As of today, January 11, I don’t plan on doing anything at all for a while. I say that with fingers crossed and a sigh heavenward. I had a jam-packed summer that lasted all the way through mid-November, traveling, speaking and getting inspired by the amazing people I met in Mexico, Texas, California, Washington State, Oregon, Idaho, Boston, Los Angeles and back to Texas, once more. I gave talks in bookstores and coffeehouses, for women’s groups, and places of worship. My phenomenal sister Amy even had me speak to their homeowners association. Hand me a mike, and I’d start telling anyone about his or her innate virginity — the state of being whole, complete, unbroken, and original that each of us longs to cherish and protect, and how when we’ve got that, we’re able to say Yes to the divine purpose that’s waiting for each of us. That’s my talk in a nutshell. Let me know if you’ve got a group that needs to hear it.
My activity these past six months has been nothing, if not adventurous and ecumenical. In the “adventure” category, I give top billing to my “Escape from Guayabitos” in an open fishing panga. On less than an hour’s notice, I left for what turned into a two week trip. It was a three and a half hour ride over rough water and another day and a half to get to my plane in Puerto Vallarta. All this because of heavy rains and mudslides. Lesson learned: pack light and shop at Ross when you get there.
In the ecumenical category, there are many entries. Ecumenically adventurous would be a more apt term to use. I was a guest speaker at Cafe Metaphysics, visited a meeting of SARAH, attended a speech given by Riane Eisler, walked around the Self-Realization Fellowship Lake Shrine, had a tour of the Goddess Temple of Orange County, visited my friend Becky Kemery, the Yurt Lady, and her sustainable community at Medicine Circle in Northern Idaho, and attended Thanksgiving service with my family in the church I grew up in.
There were also conferences. At one end of the spectrum there was the rah-rah Twenty-First Century Book Marketing shindig in San Diego, which BLASTED 350 of us with upbeat sellsellsell mantras, and means and methods for connecting to a world of waiting readers. At the other end of the spectrum (and on the opposite corner of the continent) there was my Christian Science students association. That conference started with 350 of us sitting in absolute silence for about fifteen minutes, quieting our monkey-mind thoughts, preparing to focus on means and methods for connecting to the One source. Worlds apart in the approaches offered, but both audiences were full of people longing to bring a positive influence to human experience. I met a lot of people everywhere I went who are longing and willing to do that. It gives me great hope for the future.
The last conference in which I participated was a retreat at the Joseph and Mary Center in Los Angeles. There a racially and generationally diverse group of twenty-five women from as many faiths traditions came together to plan a Women’s Conference for April 28 – May 1, in San Francisco. I hope you’ll click on this link, and read more about what is in store for the 300 women who will attend. If you are a “woman of spirit and faith,” I hope you’ll consider joining us.
I was headed back to Mexico on November 17, literally waiting for the airport shuttle to LAX, when I got a call with the news my dad had passed on. I checked my luggage to Dallas instead of to Puerto Vallarta, and headed from there to Lubbock, where I spent another two weeks. It was a healing time, and I’m grateful that the whole family was able to come together.
After getting back to Mexico December 1, I’ve basically been staring at the ocean and doing nada. Well there have been a few blog posts on this website, a couple on The Huffington Post, and one on Feministing. I’ve spoken at the local Rotary Club meeting, and a new group I organized – Writers Who Love Mexico – has had two meetings. It’s a showcase where local writers can share their published work, or work in progress. Look for more on their Facebook Page.
I’ve also been trying to help Larry and his partner Danny promote the small trailer park they developed in La Penita. Our income has been directly affected by news of drug violence in Mexico. All of the vacation reservations we had for this winter were canceled. But Sol Tierra RV Park is still a great option for people who are looking for some place permanent, especially single security-minded women, who want an inexpensive housing option where you don’t have to have a car. “Flamingo Babs” thinks so. Have a look at her living arrangements.
Larry and I have also had house guests since January 1, and we’re getting some more this coming Sunday. By January 15, I’ve promised myself I’m going to submit entries to some writing contests, maybe work toward getting Virgin Territory in front of a “real” publisher. If any devoted reader has some thoughts on that, please share! And in the meantime, if you’ve got an account at Amazon, please write a review! Even if you grant me just a few stars, it’s the number of reviews that count. There are twelve there now. I’m shooting for fifty. Pretty please??? And in the meantime, here’s wishing you a productive and peaceful New Year. God bless us everyone!
Here are some video clips from past events.
Redmond WA at SoulFood Books Click to see Susan: Women’s Writing Series- Susan Cobb~Virgin Territory
Xaltemba Restaurant and Gallery, Nayarit, Mexico
December 12, 2008 – Xaltemba Restaurant and Gallery, Nayarit, Mexico
