Ten.One Thousand, Two Hundred & Fifty-Nine

1. I remind myself that if I can hear myself having a conversation in my head, then I am awake.

2. No coffee. I check the front door to see if maybe we missed the delivery by accident. Nothing.

3. We drive down to The Station. I cave and get myself a ham and cheese croissant.

4. I am running out of time.

5. The way the earth and air look and smell after the rain.

6. I thank them, tell them that these are the best weeks I’ve had in a long time.

7. Virtual retreat kick-off.

8. I want to like them more than I do.

9. So much warmer when you’re closer to the fire. I will need to buy a thick sheepskin to rest on.

10. I need to send thirty pages of my writing and “To Reach Japan,” by Alice Munro. Thirty pages. That’s just six long forms. I can do that.

11. I keep trying to turn the handle but it’s gone as far as it can possibly go.