surrounding Elena’s work inspired by Homer’s The Odyssey. Lots of writing, lots of “eureka” moments. And the meals are the places where the day’s discoveries are shared, loosened up, storied. There’s a gratitude for being here. Lovely.
Dec. 6th
It’s 9:00 am now.
Around 6:30 last night (it gets dark up here just past 4) we were joined by Jennifer Kiger from Yale Rep who will be helming a workshop/discussion this morning. After we welcomed her into the fold, we all piled in our 2 all-wheel drive Subarus (the New England cars!) and brought everyone to Robert and Lenice’s where they hosted a wonderful dinner of risotto, cooked squash from their garden, turkey cutlets with capers, salad, fruit, and wines. And there was Anu, their golden lab, nuzzling in beside people for pets and pats and giving warm licks of love. I had to get down on the floor and hug on her later in the evening. Fantastic stories from everyone lit up the evening. Lots of laughter. And our hosts sitting there, smiling, joining in, so happy to have their home enlivened by such a vital, creative, stimulating group.
I’m doing a little writing of my own this morning; Richard took the reins of getting things going over there, then off for a grocery run. Elena’s sharing 14 new pages she wrote yesterday at 10, then Jennifer’s workshop, lunch, a quick reshoot of the audition, possible break time and hike – perhaps a dash over to Fairlee and their Christmas store – then a reading of Diane’s “The Sweetheart Deal” with newly incorporated changes at 4.
We got 4 inches of snow last night. Sleet today. I will hike over to the place a little bit later, a mile from here, a good morning jaunt.An Addendum
And may I say what respect I have for Jackson Gay who created the idea for these retreats and is guiding them with such respect, balance, cool-headedness, intelligence, and warmth. Watching her at work reminds me how rich I am counting her as one of my friends.
And may I also say how much Richard Waterhouse, my husband, contributes to this weekend. He’s been a reader, a contributor of ideas (whether around the table concerning a particular project just read or for larger Fuller Road issues), a quiet planner and administrator of all food related issues, so many other things. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
And to our 2 directors – Diane Rodriguez, Elena Araoz, and Kym Moore. Our home is so happy to be breathing in and absorbing and passing on the creative spirit coming from these wonderful women, our first group of creators at Fuller Road. We’re all beginning a tradition.
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