Freezing outside, warm inside

The north wind is still howling here, and it has brought in an Arctic blast of air that stings the face.  Last night when we left the boat, we could hear the halyards of many other boats slapping and the wind whistling through the rigging.  I had gone on deck to make sure that everything was secure.  I didn't want any loose rigging or the roller furled jib to come undone.

There was a huge sailing yacht in flying the British Virgin Islands flag.  It must have been over 100 feet overall.  It dwarfed everything around. I wondered what it was doing here with temperatures at 26 F.  The BVI seems pretty appealing about now. A cruise ship was heading out as well, all lit up but probably not many passengers were hugging the rail to say good bye.  With big seas expected offshore,  I hope they will have a smooth passage to the Caribbean.

The marina is oddly quiet at this time of year.  A few boats are decorated but most are dark with no sign of life.  I am reminded of what the great solo sailor Bernard Moitessier said, "People who do not know that a sailboat is a living creature will never understand anything about boats and the sea."  I feel such a great connection with both of my boats.  The warmth they have provided, the good times we have shared, and even the turbulent times make them seem alive to me.  So I decorate the boats with little lights inside and out which makes me feel as if I am honoring them.

The wind is still strong this morning, and it is bitter cold out.  I plan to go back to the marina to check on things today and will also get some Christmas shopping done.  I am just about through with gifts.  I have the most difficult time with something for my C.  We both have everything that we want.  And most importantly, we still have each other after all these years.  But I like to surprise her with something special.

We are handing out invitations to Christmas Day buffet here at each meeting we attend. This is the best gift of all--to do something for others in recovery, cook for them, make them feel at home, have a house filled with conversation and laughter.  That was my dream for a long time--to have everyone together on Christmas Day. And now it is another dream come true.  It seems like work but really it is a labor of love so that people won't be alone for a few hours.  Unlike the lonely boats in the marina, their presence will be honored, decorated, and made a bit cheerier.  That fills me with a lot of joy.