Squam Art Workshops 2010

Home safely from the most wonderful and astonishing week for a long time. Squam was incredible; this was my 3rd year and each year it has gotten better for me. I love the way the people at Squam gather in the newcomers and make everyone feel at home. I can truthfully say Squam has changed my life both in general and especially this year when I was not sure I could effectively teach again after losing so much of my voice and energy. But these people. This magical place. Renewed my spirit and confidence. Gave me permission to go on.

This is the hearth that blazed into the nights as we conversed, shared wine and snacks, told our stories and shared our dreams.

Our screened in porch looked directly out onto the lake with a breath taking view. We heard the loons, the loons, the melancholy loons announcing fall and the coming beauty of the changing leaves.

We met in classrooms to talk and make and learn and laugh together. I taught twice with my little voice amplifier and everything worked perfectly. We shared new beginnings. We are going on new journeys in our lives and we are manifesting our dreams. We are supporting each other as friends do, giving permission and providing help when we can.

Once again the food was incredible. I'm afraid I popped the button off my skirt and all I did was laugh.

I have fallen madly in love with this place. I silently thank the giants who put the land aside so many decades ago; the strangers who worked to make this place a sanctuary and also those who work together to keep it as it has been for so long. I feel their spirits in this place. They cared about the people who would follow them (us).

I have so much more to tell you and so many people to thank but I've come home to a hornet's nest of activity so I will write more later. I'll tell you about the friends I made at 2009 Squam that I visited in Vermont before I got to SAW. That's how it is. You make friends that you want in your life forever and you are changed. Thank you Elizabeth for providing such a place for us. You are leaving the world better than you found it. You are inspiring the rest of us to do the same.

Life changing. Imagine.