I know…the promise is that this blog is devoted to creatures, great and small. But I just couldn’t help myself, here…and there is a llama photo! I got back from a long weekend in northern Wisconsin on Monday, and just had to share some of my photos with you. Every fall, Pat Burkett Roby, a food writer/photographer friend and I leave our husbands at home and head for Wisconsin to see our mutual friend, inspirational author Lyn Cote, and her family.

Lyn and her husband are the best hosts…and their home on a lake is so lovely. What a glorious place it is this time of year–with endless numbers of beautiful lakes reflecting trees just starting to blaze with fall color, and no perfume could rival the crisp scent of pine in the air. This year we had lots of drizzly rain, but the dampness just seemed to make the colors more vivid. it was so gorgeous!

And I loved coming across a pasture of llamas. One of them came up to the fence and hummed to us. Did you know that llamas hum to each other? It sounded a bit like a gentle, reassuring chorus going on in the herd.

But as breath-taking as all of the scenery is, sharing a weekend with writer friends is always the best part of all. By day we take jaunts all over the area, or go out on their boat with Lyn’s husband at the wheel. The evenings are a bit like a pajama party, as we sit and brainstorm plots, talk about writing, and simply enjoy the fellowship of fellow writers. And Lyn is one of the best–I can’t think of a person who is more generous with her time, more thoughtful, or more willing to help. She is a blessing in my life!

Life is so busy, with careers, and family, and all of the many commitments in our lives…but how about you–are you ever able to get away for a weekend retreat with your friends, fellow writers or readers, or other groups for camaraderie? Or even for just an afternoon? I hope so! If so, have you found it helpful? What kinds of benefits did you reap? And what sorts of things do you do to make it a more valuable time for renewal?

For those of you reading this on Facebook, there are lots of blog posts to read here at the “All Creatures Great and Small Blog” at http://roxannerustand.blogspot.com. I’d love to have you visit me there!

Wishing you a wonderful fall season,
Roxanne