Hello all.
I wrote this in January of 2012. I reread it today as I converted a paperback book to an eBook. I think you all might enjoy this.
January, 2012
Reflections on 2011
I'm sitting here in Annapolis waiting for a weather window to run down the Chesapeake, and pondering the events that got us here.
2011 was a year of major changes for Pamela and me. We bought Drift Away the year before, a project boat that needed a lot of work. After living aboard and working on it for a little over a year, we decided that our boat was fundamentally sound and started working on Drift Away in earnest in preparation of our long awaited cruise. All new electronics, ground tackle, forward stateroom modifications to make it into a storeroom, new furniture, new appliances, and on and on.
In July, we both gave notice to jobs that we loved. Our last day of work at our respective jobs was September 2nd, 2011.
In mid-September, we cast off our dock lines and cruised up to Albany, NY. I won't rehash our adventures here. If you're interested, it's all in the first book of this series, The Voyage of Drift Away: Stamford to Annapolis.
On October 1st, Pamela and I got married in Saratoga Springs. It was an especially moving day for us. Best friends who became lovers, and now married. Our friends and family were there and that meant everything to us. Old friends of mine attended, people who were important to me during my life. Some I hadn't seen in years, one I hadn't seen in 40 years except briefly at my mother's funeral in 2000. Thank you all.
We then left for points south. Everything was pretty much uneventful except for all the debris in the river from the flooding caused by Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee. Uneventful, that is, until we headed south and arrived in New York City. If you're new to this, you might want to read the section in the first book from New York City to Atlantic Highlands.
2011 has really put things into perspective for us. I'm not going to wish you a wealthy and prosperous new year. Money doesn't matter. I'm going to wish you all what Pam and I have. Have a happy and healthy new year, shared with the people who really matter in life, your family and close friends. May each new day be filled with peace and contentment with an occasional dash of adventure. May you continue to learn and see new things. May you share all these things with the person most important in your life, whomever that is.
Pam and I learned a lot about happiness from our dogs who completely understand what is important in life.
This was taken yesterday morning. What a beautiful day in Annapolis!
About 40 years ago, I received a Christmas card from a mentally disabled young man. In it, he wrote "God bless you from all of my hearts". The printed message inside though, is something I've never forgotten. It said "Blessed are those who see the world through the eyes of a child". I also wish this for you. May you wonder at new things and have a playful, childish sense of humor and have fun in all you do.
Arrrrrgh!! Happy New Year, everyone!
Here's to the promise of a new year!
I wrote this in January of 2012. I reread it today as I converted a paperback book to an eBook. I think you all might enjoy this.
January, 2012
Reflections on 2011
I'm sitting here in Annapolis waiting for a weather window to run down the Chesapeake, and pondering the events that got us here.
2011 was a year of major changes for Pamela and me. We bought Drift Away the year before, a project boat that needed a lot of work. After living aboard and working on it for a little over a year, we decided that our boat was fundamentally sound and started working on Drift Away in earnest in preparation of our long awaited cruise. All new electronics, ground tackle, forward stateroom modifications to make it into a storeroom, new furniture, new appliances, and on and on.
In July, we both gave notice to jobs that we loved. Our last day of work at our respective jobs was September 2nd, 2011.
In mid-September, we cast off our dock lines and cruised up to Albany, NY. I won't rehash our adventures here. If you're interested, it's all in the first book of this series, The Voyage of Drift Away: Stamford to Annapolis.
On October 1st, Pamela and I got married in Saratoga Springs. It was an especially moving day for us. Best friends who became lovers, and now married. Our friends and family were there and that meant everything to us. Old friends of mine attended, people who were important to me during my life. Some I hadn't seen in years, one I hadn't seen in 40 years except briefly at my mother's funeral in 2000. Thank you all.
We then left for points south. Everything was pretty much uneventful except for all the debris in the river from the flooding caused by Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee. Uneventful, that is, until we headed south and arrived in New York City. If you're new to this, you might want to read the section in the first book from New York City to Atlantic Highlands.
2011 has really put things into perspective for us. I'm not going to wish you a wealthy and prosperous new year. Money doesn't matter. I'm going to wish you all what Pam and I have. Have a happy and healthy new year, shared with the people who really matter in life, your family and close friends. May each new day be filled with peace and contentment with an occasional dash of adventure. May you continue to learn and see new things. May you share all these things with the person most important in your life, whomever that is.
Pam and I learned a lot about happiness from our dogs who completely understand what is important in life.
This was taken yesterday morning. What a beautiful day in Annapolis!
About 40 years ago, I received a Christmas card from a mentally disabled young man. In it, he wrote "God bless you from all of my hearts". The printed message inside though, is something I've never forgotten. It said "Blessed are those who see the world through the eyes of a child". I also wish this for you. May you wonder at new things and have a playful, childish sense of humor and have fun in all you do.
Arrrrrgh!! Happy New Year, everyone!
Here's to the promise of a new year!
