Reflections

Sleeping aboard a boat comes with unique night noises depending on wind, waves, and swing of the boat. During the day we don't notice the various creaking lines, slapping halyards, tapping snap fasteners, and squawking squeaks. Apparently the cue for these unsettling noises to start, is the moment you turn off the lights and start to nod off. "What's that sound?" is the predominate conversation, quickly followed by an anchor check to make sure no dragging is happening. Then settling down again, starting to nod off there is a tap tap tapping sound followed by a thump thump thumping sound, then a swing of the boat followed by a moan of the snubber line. On a calm night in a protected anchorage the noises are much less, maybe a lapping of a wave against the hull. The noises once identified are something we…

"You deserve it" the words are meant to encourage, affirm and congratulate rang hollow in my ears. In 2023, "out of the blue" we purchased the sailboat of our dreams a Catalina 350. The boat that will serve us well and safely for our "senior years" afloat. The truth is we've gotten older and we realize that Arcturus a 1976 Cal 2-27 no longer is a vessel we can take on our next sailing adventures. Arcturus has given us so many great sails and good times. She is sturdy, reliable and seaworthy. We are the ones who have changed. We recognize we will soon need good modern systems and modern comforts to do the type of sailing we want to do in the future. I do not believe "we deserve this". So many good kind hearted people live lives of desperation and they…

At dawn, I boiled water to make coffee. After that first cup, the frypan went on the stove with a bit of Irish butter. The Cinnamon Raisin bread from the Farmer’s Market warmed in the melted butter, not toasted, just hot enough to absorb the dairy loveliness. The rest of the french press coffee was filtered and split between our cups. A quarter of a green pepper chopped, two green onions chopped, and a couple of ounces of sharp cheddar grated. The vegetables were sautéed in a little more of the butter, then four eggs added. Freshly ground salt and pepper, and finally the cheese. It doesn’t get better than this. Marcia did the dishes. I downloaded another book from the library, and reflected on the start of the day. Later, we’ll raise anchor and stop at the nearby fuel dock to pump…

"wind will change when you ask it, if you ask for long enough" - Slocum Ashore A gentle summer breeze soft as a whisper stirs the air and cools those who sit in the shade A light wind entices leaves to flutter and flowers dance in the meadows. Shadows waltz lightly upon the grass. Good for sitting in the hammock. Stronger winds wrestle with trees and twist limbs to and fro smaller twigs tumble to the ground. Usually accompanied by storms - time to read a book. Very strong winds bring down even the sturdiest trees and branches, blow nests and debris across parking lots and fields. Hunker down inside. Watch Youtube videos on sailing oceans. Sailing A slight breeze won't fill the sails and they hang limp and gently flap back and forth. The water looks thick and heavy. Also, perfect weather…