Hello from West Contra Costa—it’s great to be back! I missed the wide-open skies. I’ve been walking the new trail from Pinole to Hercules, overlooking the old trail where we used to scuttle across the tracks and clamber up the rocks jutting out of the bay. Today I walked all the way to Crockett—thinking of Dee Allen-Kirkhouse’s lovely manuscript, and wondering if the room where she spent New Year’s Eve 1968 was close by. I think it might be just around the bend, closer to the bridge and the non-industrial part of town. I’m thinking of Dee and her new stories about reconnecting to family and identity through her garden and the view of Mount Diablo in the background.
At the moment, I’m sitting in a small dining room in a townhouse near Contra Costa Community College. I’m thinking of Lis M Arevalo Hidalgo, who walked with me last week on the trail in the other direction, towards Point Pinole. Lis is a Spanish teacher and editor, and will be joining me for online writing circles and workshop presentations. We’re excited to add translation and editing to our services! Lis speaks several languages and is completing a course in medical and business terminology for translators.
The year is ending, more rain is coming, new contacts for writing services, new forums to advocate for writing, including my website thanks to the wonderful Alex Kahl of Kahl Consultants. Gifted designers who meet their clients where they are and help them get to where they want to be.
I’ve been reconnecting with people in the neighborhood, hearing some great stories, telling a few of my own. It all makes me feel great to be back!
