Daily Prompt: A Plot of Earth
You’re given a plot of land and have the financial resources to do what you please. What’s the plan?
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Gawd! I would SO love that! First thing I’d do is look for about three acres of wooded land with a nice stream running through it. Then smack in the middle I’d build a retreat house. It would house up to maybe 25 people. The small bedrooms would hold two twin beds, a desk, chair, and a guest chair. There would be a small sink build in next to a closet.
The building itself would house a large kitchen with attached dining room, a patio just outside where you could wander off into the woods. There would be a fairly big commons room with shelves full of books and a big fireplace. Bath, shower, and toity facilities for men and women, a small visiting room by the front door as well as an office. And there would also be a lovely little chapel.
This would be a place where folks who were just plain worn out emotionally, spiritually, mentally, and all kinds of ally could come and soak up the woodsy countryside, spend time reading, writing, thinking, meditating, hiking, etc. NO TV allowed. No radio. No cell phones, any calls would come into the office.
The paths outside through the woods would have benches placed along them, and a stone bridge would cross over the little stream.
On weekends from Saturday evening to Sunday noon would be compline. A time when everyone was to be silent. Even at breakfast.
This has been a dream of mine for a long time, to just provide a place for folks to come and heal. Would there be directed stuff? I don’t know. Maybe. But the main thing would be the solitude, the being taken away from all the noise and blinking electronic lights.
Taking care of those folks would be just as healing for me as for them.
*****
The pictures up above are from just such a place. Our Lady of the Mountains Retreat House in Ogden, Utah. For 12 years a group of us met there for a fall retreat. Now it’s sitting unused, and if I had the bloomin’ money I’d be for buying that place. That was exactly my experience there.
~Calen
Impromptu Promptlings 
Very nice! I would like that, too! 🙂
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It must have been a very enriching experience. Lucky You!
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Sign me up! This sounds quite like a cross between the first retreats I went on, back in the 80s, and then the place, itself, is so like Rowe Camp and Conference Center! I have a post I think would be perfect for this very topic, which I’d written during last year. I have some pictures of the place. I think what you described is exactly the perfect way to share that Plot of Earth!
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It sounds very peaceful. I’m thinking I need a place like that after today.
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Do you really think I’m going to let you get away with just saying that? What’s going on, GF?
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Just a bit frustrated today. Had planned to work on my writing but hubby had other ideas.
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Is the pressure not off now that he’s back to his old job?
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It’s mostly off. He’s still applying for any Supervisor job that pops up there. That was one of the things that tied me up yesterday. He wanted me setting there with while he filled out the app on online had me check it over. I had to redo some it. He did all the wording in one big block. I broke it down so it would easier to read. Then he wanted lunch, It seemed to just be one thing after another. And I told him on sat I was going to the washing and work on my book on Sunday. It was almost like he was finding ways to keep me from the writing. Which is kind of strange because he does seem supportive most of the time. I only got about 50 words done it all weekend. I’m still not sure I’m happy with the first 1500 words or so in it.
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Well, I DO thing they get jealous about things that take our attention away from them. Arn gets irritated about this blog because I’m not on top of the house as I should be (like I ever am!). I haven’t had a chance to read the chapter yet. We were out and about all weekend and I have a stacked week this week again. But I PROMISE to read it by tomorrow afternoon. Don’t give up on me. You know what a slow poke I can be.
Have you written down any questions about the stuff to help you look differently at the scene?
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No…no questions. I’m just forging ahead with the chapter. I’m liking what I’ve done today so far. But still worried about the first 1500 words or so.
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You do that for people now. Thank you. Who owns the place now? It may be that it is a place in need of someone like yourself to breathe life into it once again. Money is plentiful. Its good ideas and vision that are rare.
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You know how I like to meddle. 😉
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It’s owned by the Catholic Diocese (the Benedictines) in Salt Lake. Everyone in our group would pour their heart and soul into that place in a heartbeat.
The most peaceful times of my life were spent there. I was head of women’s ministry at the time and loved just taking care of everyone. It was such a rich environment to experience yourself and others in.
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Would they let ya’ll run it? Its loosing value sitting empty
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Yes, you ARE a meddlesome little devil! But I like you anyway!
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🙂 I am serious though. There is probably somebody who knows somebody who reads this blog that could fund the whole thing.
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You know, if I were 15 years younger or maybe even 10, I might think about it. But when retirement is staring up your nose starting a new venture doesn’t seem like the smart thing to do. I appreciate the vote of confidence, however. (I WAS good at it!)
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I bet you were
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You make me smile…
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