all set

These are the things that are going to make this trip good:

iPod loaded with good music, most of it new

lots of time to write

letter-writing opportunity 

beach time 

a Gabriel Garcia Marquez novel

a book of poetry from Casey

knitting packed in my carry-on

good people, but not really friends so I can spend lots of time alone

being on retreat

Per the question of publishing, I submitted a couple of poems to the poetry issue of The Sound, which is the monthly Sufi publication of the Sufi Ruhaniat International.  I got a couple of poems published last time they had a poetry issue, so I'm hoping, but the work I submitted this year is really different...  There's some suspense.  It's not a huge deal, but it's good for the resumé and self-confidence.  It's the January issue, so hopefully it will be here when I get back.