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| The Downtown Inn B&B Piggott, Arkansas |
Everyone brings something different to the table. Literally. For the past week we have gathered each morning around the antique table in the dining room at the Downtown Inn in Piggott, Arkansas. We came to the writer’s retreat from various places with different levels of writing experience, assorted backgrounds and unique viewpoints. We leave as friends.
Brenda, our amicable host, provides an amazing breakfast each morning – scrambled eggs with bacon, breakfast casseroles and breads, fresh fruit with cream, biscuits and gravy, hot coffee and orange juice – something different every day. She wears a red toile apron and is the organized sister who makes certain we start each day with the most important meal. And a prayer. And a laugh. In only one week, we are a family.
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| Brenda |
We discuss the prior day’s writings, our plans for the next day and the train that runs beside the Inn, so near the bed vibrates like a New Madrid earthquake several times each night. The whistles disrupt sleep, but less so as the week passes. Brenda says a first timer guest reports the train passed by “twenty-two times in the night” but a few days later only twice. We acclimate.
Families don’t eat together anymore, not regularly. When I think about the conversations we have had over a few days at the table in Piggott with complete strangers, I realize all the conversations missed not eating as a family because of working late or soccer practice or Dancing with the Stars.
I’ve met seven wonderful ladies this week at the Hemingway-Pfeiffer Creative Writer’s Retreat along with a few good men. Each person brought something a little different to share. I will miss these ladies and the uninterrupted time I’ve had to write.
Today is our last day. Tomorrow I return to eating power bars for breakfast. We came to the table as strangers. We leave as friends.
talya
Grace Grits and Gardening
Farm. Food. Garden. Life.
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| Pat, Dorothy, Me, Judy (standing), Mary (pink curlers) |
I got chills as I read this one! Friends today-friends forever!
I’m so happy for you to have had the chance to do this! A sort of once in a lifetime event! Well…I doubt it will be for you, you’ll be hosting writers retreats soon, prolly in a little green cottage OR a historic home in downtown Dallas – or both! 🙂 Glad you had such a grand visit in another lovely little place in Arkansas. 🙂 Talya’s cousin, Cindy
As a new blog follower and one of your new women writer friends, I look forward to “chatting” with you daily–or nearly daily. Soooooooo glad our paths crossed in Piggott!! pl
I’m sooooo glad too!!
Talya, I really enjoy reading your blog and I will be checking in from time to time. Keep up your charming and witty writing!!
Thanks Traci!
Talya, Colene loves you and your blog. I in turn have started reading it, at first so I would know who this Talya lady was that she talked about non stop! Now I have bookmarked your blog and read it regularly. You are an awesome writer! Love all your entries, I can see an evolution of style in your entries!
Jami Livingston
Drake Public Library
Centerville, Iowa
Awwww thank you Jami! I love Colene:))) thanks for reading!!!