‘Bye, Mom….

No, I wasn't ready. Is anyone ready to lose their mother? Yes, she was 101. But, no. I still wasn't ready. That's because, until the day of her sudden collapse on Jan. 23, Lempi (Lee) Wilhelmina Simontaival/Simonson Hanson was animated and sharp-witted and funny...and very much loved. And, because I still had so much to … Continue reading ‘Bye, Mom….

Last & Second Chances

November is most known for the Thanksgiving holiday. This year, I'll remember it most for its last and second chances...at gardening, paddling, hiking, blading and renewing relationships. I missed the traditional gathering because I was traveling, but received many reminders to be thankful. One doesn't need a big family dinner for that. See examples in … Continue reading Last & Second Chances

Falling Back

Late fall is a time of falling back --- with our clocks, and sometimes our habits. It can feel like back-tracking. It's harder to pull myself off the couch. My mind goes to snacks. The ever-earlier sunset brings a mild sense of dread. I know how this goes and I know what to do: increase … Continue reading Falling Back

Many Moons at “Home”

Where is "home?" Where your heart is, they say. For boats doing The Great Loop, it's the home port. For Mainship Many Moons, that's Huron Bay, a narrow 12-mile-long bay (some call it a fjord) on the southern shore of Lake Superior in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Many Moons has been at anchor here for over … Continue reading Many Moons at “Home”

Attack: Fort Michilimackinac

WhiIe traveling The Great Loop by boat, I sought out the history of the places we visited. But on the road last week, while driving from my primary home (near Washington D.C.) to my 2nd home and Many Moons' homeport (in far-north Michigan), I filled in some history closer to home. It's about time I … Continue reading Attack: Fort Michilimackinac

The Disappearing Island

Tangier Island is disappearing. We've been hearing this for decades. I can confirm that it's true. I was there. The small, still-inhabited island in the Chesapeake Bay is now 2.5 miles long by 1.5 miles wide. That's apparently half its size several years ago, based on local written accounts. I went there to fill in … Continue reading The Disappearing Island