Missing the Boat
or
How Much is that Charter?
Is the Price Negotiable???

On the road by eight-two-oh (8:20am.)
Not real sure how far to go.

Lost track of our time and pace...
Didn't expect to be in a foot race.

Boots laced up -- a personal best.
Thank goodness for the phone card of Beth's.

Saw the dock but missed the ferry.
Rangers were helpful -- not to worry.

Two-hundred cash? Who carries small change?
Don't plan to explore South Manitou (Island) again!

by Margie M.

This poem was inspired by a journey by some Duneswood guests to South Manitou Island, summer of 97. There is only one ferry over and one ferry back to the mainland each day. SO it is very crucial to not miss the boat..... as these gals found out. I knew they were in trouble when late in the afternoon Marge and I got a phone call asking if we knew anyone with a boat. It all turned out fine (minus some cash). One of those adventures never to be forgotten.

Thoughts of Fall from a Duneswood guest.
The Return
A year gone by and this soul has returned.
Come back to absorb the colors of the fall sky
with tear weary eyes.
Here again to feel the crisp autum air with
arms aching for an embrace.
Come back to listen to the north woods quiet
needing to empty comlaint filled ears.
Another chance to feel the warmth of a
crackling fire with this cold heart.
I have returned to this rare place called
Duneswood
to pause .... to think .... to realize
the end made and the beginning started ....
returned .... to become human again.
A_____

Wise advice from guests: "My partner and I have found a way to help reduce our stress, recharge our emotional and mental batteries and rediscover peace, beauty, nature and each other.

We take a trip, not very expensive one and go way up north to the Michigan outback. We go to this wonderful little retreat on the NW side of the state at the Lake Michigan National Seashore. Its women owned and operated and its safe and comfortable, beautiful and quiet. after going there and experiencing the peace and tranquility and beauty ourselves, we discovered the area is listed as a 'Sacred Site' and is supposed to be known for its healing energy. I believe!

The cost is low, the comfort level is high and the feeling is amazing at Duneswood. Discover this special little private escape in the woods of The Sleeping Bear Dunes, Michigan"

Thanks for these kind words Diane. Marge and I loved reading them as they so elequently express what we have tried to offer women over the last 14 years of operating Duneswood......Marge and Joanne

Beach Treasure
I think everyone loves to walk the beach and discover beach treasure...... and this spring I hit the jackpot! Two shipwrecks from the late 1800's, one on the Empire Beach and a second wreck on the beach about a mile from Glen Haven, going south around Sleeping Bear Point.

The Empire wreck (to the left) is very visible at the shoreline. Local authorities believe that it is either the James McBride or the Jennie and Annie.
The James McBride sank near Sleeping Bear Point in 1857. She was a wood two-masted Brig bound from the Manitou Islands to Chicago with a cargo of wood when she was forced ashore by a storm and wrecked. The Jennie and Annie was a wooden schooner lost in 1872 just north of Empire after being driven aground in a gale.

The shipwreck remains I found on the Sleeping Bear Point beach area are thought to be the General Taylor (photo to right), a wooden steam driven ship lost in 1862, driven aground by a storm, with no lives lost.

Back in 1979 I think I came across the same shipwreck, only a lot more of the wood was out of the water. (left photo)

While a week or so ago friends could hardly find any sign of the shipwreck.

Seems like Lake Michigan is reclaiming the ship for now. Who knows what I'll find next year.
So I will keep on enjoying my beach walks, enriching my soul with beauty and serenity and always on the lookout for that next treasure.

We'd love to hear about your beach walking experiences while you were visiting Duneswood, Write your comments to us.

Loving Gertrude
poem sent to us from Duneswood guests Sandy and Sue,
October 05

We looked forward to our trip "Up North":
A woman's sanctuary.
We needed respite from the stress of the past months.
We didn't know what to expect, but anticipated a time of renewal.

It felt right from the moment we arrived:
Tammy was so friendly and helpful,
Grace was a delight.
Walking into Gertrudes was a homecoming:
We loved the old pictures, the booklet that told us about the woman in the picture frame; and about the women who had created this special place.
Later, comparing notes, we discovered that both of our Grandmothers had been named Gertrude.

So when did we fall in love with Gertrude?
When did her sweet secuction begin?
Was it the festive beads nestled upon her bosom?
Or when we explored further; her comfort and restful presence?
Was it when we drank in her sun-dappled woods,
Slept in the quiet comfort of her arms
and found peace and renewal?

Daily we learned more of her gifts of woman-space.
Explored her mystical beauty.
Our love and delight growing with each moment shared; to know her more intimately.

Unquestionably, we loved Gertrude from the first moment we met.
Our love growing stronger with each passing day.
She will always have a special place in our hearts.
And we are deeply grateful to all who brought her to life, endowed her with her sweet charm and then shared her bounty with us.

Duneswood
Comfortable Safe Space for Women.
So near, Yet So Far.

An easy drive from home, taking you to a world away from the stress of every day living.

Earlier this spring I was trying to write some new copy for Duneswood ..... and felt very stuck in words of the past. My daughter, Debbie suggested that she and I go to a writing / performing workshop with Holly Near at the Leaven Center in Lyons MI.


Holly Near!!!! One of my all time favorite performers.

The first time I heard Holly sing was in the mid 70's at the Ark in Ann Arbor MI. The next time we saw her was at the first Michigan Women's Music Festival. Yes, the first one (more stories about that sometime later).

Then in the 80's I worked with a women's group to bring Holly to Utica NY. I'll never forget the thrill as the entire audience stood, holding hands, singing with Holly, "we are gay and straight together". Utica was/is a very conservative, predominately Catholic community and I wasn't exactly OUT at work.

I reconnected with Holly again last June when Deb brought her to do a song talk at Intel New Mexico. I attended the festivities which included dinner with a small group and Holly the night before the performance.

So when Debbie said this Spring.....Holly Near Workshop.....I was ready. The workshop was a very intense two days, with some very heartwarming outcomes. Sixteen year old twins dared to share a song with the group that they had composed the night before and it was deemed a perfect song by Holly! !!Goose bumps up and down everyones spine!! Many of us did very ordinary things, but Holly has a way of "honing in" and helping each person think and reach farther and farther.

Since returning home, my mind has not stopped bubbling with new energy for Duneswood. Some of you probably have noticed the beginning of some "special offers" on the website http://www.duneswood.org and there will be more to come as time goes on. this is how this blog was born......as another fun way for us to connect with you and for you to connect with each other.