Did you see my reply to "H37 Draft" where I am going after Blaise. Well I really am. I hope to see several of you as I make my way south to Naples where my stepson lives. The reason is that I lost my mate. Maura passed away on 3/2 after a five year battle with Lou Gehrig's(ALS). So I need to get away, get a sailing fix, and put mega-miles on the bike.
Maura was on a ventilator for the past two years. This meant that she required 7/24 care. Fortunately we were able to afford some nursing help. We had the same wonderful LPN for twenty-six months. She worked 9 to 5, five days a week. And never missed! Of course that meant I always had to be home by 17:00. There are so few who are qualified with the ventilator.
Maura and I met the end of 2006 just before I left with Ed A on a delivery to the Abacos from Tampa Bay. I thought about her a lot on those lonely night watches. I had invited her to sail with me and my racing crew in February 2007 since I had chartered a 3-cabin H460(first picture). Her first time. She had her own cabin, I slept in the salon. :naughty: Then she did the Hudson, Atlantic, and Delaware Bay in August 2007 on m boat. We had dinner in Chesapeake City at the marina(two pictures). The next day I sent her home in a rental car because of choking episodes. The Cleveland Clinic finally told us in November. From that day on Maura never once complained. We went to Ireland August 2008 for me to meet her family. I proposed there, in her hometown pub, Kilshanny, County Clare. Final picture, Maura loved dressing up for yacht club functions.
So now you know the rest of the story. Why it took me so long to get to the projects and finish them. The road trip will help me come to terms. Also helps to have so many sailing friends. When I get back I'll have to work hard for a May splash. My racing buds want me to sail the boat to Chicago so we can do Chicago-Mackinac. Even though Blaise says it is a dog I might just do it.
Maura was on a ventilator for the past two years. This meant that she required 7/24 care. Fortunately we were able to afford some nursing help. We had the same wonderful LPN for twenty-six months. She worked 9 to 5, five days a week. And never missed! Of course that meant I always had to be home by 17:00. There are so few who are qualified with the ventilator.
Maura and I met the end of 2006 just before I left with Ed A on a delivery to the Abacos from Tampa Bay. I thought about her a lot on those lonely night watches. I had invited her to sail with me and my racing crew in February 2007 since I had chartered a 3-cabin H460(first picture). Her first time. She had her own cabin, I slept in the salon. :naughty: Then she did the Hudson, Atlantic, and Delaware Bay in August 2007 on m boat. We had dinner in Chesapeake City at the marina(two pictures). The next day I sent her home in a rental car because of choking episodes. The Cleveland Clinic finally told us in November. From that day on Maura never once complained. We went to Ireland August 2008 for me to meet her family. I proposed there, in her hometown pub, Kilshanny, County Clare. Final picture, Maura loved dressing up for yacht club functions.
So now you know the rest of the story. Why it took me so long to get to the projects and finish them. The road trip will help me come to terms. Also helps to have so many sailing friends. When I get back I'll have to work hard for a May splash. My racing buds want me to sail the boat to Chicago so we can do Chicago-Mackinac. Even though Blaise says it is a dog I might just do it.
