Inklings first writers retreat

On the banks of Lake Texhoma we meet.  

I arrived first which was a surprise to me as I am  always late. My son was mowing the property and spraying for bugs for us.  Thank you Jason .  I am so glad he was there for I locked myself out of the house twice. And of course he came to the rescue. Trying very hard to make the electronic lock take my fingertip just was not going to happen . It did not like my finger print. 

Donna following suit, both of us armed with bags of food and drink. Wine and cheese ,party time. Is this really a writers retreat??

Sheila finally arrived after passing Lee Blvd for the 3rd time.She made it to Oklahoma where the wind comes sweeping down the plain. Decided she was in the wrong place and finally came to a stop at the little Blue Cottage where lunch and a much needed glass of wine awaited her. 

A buffet of 2 chicken salads ,3 different cheeses, fresh fruit ,roasted turkey , fresh avocados,sliced tomatoes ,boston lettuce ,Provolone, pickles and chips etc.  Cake , freshly baked lemon ricotta cookies and yes I said cake.  A food fest for sure. Is this really a writers retreat? 

Still waiting on Wendy (our excuse for not writing ) we sat outside on the front porch and enjoyed the art of conversation .

Identifying  various plants , flowers and all manor of birds and butterflies. Time was spent planning the late afternoon and evening.  We were going to write of course as this is a writers retreat you know.  Is it??

Tangle wood bar and grill was scheduled for dinner and a visit to the Whiskey bar Tower to end the evening with a gorgeous view of Lake Texoma. 

Wendy arrived and immediately began to stuff her face with a lemon ricotta cookie.  We were so glad to see her though because now we can start writing yes I said writing ! 

As we unloaded her car the sun hid behind a cloud  and the darkness moved in. We decided we would eat dinner at the 

Blue House and then go to the Whiskey Tower.  As we are eating and wine is poured the wind is whipping up outside . The view from our windows told us we needed to stay in that night . Whiskey tower will have to wait. We moved the party to the front porch where we enjoyed hearing about Wendy’s day and various stories. 

The sky opened up and gave forth an ocean of water at which point I looked over saw that I had left my sun roof partially open on my car. It was hot when I arrived and I saw no rain in sight so I thought I would have a cool car by letting some nice air in.  What I let in was a flood of water.  With no umbrella in the house I rushed to put my shoes on grab my car keys and ripped a garbage bag and threw over my body. It still did not cover the all of me. Wendy rushed to help and opened her car for me to grab an umbrella to run out to my car to close the sun roof . Mercy me after opening the umbrella I was still getting wet.. I kept thinking there is a hole in this umbrella.   It was so windy the rain was being blown at me from all sides.  Hence I was soaked They encouraged me to change clothes which I  did.  I knew there was a reason for me bringing extra clothes.  You never know what is going to happen when you are away from home. Always bring more than you need , that’s my motto. 

At one point Donna preceded to help Sheila by bringing in her suitcase and clothes.  Donna returned with empty hands stating there were no clothes for Sheila.  Oh dear Sheila had left her clothes at home . Sheila insisted that she had brought her clothes.  Donna went out again to search for Sheila’s clothes. She came back a second time saying there were no clothes. I’m thinking oh dear we are going to have to go to the `dollar general store and find something for Sheila to wear.  We are all looking at each other thinking Sheila’s mind as gone.  A few minutes later we realized it was not Sheila’s mind but Donna’s.  Donna had been searching all this time in Wendy’s Car.  Ha Ha we all had a good laugh. Between me locking myself out 2 times, actually I think it was 3. Sheila getting lost and Donna’s looking in the wrong car. I had surmised that this was going to be an interesting retreat, We were all  nuts!!!

Wendy however saved the evening because as you know this was a writers retreat she brought forth the book “ The writing Life “ by Annie Dillard .  We all enjoyed listening to excerpts she shared from the book.  

Donna was so generous to give each one of us a writers  retreat favor. A cute small bag of book and pen and sticky notes. Note pad and candy.   This is now officially a writers retreat. Yes …..mean while we had dessert.   

The evening drew late everyone was tired, We all agreed .”we will write tomorrow. “ We all went to bed dreaming of Franks Pancakes for breakfast . 

Up early 6am to be exact I grabbed a cup of coffee and sat outside to enjoy the early morning birds and family of bunnies that come up.  Donna joined me next and then Sheila, followed by Wendy . Armed with coffee on the front porch we all enjoyed the family of bunnies hopping down the trail in front of us. 

We then quickly took showers and headed to Frank’s for those delicious pancakes.  Donna being the friendliest in the group retrieved out servers name Kyle and found out why the pancakes are so famous.  Sweet Cream is the secret.  Yum 

Yum.  We loved the pancakes. Breakfast was a hit. Now on to writing I think. Are we really going to write. 

You are not going to believe this but we finally decided to write of all things.  This was a writing retreat.  Yea.  

We all spilt up and found our quiet place.  I sat at the Kitchen table . Donna found a spot under the gazebo and Sheila found a spot on the porch.  I  think Wendy took a nap, I’m not sure. It might have been her on the porch and Sheila napping. Memory escapes me. 

We had so much food in the kitchen we decided to have lunch in house and then head out to the Island bar and grill at the marina where we had drinks and enjoyed watching the ducks and their babies.  

 We all planned to head to the Tower bar later to watch the sunset.  Again we still had so much food at the house we decided every man for himself and then we would go to the Whiskey Bar Tower . 

 Heading out to Tanglewood resort and by the way Wendy did such a great job driving us. We arrived where a gentlemen started to tell us Dad jokes.  I think he had a couple of drinks. 

“why did the scarecrow get an award?  He was outstanding in his field.”  “ Can I tell you a cat joke? I’m just kitten”.  Those corny jokes still make me laugh.  

We made our way to the tower and thankfully found a table at the windows.  Everyone loved the view . Lake Texoma is one of the largest lakes in Texas . The view gives you an incredible sight all the way into Oklahoma. 

I had vodka on the rocks , Wendy had a tonic water, I think Donna just had water and most importantly Sheila had a Malibu Barbie.  Yum she let me have a taste. Mostly rum and pineapple juice.  I’m getting one next time . 

I honestly don’t remember what Sheila and I were talking about but I thought Sheila said someone’s liver died. I said What?  She said It’s Live or Die and I said I thought you said his liver died. I laughed so hard I know everyone thought I was drunk.  It might have been the vodka but it still makes me laugh and I’m drinking ice tea. 

We left as the sun began to set on the beautiful Lake Texoma. 

Arriving home to the little blue cottage We all set around and talked for awhile.   We encountered an intruder in our midst.  

I am sad to say Donna became a murderer that night.   A Huge black fly met his Waterloo in the bathroom with Donna.  We armed ourselves with flyswatter and then I remembered the electric tennis racket.  I did not know how to use it so Donna took charge and Wendy locked her in the bathroom with the fly.  Meanwhile Sheila is sleeping through all of  this.  Sheila had no idea Donna had the compacity to do such a heinous act. 

Wendy and I held the door shut till the deed was done.  We did not want to be sleeping with this interloper in the house. 

When the execution was complete we opened the door to find Donna leaning over the body. It was still twitching at which time Donna electrocuted him again.  I quickly grab a tissue and gave him a water  burial down the toilet.  Donna had saved the day.

We all retreated to the living room where I passed out so I’m not sure of any conversation or writing that might have happened.  

We all finally made it to bed for the second and last night of our retreat.  Donna was the first up the next morning and then myself. Sheila and then Wendy followed. Again headed to breakfast at Frank’s for those sweet cream pancakes. 

We did a little shopping at the gift shop at the Marina and perused the Dollar General. I had never been to a Dollar General. It’s different from just a Dollar store.  They literally have a little of everything. 

Back at the blue house it was time to clean up and pack up . 

We all said out goodbyes and vowed to do this again soon.  I think we all had a great time.  I loved being with everyone and hoped I did not get on anyone’s nerves. I think we all became a little closer.

Did we write at our Writers retreat?  I came away with a paragraph, Donna came away with a story . Not sure If Sheila wrote or Wendy.  But I know one thing we all came away with.  Something important to writers. A memory. A simple sweet memory.