The 2012 AATA conference was reinvigorating for me this year. I haven't been down south in the summer for a few years and forgot how, once past the shock of being wrapped in the humidity, there is a earthy grounded feel to being outside. The weight of the air, smells of the earth, sounds of cicadas,and the look of Spanish moss hanging from the old trees. It's quite an experience!

I think the conference itself was smaller then usual because of its occurrence during the week instead of the usual Wed-Sun. It was sort of nice and by the end of the week I could recognize many faces. I met some new friends, gave a talk on Alzheimer's and art therapy and went to a delightful workshop on gardening as a metaphor for the aging process.

A couple highlights included getting to room with my friend Sibel, meeting a couple new Naropa grads, and seeing Michael Franklin. I think that's what the conference is really about for me. Reconnecting with my larger art therapy community. Especially doing contract work it's easy to lose the connection to and support of others. I really look forward each year to not only meeting new people, but to seeing Michael, Sibel, and other former classmates, teachers, and connections.

It propels me into the next set of challenges with renewed excitement in my work and life.

Heading to the art therapy conference in Savannah, GA in the morning. On Thursday I'll give a talk on art with people who have Alzheimer's and doing contract work. Looking forward to it!

My plan is to introduce this website and then blog regularly upon my return. Also, start tweeting. Big steps forward over the next month!

I have been formatting, reformatting, and changing my book for several days now when what I really need to do is get it out to my proofreaders. The realization hit me that it's almost done. My reaction? It's not ready!

The truth is I'm not ready. It's ready to send out and receive some feedback before I rework it once more. It's a scary, exciting, vulnerable, move forward or stay stuck moment. I'm worried and thrilled all at once.

The solution is to let go of it to my trusted friends and proofreaders.