FloatFest 2011

Just as taking a picture of a beautiful full moon just isn't like the real thing, there is hardly a way for me to describe my experience of this past weekend's FloatFest retreat.
    
   Floatfest is a Zentangle-inspired retreat that was open to anyone who wanted to spend a long weekend immersed in the fun of Zentangle. Held at Oakwood Retreat Center in Selma, Indiana, it began on Thursday evening (St. Patty's Day) and floated through the (full moon) weekend, ending Sunday (first day of Spring!) mid morning.
   When I first had the idea to do the retreat, my only wish was to gather other 'Z-freaks' and be with them. I figured there might be others like me who wanted a chance to do the same. Twelve of us gathered to tangle the weekend away, share some tricks and ideas, take a few classes, naps and side excursions, and nourish ourselves with wonderful, wholesome food prepared by the Oakwood staff.
  There were many wonderful things about all the people who attended, one of which was their ability to be a group that allowed for each other, cared for each other, and floated with each moment. To me, the whole weekend was one big Zentangle... each moment connected to the next moment, changing the "plan" as the moments called for it. At one point we changed the whole day's schedule so a group could take an afternoon trip to Muncie for some shopping. I am so grateful for each person's openness to the floating part of the weekend. To me, that is the essence of the Zentangle process. We had a schedule as our "string", but we floated in and out of it as each of us needed to.
   In the next few days, I will share a little more about the weekend. I usually forget to take pictures of things as they are happening, so there might not be so many of those (maybe some of the participants will send me theirs!), but I can share the glimpses that I do have.
   A big thank you to Oakwood Retreat Center. Roric, Donna, Matt, and Jessica...and the rest of the staff that we never met, but I know their intent helped create the loving, unpretentious space that we "borrowed" for the weekend.