Marlene Anne Sassaman's Blog (140)

Ever the adventurous dreamer, I spent years ignoring one of the most beautiful sailing venues only a few miles from home. By car, it is about 4 hours from Indialantic, Florida and about two from Everglades City. By boat from Everglades City it took us four days. Consider that we meander at 5 - 7 knots during no wind days and that we are in no hurry. Stopping along the…

One never knows for certain if and when they will see another.  Life is a precious phenomenon. It has been said that living guarantees death. This is not to present a negative, depressing train of thought. Rather, it is meant to reiterate the sadness, guilt, and despair that can result when a loved one passes from the world of the living to a world the living knows little about.

Years ago I read a book. A question was posed. "What happens to a mind when a person dies. During…

Welcoming Self Back to Blogging

After much consternation, the chillaxin phase is over. Time for work. This past week had my mate and I engaged in painting the deck, improving his newly built rowing dinghy, and putting two holes back in the boat. 

The deck painting was needed. Like…

Chillaxin on Chiquita,,,,,

Really, what do I do all day long that pre-empts my writing time. On the plus I have been organizing my journal notes from as far back as 2004. Dates are not always in chronological order. Places are not always…

Land Yacht (above) Versus Mobile Home (below)…

Tired from a long upwind paddle along the intracoastal waterway bordering the town of Stuart, Florida we had a nice downwind reprieve for the second half of the tour. After looking back over my shoulder spying puffs coming from behind I could not resist a reprieve in the mangroves. Fellow tour buddy, Brian couldn't resist capturing my pose for which I am grateful. Another caveat of learning to sail is substituting one's body for a spinnaker.  However, you sail, happy sails to you. …

To those who have been following my blog and to those new to my musings let me begin this morning with a recap and an invite.

My writings began as a means to clarify my thoughts while holding myself accountable for my plans. My internet connection is about to run out for this month so I don't want to spend time researching when I posted my first blog. Safe to say it was about five years ago. Many goals have been accomplished. Writing a book like most aspirees has gone to the way side.…

As the days pass into weeks it amazes me how much I get done as well as how much is left to do. With sailing taking a back seat to my need for a passionate existence, playing the piano has become my solace while satisfying my competitive nature. When I was learning to sail and throughout my racing career it was myself who I competed with the majority of time. Setting goals, writing out scenarios, and practicing real live drills is the same.

Each night as I lie in bed I…

Metaphorically I am sailing on. My life has taken a turn down a new road.  To encompass all that is going on Sea Knots might be limiting. Then again, the transition to sassea.blogspot.com is like sailing upwind against a current. It is as confusing as learning to sail. You might remember those days. Learning the foibles of a foreign language. Multiple meaning words like tack and phrases like 'fall off' were a bit mind boggling.

Perhaps there is a closer resemblance to transiting from…

embarking on the s/v Coupleship in anticipation of an interesting year. Like most folks New Year's Day brings an aire of optimism. There are no plans for any life defining moments on the calendar. This will be a first in my adult life. There has always been a plan: move out of state, travel cross country on a 250 Yamaha, drive the Alcan, attend junior college, transfer to the University of Central Florida, become an educator, get married,  buy a sailboat, solo navigate the globe, and face my…

A few days ago I posted a blog about my new lifestyle as an unwed mate. Having no legal ties, I can't rightfully call myself a housewife. The role I have chosen brings me happiness as I relish the time enjoying the day's parade of wonders with someone who I am intimate with. The coincidence is that just a few minutes earlier I was logging on to a new website whereby they ask folks to describe their favorite anchorages. The concept intrigued me, though navigating the password situation has…

Blogging has taken a back seat to living the life of an unwedded housewife. It is a strange new world. Interestingly, I recently met a fellow sailor who made this comment.

     I was a housewife my entire adult life. I wish I had taken on a career, some type of job. Now, at my age (about 55         +/-) I can't find work." The counselor in me questioned her choice of the word can't. Softly I whispered, it is never too late to make a change, learn a new skill, there are jobs…

Keeping up with Bl

Only in the Dominican Republic have I experienced the challenge of driving in an easterly direction on the shoulder of the west bound lane. This occurs where Highway #5 from Semana merges with Hwy #3 to Punta Cana.

NOTE: Van on the left was traveling east,…