June 12, 2017  I am reading / speaking tonight 7 PM at the Jacob Sears Library in East Dennis. I'm looking forward to the event. It is the second time I have read at this lovely library that is basically unchanged since 1896. Jacob Sears was a farmer who made the right kind of investments and built a considerable nest egg that he left to the town of Dennis for education of its citizens. Mr. Sears married Olive Kelly who's family had a fleet of fishing boats that operated out of Situate Harbor,the same harbor where Dave and I launched our first fishing boat 'the Wildflower' back in 1970. The library has been meticulously maintained and when you are there it is easy to imagine that you have stepped back in time. This will be my first reading without my number one fan. Dave came to all my readings and sat up front to give me encouragement and fill in when the questions about fishing began. I know he will be with me tonight because he is always with me. He is my muse. I talk to him, laugh when I remember the fun times, and allow his spirit to help me find my way. Maybe that sounds strange, but I feel close to him. So tonight I'll brag about what a great fisherman he was, what a wonderful husband and father, and tell a story or two about fishing.

On another note, Squid season is over. Boom, just like that.  The powers that be said no more small mesh in state waters and I don't begrudge it. The local fishermen will move onto fluke or lobster, or scallops, or some other specie that is open.  Fluke season began on the 10th of June, even though it was a non-fluke fishing day. You have to take Friday and Saturday off. So it really opened on the 11th this year. Our son Bob was called back to his tug to help out for a few days. He will jump back into fishing as soon as he gets back. A fresh fluke meal would feel great right about now.

I'm playing catch-up because I didn't get this post out there and now it's the next day. You missed my talk but that's ok. I would recommend a visit to The Jacob Sears Library whenever you get to Dennis. Reminds me of a New England church with books. The reading was fun for me. The first speaker was a woman who wrote a children's book, a surprising story for kids of all ages titled The Piano in the Marsh, A Cape Cod Mystery  Dorothy Hemmings-Bassett is the author and the lively lady who who also spoke and read at the gathering. It was good to see Elizabeth Moisen again. She is author, illustrator, and organizer of ABITH, acronym for A Book In The Hand. Thank you Elizabeth.

Coming up for me (author hat) is a reading at the Harbor Hotel, Provincetown, used to be the Holiday Inn for those here long enough to remember. It is part of the Provincetown Portuguese Festival. I am speaking at 2 PM on June 23 and even if you can't make it to the reading, I hope you will enjoy all the festivities leading to the Blessing of the Fleet on Sunday. There will be music, dancers, and food. There are parades. A festival to rival any.  I will be reading from my second in the Chief Crowley 1938 mysteries, Dead Low Tide. This book follows The Fishermen's Ball and I am already thinking about book three in the series.  June 22-25 is the 70th Blessing of the Fleet and our F/V Richard & Arnold built in Fairhaven, MA, fishing since 1934, will join the boats in the parade on Sunday.

I'm trying to find balance between my losses and my blessings and it is not easy. Some days the loss is overwhelming. Then it is hard to stop crying. But I think of my life, the many years of being next to a very special person. Captain Dave,  I'm so glad for the love we shared, the adventures, our family and friends, our boats, our days upon the water and that's when  I know how blessed I am.