I'm going on a five-day retreat with my (now-ex) boss, one of my best friends and critical allies, and another good friend and critical ally; to Grand Marais, Minnesota, United States, next week, from September 23 to September 26. We'll be at a beautiful cabin next to a lake with trails and a full working kitchen and lots of fun things to do when we're not in-retreat mode.

During that time, I'm planning to bring only my Cell Phone for emergencies only and my Newton Messagepad 2100 for journal keeping. It'll be a wonderful weekend with nature, the lakes, lots of praying and reading with my boss, crying together (for we've had a ton of hardships, together and separately), cooking and making meals together, and just, well, healing. I'm hoping and praying that it'll be fruitful, and will help me.

I think I'll be taking some sketchbooks with me, and buying a new large sketchpad and some charcoals. Perhaps the time away from the computer, my job, the city, and the significant stressors I have will simply give me the creative energy to just be artful. Maybe I'll take my violin and my guitar, too, and try writing some music and performing for my friends and others. Part of me wants to take them, but part of me thinks I shouldn't and just concentrate on the me.

So, dear fur friends, what do you think I should bring with me? What is a definite no-no to bring? Should I draw, and, if I do, what should I be drawing? Is there anyone or anything that needs prayer or well-wishing while I'm gone? Anyone that needs some love sent their way by, in my opinion, the best people on earth? Don't worry; we're humble about our pride.

Also! What should I make for food? I kinda want to spend an afternoon or evening or morning baking some bread—probably some baguettes for the entire weekend, some pastry for the mornings too—but I don't know what to plan for my turn to make dinners and lunches and teas. Part of me wants to see what's local and buy there, but another wants me to plan, because I love to impress.