Oct 22, Visit NY, then to Palm Beach

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Monday Hugs, October 22,2007 xoxo
Hey all!!
I have been updating the home page but not getting to the log... And words do come in handy.  A bit of narration. Yes, much is happening.  Transition is moving along.  Leaving again... You know how hard that is for me.. New Zealand, Ushuaia, Ireland...it is always traumatic as I seem to get very close to people very fast.  It has been glorious meeting so many that have followed our journey around the world in person.  Catching up with great old friends as Rhode Island has become home base in the states so I do get to 'come back' and continue friendships made here. Davison has been an amazing supportive partner as I have forged new territories. I am not going to do a thank you letter here as inevitably I can't name all who have touched my life so deeply.  I did get a letter to the editor into the East Bay Rhode Island papers. So much giving. 
But the time has come for me to head south to Palm Beach FL to join SV_Sherry Lee as Skipper for Stu.  Truth is, that Stu is once again facilitating dreams as he gives me a place and helps me hide away to begin to write.  I am just so distractable. 

There has been much going on as I am getting alot of projects off the ground.  Alot is established and up and running.  I have a bit of a handle on the website..I have contact with folks in many realms of furthering the cause of preservation, the critical thinking program I want to develop. I hope that it will allow folks to work on skills that help us make better decisions based on real information which I believe will help our country, our family, our lives to better balance and healthy living.  When we see things as truly interconnected as they are, as stewards of all that we have for all people because we are all so interconnected, our decisions will start to create balance. Enough is enough.. balance creates peace and allows the happiness that is intrinsically ours to be our centering. When I get overwelmed, and I do so often, it is that knowing that I am really happy intrinsically that lets me ask honest questions of myself.  What is hindering the expression of the true happiness that is mine?.  As soon as I get quiet and stop, I sense that happiness.  It is noise, striving, fear, worry that distracts me and steals so much energy I can't even enjoy the happiness I know is me. 

This summer and fall, I have also had some rude awakenings and reality checks as I continued to research. I can not deny the plummeting stability of the 'America' I have believed in.  Corporate egotism and feudal arrogance has boldly erroded our political checks and balances.  It seems that we have handed over our rights to fear. Yet possibly what we should fear is not without...it is within our own systems that no longer care for sustainable health and the people.  Just ensuring there will be a real election in 2008 will be a challenge more over bringing in the checks and balances that will break the historical cycles of money and power seeking injustice. We can make a difference.  Keep on Caring..Live our own lives in balance as much as we can. Sustainable..

Believe me, I am talking to myself... I get tired as I haven't managed the intensity of all going on very well.  But as time goes by and ideas mature, enthusiasm comes in waves, expectations become more realistic, I start to sift through life and priority.  I have tried some things and I am finding my way.  It has been a magical summer yet challenging as could be. Inspired Insanity will be staying In Bristol Marina for the winter.  The refit took more than expected and I had alot of last minute committments come up, so she will be enduring the cold. BRRRR... I can't explain how hard it has been to make the decision to leave her behind... but it will be OK. We got her all buttoned up. Bristol Marina took care of the rig and has the engine.. we have some projects still in process, the head, bracket for an outboard, but Keel got the rest of the fiberglass work and covered all the holes in the cockpit. It was such a pleasure to have him there as I puttered away inside and packed stuff away. So come spring.. splash...


It has been a wonderful few weeks, great friends visiting from afar. Yes,Keel, my youngest son, just visited. WOW! he is amazing.  Challenging himself to move forward. His photography skills are maturing as he keeps focused.  We played some great jams. It is such a joy beyond words to have had him here, to hold him and have him hold me. His understanding is so genetic to me.  Now I need to get to Cooper!!!  I hope to see Kristy in the next days. Davison and I am heading west to NY for a few days with Ptarmi before heading south.  She is due for her baby in December, and joy would have it that they just were able to buy a house.  So it is going to be a crazy transition time for them amidst the baby baking.. Oh to be young. I can't wait to get there and lend a hand. But never enough time.

So, things will start to settle down I think.  I am sure that it won't take too long in Palm Beach before I get some gigs happening.. but I will continue to keep updates happening.  Actually, it will take a bit to finish sharing so much that has happened this summer and fall. I've got lots of photos trickling in....

Biggest Hugs xoxoxo d

"Keepin On, Keepin On, Keepin On Caring... keeping centered in true happiness it is all good...somehow"


 

Boat Show

Hi to all!
Life is sure speeding along, plenty to do.

The Bristol Boatshow was a success, the rain held off, bands were great, and lots of people gathered round the new boats and exhibits. Given the boatshow had been rained out the previous years, it was great to see so many out and I had the privilege of meeting most of them. Will Barbeau went to the creative realm and put together a photo display of my journey as well as got promo material together for OceansWatch and Youth4Nature for a second board. 

The response was overwelming in favor of both.  I spent 2 days telling seastories and relating those stories to the desperate state of the earth as the temperature warms in global warming. The constant barrage of tropical storms, endless instability in weather, total unpredictable nature of the weather patterns due to those warming effects on the atmospheric environment, warming and cooling air, which creates weather. With the added experiences with wildlife and the mentorship I share by the sea herself, all ears and hearts seemed to open. Young people gathered around my mainsail and drew pictures and signed their names all to be flown as I sail, representing their support of solutions to globalwarming, and caring about the ocean, her wildlife and that of the world. 

Already young people are answering emails to write and get involved with the decision making process of the USA by giving a voice to their caring.  Biggest thanks to The Town, Harbormaster office, Sean Sullivan, and each one that signed my sail, my guest book, leant support, signed up for youth 4 nature and oceanswatch... big huge hugs xoxoxo

Thanks you to Jay Miller, Vice Chair of the Sierra Club in RI and member of the newly created marine committee nationally, who is hosting me at the The Oceans Week Conference in Washington DC.  It has been absolutely eye opening experience for me. With all the PR, films and documentaries on the oceans and marine wildlife, it seems inconceivable that the legislative representatives are desperate for the outcry of concern that they can use to forward the cause of saving our endangered ocean creatures and the habitats they live in. Desperate to build support for the agencies that maintain the weather  satelites, NOAA,  research, education.

There are trust foundations anxious to further the dedication of ocean frontage to sanctuaries ensuring vital critically endangered ecosystems are not destroyed by the careless furthering of capitalistic goals, with total disregard for their impact on life.  During the opening statements today Leon Penneta, once Chief of Staff for President Clinton and continued activist for Ocean related preservation issues, dynamically verbalized what all there felt: great passion to see the ocean environment protected and the incredible challenge before each to relate to the whole country (not just coastal America) the intricate, vital interdependance of man with the ocean, regardless of where we live.

The Ocean is the cleanser of the atmosphere, the reservoir of water covering 70% of the earth's surface. The issues of the ocean's preservation are issues that effect every aspect of our life. The air we breath, "our health, recreation, economy, our soul as a country".  "What must we do to protect this legacy for our children? " I didn't realize that 50% of our GDP (gross domestic product) comes from Coastal Communities. This is about economy..

But the most astounding thing was to hear the legislative representatives beseech the audience, Non government organizations, organizations representing the consciousness of the populace to create a voice.  They are working hard to create bills and policy that will protect our ocean and marine wildlife, the coast for access by all, but when they go to the legislature, they have no power to wield.  There are no calls, no letters, no emails, no voices crying "We Need To Take Care Of The Ocean!!!!!" Yes, nature preservation has a voice, though not loud enough, the land!! but not the sea. It is hard enough to get a commercial, money driven, lobby-fed busy congress to consider the future, the beauty and impact of wildlife, but the sea? 

Is she impervious to this horendous assault? No way! But the issues most concerning to the constituents, those voices that are screaming for resolution, those are the ones who get policy, funding and support. "We need to hear from diverse groups with a unified voice" states Eric Webster, Director of NOAA Legislative Affairs.

Beyond this the legislative representatives implore us that there is tremendous power at the state and local government level to deal with much of the real, 'at the source' issues facing the environment and wildlife today...

WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE. THERE ARE EARS WAITING TO HEAR, THERE IS A PROCESS BY WHICH OUR CONCERNS, WHEN VOICED WILL EFFECT LAWS TO BE PASSED TO SUPPORT OCEAN PRESERVATION POLICY, MANAGEMENT OF ALL USING THE OCEAN, PROTECTION FOR THE VAST NUMBERS OF ENDANGERED SPECIES FROM FISH, TO WHALE, TO CORAL.  TO PREVENT MORE SHRINKING OF THE ICE AND INCREASE IN THE DEVASTATING EFFECTS GLOBALWARMING IS ALREADY HAVING. HOW MANY MORE UNPRECIDENTED EVENTS.

Not only can we make that difference in Washington, but there are real effective changes that can be made on the state, local and personal level that will make a difference...We don't need to wait for a president to sign a law to create a difference.  NO matter the policy made by the government laws are only as good as those who implement them. We can implement great changes now. There will be educational information coming...  

Ok, off my soap box.

It is moving.  I had never been to Washington DC.  The ideals upon which she was built are still etched in the very life of the walls of these most majestic buildings.  Ancestors, the battles that have gone before, won and lost, the landmark decisions that have changed the life of every one who calls themselves  American. We can envision landmark decisions made today for the ocean's protection, sanctuaries, management of the resources and those who have self-destructively anhilated the very life forms upon which their economy exists, by greed and ignorance, neither of which are excusable.

So... This is a beginning. I hope to begin a new section in the website about how we can help. The simplicity of writing letters and making a phone call at a strategic moment. Getting involved in fun, group activities to clean and restore.  To develope the critical thinking skills that allow a person to see issues, consider the impact those issues have on themselves and the world, to consider solutions then evolve with caring to act upon those solutions.

Sierra Club has dedicated all their over 100 years of experience in promoting grassroots change, to as effectively as possible bring action toward creating Cool Cities, Cities which have reduced the human effects on the environment to stop the further devastating effects of Global Warming all over America. There is a place for me to work with the Sierra Club of Rhode Island as a liason to the yachting and marine organizations, health care organizations (as a professional nurse) and schools (having worked with young people for so many years, even a pediatric nurse) to present the Cool City Campaign, Climate Protection Agreement to the local government which will bring the necessary changes to decrease the furthering of Global Warming in the Coastal Rhode Island area.  It will give me an opportunity to share my journey, music, but also my deep longing to share the understanding of the unified interdependent nature of humanity and all nature, hoping to help bring postive momentum to needed changes.

Check out www.oceanswatch.com. Also reaching out to that community closest to the sea, the yachting community to build that coalition to effect change, to add their responsible voice as it is the very ocean they rely on for their lifestyle we must work together to protect.  Yachtsmen and women are most often very willing to support change but need encouragement to get involved as they have often gone to the sea for solace, not to have a voice, as I did.  But let us raise an accountability and standard of caring and doing to decrease the impetus for global warming, stewarding the sea which we use every day.  

Check out www.youth4nature.pnn.com  A new format I set up for young people to publish their findings, ideas, stories, letters, and photos regarding policy and whatever event or issue is pending in the world regarding wildlife and marine preservation. If our youth can think clearly, creatively figure it out and then write about it, they can effect change.  And when this is young people thinking and writing, doing, caring, things change. The next generation has the tools to create a world they want to live in. Inconvenience today is just habit tomorrow once we begin to honor the code of conduct that will protect our future.

Check out www.ocean revolution.com. Getting young people involved, excited and having a blast learning about and caring for the ocean and becoming more effective adults in the process all over the world.

www.bluefront.com; This is for all ages..

Celebrity Sailing Event

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July 21, 2007 Saturday surprise hugs!!

Racing!! And with the best in the world!

I'm in Baltimore for a Celebrity sail event.. Crazy!!! but great! Should be interesting. It will be interesting to see if I have an aptitude to racing. All the other celebrity sailors are world class racers, some paralympic world class racers. There will also be Tv and sports personalities and a couple of local political figures. Beth Perry has done an incredible job putting the Benefit event together to promote the "Downtown Sailing Center for Accessible Boating Program", and the Paralympic Sailing Team, "Team Sailing for Life". It should be great fun, but I will be nervous. I already know that. I race 3 times over the day so hopefully I will get the hang of the race scene and feel more comfortable by the end of the day. I am more afraid of being too aggressive and hitting someone. Oh Well, we'll see. Beth Perry is amazing as the organizer of the event. It was because of a chance meeting at the Newport Yacht Club, when I went to join friends from Bermuda visiting for the start of the Bermuda-Newport Race, that I ran into Beth. Wildness! And here I am. The log at the end of the day should be interesting. She is going to have me sing "For the Love of Oceans" to start us off too. A couple of my CD's will be given as gifts which will give me a bit of extra publicity too. Beth is all about promoting sailors. If I do seem to have the knack for racing, who knows... maybe there will be a race ahead for me. Regardless I am determined to enjoy the events and not get too competitive. I would like to discover that racing is an option for me. All good!

I had a great time with my daughter and grandchildren, though it rained and poured, we also had some delightful bits of sunshine, walks along an incredibly beautiful whitewater river stretch, and exciting times at the Wild Center Adirondack Museum in Tupper Lake. Thank goodness for public Libraries. And we even did some do-see-does at a square dance!! Ptarmigan was the artist of 'finding a kid friendly' activity and we had lots of fun.

Thanks Jan and others for continuing to promote my cd's. Right now, amidst the transition to 'land life', building the foundation of YOuth4Oceans and For the Love of Oceans, those sales are keeping me going. I so appreciate your support. Opportunities to speak and share my dream are beginning to book. Music gigs are starting to fall into place. Thanks again all. We are beginning to look to book a fall concert in the NY Capital District area so I can catch up with so so many that have supported me along my journey from my original hometown around Burnt Hills NY. So be on the lookout, NYer's..

biggest hugs xooxoxoxo d

"Keepin On, Keepin On, Keepin On Caring...the small world is even smaller when the smile on your face is reflected back with momentum.."

Donna Sings

For the Love of Oceans!