Adventure

Swirly Boat in blue acrylic by me

Another painting I loved making. I had so much fun just layering paint and swirling about.

Adventure has been a big part of my world as of late. In fact, writing this after a long day of skiiing. Where I used to shy away from leaving the house, I've been doing the opposite. Finally really getting to know my beautiful state and bask in its beauty-- hiking to the top of many peaks--sometimes limping the last stretches back to the car. Took my girls camping on the beach without a 'man'  and was so proud when I got the campfire started multiple times. The girls had their doubts I could do it. It was nice to prove them wrong! My most favorite was the day I drove 5 hours to the closest passport office on a wing and a prayer to get a same-day passport (wing and a prayer because they tell you you can drive all that way, but that there is no guarantee they can/will help you) so I could accept an invitation to see the woman's soccer world cup, and within a week was in Vancouver BC riding bikes around the cape, and taking in the beauty of what has become one of my favorite cities. It is so something I would have talked myself out of before, but loved just going for it, and I have to say, walking out of the passport office with a passport given the same day felt like I had really done something special. 

I've painted quite a few boats in the last year. I do believe these sailboats hold the space for me to marinate in the spirit of adventure, past, present and future, and to feel my own sense of surrender to the whims of the ocean of life, and to keep navigating through the storms, and to enjoy sunny skies, but not depend on them. (In Oregon this is a given).  These boats remind me to keep an open mind and to not overthink things, but rather listen to the yes that wants to express, and let it lead, step by step, moment by moment, trusting that there is a certain intelligence to it all.