A Windjammer Family

Good afternoon everyone. Another great week of weather, wildlife and people.There just isn't enough time to spend with each and everyone and we're grateful for those who keep coming back to be able to share yet another laugh, tear, or a photo from a far away destination recently traveled. We love it, can't get enough, actually look forward to it as we see those names on the boarding list. As you all know people are a huge part of this business. We wouldn't be here without you. Our Mary Day family just keeps growing and growing and still we are saddened with those we loose as well. Several family members have called this year to postpone their reservations due to illnesses. We are deeply saddened to hear this and keep their spirits with us aboard as we know they'll be back, to share those peaceful sunsets and spray of the ocean breezes. We'll be here with the eagles and osprey waiting for them.

Crew become our "Mary Day Family" as well as passengers. Over the past 14 years with the Mary Day (we can't believe it's been that long!)we have been blessed with many young, strong spirited individuals struggling to figure out life (aren't we all?). They arrive at our doorstep with an eagerness in their eyes to sail, to learn, to give all they got, to pull to they bleed, as we say. We take them in, share all we can and give them the chance to feel the breeze of life and to help them find the next path in life. It's amazing how much they give back to us and not just through work....but in lessons of life.

We have an amazing crew this year that not has only taken it upon themselves to learn the schooner and the enormous work load that comes with it, but have had to share their personal life crisis' with us as well. We have had two crew members loose two very dear family members while sailing and one off recovering from knee surgery. It moments like these that have brought our crew family closer. It's amazing to see a team of young people jump in when and where needed and just ask how high and not when...We have yet to sail with just our "normal crew". It's taken a team of many to make this season work and somehow we're managing to do it with fun. So we feel a small portion of their pain as they grieve and will share in the happiness of being back aboard and working side by side through another long hard day's of sailing when everyone has returned. Life is short and each moment counts. Family is a large part of it, and with family at our side we can make it through each and every day. We hope Jake that you get a chance to be with your family this week and we look forward to your return. Sara get stronger, those topsails are waiting for you to furl 'em!

Have a great day. Be well. Do good.

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...

We are Nuts

Good morning everyone. Well I just had to say it before you did. Yes, we are truly nuts. Now we have gone and added one more adventure to our already full lives. As you can see she is some cunnin'. We have named her Colby. We had a sign... literally. We were in the car brainstorming names on the way to get her at WalMart (yes, you heard it right) and there at the Waterville exit was a sign for Colby College. Colby just happens to be dear Mary's alma mater. It is also the name of one of my favorite ledges in Jericho Bay, the Colby Pup. It just seemed to fit just like the way she came to us. Nothing about our Sunday was going to be different than any other except that I just happened to be helping a friend get her generator back in the barn while Jen and the kids met her new puppy Sherman. They fell in love... so easy to do. We called and there were had two pups from the same litter available... no commitments yet. We had been having the long family debate for weeks about the k...

Darkness and Light

Good morning everyone. OK, so this blog does not have a whole lot to do with schooners or windjammers or sailing vacations so if you want to leave now I will not be offended. Today is the winter solstice, as you know, the shortest amount of daylight in our calendar year here in the northern hemisphere. Of course it is the summer solstice on the other side of the equator. So I guess if you wanted to celebrate the summer solstice you wouldn't be at all in the wrong. I would applaud your ability to see outside the box. Map from Wikipedia commons Living and sailing in the mid latitudes (remember, Maine is half way to the North Pole) as we do, we experience a balance that spans a year's time, maybe many years' time. To feel the darkness of winter creeping quietly into our homes is not as bad it may appear from the outside. This is our season to rest... emotionally if not physically. We know it takes more physical energy to live and work here in winter. But when the sun goes down...

Sailing Vacations
A Maine Windjammer

Search This Blog