A Marvelous Night For a Moondance

The joy of sailing on the catamaran solo, medicinally

As I may have mentioned, I am working my way through this book “The Artist’s Way,” by Julia Cameron. It is this best seller that has been around for decades now.

This book takes you through 12 weeks of what amounts to therapy to help you fulfill your creative potential. You have to write Morning Pages every morning — three pages of longhand, which I have no problem with because it allows me to procrastinate doing other things I am supposed to be doing. You are also asked to take yourself on “Artist’s Dates” — outings that are supposed to be enjoyable for you but — here’s the catch! — you have to do on your own. Not with others!

All kinds of people on YouTube doing this book have problems with this. And I admit I have occasionally found this concept a challenge, too.

We are just so hard-wired to do things with other people!

You just want to take someone else along. You know no other way!

I have realized doing this book how hard it can be to make changes. For my first Artist’s Date, on a very cold day a couple of months ago, I decided I would walk not where I normally walk — Delaware Park — but in Cazenovia Park, a park across town. It was tough to get myself to do that! I just did not want to, for whatever reason.

Then you go do it and it’s amazing. It really is interesting and freeing and fun.

Today I went on the Moondance Catamaran. That is this craft that sails out from Canalside in downtown Buffalo and takes you out onto Lake Erie. The cruise lasts about an hour and a half.

I would say this counts as a bit adventurous as Artist Dates go. Boat trips are just something you figure you do with other people. And I fought the concept of going by myself. I asked Howard to go and he said no. I asked my brother George and my sister Katie. I asked a couple of friends. It was kind of last minute and everyone had boring plans and to be honest I got sick of the logistics of it all. Just forget it, you know? Easier just to go on my own.

These people, who needs them??

So. There I am, solo on the Moondance Cat, for the 4 p.m. sail. Let me tell you this: My friend Ryan has told me he goes on his own now and then on the Moondance Cat. And now I can see why.

It is wonderful!

Even before the voyage got under way, I could already feel it.

To be there not talking, just watching the sky and the waves — I am not sure I ever want to go sailing with anyone else ever again. Well, on Monday I will be going with Cori, the dervish who has been helping me with my house. However I am going to be very choosy.

It takes a very good companion to be better than none!

Everything was all shades of blue. All blues as Miles Davis would say. All hues, all blues.

The day was so warm, it made me think of high summer. I had brought along one of Leonard Pennario’s sweatshirts and I never put it on. I tossed it in a corner with my purse and my sandals. Then I stood barefoot on the deck and just zoned out.

Half way through the sail I got a plastic cup of wine and then I zoned out some more. I interacted a bit with the people on the boat. Everyone was nice. One little boy was amusing himself going around swatting away the sandflies. Thank you, kind little sir!

I had dressed with care because I felt this was a special day, going on the catamaran. Much as it is the fashion, I do not like going around in rags — ripped jeans and old T-shirts. I like to wear something fun. And this was weird — I realized I had chosen clothes I had never worn before! A pink cotton skirt and a sleeveless white top. Thrifted, but new to me, things I had inherited a while ago but had never worn.

There were only about a dozen people on board so it was easy to go back to being on my own. Just breathing the air — heaven. The clouds, the sky, the water, all of it was dramatic and soothing at the same time. I took a few pictures including the one at the top of this post. However I did not take too many. After what I had been through this week with the carpets and everything, I just wanted to breathe.

It took a while to get used to the silence, to get used to not talking to anyone. But I got used to it. I realize this is an acquired taste, however I have acquired it.

I wished the voyage could have gone on for longer. The time passed so fast. When I got back on land, I found myself continuing to walk barefoot with my sandals in my hand. I walked along Canalside. I just felt so deeply relaxed. Nothing that had bothered me before bothered me now.

La la la la la la la.

I am still feeling it!