Dreaming towards Memorial Day

Good Morning Everyone. A new week begins here full of promise. Sunrise begins this week at 0612 and sunset is at 1735, almost 11 ½ hours of daylight. Though the sun’s warm rays shine down upon us winter is still here with wind chills forecasted to dip well below zero. Our efforts this week will be focused in the barn on the yawl boat. I have one plank to remove and replace. I want to check the shaft alignment and clean the fuel tank. And the varnish and paintwork will get a good rub and recoating. Crew will begin to arrive later this week. March is a awesome month for us. As the sap rises so does our energy for getting ready to go sailing. It is hard to believe our Memorial Day Weekend cruise is only a few short months away. So much to do and so little time to do it. But I am dreaming of visiting the islands, smelling the sweet spruce, tasting lobster on the very first day we sail, and feeling Mary Day heel to a full press of sail and carry us away.

Have a great day. Be well. Do good.

Photo by Neal Parent.

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Hail Mary

My heart is heavy with sadness as I write this particular blog. Since the beginning of August our dear friend and cook for the last 12 years, Mary Barney, had been struggling with cancer. I have intentionally respected Mary’s privacy and I apologize to you for not sharing any news about Mary’s health sooner. On Monday afternoon Mary passed away very peacefully at home, surrounded by friends and “family”. Her departure was as graceful as the rest of her life. Many people, including Jen, have been doing heroic work to support Mary these last few weeks. Oddly enough Mary was never very excited about transitions though this was about the fastest transition she ever made. And as I struggle to let go of Mary I realize I am terrible with transitions as well. We used to joke about how we liked things just the way they are, thank you very much, so why change what is working already even if it might be less labor intensive. Hard works is its own reward. I used to joke about getting Mary a Cui

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