Love Odyssey

This was one of those rare weekends that we stayed home rather than going to the coast. Bryce needed to get info together on our three business in order for our accountant to prepare taxes. Additionally we were going to host our extended family’s February birthdays on Sunday. So it just made sense to spend the weekend at home.

I have to admit that it just doesn’t feel right to be home on a weekend. I miss going to the Bean for coffee on Saturday and Sunday mornings and I miss walking across the high-rise bridge over the harbor and watching boats come and go across the river. I also miss sitting in the evening in our pilothouse and eating a delicious dinner with soft music, low lighting, and the gentle movement of the boat nestled in her slip. I miss waking up in our sunny bedroom and shuffling into the galley in my pj’s to prepare breakfast.

So we got our tax info together and had a wonderful time visiting with family today.  Now I am ready and chomping at the bit to get back down to the coast next Friday.  Only five more days to go….

Helen   02/13/11

We often put off routine maintenance projects because they are so tiresome. But that doesn’t make them go away. So this morning we are going to change filters on the engine and shore up the hose on the salt water washdown at the bow of the boat.  Next time we come down we will need to do an oil change on the generator.  Not much fun but we need to get these things out of the way before sailing season begins.  Bryce does the actual hands-on work and I am the go-fer person (“go get me some paper towels–quick!”).  Bryce hates these kinds of chores but knows they are necessary; he is not beyond using a few choice words when things are not going well–in fact, there are times I just have to get off the boat because his tension and angst are too much!  So here goes….

Helen   02/06/11

Bryce has now had the flu for over a week. Each day he thought he was getting better but by evening he was running a fever and coughing a lot. Today he finally relented and let me take him back to the urgent care center where we went last Saturday. This time the diagnosis was bronchitis secondary to the flu virus. So now he is on an antibiotic, a steroid, and an inhaler. Bryce is certainly sick of being sick! And I am sick of having a sick husband!

Helen– 01/29/11

Bryce started feeling yucky on Thursday evening as we drove down here to the coast. Yesterday he spent the majority of the time either sitting and reading or sleeping. This morning he was feeling worse and had chills and a low grade fever. I googled up the flu symptoms and he had five out of six, so we went off to urgent care and sure enough, it was confirmed. So Bryce is spending the next few days in bed. Ironically, we both had flu shots in October, but according to the doctor, 15% of people receiving the shot still get the flu.

In the meantime, it is snowing here and accumulating pretty rapidly on the deck and docks. So I am snowed-in temporarily and playing nurse to a sick captain. Yuck!

Helen 01/22/11

It’s been a good day on the boat.  I’ve just finished writing my 4th chapter for my new book about spirituality beyond religious belief.  My puppy keeps me company while I listen to Pandora tunes and write and polish, polish and write.  Every now and then, Helen and I go out to the local coffee house or go out to talk with other sailors on the docks.  Not bad at all.  In fact, I think this is what it’s about.

If you’re reading in, I have some chapters you might like to read.  I risked alot of exposure but they feel right.  Many of the ideas won’t be found anywhere else so if you’re curious, take a peek.  I would greatly appreciate any feedback that you might have from what you read.  Here are the chapters:

1-Questions

2- Our Quantum Selves

3-Choosing Colors

4-Burning It In

Again, I’d appreciate any feedback.  - Bryce (01/15/2011)

This past weekend was unusual for me. I spent the majority of my time not on boat projects but just on reading for pleasure. I bought a copy of Dan Brown’s latest book, “The Lost Symbol”. I have read all of his books because I learn so much from them and they always have a twist that is unexpected. This one was no exception. I loved it and could hardly put it down. Not only did I learn about the Order of the Masons, but I also got some good history and a tour of our nation’s capitol. In addition, I learned a new term, “noetics”, which refers to the science of using the mind to control events. Yes, a purely decadent weekend–and very enjoyable!

Helen –01/10/11

January always brings anticipation of a new year; a time to dream of what could happen in the coming twelve months. Bryce and I share many of the same dreams: Love Odyssey Cruises taking off; happiness and togetherness with family and friends; the completion of Bryce’s second book; watching our grandchildren grow. We hope for good health; financial prosperity; and time to sail our boat just for fun!

As we watched 2010 disappear we hoped for more joy in 2011. This past year had its share of heartache; our two beloved Yorkies had to be euthanized for health reasons; our family had a major upheaval; and the economy took a bite out of our practices. But today I look with hope on the new year. We have a new little Yorkie; we have two beautiful grandsons and a strong and loving family; our daughter who recently graduated is working full-time in her field of study; and all of our combined staff are happy and productive. So here’s a toast to 2011! May all of you have your dreams come true!

Helen — 01/03/11

Yesterday we had all the extended family over to our house for Christmas dinner and present opening. It’s always nice to see everyone and share in holiday cheer. This year we had our second grandson, Alec (born in June), as well as his five year old brother, Andrew. I’ve always felt that the holidays are more fun when there are young children around. Their wide-eyed wonder is so precious. And this year we got the added bonus of snow. Unfortunately the snow meant that those traveling any distance, such as our daughter from Greensboro, had to leave earlier than planned because of the road conditions.

Today we cleared away all the Christmas decorations and undressed the tree. We ate the left-overs for lunch. And we watched the snow as it fell gently from the sky. It was cozy being home and “snowed in”. Bryce spent the morning writing the second chapter of this next book and I took frequent breaks from cleaning and packing to play with our new puppy, Suzie-Q. I let her out on our deck for a just a minute so she could experience snow- she circled the deck twice in snow that was nearly as tall as she is. After a minute she came in shivering with little balls of snow sticking to her underbody hair. I guess nezt time I should put on her sweater! Later Bryce and I dug out the cars and cleared the front porch and walkway. Tonight we will eat a bean soup made with the bone from our Christmas ham. It’s been a good Christmas!

Helen– 12/26/10

Tomorrow is our 29th Wedding Anniversary. Tonight we are planning to cook some lobster tails and enjoy an appetizer of steamed oysters–all in the comfort of our lovely boat. No restaurant can hold a candle to the atmosphere in our pilothouse. We will chill some bubbly, turn on some George Winston, light a candle and enjoy our seafood.

After 29 years I don’t need to change out of my jeans and Bryce will wear his comfy knit shirt. I guess the word “comfy” pretty much describes our relationship now. We know about all the warts and flaws each other has and yet we choose to ignore them. We continue to revel in each other’s minds and that is where the attraction lies. Even after 29 years we continue to find each other fascinating. So tonight we will toast each other and our hope to live another 29 years as a couple.

Helen — 12/18/10

Every Year the town of Oriental holds a “Spirit of Christmas” weekend.  It usually starts with a boat parade on the river on Friday night followed by a lighting of the Christmas star and carroling at the town dock.  On saturday there are open houses at all the local businesses in town, including free food and drink, a live Nativity at the Methodist Church, cartoons and the reading of the Night Before Christmas in the Old Theater, a parade through town with Santa in a Coast Guard inflatable, and the lighting of the luminara at dusk.  We have enjoyed this tradition for many years, but never has it rained like today.

The sky is gray and the precipitation has been non-stop all day.  This morning we donned our foulie wear (yellow slickers) and ran from one shop to another, getting thoroughly wet in just seconds.  Ah, but the hospitality was as warm as ever and we certainly had pleanty to eat: donuts and coffee at the marine shop, cookies and hot mulled cider at marine consignment, a meaty stew at the hardware store, shrimp and nibbles at Croaker Town, and a hot dog with chilli at the yard sale.

But the big question lurking in everyone’s mind all morning was “Will the parade be cancelled due to the weather?”  Now you must understand that this parade contains about half of the people in town.  Yes, every boy scout, girl scout, kids on bikes, people walking big and little dogs in reindeer and elf garb, Austin mini club, antique cars and farm tractors, homemade floats decorated by local groups and churches, and of course, the Jolly Old Elf himself make up this parade.  This town is serious about parades.  Every Fourth of July there is a similiar parade (minus Santa, of course!).  So I have been told that “neither rain, nor sleet, nor snow” will deter the annual Christmas parade.

We plan to watch the parade this year from the window of Bryce’s office, nice and warm and dry, while it marches below us.  I have put together a few nibblies and Bryce has packed some spirits.  We have some good friends joining us and we will have a nice time in “The Spirit of Christmas”!

Helen  12/11/10