Monday, October 12, 2009

A Little Love part 2

our country lane, and my little car

To continue with my Things that Make Me Happy posts...

last weekend, I was banished away upstate all by myself...not really, but Sarge took care of Hedgie for two nights and two days while I went to take care of a brake recall on my new car. A prosaic errand that yielded a wonderful time alone. I'm a sociable person, but sometimes I need some time all my own--and not just an hour or two, but a real bit of time, to "get my head together" as Sarge says.

So I took myself all the way to my cabin in the Adirondacks. A five hour drive, just me and my ipod and my iced coffee, and my thoughts, uninterrupted for several hundred miles of highway. Two days and two nights of utter privacy! Everything was just right: the chilly rain made my aloneness more tangible, and somehow cozier; the lovely orange fingerless gloves, made for me, seemed especially soft; the coffee was sharper, stronger, tangier--the milk richer; the walks by the quiet lake more meditative; and at night, when it cleared, the sky full of stars winking at me, just for me. My bare toes snuggled in the blankets that seemed to know I was by myself, and, obligingly, were extra warm. My midnight chocolate bar was extra sweet. The owls hoo-hooed for me, and the deer flashed their tails through the woods behind the house--as if they knew I wanted to catch quick sight of them, but wouldn't linger. The quiet world was mine--not empty, but full of things I noticed, because I was by myself. And my writing flowed...

I think it was a gift from Sarge. Sometimes he knows just what I need, and he gives it to me, even if it is inconvenient. I returned better than new.

21 comments:

Karen ^..^ said...

Sarge is indeed a good man.

I'm glad you have him.

This sounded like an amazing weekend, just what you needed. I'm glad.

Sarah said...

Sounds like a fabulous weekend. Where can I find one?

Although, I did have a quiet weekend, mine was missing the woods and starry nights.... And instead had errands....

Hunter said...

That sounds simply fantastic.

I liked this one a lot, Leah.

The Unbearable Banishment said...

It's an epidemic! The good kind. This is the third post I've read recently extolling the virtues of spending time alone. You need people in your life but sometimes, you can't beat being alone.

Hilarywho said...

Sounds like a lovely weekend. You're so lucky to have that cabin! And the opportunity to spent time there in solitude.

bindhiya said...

Dear Leah,
Am so happy to hear you had a lovely weekend. It is always good to have some me time...away from busy life..
as you know i started working 2 days a week. It is so hard to adjust...but when am home i will take them for a walk...that helps me a lot.
I miss NY. Thanks for sharing..
Have a great week, dear.
♥ & ((hugs))
bindi

Megan said...

That sounds wonderful.

Anonymous said...

"Better than new"? So sending women to the woods ... ?

The Girl from Lokhandwala said...

How lovely!

Madame DeFarge said...

Sounds just fine. It's good when they understand our need to be alone. M. DeFarge is very good at appreciating that it's not about not wanting to be with him, but more about wanting to be by myself. Glad you had a good time.

nick said...

It's interesting how everything can be much sharper and more noticeable when you're on your own, without the constant background of other people and their activities. You don't notice how distracting all that is until it suddenly vanishes. You must have come back fully refreshed....

mapstew said...

What a recipe!

Can I borrow your cabin?

xxx

Baino said...

Amazing, I wish I had a little cabin in the woods right now. Roaring fire, a good book and total solitude.

Anonymous said...

Good for Sarge. We all need these moments of time to be just 'us'. Beautifully written account of your weekend- you made it sound quite delicious!

Brian Miller said...

sometimes that alone time is a great reset button for many areas of our live. wish i had a cabin the woods...it sounds wonderful. smiles.

Leah said...

Karen: it was good. I'm amazed I had the nerve to stay alone in that cabin in the woods, but it was great!

Sarah: nonstop errands are my usual ...

Hunter: thanks, it was so awesome!

UB: I'd go one further and say I don't entirely trust people who are afraid to be alone once in awhile!

Hilary: hello! I did feel lucky--an opportunity for alone time comes none too often...

Bindi: you are a very busy girl now! Walking to wind down is so good for the soul.

Leah said...

Megan: it's where I dream of holding our Wild Onion "reunion."

mago: mago!!! naughtiness.

Devil: hello! so nice to see you!

Mme. DeF: you've got it exactly--and it is important that couples understand that need without framing it as a dismissal!

nick: you're right, I never do realize how many are the cacophonous distractions until I'm really alone...

map: anytime!

Baino: the only problem is that it could get a bit addictive...

Cinnamon: exactly--time to be just "us." I like that.

Brian: another goal of mine, along with the no spending, is to recognize before I get to breaking point, that I need to "reset." It's important for everyone in a family, I think.

Cynthia Pittmann said...

What a lovely time! I feel the same way-that I need to get away by myself-often. I think we have to find ways to create these peaceful islands of contentment and connection if we want to respond to the world in the best way possible. I love that area...simply magical!

Thanks for coming over to Oasis; I hope we can continue reading each other...

btw I'm writing my dissertation...eternally...but I hope to finish next semester. I've been a professor in Puerto Rico for 15 years...it's about time to graduate!

Merely Me said...

*wipes tear from eye*
Beautiful!

muralimanohar said...

What the hell...everywhere I look you all are rubbing in that my dh and kids seem to think that my life is complete when I am surrounded by them 24-7...if I try to make a break for it, one of them will have the brilliant idea to come along with me. Why don't THEY ever need alone time??????

And for alone time, work does NOT count!!!

PĂ©itseoga said...

Hm, it sounds like a lovely couple of days. i wouldn't mind some alone time, but can't bear to be seperated from my nearly one year old, neither could my boobs!

i used to enjoy it if i had to travel for work, i'd drive for hours and hours, meet people for work, and then in the evening check into a little hotel or B&B, have a bath and go to bed early with a book. although sometimes i'd visit friends on the way, or go out with the work people. but i always made sure i got a little quiet time, too.