I’m here in Northern Michigan, nestled in a cabin in the woods by the water.  The warm fall breeze brushes past as I hear the gentle waves against the shore.  From my desk, a handmade creation, clearly pieced together with whatever materials were on hand, I sit here and type atop its uneven legs tucked in the corner of a screened-in porch. I have a perfect vantage point to watch all the interesting and inspiring things nature offers.  Despite the desk edges being rough-hewn with splinters, its crooked charm allows me to work and appreciate the tall trees as they begin to turn, bursts of orange and yellow peeking through the branches. 

The cabin has a weathered charm, with its creaky floors adding to the rustic ambiance.  Its grey shingled siding, faded from years of enduring elements, contrasts beautifully with the vibrant red trim around the windows and doors.  The paint on the trim is slightly chipped, telling stories of countless seasons spent nestled in the woods.  This structure exudes a sense of history, as if it stood quietly by the water for generations, offering shelter and solace to all who pass through the doors. 

The sound of those slamming screen doors takes me back to my childhood, reminding me of endless summers at my great-grandparents’ log cabin on Drummond Island. I can almost see the worn wooden beams and smell the pine trees surrounding us, feeling the warmth of those long days exploring the island’s rugged beauty.  Each slam carries echoes of laughter, family gatherings around that pine picnic table, and the carefree days and simpler times that shaped so many of my cherished memories there. 

I feel fortunate to be a guest here, listening to the rustic soundtrack of my solitude.  This writing retreat offers a peaceful escape, where the natural rhythms of life around me create a perfect backdrop for reflection.  It is a place that encourages stillness and invites inspiration to flow freely, providing space and serenity for my words to find their way onto the page.

Northern Michigan has held a pivotal place in my life.  Each fall, I return, not only to reconnect with myself and my roots but also with my father, whom I lost when I was eleven and he was just thirty.  Before his passing, we shared countless moments outdoors together.  Now, at fifty, I reflect on the tangles and trauma that once felt like they would shape me forever, yet in this place, they make me feel more alive and closer to him than I do in California, where I have lived for twenty-eight years.  The environment here has left a deep imprint on my soul, and I find myself reveling in my agency, choosing and claiming what is redemptive and life-giving.

As I sit here in this familiar place, surrounded by the sights and sounds woven into the fabric of my life, I am reminded of the healing power of returning to where it all began. Northern Michigan is more than just a destination; it is a sanctuary where I can reflect on the past, embrace the present, and honor the memories of my father.  Each visit reaffirms the path I have chosen to reclaim what is redemptive, to nurture what is life-giving, and to continue writing the story of my becoming. This area continues to be a place of personal reflection and where much of my writing has taken shape.  The quiet solitude of the natural beauty of Northern Michigan has provided the perfect backdrop for my creative work, allowing me to dive deeper into my thoughts and stories.