25 August

Announcement. We Are Going On A Weekend Retreat Starting Saturday. Right Here.

by Jon Katz

Maria and I have decided to go on a weekend retreat—no work, cell phones, computers, blogging, e-mail, texting, photo journals.

We both are tired, our nerves frayed; I can’t recall a day in recent memory when we had a whole day off without working or doing chores. We are looking for a spiritual weekend, for silence, meditation, walking in a quiet place, and being together.

I plan to leave my camera alone to rest (I’m afraid of wearing it out, along with my psyche) and avoid the news at all costs. I love my flower photography, but it has taken a good chunk out of me (and was worth it).

I want to read books, hear music, spend time with Maria, and work on my spiritual life, which I greatly wish to pursue. My head is tired, even spinning, and it is crying out for a rest. I want to reflect a bit on my spring of surgeries and take stock of the refurbished me.

What a fantastic time for both of us. I also want to ponder being 76. I never imagined getting there.

I think we also want to find a few minutes to take in the death of Minnie, a fixture in our lives as long as we have known one another. Our world is teeming with distractions, many disturbing and worrying, some wonderful. I need to breathe a bit.

We both have trouble relaxing and disconnecting. We will help each other do it. I want to spend some time with me, and Maria feels the same way. We haven’t done this in a long time. It’s time.

I’ll check in tomorrow morning to sign off; I just wanted to give a warning that the blog will be uncharacteristically quiet. I worship the silence and am eager to spend time with it and with my wife, love, partner, and comfort. No time with her is too much.

4 Comments

  1. it sounds as if Minnie has passed on today……..my heartfelt love and condolences to you both, if that is the reality. I wish you a weekend of much needed serenity and peace and love. It IS much needed for you both
    Susan M

  2. Jon, I am in awe of just how full your lives are, and the amount of effort that it takes must be draining. It’s good to take a break to breathe and reflect. You’ve been a part of many beginnings and endings, observing and participating in the full circle. What a gift to be able to be a part of it all and then to share it with us in your words and pictures. I have enjoyed being a part of your journey.

  3. It’s said that fasting is a good thing that will help clean our insides. Of course that is about not eating. But it certainly is at least as beneficial for us to take time off from our busy everyday lives. May you and Maria enjoy that time of fasting this weekend.

  4. A lot of people feel destabilized by the politics and lawsuits of wannabe strongmen, the destabilizing climate changes and more. It does fray the nerves.

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