Om

On July 1st I went from communal life to complete isolation in just 6 hours. Yes, I purposely opted to stay away from parks, campgrounds and other gathering places this holiday week. Instead I chose another interesting Airbnb setting in a cabin in the mountains of West Virginia, and while there was one other person in a nearby cabin, no conversation ensued. 
     This community of five cabins on 15 acres was built for invitation-only meditation retreats by a couple who live nearby. When not in use for this purpose, it's an Airbnb option with a meditation walking path, an ornamental pond, and topic-related books in each house. Let me recommend The Heart is Noble by Ogyen T. Dorje.  
     The past week has been days of rising with the sun, sitting with a view, walking a few miles before the day's highest temp, reading, eating well, writing, and admiring the sunset before a solid 8 hours of sleep. It's a tough life but I must do it. 
     The holiday did not go unnoticed, however, as I counted 7 displays of fireworks taking place in the mountain towns below. They looked like someone holding sparklers above the trees but were bright and colorful and festive! While I've missed cycling, I am feeling very relaxed in body and mind, but yes, looking forward to conversation! In the early morning I head just a few hours northeast to pitch the tent on Catoctin Mountain.