I had a wonderful drive to Duluth yesterday morning–and I usually hate driving. But for my birthday (in addition to some Diet Irn-Bru) I got a nifty new voice/note recorder. So on the three-hour trip, I talked to myself the entire time, recording ideas here and there for specific poems. With my horrible memory, I think this recorder is going to be so helpful!
Once in Duluth, I checked in, ate tacos at Little Angie’s, and went to my room to start writing. For once, I didn’t set any expectations on myself. At that moment, I felt like working on my fairy tale project. It’s been in my mind for literally years, but I haven’t had the time nor urgency to work on it. But it’s finally bubbled to the top of the pot, I think. All afternoon, I did this: I read a chapter of a good mystery book I brought with me. Then I read a fairy tale from the list I’d compiled. Then I brainstormed poems and wrote rough drafts. Then I read a chapter, etc. I cycled through that five times, ending up with 12 poems. They’re rough, of course, just first drafts. But some of them captured what I wanted, and I think I’m off to a good start!
I also walked along Lake Superior a few times and watched a freighter come in. I love watching the big ore carriers come and go, and my hotel is practically on top of the canal, so I can run out quick!
I ordered pizza for dinner and relaxed in my room–reading, eating, thinking, watching TV. No demands whatsoever. Bliss. I didn’t set the alarm for this morning.
I woke at 7:05 and was going to pop into the shower and go down for the free hot breakfast they have. I swept open the curtains and the sunrise was turning the sky pink and a thousand-footer was coming in!
That’s the canal with the two guidelights at the end.
So I threw on yesterday’s clothes and ran over to the canal. It’s hard to believe this ship, the Gott, would stand higher than a 100-story building if it were stood on its end. That always amazes me.
A nice older man asked if I wanted to borrow his coat since I was in just a short-sleeved shirt and jeans. Forgot to throw on a jacket and the winds are brisk on the lake–especially this time of year. I didn’t need the jacket, but wasn’t that kind?
Anyway, what a gorgeous start to my day. I’m not making a to-do list (gasp!), but I think what I’m going to do today is continue working on the fairy tale project and also maybe do some freewriting on my homeless project (that’s one I did some brainstorming about in the car, too, yesterday). Plus walk along the lake, watch more ships, finish my mystery and start a new one, and…well, who knows?