Preface, August 18, 2009

Liberté is once again our home away from home. I’ve had many starts to this first entry into Liberté Chatterbox blog. Remember how I felt lost while at sea, not having the ability to quantify the list of accomplishments for the day? I wrote several times about transitioning and to this day my evolving however learning to let go is getting easier; the old familiar Sue to the new woman more open to living by the cliché, “home is where the heart is”. Balance is the key and as long as I have room and time to be creative I will be well. Funny as it may sound, last summer once I was on shore, my home, my garden, felt like strangers to me. I was out of sync. I would start in one direction and stop and start in another. I was very aware of this phenomenon. It felt odd.

By springtime deep into projects a balance was struck. I don’t remember much of it and lo-behold summer came and gardening filled what little empty time remained each day. The yard had its last serious grooming session days before we left. It will hardly notice that I am away. October seems distant. However I know that this rhythmic time will pass quickly. Allowing the ebb and tide of every day will help accept the daily gifts this opportunity of a cruising life with Pat and George will offer. Who is foolish enough to pass up adventures on the waterways of the Northwest?

I am sitting here, with George snuggled up under our Huskies’ Gold comforter, Sting is singing softly – filling the cabin with his almost haunting voice, the cymbals softly ringing, a harmonica sounds remind me of a train off in the distance. . . I have had troubles starting this year’s journal. My attempts to analyze this fact lead me to the conclusion: that this is a sequel. How often have I picked up a book written by a prodigious author, or watched a movie that followed a real gem only to be disappointed? I mentioned George. I’ll introduce you to him in just a moment, but have decided after a conversation with Pat, that this will be told through fresh eyes. George. His place of origin would be the Congo! He is Starbuck’s 1st of their Wildlife Edition, a Mangebay Monkey. Pat brought him home about a month ago and has taken on quite a life of his own!

Approaching the departure day had a completely different flavor than last year. The mystery of the unknown; the experience of living nine weeks away from home and garden had been dispelled. The only mystery and one we cannot control other than using good judgment, is Mother Nature with her whims – wispy summer skies to dramatic sudden tantrums with thunder, lightning and winds.

Coffee is now just at a temperature that we can safely drink, to savor the rich dark flavor that we seem to be quite addicted to! I wanted to make certain that we would have ground coffee for the entire trip. I remember last year that this was one provision that was difficult to locate on the store shelves, the further north we went. I brought 10# ready for our French Press- three decaf for that last treat in the evening with a good book and the remaining 7 to use throughout the day.) Yesterday I made three pots during our 10 hours on the water- The third pot was one too many for me – it seemed wasteful to pour it down the sink.