Brief summary, since now I have a lot of catching up to do. A year ago I agreed to be head of set-up for a directed women's retreat in Howesville, WV. Getting there as far as team planning (not to mention physically) was another song in itself - "The Long and Winding Road". Illness and injuries knocked out so many of the original volunteers that kitchen staff was down to 2 people at one point. But everyone pitched in, and by Wednesday we were on the ground pulling everything together and appreciating all the work the men's group that preceded us had done to get things prepped for us. By Friday a group of men was also sneaking around, dashing around buildings and hiding behind cars so that the women wouldn't know of their presence and lending a hand wherever needed.
As part of staff and head of a group of very busy (and incredible) volunteers I couldn't be at all the talks and activities, but we still had plenty of opportunities to participate, so it was a much needed spiritual retreat for us as well. Also a time of much laughter, joking and clowning. Our spiritual directors are not only holy, deeply spiritual men but completely nuts. At one point we had our own version of the Popemobile, courtesy of Fathers Arthur and Dennis:
Got back late last night after a delay west of Cumberland, MD. Keyser's Ridge was blanketed in rain and heavy fog. One of the crew turned on her wipers only to see the blade on the driver's side go flying off into the gloom. Fortunately, one of the guys spotted them pulled off by the road. And had duct tape in his truck. The passenger side blade was switched over to the driver's side, and they made the rest of the trip with a sock taped around the bare passenger arm to protect the windshield glass.
I think I've about gotten through my e-mail. Now there's a bunch of other things to catch up on.
