After another 10 weeks of school, I am nestled away in a little retreat in the woods behind an organic farm, a 15 minute drive from the coast. Here, the most important things are stoking the fire in the Finnish wood stove that heats my rustic cabin and noticing the thousand shades of green that surround this magical place.

Everything has been pared down to the most essential.

I relish this time. I have brought books to read, some knitting, watercolors, hiking boots….and no agenda whatsoever, except to embrace a spirit of playfulness and nourishment.

Tonight, it will be drinking tea, listening to the glorious voices of the Oslo Kammerkor and the softly falling rain.