How Strange Is That?

September 22, 2006

I was sitting at work today and came across the name of a small little grocery store in Eureka Springs. This store is called, Harts, but it very much your typical small-town grocery store. I have seen Harps Groceries everywhere, but that is the only Harts Grocery I have ever seen, so when I came across the name, I was immediately reminded of my trip to Eureka Springs last October.

In my minds eye, I could see the crystal clear clue sky. I could almost smell the crisp autumn air. I could even almost see the storefront itself bathed in the bright sunlight. Eureka Springs is only a slightly higher elevation than Little Rock, but the sky felt closer in Eureka Springs, almost as if it were some buried tower of Babel, lifting the people into the sky. The hills were also so beautiful. I love rolling hills and that whole area is full of hills with such beautiful views everywhere along the road.

I was in Eureka Springs for about 3 days for a writing conference last October. When I left there, I felt re-invigorated. I had forgotten that feeling. I hadn’t planned on going to the writing conference there this October, due to money issue. The deadline has already passed for early registration and all of the contest deadlines are way past. Eureka Springs hadn’t really crossed my mind in a year.

But today when I came across the mention of Harts Grocery in Eureka Springs, it all came back to be. Just the mention of the name and memories of one of the most beautiful places I have even visited came flooding back. Maybe it is true what they say about writing and emotions.

Now I have this deep urge to go back to Eureka Springs again soon. Where did it come from so suddenly, I wonder? I haven’t written much since my last writing conference and feel like I need to “hide out” more (and avoid all the “real” writers at such conferences) until I get more writing completed. Besides the money issues, I didn’t want to go to the Eureka Springs writing conference because I didn’t want everyone to see how little I really have to show for this past year as far as my writing goes.

Then suddenly I see a reference to the city and am instilled with this great urge to return to Eureka Springs (and go to that writing conference after all). Why is it that only now do I want to go? Why is it that only now that I have this strong feeling that I should attend this writing conference after all?

How strange is that?