These stories often come to me out of the darkest darkness, late at night, on watch, when the sound of the unseen sea can be either unpredictably raucous or quietly hypnotic, when the motion of the vessel can either rock you gently to sleep or jolt you awake, adrenaline flowing. I couldn’t possibly hit all the right keys under the latter conditions, so the ideas are jotted down to be expanded upon later, as the sun rises and hot, sweet coffee fills my veins. Living on the water makes the words, the lessons, the experiences, inexplicably flow from fingers to keyboard.
I must say what a delightful way to start my day, these notes from someone as talented as yourself, MIss Lindsay! I'm so incredibly pleased you're on board...I think I'll send this one back out in the next couple of weeks, or put it in my intro as most subscribers haven't read it. I appreciate the inspiration. ~J
Oh yeah. Editing often feels like a fight, throwing punches and getting hit, going at it 'til the beast is tamed ... for the moment. Come tomorrow, you hold your breath and take another look. But the process works.
What a beautifully romantic vessel. I've been in love with the sea since I was born and whilst I've never sailed an overnighter, I am at peace when on, in or by the sea. I think I'm going to thrive on your Substack!
What lovely sentiments ....there is much that is truly soulful about the elements of nature, they do soothe. Welcome Aboard, we have common respect and admiration for Elizabeth, and I'm sure much more! Thanks for subscribing Prue!
Janice! What a terrific intro. Excited to hear tales from the sea. And this Steadfast boat of yours and your navigation through the waters of this planet of ours are both beautiful.
Janice, This is the kind of writing that makes you feel the salt in the air and the weight of the dark water beneath you. The way you describe the constant dance with nature—the awe, the unpredictability, the quiet lessons—feels so alive. ‘Dark Dark’ already has me intrigued. Looking forward to reading more.
Love to hear that feedback for our unusual vessel! I was thinking the same thing about TUCANO...what an adventure you had and so amazing that you even got to see where she was built! We hope to eventually, with our newly repaired girl, get down the coast of South America for a five-year odyssey...stay tuned!
I owned a place in Cozumel in a former life and got to see the Yucatan as you did, decades before all those mega resorts. I can certainly understand why you chose to stay!
Well, the Tucano for us was only a week, though it was in the Amazon, Rio Negro so that may give it a bit more gravitas. Your five-year odyssey sounds like it will be amazing. And your loving preparation of Steadfast is no doubt like waking zen.
Hey Jeanine! So happy to see you’ve read some of my work and enjoyed it! I did understand that Tocano was just a trip a few years ago. Just thought it was quite a special deal indeed. Cannot wait to see that part of the planet. Hopefully our paths will cross. J
I just subscribed, Janice! I'm looking forward to following your journey -- and cool we at one time may have been neighbors when you were on Coz. Around what year?
That's fantastic! Thank you. We purchased in 2002 I believe. Relationship fell apart 2004....as life happens...boy got CZM and I got the business and house in CO. My first dive was there in 1995 and we explored a lot of the peninsula. Playa del Carmen was just a ferry dock! Never spent time in your hometown I don't think.
I look forward to learning more about the Maya. Have always been fascinated.
Hi Vanessa! I'm glad you found me; there is certainly nothing quite like sailing and I hope my works bring it all into focus. I so appreciate your support and look forward to your comments and feedback.
what an inspiration!
I love this intro to your life, to the title of these writings.
I must say what a delightful way to start my day, these notes from someone as talented as yourself, MIss Lindsay! I'm so incredibly pleased you're on board...I think I'll send this one back out in the next couple of weeks, or put it in my intro as most subscribers haven't read it. I appreciate the inspiration. ~J
Thanks, Janice. It's a joy to be taken into a world in which I will never actually be a participant.
So many great stories immerse us in something , somewhere, somehow we never even imagined! It's a beautiful thing.
That's amazing, Janice. (Sorry it took so long to respond but I had two deadlines to meet, and just met them!).
Nice -- your words flow like the tide itself. Beautiful!
Thank you Michael! I've spent the day editing, (you know what that's like..time is measured but the accomplishment?? not always...).
Your words brought me pleasure to the core. As you say, the Substack community can definitely inspire! ~J
Oh yeah. Editing often feels like a fight, throwing punches and getting hit, going at it 'til the beast is tamed ... for the moment. Come tomorrow, you hold your breath and take another look. But the process works.
What a beautifully romantic vessel. I've been in love with the sea since I was born and whilst I've never sailed an overnighter, I am at peace when on, in or by the sea. I think I'm going to thrive on your Substack!
What lovely sentiments ....there is much that is truly soulful about the elements of nature, they do soothe. Welcome Aboard, we have common respect and admiration for Elizabeth, and I'm sure much more! Thanks for subscribing Prue!
Janice! What a terrific intro. Excited to hear tales from the sea. And this Steadfast boat of yours and your navigation through the waters of this planet of ours are both beautiful.
Thanks very much Holly! It's a privilege to be her caretaker as she takes care of me, too. So pleased that we connected! Welcome aboard! J
Janice, This is the kind of writing that makes you feel the salt in the air and the weight of the dark water beneath you. The way you describe the constant dance with nature—the awe, the unpredictability, the quiet lessons—feels so alive. ‘Dark Dark’ already has me intrigued. Looking forward to reading more.
Nazish,
I want you to know how impactful this message was, you made my heart sing with your words and I so appreciate you taking the time to write them.
Time is a very precious commodity, as you know. I hope you enjoyed DARK DARK and some others as much as I will now enjoy your work.
THANK YOU. Peace.
J
What a beautiful ship! And what adventures I am sure you've had!
Love to hear that feedback for our unusual vessel! I was thinking the same thing about TUCANO...what an adventure you had and so amazing that you even got to see where she was built! We hope to eventually, with our newly repaired girl, get down the coast of South America for a five-year odyssey...stay tuned!
I owned a place in Cozumel in a former life and got to see the Yucatan as you did, decades before all those mega resorts. I can certainly understand why you chose to stay!
I loved Holbox as it was, too!
J
Well, the Tucano for us was only a week, though it was in the Amazon, Rio Negro so that may give it a bit more gravitas. Your five-year odyssey sounds like it will be amazing. And your loving preparation of Steadfast is no doubt like waking zen.
Hey Jeanine! So happy to see you’ve read some of my work and enjoyed it! I did understand that Tocano was just a trip a few years ago. Just thought it was quite a special deal indeed. Cannot wait to see that part of the planet. Hopefully our paths will cross. J
I just subscribed, Janice! I'm looking forward to following your journey -- and cool we at one time may have been neighbors when you were on Coz. Around what year?
That's fantastic! Thank you. We purchased in 2002 I believe. Relationship fell apart 2004....as life happens...boy got CZM and I got the business and house in CO. My first dive was there in 1995 and we explored a lot of the peninsula. Playa del Carmen was just a ferry dock! Never spent time in your hometown I don't think.
I look forward to learning more about the Maya. Have always been fascinated.
I love to sail. Wish I could be where you are. Looking forward to reading.
Hi Vanessa! I'm glad you found me; there is certainly nothing quite like sailing and I hope my works bring it all into focus. I so appreciate your support and look forward to your comments and feedback.
Thank you for subscribing!
J