Taking a Month Away

Kate Flora: Since my husband began nudging toward retirement, we’ve been taking the month of March away. For years it was on Sanibel, in Florida, until Hurricane Ian wrecked the island. Last year, unable to face the devastation or search for a new place to stay, we went west, and brought rain (one of our special talents) to Santa Barbara, LA, St. George, Utah, and Sedona, Arizona. It was a lovely three weeks of walking in new climates and we loved it. But hearts were still on Sanibel (although not Florida in general) and so this March just past, we spent a month in a rental in Naples.

Naples is one of those places where people drive such expensive cars that I joke a BMW or a Porsche are like Corollas. Bentleys all over the place and jerks with Maseratis roaring around late at night just to hear themselves make noise. The traffic lights are endless, and force us to practice a patience we don’t possess.

But the birds are happy.

Today, I am just out of the car after driving back for the past three days. My sciatica is in full roar. There are piles of stuff everywhere that need to be put away or disposed of or washed or responded to. There are large downed branches everywhere and the gardens are full of pinecones, but luckily no trees came down. Reentry is always a challenge.

And yet, how can I complain about lush foliage, beach walks, visits with good friends, a

trip to the botanical garden, a walk with alligators, or more time to sit by a pool and read? I even got a good start on the next Joe Burgess book, Deliver Us from Evil, by trying to stick to a 1000 word a day schedule. I didn’t always make it, but I am 30K into the new book, and enjoying the adventure.

So while I ought to be writing a thoughtful blog about something Maine or writing related, I am reminded that sometimes stepping away from the desk and observing can recharge the creative well. So here are few photos from a walk around Savannah, which is a lovely place to stop and break up the drive. And yes, the white cat is real.