Is That Us In That Magazine?!

Our article ... Page 1 of  3

 

When we recently received an email from Don asking if he could include us in his Sailing Life magazine, we didn't hesitate to say "Sure".  Next thing you know, Ken and I are in the February, 2014 edition!  We were happy to be included in the magazine, and as it turns out we're amongst "friends" ... other cruisers that we follow.  We're sharing the February issue with Tasha & Ryan from "Turf to Surf", Sheryl & Paul from "Distant Shores", Matt & Jessica from "MJ Sailing",  Peter & Jody from "Where the Coconuts Grow" and Eric & Jackie from "Sail Makai".  Other than Eric & Jackie, I feel like I know everyone else and hope to meet up someday.

Peter & Jody from "Where The Coconuts Grow" ...

 

The article about Ken and I explains why we've chosen to sell everything to live on a 30 foot sailboat.  Some folks ask if we'll panic when the house sells ... we're so over that house that I can definitively say "NO"!  If you want to read the entire article and the other articles by the cruisers that I've mentioned, just click here for the "Sailing Life" app from iTunes.  Don has a great magazine, so check it out.  Thanks Don!

 

Hasta luego ... until then.  Mid-Life Cruising!

Confessions Of A Couch Potato

When I finally live on our sailboat ... I'll gladly trade the couch for the cockpit!

I admit it.  Until I have potlucks and sunsets to distract me, I love being a couch potato.  Until I have to do without, I enjoy my sofa and my air conditioning after a day's work.  Truth be told, I'm kind of an introvert and dealing with people all day wears me out.  I need my time with just Ken, or myself.  Of course you know what comes with being a couch potato ... the television.  Yep, I'm guilty of watching too much tv.  In my defense, I'm learning stuff!

The majority of television shows suck.  Reality tv ... the drama, the lack of morals and the lack of reality make me question my intelligence after watching a few minutes.  I refuse to watch it.  Ken and I enjoy a few crime/drama shows, but when I find myself alone with the remote I love watching documentaries.  The Discovery Channel, History Channel, TLC ... just about any documentary grabs my attention. 

The past couple of weeks I actually came across several interesting topics.  During "Shark Week" (which is starting to have a little too much "reality" itself) I was comforted to learn that bull sharks reside in Lake Pontchartrain.  Yep, the same Lake Pontchartrain that we sail in, swim in, and that flows into our backyard canal.  Actually, I had already heard that those aggressive sharks were out there, but I try to forget about that.  It was interesting to see folks from UNO doing research in the lake (I swear I saw our old waterfront neighborhood in the background) and placing tracking devices on the sharks to find out if they ever leave the area.  The researchers are thinking they never leave, but are waiting to see what the devices show.  As long as I don't hear about an attack or see a fin, I'll keep swimming.  Oh, but I'd better keep my head out of the water because there's that brain-eating bacteria going around that enters through your nose.  Geez!

Then there was the special called "WEED" by Dr. Sanjay Gupta.  He used to be against pot, but after learning more about it he couldn't ignore its medicinal effects.  He couldn't ignore the story about the little girl whose life was consumed by seizures, and whose body was worn down and near death.  Now that she's been receiving doses of marijuana (before you judge, the little girl doesn't get high off the weed - a low THC variety) she's a normal kid, with very few seizures.  Dr. Gupta also learned that a lot of research is going on in Israel and get this ... the old folks in the nursing home smoke pot that is provided by the government!  It seems that smoking pot helps delay dementia, as well as slow down brain degeneration.  It also helps with uncontrollable shaking and muscle spasms, as well as reduces nausea (cancer patients come to mind).  Of course, some folks do smoke too much which can cause addiction and way too much slacking off.  However, it seems that it's about time to stop ignoring the possibilities that this plant may bring.  Heck, one of my favorite pair of pants are made from hemp ... they're really comfortable.

When my mom called to tell me that a special narrated by Richard Gere (love him) about "The Buddha" was coming on, I had to watch that too.  I started taking a real interest in Buddhism about 7 years ago, and for me it's not so much a religion as a way of life.  The Buddhist teachings are about simplicity and empathy, with no room for ego, envy or materialism.  The special told the story of Buddha, who didn't have a miraculous conception or rise from the dead.  He was just a normal man ... a very rich man in the beginning, but normal.  I don't want to drag this post on, so I'll write another post soon about his story.  I think it's pretty interesting.  While I agree with the Buddhist teachings and do my best to follow them, I'm not gonna lie ...  I still have a problem with having compassion for everybody.  Most people sure, but all people ... I don't know if I'll ever get there.   I just have a hard time having compassion for those who don't help themselves.  As far as living without ego, envy or materialism ... I'm good.  Heck, I'm trying to sell everything and live on a small sailboat named "Nirvana".

Oh, and I haven't watched recently but I love "Ancient Aliens".  It's a weekly show on the History Channel that's shares theories about aliens visiting our planet many years ago.  Whether you believe or not, there's some really interesting facts on the show ... along with the theories.  One show was about Hitler and his obsession with aliens and flying saucers (who knew?!).  Some folks believe his fascination with aliens gave him insight into creating weapons, including the infamous "Bell" ... a multi-dimensional motor that neutralized gravity.  Dare I admit ... since I was a teenager I've always thought that aliens could very well be the "missing link".  Think about it.  I'm not saying it's a firm belief, but just a thought.  I'm open-minded enough to consider it.

Being lazy and vegging out isn't all that bad.  See what I learned while being a couch potato?!

Hasta luego ... until then.  Mid-Life Cruising! 

Fear On Two Wheels!

Daytona Bike Week 1999 ... before I learned to ride

When I heard that Torre DeRoche of "Love With A Chance of Drowning" was running a writing competition about fear, I thought I'd participate.  After all, facing my fears has changed my self-perception and my life.

For years I'd been wanting to throw my leg over a motorcycle, feel the rumble underneath me while revving the motor, and ride on down the highway with the wind blowing my hair.  Even as a little girl I'd eye up the mini-bikes for sale in front of the local motorcycle shop when I'd go there with my Dad or my brother.  They both had bikes at one time or another, but I guess being the girl they had no idea that I wanted to ride.  The one time that I remember saying something to my dad I remember him saying, "Your mom would kill me"!  

I kept my desire to ride a motorcycle quiet for many years, and instead rode on the back whenever I could.  I remember riding on the back with my friend's brother on dirt trails, having a blast.  Of course, my mom wasn't happy when I told her about my fun afternoon after school while she was at work.  I guess my dad was right.

When I met my husband, Ken, in high school he had just sold his motorcycle, but his dad had one ... a Harley Sportster!  Ken loved his dad's motorcycle, and he hoped to have his own Harley someday.  He talked his dad into letting him ride me on it a couple of times, but his dad didn't let it out of his sight too often.  A few years after Ken and I were married, his dad sold us his Harley.  It wasn't long before my unspoken desire to ride my own motorcycle started getting stronger.

While some of our friends rode a bike, none of the girls did.  Even so, whenever we'd go to "Bike Night" or some other event and I'd see a woman riding a bike I'd secretly watch her.  I'd compare her to myself ... was she bigger than me?  Not always.  Was she stronger than me?  Maybe.  Was she just a bad-ass who was braver than me?  She looked like it when dressed in black leather behind her own bike.  Perhaps that's why I wanted to ride so bad.  I wanted to be a bad-ass girl that wasn't scared!  There was something about seeing a woman riding her own motorcycle that made her look so empowered.  Something that said, "I'm adventurous.  I can take care of myself.  I'm in control of this big machine".  I wanted to experience that feeling, but I was also scared.  Those bikes are heavy, and then there's those cars and traffic everywhere!

It took me a while to share my desire with my husband.  If I didn't share my desire to ride, than I also wouldn't have to share my fear of learning.  I think a lot of people keep their dreams secretly tucked away.  We can't fail if we don't try.

Daytona 1999 on Ken's "California Custom"

Like cruising on a sailboat, I couldn't ignore my desire to learn to ride a motorcycle.  If I did, then I'd have to admit to myself that I was too scared and not as brave as all those other women.  Yes, I could avoid failure if I never tried, but I wouldn't be able to avoid the "what ifs".  I had to conquer a motorcycle!

The day before Mother's Day (it wasn't planned that way) of 2001, I found myself at the Suzuki dealership with Ken.  We were "just looking" when I fell in love with a little steel blue bike called a "Savage".  It was a smaller bike (650cc) , it was low enough to the ground for my short legs, and it was so pretty!  The price was right, and I wanted that bike!  Before I knew it, we were filling out the paperwork.  We were buying the bike!

Can't believe I don't have my own picture, but this was my bike!

Before the ink was dry on the papers, my fear had already started to kick in.  As I realized that this was gonna happen, I started getting nauseated.  Buying the bike assured one thing ... I was gonna have to learn how to ride it!  There was no way this bike could sit in our garage untouched after agreeing to pay for it over a couple of years.  I started to get dizzy, my legs got weak, and I had to sit down.  I started thinking that maybe my nausea meant we shouldn't go through with this.  What was I doing?!

A few minutes later the dealer was congratulating me on getting such a nice Mother's Day gift.  Yeah, thanks ... I think.   I drove our car home while following behind Ken, who was on my new bike.  We had over a 60 minute drive home, and about 20 minutes into the drive we stopped at a mall with a big empty parking lot.  Ken figured I may as well start learning, and an empty parking lot was the best place.  Ken started explaining the clutch, how to work the gears, etc.  I was getting nauseous again!  I have to start today?!  When I got on the bike Ken started giving me more instructions.  "Wait, aren't you getting on the back with me?" I said while trying to keep my cool.  Ken assured me it would be harder to ride with his weight on the back.  I assured him that he had to be on the back to put down his feet or grab the steering wheel when  I started to crash!  He reluctantly got on the back of the bike and pretty much started riding the bike with me in the front.  As we took off I could feel my eyes getting wide.  We're going so fast ... Shit!  Who knew 10 miles an hour was so scary!  After a few slow rides around the parking lot we grabbed some lunch.  

When we came out of the restaurant, it was like a different day.  The sky was black and the skies opened up.  I followed Ken to a nearby gas station where we watched the local weather on the television.  The storm wasn't leaving anytime soon.  Before we knew it we were in a dump of a motel, sitting on the bed, staring at my new bike that we snuck into the room.  We just bought the damn thing and we weren't gonna have it stolen or sitting in a storm!   While I looked at my new bike the entire night in excitement, I couldn't push away my fear.  Was this storm a sign that this was a bad idea?  I stared down that bike as it stared back at me.  I'm not gonna let it win!

Fast forward about two weeks and I was actually riding my motorcycle ... all by myself!  That first day we got home I practiced in our big front yard, with Ken on the back.  I finally got the nerve to let him off the back and he was right ... it was easier.  I took Ken's advice and rode my bike every evening after work so I could get comfortable and I wouldn't have time for fear to rear it's ugly head.  Ken would follow me around our subdivision on his own bike.   I was starting to feel like those women I had admired ... I was becoming one of them.  I felt empowered ... until that evening that Ken and I were headed home on our bikes and turning onto our street.  Our recently paved street used to be gravel and I hit some of it when turning ... the next thing I knew I was on the ground.  How could this be happening?!  My bike was lying on its side, and it was still running.  I screamed to Ken, "Pick it up!  Pick it up"!  All I was worried about was my pretty new bike!  Ken picked it up, turned it off, and put the kick stand down so he could make sure I was okay.  I wasn't worried about me, I was worried about my bike!  

Luckily my bike was okay, but my arm wasn't.   I didn't feel anything, but when Ken looked at my arm and tears welled up in his eyes while saying, "I should have never let you get a bike"!  ... I knew something must be wrong.  I looked at my arm, and really couldn't see anything except a lot of blood dripping onto the pavement.  All of a sudden I started getting dizzy and had to sit down.  Luckily our house was just down the road so Ken drove my bike home, jumped in the car, and picked me up on the side of the street.  We headed to the E.R. and I was surprised by everyone's reaction.  As I walked around the waiting room, I'd watch little kid's eyes get real wide and their shocked expressions on their faces.  I guess that was because I had hit my arm so bad that it busted open ... all the way to the bone.  

After getting stitches and pain meds, we were back home.  Ken was sure we'd be selling the bike soon, but now more than ever I wasn't going to give up.  I had just started to feel that sense of empowerment and freedom and quitting now would be worse than never trying!  As soon as my arm was healed enough, I was back on that bike.  I also took a two-day, intense motorcycle course.  I was made to do things I never would have pushed myself to do, and I passed (not everybody did)!  I started riding my bike all over town and by myself.  I started riding it to work and on long weekend trips with Ken.  I became one of those women that drove her own motorcycle.  I  conquered the bike, and my fear!  I don't know what was more enjoyable ... the wind in my hair, the scents of the road, and the feeling of freedom or the feeling of overcoming a challenge.  Both were pretty sweet!

Years later I still have a motorcycle.  I got a bigger one when Hurricane Katrina flooded our bikes.  I now have a tricked out Honda Shadow that I love.  I must admit that we haven't been riding in way too long. Our passion for bikes has been replaced with a passion for sailboats.  We just don't have enough time for both.  I think both are similar though.  They both provide a sense of freedom and adventure!

Learning to ride that motorcycle really helped my self-confidence in every aspect of  life.  I realized that I can do whatever I set my mind to do.  I overcame my shyness.  I quit my job sitting in the safety of an office cubicle and got my real estate license.  I am now ready to risk selling our house and everything we own to learn how to sail and travel the Caribbean.  That one decision to challenge myself years ago has opened my eyes ... and my world!

If you've got a fear that you'd really like to conquer ... go for it!  No matter the outcome, just trying is where the success (and satisfaction) lies.

Hasta luego ... until then.  Mid-Life Cruising! 

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This post is part of the My Fearful Adventure series, which is celebrating the launch of Torre DeRoche’s debut book Love with a Chance of Drowning, a true adventure story about one girl’s leap into the deep end of her fears.
"Wow, what a book. Exciting. Dramatic. Honest. Torre DeRoche is an author to follow." Australian Associated Press
"… a story about conquering the fears that keep you from living your dreams." Nomadicmatt.com
"In her debut, DeRoche has penned such a beautiful, thrilling story you’ll have to remind yourself it’s not fiction." Courier Mail
Find out more…

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Stopping Isn't Failing!

Photo courtesy of msnbc.msn.com

As I was drinking my coffee and watching the morning news yesterday morning, I heard that Diana Nyad was debating whether or not to continue her swim from Cuba to the Florida Keys.  For her sake, I was hoping she could continue.  Whether or not Ms. Nyad continued her swim, she was a success and a hero to me!  However, she had been trying to achieve her dream for over 35 years and she deserved to achieve her goal.  On her fourth attempt she'd already endured 41 hours of swimming, numerous jellyfish stings on her lips and face, hypothermia, and a bad overnight storm.

Diana Nyad's plan was to celebrate her arrival in the Florida Keys along with her 63rd birthday, which is today.  Unfortunately, she arrived in the Keys ... without achieving her dream.

Ultimately, the jellyfish were her greatest challenge and the main reason for stopping her swim.  As she said on the Today Show, "It was devastating.  On the other hand, it's like life isn't it?  We don't always get what we want.  All our dreams don't come true. This is a big, big, larger-than-life dream.  This journey over the last three years has been magnificent.  What I've learned, and the spirit of it, I don't have any regrets."

This morning I saw a clip on the news of Ms. Nyad, and she said, "I'm not a quitter.  Maybe this isn't possible.  Things aren't like they used to be ... those jellyfish".  Her words really struck me.

When hearing her comments about the jellyfish, I recalled hearing about the invasion of giant jellyfish in Japan and how it's thought to be a cause of pollution in the ocean.  I couldn't help but wonder of Ms. Nyad's experience with jellyfish was also an indication of man's bad habits.

Another thing that really struck me was her statement about not being a quitter.  I totally agreed with her, and was hoping that she wasn't beating herself up for having to put her health first.  As her news story was being introduced, some idiot reporter said something to the effect of ... "Diana Nyad's attempt to swim from Cuba to the Florida Keys was a failure".  I got so angry when I heard that.  A failure?!  Just the fact that she'd attempt such a thing ... for the fourth time, and at 63 years of age ... come on man!  How insensitive!

The final thing was her words about not always getting what we want and her magnificent journey over the past three years in her attempts to achieve her dream.  All of this made me wonder, "What is considered a success?  What's considered a failure?"

I think that going for your dreams and doing your best is a success!  The end result may not be the desired result, but it does NOT mean failure!

My thoughts then went to our dream and plan to go cruising.  WHEN we go, will we be considered a failure if we hit a reef the first six months and sink our boat?!  Will we be considered a failure if we decide we've had enough after a year or two ... or ten?  What if we realize that we hate cruising?  Does that mean we've failed?  My answer ... hell no!

It takes guts to go for one's dreams, no matter what they are.  Stopping after making every effort and doing your best is not a failure!  Never trying because of fear and insecurity ... that's the failure!

So, "Happy Birthday" Diana Nyad!  You are amazing and a true success story!

Hasta luego ... until then.  Mid-Life Cruising!

Memorial Day - A Child's Story

On this Memorial Day, I wanted to remind everyone to remember the fallen men and women in our military.  When doing a little research on national parks for my Frugal Friday post, I came across an interesting story about Memorial Day, a young girl, and her act of kindness.

On Memorial Day, there is an annual tradition of decorating soldiers' graves with wreaths and flowers.  This tradition began shortly after the Civil War, and was first suggested by the women of Columbus, Georgia 1866. The custom went national two years later through the adoption of a May 30th date by the Grand Army of the Republic, a Union Veterans organization.

In February 1862, Confederate prisoners of war were held in warehouse buildings for about a month.  The prisoners that died there were buried in the Greenbush Cemetery in Lafayette, Indiana.  In the spring of 1868, a committee was organizing the annual ceremony and received a wreath from a local girl.  Attached to the wreath was a note that said:

"Will you please put this wreath upon some rebel soldier's grave.  My dear papa is buried at Andersonville, and perhaps some little girl will be kind enough to put a few flowers upon his grave".  -  Jennie Vernon

The wreath that Jennie provided was placed on a grave in the cemetery, and the story of her kindness was reprinted throughout the nation that summer.  It turned out that Jennie was twelve years old, and she had lost her father at a military prison near Andersonville, Georgia in 1864.  Her father is buried in the Andersonville National Cemetery .. Section K, grave #2428.

It's not known if anyone placed flowers on the grave of Jennie's father in 1868.  However, her story is a reminder of Jennie's father and all of our nation's fallen soldiers.  Please take this day to honor them!  If you'd like to read the article, you can find it here.

Memorial Day has also become thought of as the beginning of summer, so I hope you all have a great day and a great summer too.  Thanks to our military, we still have our freedom!

Hasta luego ... until then.  Mid-Life Cruising!

Chill At Christmas!

While sick and in bed for the past few days, I've been thinking of the upcoming Christmas holidays.  I've always loved Christmas with all its traditions such as the tree, the lights, the garland-laced mantle and the stockings hanging from the fireplace.  It's such a magical time, and I've always enjoyed driving home in the evening and seeing all the homes covered in colorful lights along the way.

I know that everybody celebrates Christmas differently, and some don't celebrate it at all.  If you don't please bear with me, as you just might enjoy reading this anyway.  Besides being a  religious holiday (which many people seem to forget, but that's another story that I won't get into now), Christmas has also become a time for parties, time with family and friends, and gifts!  It's this last thing that I think has gotten a little crazy lately.  Don't get me wrong, I love giving and receiving gifts. What would Christmas be without them?  However, it seems to me that the joy of giving has been replaced with the stress of overspending.  So many people are struggling financially (us included) and lose the spirit of Christmas.

So this Christmas, slow down (and give your credit card a break)!  Enjoy the season, the lights, the beautiful decorations, the caroling, the scented candles, the smell of baked goods in the kitchen, your relationships, and the innocent faces of children as they sit on Santa's lap in awe.  Refuse to get caught up in the retail trap, and spend only what your budget allows.  If that's baked cookies, so be it!  It takes much more time to prepare such a gift, and it is true ... it's the thought that counts (at least to those who count).  If you have a large family (like us), consider drawing names or playing a game at Christmas.  Our family started this tradition several years ago, and boy has it relieved the pressure!

Another thought for those that have the time, think about so many that are lonely during the holidays and "give" your time.  Maybe it's checking on the elderly or recently widowed neighbor, or maybe it's helping deliver food or toys to the needy.  All of things make a huge difference to the person in need, showing them that somebody cares.  I've done some of these things, and it's a great feeling to see the difference it makes to those in need.

So, I'm wishing you all "Happy Holidays" and hope you allow yourself to spend them the way you really want to.  If you love the malls and crowds, great!  Just do what's true to you (and your wallet)!  You deserve to take charge (and stop charging)!

And for those of you lucky enough to be cruising, I would imagine that your holidays will be filled with new friendships and an appreciation for the company of loved ones far away, not their gifts!  Kind of puts it all in perspective, doesn't it?

Hasta luego ... until then.  Mid-Life Cruising!


BTW, if you are buying gifts and using Amazon, clicking on one of the books on our sidebar will take you to Amazon to do your shopping.  We will make a few cents off your purchase, but you won't pay any more.  It's kind of like giving two gifts instead of one! 

The Mayflower Ship

Mayflower Replica

Now that Ken and I are sailboat owners, I found myself wondering about the Mayflower, which has played a major role in the history of Thanksgiving.  The Mayflower was a ship weighing about 180 tons crowded with men, women and children making the voyage to the "New World" in 1620. 

The first record available about the ship is somewhere in 1609. At that time it was a merchant ship, which traveled to Baltic ports, most notably Norway.  The ship's initial purpose was the transportation of goods such as fish, tar and lumber.  However, the ship was later used in the trading of Mediterranean wine and spices.

In 1620 the Mayflower and the Speedwell were hired to undertake a voyage to plant a colony in Northern Virginia.  The Speedwell turned out to be a leaky ship, and therefore the Mayflower had to make the voyage alone.  The captain of the ship was Christopher Jones, and the ship was anchored at Plymouth Harbor on November 11, 1620.  The Mayflower stayed at Cape Cod for four months and throughout the harsh winter.  During this time over half of the pilgrims perished.

The ship started sailing for home on April 5, 1621, and it arrived back one month later. The Mayflower made a few more trading runs to places such as Spain, Ireland and France. However the captain, Christopher Jones, died shortly thereafter.

After the death of the captain the Mayflower lay inoperative for about two years.  Since the ship was not in very good sailing condition, it was called "in ruins".  Ships "in ruins" were considered more valuable as wood, which was in high demand in England at the time. Therefore the Mayflower was most likely broken apart and sold as scrap.

It's amazing to think about all of the people that migrated on sailboats, and all of the discoveries that were made with them.  Of course, there are many sailboats today, but so many people think we're crazy when we tell them about our future plans of sailing to our travel destinations.  There are planes and trains now!  Why would we take a sailboat?!

Anyway, that's your history lesson for the day!  We hope everybody has a "Happy Thanksgiving"!

Hasta luego ... until then.  Mid-Life Cruising!