I just spent the last two weeks on vacation. After getting my book published and fixing all the little glitches that kept it all from running smoothly, I probably could have used a whole month of rest. Nevertheless, I’m grateful for the time I did have to unwind and unplug. I was even diligent enough to write a couple of posts in advance and have them publish while I was gone.

I spent my vacation days sleeping in, ate when I wanted to (instead of by my walking-talking kid clock that knows exactly when meals should be ready), and generally slowed down. It was wonderful!

But coming back is always an adjustment. Waking up is regulated by my regimented dog (who thinks humans sleeping past sunrise is self-indulgent) and I’ve already mentioned my organic food clock, but finding my footing again takes a little more. Getting back to work feels like pedaling a rusty bike—it moves, but it requires so much more effort. In regard to my blog, I had to figure out what fairy tale or folk story could possibly relate to the disorientation of being away and then returning. Lucky for me I was on a road trip and it took me through the Catskill Mountains.

Rip Van Winkle was a story written by Washington Irving about a man who goes on a walk and comes across a man in outdated clothes needing help with a barrel of ale. He helps the man up the mountain despite the thunderous noises coming from their destination and discover a group of little men playing a version of bowling. The barrel is opened, Rip can never refuse a free drink, and he falls asleep. When he wakes up, Twenty Years have passed, and he recognizes no one. In Irving’s story, Rip slept through the American Revolution which leads to some awkward conversations! In the end, his grown daughter takes him in and he spends the rest of his days regaling anyone who’ll listen about his time with the fairies.

Two weeks off doesn’t have the same magnitude of twenty years. As far as I know I remained in this realm of existence. Even so, returning to the daily grind feels like coming back from fairy land.