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I knew a girl, once, who loved a gray horse. One night, with only the moon to guide her, with her trusted gray steed beneath, she left terra firma and sailed into the sea.

Sometimes...maybe always...it takes getting out of your comfort zone and doing something new to revitalize and recharge.  At the beginning of February I did something I swore I would never do. I went on a cruise. On a big cruise ship. In the ocean. To those of you unfamiliar with my stomach's aversion to anything that involves being on the water (or on a swing, or a carnival ride, or a windy road, or a small airplane...) let me say, I was dreading the illness I knew I would experience.  After all, I've made it a rule to enjoy the sea from the safety of the shore. But, when your 91 year old mom invites you to take a cruise with her to Mexico, well, you say yes, arm yourself with plenty of dramamine and set sail.

Somewhere about the second day on the ship (the Oosterdam) I realized that what little motion I could feel was not bothering me. I was thrilled. I didn't even need the dramamine. Life was good!  So I relaxed and totally enjoyed the experience.  There is nothing better than pulling into port, sipping coffee on your private verandah as the morning sun warms your face. Or sipping on a glass of wine, watching the sun set as you pull out of the port, headed for the next destination.

I saw pods of dolphins, a breaching whale, lots of frigate birds - and miles and miles of ocean. I could understand how people once thought the earth is flat. I relaxed, lived in the present. Did what I wanted to, when I wanted to.

And nothing is better than enjoying this with your mom - spending time talking, exploring, meeting new people, seeing shows...it was a trip I will always remember, and I am so grateful to have been able to go.

I brought along some watercolors  thinking I might paint, but never did. I just soaked up the experience and held it in my heart.

Now that I am home, back in my studio, the ocean calls to me, reminds me of the rhythm of her breath, the beauty of her voice, the saltiness of her scent. The paintings are coming fast and furious; I feel like I could paint 24 hours a day and still not run out of inspiration.

This painting is the first one I painted. There are more to come!