As I write this, I am on my way to Hawk Circle for their winter survival skills class. I will wake up in a nature setting on New Years Day. I expect to be transformed.
I’ll be learning how to build a snow shelter, re-learning my fire-building and tracking skills and experiencing the off-the-grid life I dream about living. Oddly, there are places in NY State where Internet access is not available. Even if it is, I don’t see myself blogging from a snow cave.
I have written stories which will upload during my absence. Years ago I couldn’t be in two places at the same time. That’s one advantage of the online world. The acorn burger recipe is worth the wait.
In order to master winter survival skills, I need to look at the world differently. Survival has more to do with shared tasks and less to do with an individual multi-tasking. I’m bringing plenty of notebooks, pencils and pens. My hands connect differently to the keyboard than to pen and paper. I am hoping it will bring back a part of my writing life that has been dormant. My character Janet hasn’t spoken to me in months. I’d like to write fiction again. I know I’ll be taking notes during class - assuming I can manipulate a bow drill and a pencil simultaneously.
I did check and there is snow, rather than ice, at Hawk Circle. I’ve already packed my snowshoes and cross-country skis.
I’m enjoying these quiet moments of contemplation. I’ll be testing the limits of my brain and my body soon enough.