Feliz Navidad 2019

Feliz Navidad,

I'm writing this on my last day in Puerto Vallarta having spent the past month sailing and touring the Baha and south to PV, or actually Nueva Vallarta, the newer and more touristy area of PV, an area where you wouldn't know you're in another country. I've been here before, two years ago, also on the sailing vessel Strikhedonia, a former student/now friend's catamaran meaning "the pleasure of being able to say 'to hell with it'". We just learned that meaning of the precious name Selah. has more to do with peace and relaxation.

We did relax as we sailed from Loretto in the Baha, crossed to the mainland, visited blue-footed boobies and frigate birds on Isle Isabel, took a jungle tour to see crocodiles, hiked in some majestic areas along fresh water streams to see ancient petroglyphs and swam at the five-star resort at Paradise Village in Puerto Vallarta. I snorkeled and kayaked a few times, and passed on scuba diving, maybe a first for me, but I'd seen much of the marine life when snorkeling,

Alas, this is probably my last time on Strikhedonia as the owner is selling her, moving on to another passion: building his own plane to fly. I feel fortunate that his wife came down for a few weeks, so even though I'd sailed with her when other family members were aboard, I got to know her this time and feel I now have new friend, one who will have time to go to cultural events when her husband is off building his plane in Colorado.

I did get back to the British Virgin Islands a couple times this year to teach sailing, stopping in Boston on the way to see my nephew Justin and his wife Alie. It was sad to see the BVI eighteen months after two hurricanes. So many homeless boats, boats on the shores, boats embedded in the embankments across roads from the ocean and along bays. The debris from boats and homes was strewn everywhere, though much has already been disposed of. It was nice to see the friends I've made over the years, but difficult to hear their stories of where they waited out the hurricane, some in a storm sewer, returning to their homes to find missing walls or roofs, or only the remains of a bathroom or other bits and pieces, and to see how excited they were to have running water again and a toilet that flushes. Simple things that we take for granted until they don't work. Despite the hurricanes, sailing in the islands is what it's always been, a sheer joy. The Willy T, known for being a party boat has been replaced, the original resting on the shores of Norman Island, the new one at Peter Island. It offers all of the spirited jumping from the upper deck it's known for with or without attire. I finally succumbed to being one of those who jumped (while wearing my swim suit as did the rest of my crew).

I turned 65  in March and am now on Medicare. Snow shoveling kept me active when I was in the Twin Cities. Even though I live in a town home where snow plowing is included, my shoveling helps keep the ice from forming a skating rink in my driveway. In addition to my regular aerobic and yoga classes, I also started playing Pickleball last winter, along with other seniors. It does highlight my own aging, or maybe I should say highlights the abuses I've given my body--playing left-handed to avoid stressing the right rotator cuff I tore while pulling up an anchor, the right knee that has bones grinding on each other from a long-ago soccer injury, and now a joint capsule tear in my right foot from playing Pickleball. Yet I still remain active, mixing in aqua activities to avoid more abuse to my bones and joints.

Am I really old enough to be a senior citizen? This is a question that I repeatedly ask myself as I crawl around the table at a sail loft sewing sails. How many 65-year olds would be doing this?Little did I know what I was getting myself into when telling a friend that owns a sail loft who just lost a valued employee that I'd be willing to help out. "I know how to sew" I told him, having made many of my clothes in my younger years. Knowing how to sew and sewing sails have similarities but are different. Yes, maybe it helps a little, but you need more strength then you'd think, and you're constantly on your hands and knees, and climbing up and down the five steps to the table . Actually, my business skills may be more of an asset to the company than my sewing skills. I enjoy being among fellow sailors, learning different aspects about the sport, and have been happy to help out part time for the short-term now that I'm officially of retirement age.

Spring had me stopping in Colorado to see my niece Laura and her family in their new home in Longmont, relishing the time spent with them and friends from my college years. I truly enjoy being a great aunt to Luna, a cheerful 2-year old who loves to play outside in parks, swing, slide, run around, and talks and laughs a lot. Laura and Brian both have their own businesses so this move was seamless, yet it was nice to help with Luna so they could work in peace.

A few short days later I was on my way to Los Angeles to teach an advanced sailing class. We sailed out of Marina Del Rey north to the Chanel Islands. The students thought they were game to endure a long passage until they felt their queasy stomachs, yet as I've heard before, better to learn these things when there's a captain aboard. Sailing at night, whether under a full moon or no moon, offers time for reflection, being one with the elements, and having to rely on yourself for whatever Mother Nature hands to you. Fortunately Mother Nature was kind to us, other than some short-lived choppy seas that were more than some sailors wanted to cope with.

Summer had me teaching sailing again out of Bayfield WI on Lake Superior, my summer home away from home. It was a fairly typical summer, staying more than brisk throughout June, then getting a heat wave just in time for Race Week which is the week of July 4th. And as typical, when I was not working, the winds would pick up forcing me to modify my plans from kayaking to hiking, but I did kayak a few times, and played on my paddleboard when given the chance.

My anticipation for the arrival of my great nephew was shortened by ten days when Phoenix Wulf Conley arrived in Longmont CO on Tuesday 15 October 2019. He is a healthy baby boy, who weighs a whooping 15 pounds at two months is quickly outgrowing his six-month sized PJs. He's expanding my heart as I see him starting to smile and becoming his own person.

I've been keeping my feet more on the ground more these days. Not as much travel as when I first left the corporate world, though the bug is re-emerging now that I have a new passport with extra pages to be filled. Thinking about travel opportunities I've considered or turned down this past year, who knows what may be on the agenda for 2020. Perhaps visiting friends in Poland,  seeing the northern lights in Iceland or observing polar bears in the wild in the Arctic. Guess I better get to planning.

I wish you a wonderful holiday season with family and good friends, and a new year filled with living your dreams.

Cheers and hugs and happy new year,

Vicki