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.