20 June 2005

Ragdale on my mind

It's been years since my residency at Ragdale, but I still find that prairie creeping into my poems. It was such a wonderful opportunity; I was a graduate student then, working a full time temp job and counting down the days until I could quit and be whisked off to Ragdale to focus on writing poems, not drafting newsletters about lead paint dangers. Of course, that was also before I had a child and really warranted a getaway, but at the time it was just what I needed (even if I spent way too much time sleeping and musing, and not enough time writing).

I remember being a little antisocial. I remember the rooms were twice the size of my apartment at home. I remember this huge sense of history, and feeling very small. I remember a chipmunk running through the living room! I remember going nuts one day being away from the city, and hopping on the METRA and sneaking a getaway from my getaway. Next time I have a residency I will get more done, I promise, and I won't escape (unless I get that itch again). Any other Ragdaleurs out there, or other writers' retreats to mention?

4 comments:

kristy bowen said...

Wow...it is amazing we HAVEN'T met...of course I recognized your name from the Rhino masthead but had no idea you had a blog...very cool..

marybid said...

HI Kristy! Thanks for stopping by! It's a small world...er, city, that is!

marybid said...

PS---Kristy, I have a little Chicago women's poetry group irl, so send me an email if you might be interested, and I will give you the scoop: catbad@excite.com It's very low key, and quite supportive.

Stay cool! It's getting toasty again (though today my office was like a meat locker--brrr).

marybid said...

All signs of health, even refinement, I would argue--and possibly the start of a resurgence of sustained creativity which might not really even kick in until after returning to "civilization."

Thank you, Snackwell! I am feeling redeemed now, and yes, it was the beginning of a (somewhat delayed) resurgence of words.

Charleston gratitude and overdue update

I've been good about keeping things updated over on my website, but not as successful in updating this dear old blog. Many apologi...