Amid a busy fall schedule I am fortunate to go into the beautiful Autumn colors of the Lake George region and spend a few days with close friends. These women and I have traveled to this location for over 25 years and plan the date months in advance. We hike, eat, laugh, play silly games, catch up, view family photos and have intimate conversations with each other. How I relish this weekend.

My time here is to reinvigorate my mind, body and spirit. The lake, spectacular foliage and friendship are the balm needed to engage with my art and my students in a meaningful way.

It’s funny how engaging in a creative life fills me with the very thing that I need to continue; at the same time getting away from it gives me the same. I need both. I will return to my work with renewed energy and purpose………. and most of all gratitude.