I promised myself another chocolate tonight, so as soon as my day was winding down, and dinner finished, goodbyes said to my wonderful shipmates (whose names I still struggle to remember), I adjurned to my room to make the attempt.

I was almost afraid to see another llama this time, but I was determined to find out for sure. I stood in front of the mirror, placed a chocolate on my tongue, and allowed it to melt slowly. The sweetness consumed me – my tastes so much stronger than I remembered. It was making me a little dizzy, or tipsy, and standing was becoming more difficult. In the mirror, as expected, I was starting to see a new form being made of me.

I was startled to see that it was not a llama this time, but a serpent. Not a snake, no, not those nasty things of the woods, but a large serpent, a sea-going creature, and getting larger all the time. It was a beautiful color, black with streaks of gold and green, orange and violet. The colors seemed to change continuously, moving from the end of the serpent’s tail all the way to its head.

And suddenly, he winked at me, and jumped through the portal. I watched, wondering how something so large could fit through the small opening, and worried that he may be hurt on the glass.

But as his head went out out, my sight changed, and I realized I was seeing through his eyes now. I was terrified, as I looked down at the sea quickly approaching. I can swim, of course, but a dive of several decks height down into the churning, cold sea was beyond my believed capabilities.

I inwardly held my breath as we entered the water, and again I was transformed. No longer seeing through the eyes of the creature, I myself now swam in the ocean, the water gliding ever so smoothly against my… well, scales? I guess I hadn’t determined that yet, but it felt wonderful none the less.

I turned left and right. I looped up and down. I went in circles so fast that I thought I might be sick. But no problems plagued me. I was more free than I had ever felt.

Without noticing their approach, I was suddenly surrounded by many more of the creatures. Each of them was colored as was I, but each with a color more prominent than the others. Mine was green, and I saw orange, gold, copper, blue, and many more. We seemed to pulse together, to swim among each other so closely that we touched, but without any thought of direction or mishap.

I believe I could have maintained that life forever if I had been asked. But, again without noticing, there were several very brightly colored serpents among us. They did not have the black color with stripes, but instead were silver and gold, with many colored patches along their bodies. They were not only beautiful, but positively glowed.

They (the glowing ones) soon led out of the whirling mass that was the rest of us, and went deeper into the sea. As they moved, they also intertwined, swirling and dancing together, and now we joined them, all of us moving closer to the bottom of the sea.

I wondered who these serpents were, and how I had been fortunate to join them. Another black and prominently-green creature twined about me and said, or thought at me, as we were obviously not talking, that the darker ones like us were others from the ship, writers whose minds had been opened enough to enjoy this dance. The brightly colored friends were our muses, taking us down into the well of ideas where we might freely drink.

I spun around in ecstasy, so thrilled to hear this news. I did not know if my muse was here, but believed it might be so since I had been invited. But I was not worried, I was just thrilled to know that the muses were this real, that we could touch and dance and entwine with them.

I woke a few minutes ago. It is nearly midnight now – my swim must have greatly tired me. But I know I need to write this down as quickly as my fingers will work, so that my muse will know that I had listened.

Those are such good chocolates. Who knew they would contain the seeds for a muse within.

I awoke to this note, slid under my door at night…

“The Autumn Day

How delicately steps the autumn day
In azure cloak and gown of ashen grey
Over the level country that I love!

With glittering veils of light about her head
And skirts of wide horizons round her spread
White as the white wing-feathers of a dove.

Her feet, a flash of silver on the sea,
Chase silver sails that fly untiringly
Towards the enchanted Islands of the West.

Beautiful Islands, gardens of delight!
That flower at dawn with roses red and white . . .
And flame at sunset gold and amethyst . . .

How delicately steps the autumn day
In azure cloak and gown of ashen grey
Over the level country that I love . . .

And how my heart that all sweet things beguile
Goes laughing with her for a little while . . .
And then turns homeward like a weary dove.

Dear John, while this was written long ago, I share it here with you, as we enjoy the cruise. I will meet you soon. Dinner tomorrow?

I can hardly wait…
S.S.”

Hmmm. Methinks I’ll be meeting my secret admirer soon. Today I will stroll along the deck and watch those I see. I hope to meet as many of the folk who share my home for this year, and that is the best place to start.

Tonight, I have promised myself another chocolate. A story awaits, I hope, that I might share.

[Note: poem from THE INN OF DREAMS by OLIVE CUSTANCE (LADY AFRED DOUGLAS)]

I spent most of today in the library, looking through the journal articles and reference books I could find about White Owl Island. There are a few things I need to look for once I get there. Especially a couple of people… ( yaawwwwn )

I think I saw some of the dust bunnies dancing under the card catalog. Can you believe they still have a card catalog!? It has the most delicate wooden carvings on it… worth the trip even without opening the drawers!

Anyway, I’m not sure if it was real or imagined, but it seemed that whenever I read about some sort of activity on the island (dances, trips, ceremonies, and so forth), and was really focused on the pages, I would see motion out of the corner of my eye. Not just any motion, but an acting out of whatever I was reading. I sat and watched for several minutes on many occasions, and the dance seemed to go on until, well, until it didn’t. There wasn’t much of a transition; one second they were dancing, and it felt real, and natural, and the next second they were just sprites of dust lying on the floor, just as real but very motionless.

I think I’ve just moved a bit closer to the daft side with all the reading today. I even forgot to eat breakfast and lunch! So it’s time for a shower and dinner, perhaps followed by a deck stroll. I am destined to meet someone today, I feel.

And then, with the vigor of fresh air in my lungs, an exercised mind from the library, and an exercised and well-fed body, I shall retire with another chocolate before bed, and wonder what episode will ensue.

 

I decided before I write another letter, I needed to explore a bit more. This is an amazing ship, and I can see myself spending the whole year only finding a little piece of the magic that awaits. I was so excited about Descartes that I went out in search this morning. I know that searching for a talking rabbit may be a little strange, but I’m here for the experience, so away I went.

I was looking for a meadow behind the green door in the middle of the ship. I searched up and down the levels, and never found the door. I was a little depressed, and starting for my room, when I felt something against the back of my legs. It was the smart and cuddly object of my search. I sat on the floor and just grinned for several minutes, listening to tales of the day from the mouth of a talking bunny.

I can’t really call him a bunny, though, as that makes more of his cuteness than of his other talents. It was a wonderful conversation, for after the day’s news, he told me of his cabin (if you can call it that), where he had recently been, those who he has met in the last month, and so much more. Quite a raconteur, and never a negative thought about anyone.

Then we moved into higher discussions, and I told him of some mathematical equations I had thought were my own. We tried to prove them for a while, and then went on to more colorful pursuits. 

When I returned to my room, I found that I had spent most of the day in my endeavor, and it was now time for the evening meal. I dressed into something more sporty and went strolling to the dining room on my deck.

Sunset on my third day

Hunger was far from my thoughts as I was walking, but as the aromas caught my attention, they were soon in complete control. I dined as never before, far too much for a daily habit, even for only the year. But for tonight, after the wonderful day I had experienced, good food was certainly welcome. 

I met several of my shipmates as the dining progressed. Alexis came by to let me know of Descartes’ delight with our conversation, and with the two glasses of Merlot, I was feeling quite warm and toasty inside. 

Later, several of us took a stroll on the promenade, and it was just beautiful. I mean, I give it that word, but only because there is no other that can express my feelings. I have included a picture of the sunset, though I doubt it conveys a small piece of the pleasure I received from seeing it in person.

Tomorrow I will go to the library, and find out more about the White Owl Island we’ll be visiting soon. I want to be as ready for the adventure as possible.

 

the rose turns red

Dear Lizzie:

I know you probably won’t get a chance to read this, but I need to write to you or I’ll maybe go mad. I miss you terribly. I know that this trip is the right idea, and I cannot believe I’ll be here for a year. It is going to be important to me, I know. And I love you for sending me.

You know I want to write. I’ll practice hard this year. I’ll try different types of writing, and see where it takes me. From looking around, I know that I can do some food writing, travel digests, mysteries, character sketches… and pictures to enhance them all. What a great year this should be.

Of course, it would be better with you.

I’ve already met some people. A group of ladies came by last night and introduced themselves. I don’t know them well enough to tell you much yet, but I’ll fill you in as time passes.

I got  a rose last night! Remember when you sent me that white rose in Washington, while we were still courting? This one came with a message from ‘S.S’. That in itself is strange, as I hadn’t met anyone yet at that point. But even stranger was when the rose changed colors! Last night it was a beautiful pink, but today, it is a dark red with even darker edges.

The ladies said there were small folk about, and other types of magic lurking, but I certainly didn’t expect it to start in my room on the first day. This is a wonderful mystery, and one that I hope to begin researching before too long. (By the way, I’m attaching a picture of some of the ladies that I think might have real magic up their, um, sleeves

Three ladies I'm sure must have some magic

As for the magic, I’m not sure if it can be learned, but from the itinerary for this trip, I suppose anything is possible.

I suppose I’ve even done something like magic already. Twice! Accidently, I’ll say, but still very real.

Not only did I find the rose last night, but there was a box of chocolates from the Admiral. She is a wonderful lady – I met her at dinner for a moment last night, I being the newest on the ship. But when I chose a candy before bed, it made me shiver, and then I saw myself in the mirror as a llama. For goodness sakes, I never thought of myself as a llama. And after seeing The Emperor’s New Groove, I was quite worried. But after a short time, perhaps a few dozen minutes, I fell asleep, and awoke quickly as myself. It will be exciting to try another choice morsel tonight.

The other thing I found was a walnut. At first I thought to toss it out, but then saw that it was not just an ordinary nutshell, but a container for several small but very intricate, and intriguing, items. And when I delved further, I found that I could actually move about with the shell in my hand, using only my mind to drive. I went home and had some leftover chili, and promised myself that I would use this power, or ability, to have a dinner party sometime in the next few months. I can cook at home, and invite friends into my cabin without fear of fire or other incident. It will be heavenly, once I meet a few more people. The cabins are not large enough to have a big group in if they are not of a friendly nature. 

Well, Lizzie, I think I need some sleep. While not a lot happened today, everything that did seemed to be a new, and quite amazing, experience for me. I’ll sleep now, while I have the chance. 

I’ll write to you again soon. Good night my sweetheart.

J

I was very worried about this trip from the beginning. It hasn’t been that long, well only a couple of years, since I lost my family. But today gave me a view of something closer to normal, perhaps a way to save my heart from the darkness that it has been wallowing in.

I spent much of the day just walking about, greeting people coming back aboard. There were a bunch that just came over and said hello – Sally, Anita Marie, Alexis, Lori, and others. I can’t remember all their names yet, but at this rate, I’m sure we’ll be better acquainted in the short term.

And then I came back and found two presents. A wonderful box of chocolates from the Admiral, and a rose. The rose was beautiful, but I don’t know who it was from. All the note said was, “The year will be amazing, just wait. Love ya, S.S.”

A secret rose on day 1

 

 

Maybe this was a good idea after all. A year of relaxing, meeting new people, visiting new places… I’ll be a new person. And there is so much more I can do here. Whew… it’s late. More tomorrow.

This is terrible! Just frightful.

I ordered my tickets for the SS Vulcania trip, and they got lost in the system somehow. So here I sit at the dock, watching them prepare to leave, and waiting to find out if I can go along. Hello up there! Wave to me! Wish me well, in case I have to fly to your next port in order to board.

Camera in hand, I look forward to this trip. Meeting people is always a joy, but taking their pictures as well is so much more fun. And the places we’ll go…

If only my family had been able to come along. Ah, well, I’m sure that in some manner they will be able to follow along, somehow…

For now, maybe some pictures of the ship will be nice for my scrapbook.