9/19/18 Harraseeket River, Freeport, Maine
Our last night on Grace this year, this boating season. We scrambled to get enough groceries and clothes (for a chilly night) and bedding together, having little idea what was still on the boat for "living" even overnight. We'd planned to go to the Goslins or French Island or even Big Bustins but winds from the north changed our minds. So, just up river near the other Grace (power boat belongs to our friends, Jan and Al) and Surrender belonging to another friend, Ken. We're in good company tho' the humans attached to these boats aren't here, only the boats. Our Grace will keep them company tonight.
David and I planned dinner but the Brie and crackers on the aft deck took the need for dinner away. Music. Sunset. Clouds and fog rolling in. Lanterns and propane heater putting out light and heat. I shiver with gratitude and recaptured delight in being/living on Grace, the boat and Grace the spiritual support. I've missed this in my land-based life these past 3 months, as much as I've loved land-based living. But it is soooo busy with so many responsibilities and opportunities to be distracted and feel unworthy and ineffective. Somehow boat-based living shaves away the profusion of distractions. I miss the mental space that seems easily available on the boat but requires major discipline to achieve on land.
We'll strip the sails, take the booms off tomorrow and expect Carter and Kathy will take the masts down tomorrow or Friday. Saturday morning we'll take Grace farther up-river to Porter's Landing and have her hauled, delivered to our boat shed. How all this will get done on such a tight schedule will be miraculous. Then we'll have an entire week to close the shed with Grace tucked inside before we leave for a short visit to NC family and friends at the end of this month.
Neighbor, Kyra, is caring for Amelia tonight and tomorrow morning. It is a trial run for kitty care during the week we're in NC. I had a meltdown regarding Amelia and her future and care yesterday, pretty sunk all day with lots of tears. Amelia seems such a happy, very old cat. Even with her chronic illnesses she purrs, sits on my lap, takes morning walks to the pond, lifts her tail when petted and caterwauls when she can't find us. She likes our company. Thus, I regret leaving her for a week and will not stress her with a long trip away from her home. She doesn't seem in pain. It is me that is experiencing pain, separation pain (short term and long term) and we're not even separate yet. Well, except for tonight. Twelve hours. Ugh.
The other Grace next t us with her blue/white aft light is a mysterious sight.There are patio-type doors aft on this power boat with an additional long window on each side of the doors. Probably some sort of curtain coverings on all those windows. The effect is of these columns or multiple doors floating in dark space. As the boat swings in wind and current the configuration shifts slightly or the one light is reflected as 2 or 3 lights. Add the pale blue/white misty light. Magical. Mysterious. A great set for dance or theater. What happens in this environment? Something other-worldly.
David has headed for bed. I want to join him. I want to stay up, awake with the red chart table light, the music, the oil lantern, the warm hued wood....this supreme comfort, darkness outside with a few shore lights drifting by as we drift.
My joy is melancholy. Bittersweet. Endings and exits as the season turns.
Blessings, All.
Wednesday, September 19, 2018
Saturday, June 2, 2018
Blog break, Freeport, ME
6/2/18 . Freeport, ME
This is likely to be the last blog post for awhile...as we're no longer sailing on Grace.
We three - Amelia, David and I - have all been on land for a week now and Grace, the boat, is in the harbor on her mooring.
Amelia, kitty, is LOVING being on land. Even though we are in a different house for a couple weeks - same neighborhood - she is taking a morning constitutional walk down to the pond all on her on. Has a bunch of drinks of water, lays in the sand, then I arrive and we walk home together. And she roams the yard to eat grass, not being too concerned about the neighbor cat who wants us to adopt him.
She had a visit with her doctor today. Dr. confirmed that she was loosing muscle mass, has a racing heart which contributes to catabolism. I've noticed that she stumbles, but she still jumps.
We discussed healthcare options/interventions and will take none. We will help her live out her life as comfortably as possible. Dr. said keeping her hydrated will certainly help keep her more comfortable and we'll continue that. She also suggested how Amelia's diseases might progress, what symptoms were likely and how she might pass over. Makes me so very sad. AND she, and we with her, has had a great life span together...18.5 years and counting. I am so very grateful that she has lived long enough to get back to land home. She is much happier here, less bored, more active.
David and I are doing projects at our friend house as planned and promised. I am, as I've written before, moving back into life on land slowly; taking my time contacting friends and seeing people; actively considering where I want to be involved and where I want to remain...aloof...absence. I'm not yet ready to make any commitments. I did plant my flower pots and will, perhaps tomorrow, collect the tomato plants from my neighbor. It feels selfish. It is. But I don't want to just launch into what others expect of me. I DID dance this morning. Ten whole minutes of improvising after 20 or so minutes of stretching and some yoga. Delicious. And I've begun - again - reading Free Play: Improvisation in Art and Life. Perhaps this will be my morning meditation ritual...stretch, dance, read, notice life, practice joy.
So, expecting David and I will do a little cruising in Maine waters this summer but nothing extensive. I'm looking forward to visiting with friends and family, doing a little dancing/studying in July and laying pretty low for the summer. Of course, who knows what will be.
Our plan (always subject to change) is to put Grace up in our boat shed this fall/winter and do some renovations on her galley then splash her again next spring. So no cruising south on Grace this next winter. It's fun to look forward but not too far forward.
This moment is perfection. I am, we all are, surrounded by love.
This is likely to be the last blog post for awhile...as we're no longer sailing on Grace.
We three - Amelia, David and I - have all been on land for a week now and Grace, the boat, is in the harbor on her mooring.
She had a visit with her doctor today. Dr. confirmed that she was loosing muscle mass, has a racing heart which contributes to catabolism. I've noticed that she stumbles, but she still jumps.
We discussed healthcare options/interventions and will take none. We will help her live out her life as comfortably as possible. Dr. said keeping her hydrated will certainly help keep her more comfortable and we'll continue that. She also suggested how Amelia's diseases might progress, what symptoms were likely and how she might pass over. Makes me so very sad. AND she, and we with her, has had a great life span together...18.5 years and counting. I am so very grateful that she has lived long enough to get back to land home. She is much happier here, less bored, more active.
David and I are doing projects at our friend house as planned and promised. I am, as I've written before, moving back into life on land slowly; taking my time contacting friends and seeing people; actively considering where I want to be involved and where I want to remain...aloof...absence. I'm not yet ready to make any commitments. I did plant my flower pots and will, perhaps tomorrow, collect the tomato plants from my neighbor. It feels selfish. It is. But I don't want to just launch into what others expect of me. I DID dance this morning. Ten whole minutes of improvising after 20 or so minutes of stretching and some yoga. Delicious. And I've begun - again - reading Free Play: Improvisation in Art and Life. Perhaps this will be my morning meditation ritual...stretch, dance, read, notice life, practice joy.
So, expecting David and I will do a little cruising in Maine waters this summer but nothing extensive. I'm looking forward to visiting with friends and family, doing a little dancing/studying in July and laying pretty low for the summer. Of course, who knows what will be.
Our plan (always subject to change) is to put Grace up in our boat shed this fall/winter and do some renovations on her galley then splash her again next spring. So no cruising south on Grace this next winter. It's fun to look forward but not too far forward.
This moment is perfection. I am, we all are, surrounded by love.
 |
| Mallards feeding in the pond, butts in the air. I observed that they have to paddle their feet to stay un-side down |
Monday, May 28, 2018
Lavers Pond, Freeport, ME
5/28/18 Freeport, ME
How easily I slip....The luxury. The waste... of running water, hot on demand, flush toilets, heat at the press of an index finger, a house of 5 rooms and a full basement. I'm shaking my head as I write. This opulence is as distressing as it is welcome. I despair (not really) at the efforts involved in balancing comfort/convenience and save the people and the planet.
And all those immigrant children that were separated from their parents at the border with Mexico and that our government has "lost!" My heart aches and I'm enraged at the cruelty. And my life goes on, apace. So I question again...how do I want to use my "free" time and energy? On which social challenges to focus - voting? ocean/waterway clean-up? Freeport theater? Freeport "arts council"? teaching dance? And what about my own creative endeavors and process? Writing? dancing? collaging? planting? I'll remember thatI want to give my energy to creating positive energy rather than fighting negative energy...the wolf I feed is the one that survives so let's make it the loving wolf rather than the greedy or hateful wolf. More physical activity for me and more meditative, praying activity on a regular basis. I do wish it would get warm as those activities would be easier then. Oh dear, I want "easier".
Grace, the boat, is moored in the Kennebunk River on our friends' mooring. I picked David and Amelia up on Saturday and now we're all ensconced in Lynne's house. We'll stay here for a couple weeks and do some of the repairs, refreshing on her house that need to be done to make it livable for renters or visitors. David fixed the plumbing in the basement so that we now have running water at every sink and flush toilets. Carrying water from the basement wasn't such a task but water in each faucet is better. Still no refrigeration except for bags of ice in the freezer. But that's working for us for the next couple of days. Tomorrow, or maybe tonight, I'll clean the mold from the inside of the refrigerator. Staying at Lynne's will allow us to focus on the work here, make a little extra cash and allow Spencer to stay in our house another week or so...and a little continued rent. I will, though, plant my pots with the flowers I bought on Friday and mow the yard and get some vegetable plants for the leach field pots...the place we have sun in the yard. But the house will remain Spencer's for a while longer.
Neighbors, Chris and Pam, are selling their house on the corner, having bought a bigger place with workshop to accommodate their boat(s). Chris was whipped out yesterday so David is helping him do stuff to make the house even more presentable befor going on the market tomorrow. Sweet house. Ask is $360,000. So that makes ours worth????? And, no, not yet ready to sell though this is a seller's market. No yet. Even though it is COLD today. I've three layers of long-sleeved shirts on, ending with a sweatshirt. I went to our house to find a hat! for warmth, not style.
We went to the Freeport Memorial Day celebration today, saw the RSU5 school bands play in the parade, and a couple of fire trucks and some children in various clubs walk by. Sweet, small town parade and memorial service in the town square park. A favorite of mine. Greeted Maggie and Shannon and congratulated Magz on her lacrosse tournament successes. She and Landon both played in the high school band. Got/gave hugs from/to both. Breakfast with the family at a local, crowded restaurant. This afternoon, after a nap, I went to Landon and Michael's house for a French horn "concert" by Landon. A new instrument for him. He enjoyed my attention. I enjoy him and his music and his energy. He and his dad seem to be in a more loving place than when I left. Perhaps the intensity of mourning Kelly, mom and wife, has subsided a bit and the possibility of life moving on in a positive direction is more apparent to both of them. I'm grateful to Divinity and to Kelly's spirit.
I'm so grateful, too, for the memorial celebration for Walter Stump. I got to greet his adult children - children do continue to grow into adults if we and they are lucky - saw some colleagues from my USM era (now 30+ years ago) most of whom I'd not seen in about that long. Ed Romanoff, FB friend, past USM student and fellow performer in summer musicals. What a delight to see him, Jeff Toorish and Bill Duffy again. Greeted two teacher colleagues who were never comfortable colleagues. In spite of the years I still think of them as greedy, dishonest, privileged white men who took advantage of every situation they could. I was totally surprised to note that one of those men was shorter than I am. I asked David about this surprising, to me, stature change. David said that man was never very tall. Hmmm. He was so intimidating to me, such a big personality, that I only remember being over-shadowed by him. Who knew? Clear to me that I have the confidence advantage now. I'm comfortable in my skin and with my life. No more fear of them or need to prove myself. Phew.
Had I been compelled to speak in the open mic section of remembering Walter I would have said: "Walter, Always a pleasure, sometimes a challenge. We did a bit of growing up together and made some important changes. Thank you for all the opportunities you opened before me. I'm deeply grateful and love you forever." It was sweet to see, through the stories his oldest son told and the video he put together, the family man and adventurer aspect of Walter. I only knew him as college professor, director, man who hired me and appreciated my ideas and energy...not as a dad, a husband, a man with life beyond the college theater department. Oldest son, Greg, looks like his dad; younger son, Geoff, is softer and less the performer; the youngest, Kim, is living in the family home in Gorham. I knew/know her the least. I was pleased to be there and glad I went alone, not having to mediate my attention to David with attention to others, or stand in his shadow. Just so I remember...I saw those mentioned plus Flash and Tina, Ron Cole who was chair of music department when I was at USM, Vicki pianist now teaching in RSU4, Lucy Rioux retiring from public school this year, Brenda who was secretary in theater dept, Glen Cummings, President who I've known in several different lives. It gives me joy to re-meet and remember these people.
My life is rich.
How easily I slip....The luxury. The waste... of running water, hot on demand, flush toilets, heat at the press of an index finger, a house of 5 rooms and a full basement. I'm shaking my head as I write. This opulence is as distressing as it is welcome. I despair (not really) at the efforts involved in balancing comfort/convenience and save the people and the planet.
And all those immigrant children that were separated from their parents at the border with Mexico and that our government has "lost!" My heart aches and I'm enraged at the cruelty. And my life goes on, apace. So I question again...how do I want to use my "free" time and energy? On which social challenges to focus - voting? ocean/waterway clean-up? Freeport theater? Freeport "arts council"? teaching dance? And what about my own creative endeavors and process? Writing? dancing? collaging? planting? I'll remember thatI want to give my energy to creating positive energy rather than fighting negative energy...the wolf I feed is the one that survives so let's make it the loving wolf rather than the greedy or hateful wolf. More physical activity for me and more meditative, praying activity on a regular basis. I do wish it would get warm as those activities would be easier then. Oh dear, I want "easier".
Grace, the boat, is moored in the Kennebunk River on our friends' mooring. I picked David and Amelia up on Saturday and now we're all ensconced in Lynne's house. We'll stay here for a couple weeks and do some of the repairs, refreshing on her house that need to be done to make it livable for renters or visitors. David fixed the plumbing in the basement so that we now have running water at every sink and flush toilets. Carrying water from the basement wasn't such a task but water in each faucet is better. Still no refrigeration except for bags of ice in the freezer. But that's working for us for the next couple of days. Tomorrow, or maybe tonight, I'll clean the mold from the inside of the refrigerator. Staying at Lynne's will allow us to focus on the work here, make a little extra cash and allow Spencer to stay in our house another week or so...and a little continued rent. I will, though, plant my pots with the flowers I bought on Friday and mow the yard and get some vegetable plants for the leach field pots...the place we have sun in the yard. But the house will remain Spencer's for a while longer.
Neighbors, Chris and Pam, are selling their house on the corner, having bought a bigger place with workshop to accommodate their boat(s). Chris was whipped out yesterday so David is helping him do stuff to make the house even more presentable befor going on the market tomorrow. Sweet house. Ask is $360,000. So that makes ours worth????? And, no, not yet ready to sell though this is a seller's market. No yet. Even though it is COLD today. I've three layers of long-sleeved shirts on, ending with a sweatshirt. I went to our house to find a hat! for warmth, not style.
We went to the Freeport Memorial Day celebration today, saw the RSU5 school bands play in the parade, and a couple of fire trucks and some children in various clubs walk by. Sweet, small town parade and memorial service in the town square park. A favorite of mine. Greeted Maggie and Shannon and congratulated Magz on her lacrosse tournament successes. She and Landon both played in the high school band. Got/gave hugs from/to both. Breakfast with the family at a local, crowded restaurant. This afternoon, after a nap, I went to Landon and Michael's house for a French horn "concert" by Landon. A new instrument for him. He enjoyed my attention. I enjoy him and his music and his energy. He and his dad seem to be in a more loving place than when I left. Perhaps the intensity of mourning Kelly, mom and wife, has subsided a bit and the possibility of life moving on in a positive direction is more apparent to both of them. I'm grateful to Divinity and to Kelly's spirit.
I'm so grateful, too, for the memorial celebration for Walter Stump. I got to greet his adult children - children do continue to grow into adults if we and they are lucky - saw some colleagues from my USM era (now 30+ years ago) most of whom I'd not seen in about that long. Ed Romanoff, FB friend, past USM student and fellow performer in summer musicals. What a delight to see him, Jeff Toorish and Bill Duffy again. Greeted two teacher colleagues who were never comfortable colleagues. In spite of the years I still think of them as greedy, dishonest, privileged white men who took advantage of every situation they could. I was totally surprised to note that one of those men was shorter than I am. I asked David about this surprising, to me, stature change. David said that man was never very tall. Hmmm. He was so intimidating to me, such a big personality, that I only remember being over-shadowed by him. Who knew? Clear to me that I have the confidence advantage now. I'm comfortable in my skin and with my life. No more fear of them or need to prove myself. Phew.
Had I been compelled to speak in the open mic section of remembering Walter I would have said: "Walter, Always a pleasure, sometimes a challenge. We did a bit of growing up together and made some important changes. Thank you for all the opportunities you opened before me. I'm deeply grateful and love you forever." It was sweet to see, through the stories his oldest son told and the video he put together, the family man and adventurer aspect of Walter. I only knew him as college professor, director, man who hired me and appreciated my ideas and energy...not as a dad, a husband, a man with life beyond the college theater department. Oldest son, Greg, looks like his dad; younger son, Geoff, is softer and less the performer; the youngest, Kim, is living in the family home in Gorham. I knew/know her the least. I was pleased to be there and glad I went alone, not having to mediate my attention to David with attention to others, or stand in his shadow. Just so I remember...I saw those mentioned plus Flash and Tina, Ron Cole who was chair of music department when I was at USM, Vicki pianist now teaching in RSU4, Lucy Rioux retiring from public school this year, Brenda who was secretary in theater dept, Glen Cummings, President who I've known in several different lives. It gives me joy to re-meet and remember these people.
My life is rich.
Saturday, May 26, 2018
Land-bound, Freeport, ME
5/26/18 Freeport - Lynne's house
I did sincerely try to do nothing. Nada. didn't work. So the striving was to do only what interested me. Okay. But I was awake and up at 4:30 A.M. and it was light outside. I puttered in lynne's house. Separated, finished separating 6 months of mail in to "his, hers, ours, boat" piles. TIAA got its own separate pile. The piles are spread on the kitchen counter and there's a large bag of paper to recycle as well.
The azalea is at the side of our driveway. Another is purple and at the back side of the house.
Visit and feed Shannon's cats I think Alex has a bladder infection or something. He's mean and he is not a mean cat and he licks his behind a lot. Ugh. Then to the resale stores in town looking for a light sweater to wear. This in spite of the fact that I lament the fact that I have so may clothes. When searching our house yesterday I found my rain jacket. I'll make another small search tomorrow to see what I have that will keep me warm on chilly tomorrow. I'd like to spread everything from the cedar chest out and start eliminating ast but resist until I've seen our tenant, not wanting to tread on his space.
Shower, trim my hair.
Visit the Freeport Players/Community Chorus yard sale. Bought a book and made my annual donation.
Lunch from the Nappi's store.
Home to Lynne's for a nap - that 4:30 a.m. rising was now getting deflated.
This garden by the front door needs "refreshing." But the bleeding heart thrives.
I did take my coffee down to Kelly's swing overlooking the pond. We have red winged black birds this spring. Joy
Met Lynne for tea/coffee outside Brunswick and we went together to buy plants for our flower pots. On my! that was an expensive trip...in the rain. Tomorrow it is supposed to be cold so not sure when I plant.
All day I was conscious of not wanting to fall into those unconscious patterns of behavior and purposefully did other things...out of pattern. I DID buy chocolate this afternoon....and enjoyed it tonight after dinner.
David made it to Kennebunk and is on a friend's mooring tonight. I'll pick him and Amelia up tomorrow morning. Decided to not try to organize moving off the boat after the long day of motoring. And after dinner here I did some major cleaning just to make Lynne's house more comfortable for me/us for the next several days while the winds, again, loose their breeze. I did not make it to the play I want to see. There are so many responsibilities on land, many fewer on the boat. Too much stuff. Too many attachments...to things and places.
The azalea is at the side of our driveway. Another is purple and at the back side of the house.
Visit and feed Shannon's cats I think Alex has a bladder infection or something. He's mean and he is not a mean cat and he licks his behind a lot. Ugh. Then to the resale stores in town looking for a light sweater to wear. This in spite of the fact that I lament the fact that I have so may clothes. When searching our house yesterday I found my rain jacket. I'll make another small search tomorrow to see what I have that will keep me warm on chilly tomorrow. I'd like to spread everything from the cedar chest out and start eliminating ast but resist until I've seen our tenant, not wanting to tread on his space.
Shower, trim my hair.
Visit the Freeport Players/Community Chorus yard sale. Bought a book and made my annual donation.
Lunch from the Nappi's store.
Home to Lynne's for a nap - that 4:30 a.m. rising was now getting deflated.
I did take my coffee down to Kelly's swing overlooking the pond. We have red winged black birds this spring. Joy
Met Lynne for tea/coffee outside Brunswick and we went together to buy plants for our flower pots. On my! that was an expensive trip...in the rain. Tomorrow it is supposed to be cold so not sure when I plant.
All day I was conscious of not wanting to fall into those unconscious patterns of behavior and purposefully did other things...out of pattern. I DID buy chocolate this afternoon....and enjoyed it tonight after dinner.
David made it to Kennebunk and is on a friend's mooring tonight. I'll pick him and Amelia up tomorrow morning. Decided to not try to organize moving off the boat after the long day of motoring. And after dinner here I did some major cleaning just to make Lynne's house more comfortable for me/us for the next several days while the winds, again, loose their breeze. I did not make it to the play I want to see. There are so many responsibilities on land, many fewer on the boat. Too much stuff. Too many attachments...to things and places.
Friday, May 25, 2018
transportation, Freeport, ME
5/25/18 . Freeport, ME
It all started with a dinghy ride and a brisk walk. Then the commuter train from Gloucester to Boston, the Orange Line and the Red Line from North Station to South Station. Then Concord CoachLines, then a car, another car, my feet and here I am.....at Lynne's house on Laver's Pond Road, just two houses down from my house. Ta Da!!!
I said goodbye to Amelia and David and I dinghyed to the other side of Gloucester Harbor. Had a lovely chat with Harbor Master, Chad, who helped us with directions to the Commuter train. A beautiful morning for a walk and Gloucester has such varied and interesting architecture. The train was a double-decker. I gave David a smooch, on the lips! something we'd not been doing since his virus illness. He's recovered enough and, besides, I am going to be away for at least 4 days. Full frontal smooches are required under these circumstances.
I totally loved the top deck of the double decker train. I loved looking out to sea through the islands we'd just passed yesterday on our way to Gloucester, but seeing them (sort of) from the land perspective. It was so GREEN! I've been obsessed and inundated with blue lately and on land there is so much spring GREEN. And flowers, colorful flowers. (I'm going to buy and plant some tomorrow!!!! And go to the Bath Farmers' Market if it isn't raining....maybe.)
I kept thinking about the train going underground for a long way but realized I was thinking of the commuter trains in NYC. The Boston bound train was underground only briefly. I exited into the subway station and, thank goodness, there are now "navigators" at the ticket vending machines to guide innocents like me. I could always R E A D the instructions and figure it out but how civilized to have someone ask if I needed help and then figure out what I needed to do - take the Orange line to somewhere, TownCrossing?, and trade for the Red Line to South Station. Piece of cake. The navigator put my money in the vending machine, gave me my ticket and two tokens. Tokens??? Yep. The vending machines give you your change in tokens. That must mean another trip to Boston in the not too distant future. Or else mail them to some friends going to Boston.
South Station. Bought my bus ticket. Stood in line and chatted with strangers and less strangers as it turned out. Talked with a woman who'd "helped" with David's campaign the first time he ran for the legislature. She'd done a numerology reading for hi and predicted he would win by a very close margin. That's how it happened.
Bus to Portland. Sharyl arrived to give me a ride to Freeport. Lunch together. Drop me at Shannon's where I petted the cats, checked their food and water and picked up mail and my car. Phew! Almost home. Food store and post office and.....stopped in our house to pick up the keys to Lynne's house, saw down the hill Sue who invited me to hotdogs over the fire pit on the beach. Perfect!
I unloaded the car at Lynne's, walked around my house but didn't want to explore too much, especially inside. First, it feels a little as if I'm invading our "renters" privacy even though both encouraged me to stay there as they are out of town. But, no. I also want to do that particular piece of re-entry with David. I'm noticing that it would be so very easy to fall back into exactly the same routine and habits we've developed at/in that space of our home.I'd like to interrupt that unconscious return to habits, would rather examine them more carefully and make a clear decision. Habits are good in that they often save time. If I put my glasses in the same place when I take them off, or the keys in the same place when I come home, then I'm less likely to have to search, high and low, for them each time they're needed.
But not all habits are helpful. Being gone from land home for six months gives opportunity to explore habits to keep and ones to release. Similarly, I loved going to Sue and Kris' for hotdogs. I rarely do that. Such fun to chat with them and daughter, Emily, and Kris's mom....Mrs Jennings. Post dogs I stopped at Landon and Mike's just to say hello. I could tell they were glad to see me. This re-entry stuff is....I'm being cautious. I could have gone to the last "Just Deserts" community concert. I love the band that is playing and I'd have enjoyed the music and the company but it is too soon to engage with a bunch of loved people. I'll take a couple at a time rather than the group.
Cautious. Looking for variety, maybe...something different than my regular habits. What I enjoy on the boat, among many things and aspects, is living with less, engaging differently with people. Not sure exactly what/how differently but...something. It is just too easy to do the same things I've been doing here on land for the past 5 years....being responsive to various groups Ive supported in various ways, seeing the same people but, often remaining only on the surface...maintaining a "position" with people. Hmmmm.
So now I'm in Lynne's house and will go in the morning to hang with Shannon's cats, maybe to the Farmers' market not to buy stuff but to look at the abundance, maybe get flowers there (?). Perhaps I will go into our house to get some work shorts and socks so I can plant and weed - my favorite things. Lynne's house is not comfortable. It has been vacant - abandoned, un-lived-in - for too long...dirty, dusty, moldy, refrigerator doesn't work and the water in the basement work sink can't be turned off when the water main is turned on. And I don't want to just start taking care of Lynne's house....again. And I appreciate its availability to me and to past visitors.
Blah blah blah blah blah blah. Missing David and Amelia, pleased to see Sharyl and to "dine" with the Jennings and to be here, now.
It all started with a dinghy ride and a brisk walk. Then the commuter train from Gloucester to Boston, the Orange Line and the Red Line from North Station to South Station. Then Concord CoachLines, then a car, another car, my feet and here I am.....at Lynne's house on Laver's Pond Road, just two houses down from my house. Ta Da!!!
I said goodbye to Amelia and David and I dinghyed to the other side of Gloucester Harbor. Had a lovely chat with Harbor Master, Chad, who helped us with directions to the Commuter train. A beautiful morning for a walk and Gloucester has such varied and interesting architecture. The train was a double-decker. I gave David a smooch, on the lips! something we'd not been doing since his virus illness. He's recovered enough and, besides, I am going to be away for at least 4 days. Full frontal smooches are required under these circumstances.
I totally loved the top deck of the double decker train. I loved looking out to sea through the islands we'd just passed yesterday on our way to Gloucester, but seeing them (sort of) from the land perspective. It was so GREEN! I've been obsessed and inundated with blue lately and on land there is so much spring GREEN. And flowers, colorful flowers. (I'm going to buy and plant some tomorrow!!!! And go to the Bath Farmers' Market if it isn't raining....maybe.)
I kept thinking about the train going underground for a long way but realized I was thinking of the commuter trains in NYC. The Boston bound train was underground only briefly. I exited into the subway station and, thank goodness, there are now "navigators" at the ticket vending machines to guide innocents like me. I could always R E A D the instructions and figure it out but how civilized to have someone ask if I needed help and then figure out what I needed to do - take the Orange line to somewhere, TownCrossing?, and trade for the Red Line to South Station. Piece of cake. The navigator put my money in the vending machine, gave me my ticket and two tokens. Tokens??? Yep. The vending machines give you your change in tokens. That must mean another trip to Boston in the not too distant future. Or else mail them to some friends going to Boston.
South Station. Bought my bus ticket. Stood in line and chatted with strangers and less strangers as it turned out. Talked with a woman who'd "helped" with David's campaign the first time he ran for the legislature. She'd done a numerology reading for hi and predicted he would win by a very close margin. That's how it happened.
Bus to Portland. Sharyl arrived to give me a ride to Freeport. Lunch together. Drop me at Shannon's where I petted the cats, checked their food and water and picked up mail and my car. Phew! Almost home. Food store and post office and.....stopped in our house to pick up the keys to Lynne's house, saw down the hill Sue who invited me to hotdogs over the fire pit on the beach. Perfect!
I unloaded the car at Lynne's, walked around my house but didn't want to explore too much, especially inside. First, it feels a little as if I'm invading our "renters" privacy even though both encouraged me to stay there as they are out of town. But, no. I also want to do that particular piece of re-entry with David. I'm noticing that it would be so very easy to fall back into exactly the same routine and habits we've developed at/in that space of our home.I'd like to interrupt that unconscious return to habits, would rather examine them more carefully and make a clear decision. Habits are good in that they often save time. If I put my glasses in the same place when I take them off, or the keys in the same place when I come home, then I'm less likely to have to search, high and low, for them each time they're needed.
But not all habits are helpful. Being gone from land home for six months gives opportunity to explore habits to keep and ones to release. Similarly, I loved going to Sue and Kris' for hotdogs. I rarely do that. Such fun to chat with them and daughter, Emily, and Kris's mom....Mrs Jennings. Post dogs I stopped at Landon and Mike's just to say hello. I could tell they were glad to see me. This re-entry stuff is....I'm being cautious. I could have gone to the last "Just Deserts" community concert. I love the band that is playing and I'd have enjoyed the music and the company but it is too soon to engage with a bunch of loved people. I'll take a couple at a time rather than the group.
Cautious. Looking for variety, maybe...something different than my regular habits. What I enjoy on the boat, among many things and aspects, is living with less, engaging differently with people. Not sure exactly what/how differently but...something. It is just too easy to do the same things I've been doing here on land for the past 5 years....being responsive to various groups Ive supported in various ways, seeing the same people but, often remaining only on the surface...maintaining a "position" with people. Hmmmm.
So now I'm in Lynne's house and will go in the morning to hang with Shannon's cats, maybe to the Farmers' market not to buy stuff but to look at the abundance, maybe get flowers there (?). Perhaps I will go into our house to get some work shorts and socks so I can plant and weed - my favorite things. Lynne's house is not comfortable. It has been vacant - abandoned, un-lived-in - for too long...dirty, dusty, moldy, refrigerator doesn't work and the water in the basement work sink can't be turned off when the water main is turned on. And I don't want to just start taking care of Lynne's house....again. And I appreciate its availability to me and to past visitors.
Blah blah blah blah blah blah. Missing David and Amelia, pleased to see Sharyl and to "dine" with the Jennings and to be here, now.
Thursday, May 24, 2018
uncluttered space, Scituate, MA
5/25/18 Gloucester, MA
The trip from Point Judith to Scituate, MA was calm and lovely as I recall. The regular lookout for lobster pots (now instead of crab pots), other boats, wakes. I sort of remember that it was beautiful, sunny and calm. David is mending but still I'm at the helm most of the day.
I was at the helm as we left the port of refuge, David on the foredeck securing the anchor. He scurried back to ask if I knew if the water was deep all the way to the breakwater. Yes. It is easy to be annoyed at his surprise (?), lack of confidence (?) in my abilities and attention. Then, we all can loose focus or attention. But, YES, I do know the water is deep enough where I'm steering. Let's see, I've been managing this boat for more than three days now.
Point Judith, up the coast was mostly uneventful. David did some time at the helm while I read my new-to-me mystery novel by Louise Penny...the Inspector Gaumach mysteries. I enjoy them and have now completed three and looking forward to the next one I find. I was told to read them in proper sequence but I can't manage that in the give/take sailor libraries. No matter.
I was back at the helm as we entered the channel leading to the Cape Cod Canal. Our plan was to stop overnight at Onset and visit friends, Jayne and Gary. I woke David a couple of miles from our turn into Onset. We had a quick discussion and decided to keep going. We had the current going into the canal and exiting the other side. Only another day of good traveling weather before the winds pick up too much. So....
Apologies and regrets to Jayne and Gary and on we steam past that turn...not taken.
David and I both commented how beautiful and wonderful it is that the canal constructors (Army Corp of Engineers?) also make bike/run pathways/green spaces all along the canal. This is true of the Chesapeake & Delaware Canal, too. Such a wonderful "gift" of nature to citizens along the way...both boaters and land lovers.
The Mass Maritime Academy is at the southern end of the canal. This tower and its mate are on the bridge across from the Academy and the entrance to the canal. The hat of the tin man.
I buttoned everything down to exit the northern end as my first experience with the CCC was coming into that end and being in a fast washing machine cycle. Scared and pissed.
This time? About as calm as anyone could ask!
And at the other end of the canal......
Massachusetts was at my back on the port side of the boat. Cape Code is way out there in the distance to the starboard side with one boat on the horizon. But really....this is the joy of sailing and open space, uncluttered space.....
of course, the sunny, CALM seas, and light wind make it possible to enjoy the open, empty space.
the passage to Scituate, MA, was so fine.
David took the helm about 6:30 PM because...I was tired and don't see well at night and he was rested up and feeling pretty good. He brought us into the harbor and we "borrowed" a mooring overnight. An easy dinner by "candle light" (little solar lights). Bed early for an early start tomorrow....both to vacate our borrowed mooring and the beat the increasingly windy weather. The early part of the trip was pretty bouncy. Settled an hour into it.
We came into the harbor and borrowed another mooring so we could change the oil while the engine/oil was still hot. A necessary task completed. And while we were in our work clothes be decided to empty the composting toilet. That was a more disgusting than usual job but also completed.
Into the inner harbor to Brown's Marine Yard. We love Valarie who is the dock person there. We have a four year history with her now.
Fuel. Water. Get rid of garbage. Get rid of the sea trash we'd collected - two plastic buckets and a partly full 5 gallon oil bin. We passed up another 4 or 5 balloons that we just couldn't get.
And now we've been to the laundry mat and have clean underwear and clean sheets...also some outer clothes, too. Joy. And we're on a mooring looking out to sea but we're in calm waters. Beginning to bob up and down on the mooring as the wind increases.
Tomorrow morning I get on a train and a bus to go to Freeport. Sunday I'll attend a memorial service for a beloved colleague who passed in the fall. He hired me to teach at University of Southern Maine and we grew up a bit together. Seems I've said this before. Dr. Walter Stump directed summer musical theater for which I choreographed and performed for a number of years. And for 10+ years I was the dance program at the college. I loved the teaching, and choreographing and directing student choreography for the Spring Dance Performance each year. I'm looking forward to seeing other people who loved Walter.
David and Amelia will sit out Friday and maybe travel on Saturday to Portsmouth. I'll join them again, somewhere, on Monday or Tuesday.
Our "away" journey is nearly ending for this year. It has not been an easy journey this winter...boat mechanical issues and often lousy weather. Still....great to be....and be onboard with David.
Some leftover photos:
The trip from Point Judith to Scituate, MA was calm and lovely as I recall. The regular lookout for lobster pots (now instead of crab pots), other boats, wakes. I sort of remember that it was beautiful, sunny and calm. David is mending but still I'm at the helm most of the day.
Point Judith, up the coast was mostly uneventful. David did some time at the helm while I read my new-to-me mystery novel by Louise Penny...the Inspector Gaumach mysteries. I enjoy them and have now completed three and looking forward to the next one I find. I was told to read them in proper sequence but I can't manage that in the give/take sailor libraries. No matter.
I was back at the helm as we entered the channel leading to the Cape Cod Canal. Our plan was to stop overnight at Onset and visit friends, Jayne and Gary. I woke David a couple of miles from our turn into Onset. We had a quick discussion and decided to keep going. We had the current going into the canal and exiting the other side. Only another day of good traveling weather before the winds pick up too much. So....
David and I both commented how beautiful and wonderful it is that the canal constructors (Army Corp of Engineers?) also make bike/run pathways/green spaces all along the canal. This is true of the Chesapeake & Delaware Canal, too. Such a wonderful "gift" of nature to citizens along the way...both boaters and land lovers.
The Mass Maritime Academy is at the southern end of the canal. This tower and its mate are on the bridge across from the Academy and the entrance to the canal. The hat of the tin man.
I buttoned everything down to exit the northern end as my first experience with the CCC was coming into that end and being in a fast washing machine cycle. Scared and pissed.
This time? About as calm as anyone could ask!
And at the other end of the canal......
Massachusetts was at my back on the port side of the boat. Cape Code is way out there in the distance to the starboard side with one boat on the horizon. But really....this is the joy of sailing and open space, uncluttered space.....
of course, the sunny, CALM seas, and light wind make it possible to enjoy the open, empty space.
the passage to Scituate, MA, was so fine.
David took the helm about 6:30 PM because...I was tired and don't see well at night and he was rested up and feeling pretty good. He brought us into the harbor and we "borrowed" a mooring overnight. An easy dinner by "candle light" (little solar lights). Bed early for an early start tomorrow....both to vacate our borrowed mooring and the beat the increasingly windy weather. The early part of the trip was pretty bouncy. Settled an hour into it.
 |
| This "Pinky" sailed by our mooring. A beauty! |
Into the inner harbor to Brown's Marine Yard. We love Valarie who is the dock person there. We have a four year history with her now.
Fuel. Water. Get rid of garbage. Get rid of the sea trash we'd collected - two plastic buckets and a partly full 5 gallon oil bin. We passed up another 4 or 5 balloons that we just couldn't get.
And now we've been to the laundry mat and have clean underwear and clean sheets...also some outer clothes, too. Joy. And we're on a mooring looking out to sea but we're in calm waters. Beginning to bob up and down on the mooring as the wind increases.
Tomorrow morning I get on a train and a bus to go to Freeport. Sunday I'll attend a memorial service for a beloved colleague who passed in the fall. He hired me to teach at University of Southern Maine and we grew up a bit together. Seems I've said this before. Dr. Walter Stump directed summer musical theater for which I choreographed and performed for a number of years. And for 10+ years I was the dance program at the college. I loved the teaching, and choreographing and directing student choreography for the Spring Dance Performance each year. I'm looking forward to seeing other people who loved Walter.
David and Amelia will sit out Friday and maybe travel on Saturday to Portsmouth. I'll join them again, somewhere, on Monday or Tuesday.
Our "away" journey is nearly ending for this year. It has not been an easy journey this winter...boat mechanical issues and often lousy weather. Still....great to be....and be onboard with David.
Some leftover photos:
 |
| The Galley on a better day than post-thunderstorm |
 |
| The Port Washington Swan family |
 |
| They are just TOO CUTE |
 |
| Port Jefferson sunset |
 |
| The amazing Maggie, my great niece, who will play on the Maine Lacrosse team in Port Jefferson this weekend! |
Tuesday, May 22, 2018
tired of rain, Point Judith, RI
5/22/18 Point Judith, RI (who knew Point Judith was in RI? Not me. Google rocks)
Tired of rain. tired of cold. tired of sick sail mates. tired of being at the helm all day. Just tired.
And, I've loved the quiet of David sleeping through the days as I guided (with the help of the GPS) Grace over the water. Watching the water go by. Sometimes reading. sometimes crocheting. Always checking the surroundings for surprise boats or waves or lobster pots or ferry wakes or just checking around and enjoying the sun that was yesterday all day with fair winds and seas. Hard to resolve the conflicting feelings - loving the quiet observation time and being tired of the responsibility and work of paying attention all the time....has something to do with rain and cold, today/tonight...the difficulty.
This (to the right) is where my day started. Truly, how bad can life be if I can sink my feet into white sand, salute the sun facing the sun on this beach with my eyes closed. There were tracks in the sand among my own...fiddler crab and seagull tracks...and a sandcastle community protected by a moot that had leaked all its water.
The Thames Yacht Club where we had a slip because the mooring balls were not yet out. Nobody home at the club but folks we met on the dock let us in for showers, two within three days. My skin might fall off it's so unaccustomed to such showering attention.
And here's the sunset from the night before, that would be Monday, 5/21. It's beautiful here. I didn't know the river had a beach. I wonder where David Dorfman's house is and where does he keep his boat? Couldn't easily reach him but did try...sort of...email.
Yesterday morning David was still not well, even after sleeping much of the day from Port Washington to Port Jefferson. So I nixed the trip to Shelter Island to visit Don & Diane. I was just not willing to chance my having to anchor or dock or even navigate a complicated passage among islands without David's full participation.
So we called D & D and Dick & Nora to let them know we'd had to change plans, not wanting to expose them to whatever germs David had either. But before we left....
the local swans came by...we thought just to say hello and to welcome us. Nope. Beggars. Entrepreneurs. Opportunists. And so very elegant.
They circled the boat a couple times. I gave them some raisin bran flakes. Totally not what they wanted.
There were also geese but they kept their distance and I saw one large white-tailed deer.
We left Port Jefferson around 8:30 knowing we had at least an 8 hour day of travel in order to get to New London. David slept most of the day, not eating, bathroom/head visits, more sleep. Fever, which worried/worries me. It was a beautiful, beautiful day of sun and quiet, easy passage...except for being alert and in charge alone, rather than shared. Of course, had there been questions or danger, David would have awakened and helped. No need.
The GPS, electronic chart showing the topography of the Long Island Sound bottom we were going over. This was somewhere a little more than half way across. It was so interesting. The surface of the water swirled and made eddies and ripples and wiggles just like the chart pictured below. Nothing vigorous or violent but definitely similar to the contours of the bottom, some 94'-157' below me.
Reminds me, also, of the patterns in oak flooring in the Bath dance studio that I love. I find it really beautiful and want to color it.
On to New London and this very formal, very British (?), very collegiate looking lighthouse at the entrance to the Thames river.
I had a great night's sleep, back in the berth with David but not on his end of the bed. Still suspicious of his illness and not wanting to share his germs, though I did appreciate his warmth.
This morning after the beach sun salute I Ubered to the grocery store. David was not feeling up to a trip to Defender so, for sure, he is under the weather, still. He did hydrate Amelia while I was away and check the engine oil and was ready to leave when I returned.
Not quite as long a day at the helm, only about 5 hours. Tomorrow will be another long day of 8+ hours. Our goal is to get to Onset tomorrow so we can visit with Jayne and Gary before they head to Martha's Vineyard for their summer chartering.
And, hopefully, my captain will be well by then. He's hungry now. We had potato soup...homemade by me...for dinner. Being hungry is a good sign and the fever has broken. It is raining and a little windy tonight but skies are predicted to clear and be warmer by morning.
Tired of rain. tired of cold. tired of sick sail mates. tired of being at the helm all day. Just tired.
And, I've loved the quiet of David sleeping through the days as I guided (with the help of the GPS) Grace over the water. Watching the water go by. Sometimes reading. sometimes crocheting. Always checking the surroundings for surprise boats or waves or lobster pots or ferry wakes or just checking around and enjoying the sun that was yesterday all day with fair winds and seas. Hard to resolve the conflicting feelings - loving the quiet observation time and being tired of the responsibility and work of paying attention all the time....has something to do with rain and cold, today/tonight...the difficulty.
This (to the right) is where my day started. Truly, how bad can life be if I can sink my feet into white sand, salute the sun facing the sun on this beach with my eyes closed. There were tracks in the sand among my own...fiddler crab and seagull tracks...and a sandcastle community protected by a moot that had leaked all its water.
The Thames Yacht Club where we had a slip because the mooring balls were not yet out. Nobody home at the club but folks we met on the dock let us in for showers, two within three days. My skin might fall off it's so unaccustomed to such showering attention.
Yesterday morning David was still not well, even after sleeping much of the day from Port Washington to Port Jefferson. So I nixed the trip to Shelter Island to visit Don & Diane. I was just not willing to chance my having to anchor or dock or even navigate a complicated passage among islands without David's full participation.
So we called D & D and Dick & Nora to let them know we'd had to change plans, not wanting to expose them to whatever germs David had either. But before we left....
the local swans came by...we thought just to say hello and to welcome us. Nope. Beggars. Entrepreneurs. Opportunists. And so very elegant.
They circled the boat a couple times. I gave them some raisin bran flakes. Totally not what they wanted.
There were also geese but they kept their distance and I saw one large white-tailed deer.
We left Port Jefferson around 8:30 knowing we had at least an 8 hour day of travel in order to get to New London. David slept most of the day, not eating, bathroom/head visits, more sleep. Fever, which worried/worries me. It was a beautiful, beautiful day of sun and quiet, easy passage...except for being alert and in charge alone, rather than shared. Of course, had there been questions or danger, David would have awakened and helped. No need.
Reminds me, also, of the patterns in oak flooring in the Bath dance studio that I love. I find it really beautiful and want to color it.
On to New London and this very formal, very British (?), very collegiate looking lighthouse at the entrance to the Thames river.
I had a great night's sleep, back in the berth with David but not on his end of the bed. Still suspicious of his illness and not wanting to share his germs, though I did appreciate his warmth.
This morning after the beach sun salute I Ubered to the grocery store. David was not feeling up to a trip to Defender so, for sure, he is under the weather, still. He did hydrate Amelia while I was away and check the engine oil and was ready to leave when I returned.
Not quite as long a day at the helm, only about 5 hours. Tomorrow will be another long day of 8+ hours. Our goal is to get to Onset tomorrow so we can visit with Jayne and Gary before they head to Martha's Vineyard for their summer chartering.
And, hopefully, my captain will be well by then. He's hungry now. We had potato soup...homemade by me...for dinner. Being hungry is a good sign and the fever has broken. It is raining and a little windy tonight but skies are predicted to clear and be warmer by morning.
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