1/23/16   Saturday    Ft Myers, FL

EXHAUSTING. Thank goodness we're on a mooring but even still.... Winds throughout the night between 20-25 knots. And today up to 38 knots seen on the instruments with reports of gusting to 50 knots. We were like what I imagine being on a bunking bronco would feel like...for nearly 24 hours. And the wind whistled and the rigging shook. There were more noises than we could identify...especially distressing at night. Not a lot of easy sleeping last night.

waves reached 2.5-3 feet

One boat nearby broke its mooring line and has ended up grounded on the nearby island. No one was on the boat and it doesn't look too damaged. Can't be sure what the bottom looks like.

Not us.

Nothing to do today but lay or sit low. We checked on the rudder which is showing some wear and sounding sloppy in the erratic seas. We'll check that more completely tomorrow and, perhaps, spend some time and money on MORE MAINTENANCE. David pointed out that we've used this boat hard over the past 4 months, much more than we ever used Compass Rose in her entire life w/us. True.
David took a long nap this afternoon and I read and colored and, after the wind and water settled a bit made roast chicken and beets for dinner.

Interesting to get to a place, not of fear but of realization that there is nothing to do to change the situation. You/we just have to go through it, as prepared as possible to respond to any eventuality.

The book I'm reading is disturbing, Running With Scissors, A Memoir by Augusten Burroughs. I'm reminded of a conversation with cousin Kay about how whatever our childhood and family life is, it is our "normal" and we survive (usually, to some degree, at least). Our instinct is to survive. We judge all others based on our "normal". Often we judge harshly. Often the "normal" needs to change for our health and the health of society. Well, yes. I think so. I don't want filth and abuse to be anyone's "normal". But not everyone needs to adhere to my "normal" or to American "normal" or, or, or... Not sure where I'm going with this thinking except to recognize that "normal" is a societal and cultural construct and, perhaps, we can expand our/my idea of "normal" or loose that concept all together (?).  Okay, enough rambling...for the moment.

It is getting cold and I'm totally looking forward to low winds, warm sun and calm seas tomorrow. But tonight the moon is brilliant. And Amelia knows how to deal with inclement weather.

stranded boat and rising full moon in the trees

Weathering the weather

even looks cold