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Earlier this month, I participated in the River Heron Review poetry retreat at The Barn at Boyds Mills in eastern Pennsylvania. It was, in a word, amazing.

The grounds were spectacular, and I met some beautiful, wonderful and incredibly kind and talented writers and poets. In addition to those of us who were part of the River Heron Review poetry retreat, I met other writers who were staying there on individual, personal retreats, some of them having come to Boyds Mills five, six, seven times before. Such is the draw of this fabulous place!

This was the first time I’d allowed myself the luxury of flying halfway across the country simply to explore and invest in solitude, camaraderie, and the pursuit of craft. I’d read about retreats such as this before and now I understand why they are so popular and, dare I say, necessary for the development, expansion, and exploration of one’s literary pursuits.

Although I did not “poetize”, as my husband calls it, as much as I’d hoped I would – I did write but, on those days, when the weather was glorious, my other love, photography, drew me outdoors, imprinting ideas of passion and nature, quiet, peace and serenity deep inside my brain and within my soul – I was truly inspired during my stay.

Robbin and Dawn, our intrepid hosts and poetry gurus, provided us with a variety of tools, readings, activities – and encouragement! – which will continue to serve this writer well. A terrific balance of “structured” events and personal “down time” was both welcome and effective. I am grateful.

Next year’s retreat is scheduled, again, for mid-October 2024. I’m hoping to return for another relaxing, exhilarating poetry getaway with these same new friends – and others I’m sure to meet along the way – kindred spirits, all, who enjoy reading and writing, people who ‘get’ me and share in my love of poetry. Until this retreat, I hadn’t realized how much this poetic body of mine craved, how much it needed, to be enveloped in the embrace of others who understand and respect the balm writing affords those of us driven to express ourselves in not just language but via the power of images as well. I cannot explain it any other way.

I’m so grateful to have had this opportunity. One of the things I loved about The Barn at Boyds Mills was the availability of so many little nooks and crannies, places to write in quiet and solitude as well as the soul-nourishing sights and sounds of Mother Nature, all around us.

This poetry retreat was such a fantastic experience. Once more, with gusto!, I am so very, very grateful!

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Husband and I are still in the hunt for a new boat but our shopping forays took an unexpected turn on Monday when I stepped into the cockpit of a 2024 Sea Ray 190 SPX and my wedding ring somehow caught on the bimini tower I was holding onto for support as I stepped down into its cushy appointments.

Because of my forward momentum, I was jerked back – hard – with my ring finger still somehow snagged on the support. My finger swelled immediately, and a dark band appeared just above my wedding ring which then started to bleed. I knew then and there this was NOT a good development!

The marina staff got some cotton balls, Neosporin and a Band-Aid. I wasn’t really in pain but was pretty shaken by what had happened. The bleeding was not at all excessive and I felt OK, but the swelling did concern me. We finished our visit there and got back on the road.

As we headed west on I-80, I peeled back the Band-Aid to see that the ring was clamped down tight on my ballooning finger so I started searching for information online. I learned that I’d experienced what is known as a ring avulsion injury (see also Jimmy Fallon!) and that even if the finger feels fine, medical attention should be sought out right away. Like now. The words ‘amputation’, ‘surgery’ and ‘losing a finger’ certainly grabbed my attention so we turned around and drove back to Omaha to find an ER to get it looked at.

The waiting room was pretty full (aren’t they always?) but they called me back in less than five minutes. A nurse applied a liberal coating of gel / lubricant and warned me “this is going to be pretty uncomfortable, but we have to get that ring off”.

When that didn’t work. I knew what was coming! On the way to the hospital, I’d told my husband I suspected they would have to cut the ring off and I quickly made my peace with that notion. Still, once it was clear that was exactly what was going to happen, I cried.

Two doctors worked to cut the ring and they saved every piece of the band telling me a jeweler should be able to easily and quickly repair it. So, there’s that! Our entire trip to the emergency room was completed in just under 45 minutes. That’s got to be some kind of record, right? Very happy – and appreciative! – of the care I received.

I understand all too well now why construction workers don’t wear their rings when they work. In fact, I am now hesitant to wear jewelry on my fingers ever again after this. Ring avulsion injuries are, I read, rare but still, they account for 5% of emergency room visits.

Later that evening, husband and I both chuckled when we learned each of us had tried – even as the hospital staff was severing the wedding ring from my left hand – to think up a name for our new boat – should one come to fruition – based on this little shopping misadventure.

Hey. I’m open to suggestions!