Having/Craving the simple life

This trip has had a much simpler feel than any we've previously taken. There is no grand goal, and not really anything to prove. Scott diligently calculates tides and currents to allow us to meet necessary gates. We don't go all that far most days (if we move at all), and so we can afford to sail at 2 knots if we want to; we'll still make our destination.

For the most part, I've been able to let go of not knowing what waits for me in my email inbox. I feel, however that that is changing. The first few weeks out felt like summer vacation. Since most of our trips begin shortly after a business presentation of mine (often that had my anxiety-laden stomach twisted in knots for days ahead of time), there is a feeling of relief when we stow the docklines. As we leave, I know it will be weeks before I again need to take care of the serious business stuff. The daily stuff can often wait for a few days and get caught up on in batches. And I can continue to get other non-timed work done nearly daily. So there is no work to resist, and what I do complete has an effortlessness and creativity to it that I wish I could carry to land.

My mind has begun traveling forward in time recently, however. (I am lucky, though. I'm afraid this affliction has been plaguing Scott for weeks already.) I've used up the work I had worked ahead on, and now must buckle down a little more to stay caught up. Plus, proposals for fall presentations are due mid-August, and I have another presentation in Seattle in the beginning of September that I will need to prepare for with limited battery power and Internet connection. Already, those anxiety pangs have begun to quiver.

I have to remind myself that September is still nearly a month away, and that my worry does no good whatsoever. Time bends while on the boat. When it takes a week to get places, days seem like merely an elongated breath. Next month might as well be the day after tomorrow. Then, on the contrary, when battery power is measured in minutes, minutes pass with an unmeasurable briskness. It is no wonder we need to consult the watch to even know what day of the week it is, much less know the date.

On the whole I am enjoying this trip more than any so far. It is simpler in so many ways. Still I'd like to make it simpler yet, but I haven't figured out how. I think we'll probably keep this lifestyle for a while, though, so hopefully I'll have more time to keep making it less and less complicated. And in the spirit of less complication, I'm going to quit trying to add a picture to this post. I just don't seem to have the signal strength for the upload of it. Another day, I guess.