Family

We are doing well in our little corner of the ocean.  The boys both received new sponge bob pajamas in honor of pajama day at Blake's school.  Dante refused to take his off for forty-eight hours and caused many a chuckle to sneak out of frowning tourists as he trotted about town.

There is nothing quite like the love and encouragement of a parent.  It convinces you that any journey can be attempted and finished if only you can see your self through their eyes.  My parent's visit was such a needed gift for all of us and we feel rejuvenated and inspired to continue our adventure.

It was wonderful to meander through the streets and sit in the sun...hardly any tourist sights were seen...beautiful non-agenda afternoons!

Blake went bungee jumping for the first time and Dante on his first tilt-a-car ride...

On a final note, legos have won the prize for the best toy on board!

Days of Discovery

March has been full of mischief.  Promises of warmer weather quickly snatched away, stolen bikes, and our galley seemingly shrinking.  It's not that I am turning morose, as some say my last blog hinted at.  Quite the contrary, I feel more alive and determined to embrace every joy than ever before.  It's just that I tire of tasks that were once so simple, turning to tremendous repeated efforts a la Sisyphus!  Let me give some examples.  At the end of a long day, I could once simply flop in to my snug bed.  Now, I have to disassemble the dining room table, re-make the cushions, and carefully place in two side boards.  A stroller which could once be wheeled inside the garage now needs to be closed, hoisted and jig-sawed tightly in our dock locker.  Cooking dinner on two tiny burners with counter space smaller than our cutting board tires even the most industrious girl out not to mention heating the water (carried from the dock spout) in a small kettle and trying not to repeatedly slosh water on one's toes!  I could go on...

And yet, our days are a continual discovery of each other and our selves.  We laugh at the lack of space and the hardship and somehow sleep has never been sweeter, a stroller never so fabulous, dinners never so delicious!

We are still learning how to slow down.  Finding cafes and fountains where Dante will be content to let us people watch and talk about everything or nothing.  That hasn't happened in years!

Hope you are all doing well.  Please continue to stay in touch.

luctor et emergo

The words have been hovering over my soul for days now.  I've incorporated them in to my play that I've been struggling through, muttered them as I completed my grueling tri-weekly jog, and softly whimpered their sounds in the midst of some dark dream.  After looking at the stain glassed window hundreds of times and giving assorted translations to those who asked,  I finally decided, once again, to check on every intellectual's best friend, Wikipedia for a definitive answer.

luctor et emergo

I struggle and emerge

Motto of the Dutch province of Zeeland to denote its battle against the sea

the motto of the Dutch province of Zeeland: Luctor et emergo, meaning "I wrestle and emerge"

What has my life been on the boat if not a constant struggling and wrestling juxtaposed with surrendering and relinquishing???!!!  And talk about emerging...  true identity and life truths continue to find me at every turn.  

I am truly a New England girl.  I feel like a foreigner in Florida's shallow sun.  Despite my continuous efforts to deny it, writing and the theater has and will always be my true calling.  I'll be poor the rest of my life if I can contribute to those two passions in some small way.  I won't ever go back to a menial job I can't bear.  My two boys are the most beautiful conundrums, riddles that always surprise me and leave me longing to be a better mother.  My husband was right (how hard to type it) when he said I would only be happy if I was writing as if my life depended on it.

There...how's that for a healthy gallon of honesty!

St. Augustine endears itself to me.  Every errand is ripe with people watching and some sort of drama.  It's bike week in Daytona and currently the town is inundated with biker men and boys with the occasional sighting of that elusive vixen, the biker babe.

We still speak longingly of Maine, despite the knowledge of what the state resembles in mid March.  Thanks to all who continue to encourage me with e-mails and phone calls.  

I'm returning to my play.

Peace,

Rebecca