6 August 2007 - Keene, NH

After coffee and granola and some sweet conversation with Annabelle and Robert, we headed out once again, to make our way across the state, across the Connecticut, and to our next event. We drove down Highway 100, down the long valley south of Killington (lots of skiing… well, until climate change screws things up…) to Ludlow, where we stopped for a quick snack before catching 103 to the state line, and on to Keene.

We got there a bit early, so we scored some iced coffee for Sally (in need of a jolt!) and hung out in the Eco-Garden for a bit. We met up with Rachel and Tim, who worked together to organize the Keene screening, at the Antioch New England Graduate School venue, then drove into town for a nice meal of Thai food.

The Keene event went very well. The room was full, with at least 56 in attendance. The picture, projected onto a wall, was large and clear, and the four speakers in the room’s corners sounded great. The audience laughed at the appropriate moments, which is always gratifying, and when it was finished, 31 of those 56 stayed for the dialogue.

We found out after we’d started that we only had 30 minutes before we had to be out of the building, which was a major bummer. The circle was large and appreciative and moved by the film, and we could easily have stayed and talked for a couple of hours. As it was, limited by the rules of the school, we had a nice “lightning round” dialogue.

Most moving to me were those who passed along the talking stick without speaking, who were attuned to the needs of the group, and to their own sense of whether they were truly called to speak, such that they could simply be there in their silence and be content with that. An act of grace, and of graciousness, one which is more rare than I would wish.

We closed the circle and packed up, hurrying outside for a bit more “parking-lot dialogue”. With hugs and thank yous and best wishes, we said goodbye to Rachel and Tim and headed back to “the barn”. Ninety minutes later, we fell into bed once again. Almost midnight… it felt very good.

We have a few days off now, to rest and re-charge, to explore the state and drink in the cool Northern air. We hear it’s topping out at a hundred degrees back home in North Carolina right now, and will for the rest of the week. Glad to miss that.

Back in a few days. Next stop: Norwich/White River Junction.

Peace, Tim