Well, Deborah, this may be the most beautiful love song I've ever read about a boat. I knew I was going to love this piece when you mentioned it earlier. And I do. No doubt, that's because you've put so much love into it. What a great and loving soul you are!
Some of what you've written here reminds me of a terrific novel called "Spartina," by John Casey, which won the National Book Award in 1989. Especially what you say about putting everything into her and relying on her to protect and support you. But you take that idea even further to a depth that quite took my breath away.
I'm glad to know you're writing novels based on your amazing journey aboard La Giana. I intend to read the poems you were inspired to write, but the language you've alluded to in the previews suggest a beauty as disarming as this essay, which is so poetic in its own right. Perhaps you are thinking of putting them all together in a separate stand-alone volume? They seem to spring from the same well, all part of the same beautiful tapestry. So happy to have read this. So grateful that you wrote it.
Dear Andrew, your kind words warm my heart and lift my spirits this morning. It's always such a gift when a reader responds with such appreciation for something I've written. I will be looking up that novel Spartina. And yes, I do hope I'll be able to put all these stories of our sailing experiences in a book someday. Thank you so much for your generous response to my love song.
PS, Deborah—What you said about inner travel reminded me of a recent post on the Glenn Gould Twitter account, which I suspect you’ll appreciate and identify with. “The purpose of art is not the release of a momentary ejection of adrenalin but is, rather, the gradual, lifelong construction of a state of wonder and serenity.”
I feel that you are now following this star. Probably you always were.
I love that quote, Andrew! Thanks so much for sharing it. I don't do Twitter anymore, alas, or I would follow him. But it is true that I am attempting to follow that star. A state of wonder and serenity. That says it all.
I enjoyed reading this commemorative piece expressing your love, respect, and honor for La Gitana, Deborah. She protected you and your family and took you to so many places around the globe. She was not only your home - she became your goddess of the sea.
Well, Deborah, this may be the most beautiful love song I've ever read about a boat. I knew I was going to love this piece when you mentioned it earlier. And I do. No doubt, that's because you've put so much love into it. What a great and loving soul you are!
Some of what you've written here reminds me of a terrific novel called "Spartina," by John Casey, which won the National Book Award in 1989. Especially what you say about putting everything into her and relying on her to protect and support you. But you take that idea even further to a depth that quite took my breath away.
I'm glad to know you're writing novels based on your amazing journey aboard La Giana. I intend to read the poems you were inspired to write, but the language you've alluded to in the previews suggest a beauty as disarming as this essay, which is so poetic in its own right. Perhaps you are thinking of putting them all together in a separate stand-alone volume? They seem to spring from the same well, all part of the same beautiful tapestry. So happy to have read this. So grateful that you wrote it.
Dear Andrew, your kind words warm my heart and lift my spirits this morning. It's always such a gift when a reader responds with such appreciation for something I've written. I will be looking up that novel Spartina. And yes, I do hope I'll be able to put all these stories of our sailing experiences in a book someday. Thank you so much for your generous response to my love song.
PS, Deborah—What you said about inner travel reminded me of a recent post on the Glenn Gould Twitter account, which I suspect you’ll appreciate and identify with. “The purpose of art is not the release of a momentary ejection of adrenalin but is, rather, the gradual, lifelong construction of a state of wonder and serenity.”
I feel that you are now following this star. Probably you always were.
I love that quote, Andrew! Thanks so much for sharing it. I don't do Twitter anymore, alas, or I would follow him. But it is true that I am attempting to follow that star. A state of wonder and serenity. That says it all.
I enjoyed reading this commemorative piece expressing your love, respect, and honor for La Gitana, Deborah. She protected you and your family and took you to so many places around the globe. She was not only your home - she became your goddess of the sea.
Thanks, Michael. You get it. She was all that. She symbolized everything we were doing, and I feel the spirit of that inspiring me even today.
Wonderful stories and brilliant word paintings, Deborah! Thank you for sharing!
Thank you, Barbara! You are so welcome.