A first time for everything

Life is full of first's. The first time you kissed someone not your parent, the first dance you attended, your first car, first apartment, house, husband or child. Then the firsts slow down and life becomes routine. You don't see as many firsts as you get older, but they don't stop. This is the first time I've spent Christmas away from home, the first time I didn't make cookies, decorate the house, and the first time I have not had Christmas breakfast with the family. But on the other side of the coin, this is the first time I didn't feel rushed, the first time I didn't spend more money than I had in my checking account and the first time I wore a tee shirt on Christmas day. Some firsts are good, some not so good, but they don't stop, it gives us something to look forward to. Dave and I have had a different holiday, calm, peaceful and yet happy. Friends filled our day. Randy and Ellen, family in our hearts, visited while I was putting up the hammock. We laughed about how our lives have crossed and brought us to this place. It's because of them that we stopped in Oriental for what was supposed to be a night or two. Now it's going on two months and we are still enjoying it as much as the first week. Melinda and Keith stopped by to say Merry Christmas. He's a computer wizard, hooked me up with wifi, Melinda is a love who has a great garden full of herbs, blue bottles and bricks. They brought us a bobble-head dog for the wheelhouse, a pair of poka-dot socks and Snow in a Can. Our afternoon was spent with Billy and Donna. She made a great Christmas dinner, ham, roasted veggies and corn pudding. What a treat. It's not like Christmas in Truro, it's the first one while living on a boat, but it was a good one. So what's next? I'm looking forward to First Night, where here in Oriental they have the running of the Dragon, a sixty foot monster with many people under it. I'll get out a pot to bang on and join others in the street to make lots of noise and keep the dragon moving. It will surely be a first.  We wish you the joy of many firsts, may they all be blessings.  Fair winds.

The Christmas Spirit

Let me give you an example of why Dave and I have decided to stay in Oriental. They have the Spirit of Christmas here. It begins today. Cookies, cider, refreshments, open houses this afternoon and then an evening of luminary delight. Candles in paper bags lining the streets. The town is decorated with lights, wreaths and signs, Joy Joy Joy. There will be two boat parades beginning at 5pm,
 one for decorated kayaks, canoes and paddle boats and a second flotilla for larger boats, all decorated with lights from stem to stern. Then there is the Pamlico High School Choir who will lead the citizens in caroling while the star at the head of the harbor is lit. There is a Chorale of Christmas music at the Methodist Church and a Christmas pageant at the local theater. That's just today. Tomorrow there is more. A parade on Broad Street, open houses serving a variety of food, wine tasting, book signings and if you missed it the first time there is more music scheduled for Saturday evening. Now this is what I call Christmas Spirit and its just one reason for us to stay.

Reason number 2- at noon today a gentleman named Keith showed up at the boat with a box of wires, antenna, routers, and other paraphernalia. He proceeded to set up a WIFI system for me. Now it should be explained that I didn't ask or mention it at the coffee shop, he just came by and said, "Since you are staying the winter I thought it may be easier for you to have WIFI on the boat." No charge. I can now post on my blogger site, pick up email, pay bills and check out FB without leaving the Richard & Arnold. A couple of days ago I traveled three miles to the Yacht Club to use their internet to pay some bills, but then it got late and I didn't get to write to my friends. So now - watch out- you'll be hearing from me on a regular basis.

Oh, I paid Keith with reason # 3.
This morning some local fishermen were unloading their catch and Dave being who he is, went over to the boat to help with the offloading. The fisherman gave him a bag of shrimp, about four pounds. I cleaned them and put three bags in the freezer and one in the fridge for supper. Keith got one of the bags. Its the least I could do. Thank you Keith, it works like a charm!
I'm sure that the Spirit of Christmas is in all your hearts whether you know it or not, but here in Oriental there seems to be real effort to show it. God Bless you all,  now, during the holidays and always.  Fair Winds.

it is a wonderful life

I am so pleased to announce that Publishers Weekly has rewiewed "the Fishermen's Ball". Check it out at PW.com. November 30. I wish I could figure out how to form a link to it but I'm still learning how to use this iPad.  As many of you can guess we are still in Oriental, looks like we have found our winter place, but nothing is written in stone when it comes to water. All I can tell you is that we are looking forward to the Spirit of Christmas on the 12th of December. It was described to me as similar to the movie 'It's a Wonderful Life' staring Jimmy Stewart. People open their homes, there's a parade, and boats get decorated. Now how could we miss that.
My sister, Susie said she thinks we have found our spot. We will see after the parade how we feel, especially if the temperature drops below 40. So far it's been safe, warm, and dry. Shopping this year will be strictly Internet, I don't know if there is a mall within 100 miles. I hope you are all filled with the spirit of Christmas even if you are not in Oriental.