Life Aboard SERENADA: I shed a few tears today

Before we left home, we received one gift from our friends which was not to be opened “until we were at sea.” We were good. We waited. The ‘North Atlantic’ passage should satisfy our friends. In any case, I was certainly looking forward to opening our gift, and thought we’d waited long enough! So, here’s the photo stream...

Though we’re very much enjoying our adventure; opening the gift from our friends, just brought back memories of you all and the times shared with you, and we miss that L. So, being the sap that I am, I shed a few tears.

I loved the gifts. Loved the “polka dot door” wrapper to start with – fun. The first message I read was from Sharon, and just because it was the first message, the tears started …. until I noticed that the message was stapled to a maj card! That got me laughing and crying together. I also opened an envelope from Lou, with the funny or clever names that people give their boats (from the marina where her sister has a boat). We’ve run across some memorable boat names too: Crazy Lady, A Loan Again, Reel Life, Knot a Clew, Wet Dreams… I can’t remember them all. Then there was the list of sailor superstitions – one of which is the “No Bananas on Board” as they bring bad luck – we can dispel that one! The lavender (?) packet is much appreciated in the head J (for non sailors, the head is a boater’s term for the washroom). The photo album holds precious memories. I’ve used a recipe from Elizabeth's Ship to Shore Cookbook for tonight’s dinner (Avocado & Chicken) already. THANK YOU everyone – you know who you are. But there’s more! We’re being good though, and waiting to open those mystery envelopes, one at a time, throughout our journey, when we need a little reminder of friends back home.

This boater passed beside us today,