It is Thanksgiving and also the day we’ve run out of many of our fresh vegetables. Poor timing - not much of a feast this year then but we’re making potato gratin so that will be a fun treat. Jan turned to me today and said “I’m imagining myself at the grocery store and thinking ‘I shoulda got more of this, more of that, more of those.’” Could he know I was replaying the same situation in my head? Oh well. We’re not hurting for food, just for variety. Good thing we both love pasta!
The wind is slow, but the predictions tell us it should be the last slow day. This light pocket is the consequence of a shorter course. A longer course would have given us faster winds but more miles to cover… maybe it would have all come out the same in the end? Either way, we’ve been floating along between 4 and 5 knots today. Even in its tedium, our light wind sails are full more often than they’re not, and this feels pretty luxurious compared to our zero wind days prior to Cabo Verde.
I’m missing family. Who wouldn’t? Hard to know all those people I love will be in one place and that I’m not among them. At first I thought “can’t be among them,” but I chose to be here instead and I can sit well with that. We’re grateful for Nam Thanh, steadily carrying us across this ocean. We’re grateful for the fish we’ve caught. We’re grateful for the wind.
Last night during Jan’s watch, we received a visitor. A kestrel flew into the salon and gave Jan a real spook. Apparently these birds can fly and swim, but cannot walk. These must be the birds I’ve been seeing dodging over the waves in search of easy prey. Jan helped it back to the water before I woke up so I was not able to make its acquaintance, but apparently it left a present on one of the cushions.
I’m currently working my way through my third sailing related book that I’ve read on this journey. Each of these books also has countless quotes from other authors, each something related to sailing or the ocean. It seems to me that sailors are constantly attempting to describe the vastness that is the sea and our relationship with her. I normally don’t think of myself as much of a writer, but between this blog and lots of free time, I feel called to write. I wonder if it is recency bias, but it seems to me sailors often turn to the written word in an attempt to communicate the way the ocean changes itself and her passengers. I wonder how it will change me?
Reflecting on things I’ve struggled with this year, reflecting on the state of our country and civil discourse, reflecting on how I can be better for the people I love. Keeping an open mind in case the sea has some suggestions in the course of my musing.
Above all, I give thanks for all of you, reading this. My community. If you have the link to this blog, it’s likely that you’ve supported or cared for me in some way. I’m grateful.
Happy Thanksgiving,
E
We sure did miss you, Em - but we all are so grateful that you're having this amazing experience. And so proud of your bravery and intentionality through it all!
Missed you so much, sweet Emma. You were definitely with us in spirit. Maybe I’ll freeze some of grandmothers stuffing for you. Enjoy the sea… you’ll have many thanksgivings but few opportunities like the journey you are on now. Grateful for how you inspire us all. Love, mom
Well - you were here! Happy Thanksgiving to you and the crew
Oh Emma Lou, we will surely miss you today as we prepare and celebrate but we know you are doing what you love and that makes it a lot easier to be without you. Making cranberry ring, red cabbage, a turkey and a marionberry pie which I think will be great. Shall I freeze a piece? We are so proud of you for taking this big leap, and love you so much
Grandmother and Howl
Your reflections are beautiful, reflections of your own beauty:) I am so glad you are there with Jan.