One day in Greece my combined interest in mythology, archaeology, and anthropology, flashed a message of insight in my brain, stirring up an inclination to write a book. There was a different story to be told if Marija Gimbutus' theory about matriarchal culture in old Europe was added to the stew.

My husband, Franklin (Wally) and I lived aboard a thirty-two foot sail boat for a few years, cruising around Sardinia, Italy Sicily, Greece, and Turkey. We sailed out of a 'home port' like Dubrovnik, in Croatia or Nidri, in Greece, and visited other ports and sites of ancient ruins and archaeological digs. We both read the old literature by Homer, and all sorts of related volumes. We examined every museum we found, and finally, it hit me. The matrilineal culture was present in the Mycenaean age, but it is not reflected in the myths or Homer's tales.

Originally, our plan was to set our busy lives aside and sail in Aegean waters for an indefinite period. The dream gradually became reality as we gave up jobs, broke up housekeeping, passed precious items to our four children, put as little as possible in storage, and attempted to reduce our responsibilities of jobs and ownership to a minimum.

Quest our sail-boat, was a thirty two foot sloop we had owned for many years: a proven home at sea for every summer vacation. We made mile-long lists for boat repairs, replacements and additions. Over a couple of summers we attended to them, then began to buy stores and find places to put everything.