Heading West

Tomorrow I'll board a plane for Washington state, bound for adventure: my first artist's residency.

It's a place and a time set apart for creative activity, designed for artists of all types — musicians, dancers, painters, print-makers, photographers, and, oh yes, writers. 

I've been keeping a packing list for weeks, mostly mulling over how many books I can take and still lift my suitcase. The answer: not as many as I would like. 

In less than 24 hours, though, I will have made my final choices and be on my way, heading west to a quiet cabin beside the sea. 

(Flying into Washington last May.)