Writers in Paradise

I realize how remiss I have been here ever since my return from Norway. But I was stricken by a mild case of the flu, and then had to prepare to come here to St. Petersburg, FL to teach at the wonderful writers conference held at Eckerd College every January. I'm working with the amazing writers Laura Lippman, Stewart O'Nan, Andre Dubus III, Tom Franklin, Beth Ann Fennelly, Sterling Watson, Les Standiford, and Dennis Lehane. Special guest Ann Patchett spent the first few days with us too. We are now mid-conference, and I have dropped into my bed for a few hours of respite from teaching, talking, listening, laughing, sharing, thinking...and a fair share of wine drinking. The weather has been beautiful (sorry family back home in cold and snowy RI!) and it's nice to be walking around in my flip flops and sleeveless tops, to see palm trees and sparkling ocean, to eat grouper sitting outside by the bay. I have a terrific group of writers in my workshop, who are working hard. BUT. I am ready for my day off tomorrow. Looking forward to sleeping late (what is up with all these 9AM classes???) and walking over to the multiplex for a matinee...

Salmon, snow, and more snow

Home from our amazing adventure in Norway and battling the dreaded jet lag. But memories of our time there make it all worth it. I can't write too much here, since I am writing an essay about the trip, but I will list some images and things that linger:

Hot chocolate
Big fat lazy snowflakes
The Arctic Circle
Stillness
Reindeer
Dog sledding
A lazy New Year's Day with my beautiful family, eating peanut butter and Nutella on Ritz crackers
Fireworks
Dahl beer
Tiny beds
Hot dogs
Ibsen
Murals in the Oslo City Hall
Drunken Santa
Teaching Annabelle Hearts
The fabulous British family we met and hung out with
Playing the Name Game with them
Norwegian knitted clothes
Cinnamon buns
Reading as the fjords glide past

A trip to remember...