Amazing Things

 I started reading a book today and read a passage resonated profoundly with me.  "When you're doing what you're supposed to be doing in this life, amazing things can happen."  This is how I feel about sailing and our adventures as unconventential retirees.  We have seen and done amazing things and there are more amazing things waiting for us.

Being New Years' Eve, I have not only looked back into all we have accomplished, but have begun to look ahead to all that awaits us.

Accomplished in 2024:

1.     Bought a boat and learned to live aboard 24/7  - We have learned to live in a small space without          throwing the other overboard.

2.       Became proficient at provisioning - Not every meal is gourmet but everything is yummy on a boat!

3.       Shared our story at different clubs - I never thought I would be good at speaking in front of total strangers!  But if living our dream inspires others to live theirs , we have done good.

4.       Learned to navigate the ICW - deep, shallow, wide and narrow, no two days or voyages were ever the same!

5.       Became adept at anchoring - We learned the hard way (not the hardest) to let out more rode.

6.       Learned to be prepared and enjoy all types of weather - I am no longer scared of lightning.

7.       Made new friends - Nice to be support for others and have support for all the unknowns.

8.       Learned new card games – Hand to Foot, Crazy Columbian Continental

9.       Explored so many new places - beaches, cities, rivers 

10.   Renovated a bathroom in Maine - slow and steady gets the job done.  

11.   Welcomed a new niece - the second girl Calitri, she'll be amazing! 

     Goals for 2025

1.       Plan a sail across the Atlantic to the Bahamas

2.       Learn to check in to different countries

3.       Rehang our refurbished mainsail

4.       Keep the faith and embrace the challenges

5.       Celebrate with Kevin and Isis

6.       Solve the outside storage issues in Maine

Smaller goals

1.       Spend less time online, more time being engaged

2.       Review, in writing, books, anchorages, restaurants and services (we use reviews in making decisions for all, so we need to “pay it forward”)


This morning I woke in Cumberland before sunrise.  Eerily beautiful.  

We accomplished everything we wanted and headed back to Lincoln.  It kind of felt like we were going on vacation after being responsible for horses 24/7.  No responsibilities?  Definitely a vacation.



        It will be a quiet evening.  We leave in 6 days and suddenly our to do list is growing.  Plans for lunches, dinners, walks and card games.  Unlike last year, we will not be returning for tax prep but we will be leaning on the kids to help.  Closing the house in Lincoln.  Shipping stuff down to the boat (AKA Marc's).   Lists of lists.  Lots of lists.  Something to look forward to every day!  

T




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