The week's over, and

we're back. Phew, what a great week. Each day, we started at about quarter to nine and didn't stop until eight or nine at night, what with our photography, activities, contra and square dancing, meals, and getting to know new people and deepen friendships we've made in other years. Four years ago, we had our first inter generational week here and we've had great times each year, mixed in with the interpersonal dynamics between teenager and mother. I learn something about our relationship, and how to manage my own shortcomings, within this intensive context that I'm not able to in the daily fray of life.



Our group would never, I think, have gotten together in any other context than this one: we were a mother/daughter; father/son; grandmother/granddaughter; and, interestingly, cousin/cousin. This last pair came with several family members, and they all paired off so that there wouldn't be any mother/daughter mother/son pairings! We really coalesced as a group during our first gathering after dinner on the first night. L and I had to share the digital camera, but I had brought a little 35-mm for me mostly to use. Here is L, putting some new film in for me:



There is something about the mountains of western North Carolina, and the school, that brings an immediate sense of peace, and a sense that you can really tap into your ability to dig in and create. I don't know how many people have felt true joy in making something, and expressed that joy in so many ways—not just in the thing itself but in the way they manifest themselves. They really glow.



You can really sound out your different beat here, and know you'll receive an answering rhythm.






When we got in the car to go home, we really would have rather stayed.