Strange Times Indeed

I am inspired by the words of humorist Art Buckwald “Whether it’s the best of times or the worst of times, it’s the only time we’ve got.”

Energized by his words so much that figuratively I am picking up my pen to write again in this blog after literally not posting anything in more than a year. (Last blog post February 2019) I, like many of you, seem to have some extra time on my hands—so why not write?

No one would deny that we are living in strange times. I would compare this time in our lives in some ways to the weeks and months after September 11, 2001. People were frightened, grieving, shocked, and angry. And in spite of their fears- people were brave. It would be fair to say that all of these descriptive words could be used today as our world copes with a virus which most of us have never imagined.

I started blogging in November 2012 as a way to record the wonderful adventure of living on a boat and traveling. I also needed a way to process the uncertainty of living this new life on the water after being completely comfortable with my life. I had no experience living on a 55-foot trawler. I had experience on a wakeboard boat in a lake–not an ocean. I don’t like to swim but can to save myself from drowning. I am the least mechanically minded person one could ever meet. I did not understand all the systems on a boat. I was jumping into uncharted territory. Writing about that uncertainty helped to calm my fear and anxiety until I became an experienced boater at which time, I began to write about the beautiful places and interesting people we met along the way. Perhaps writing will again help me navigate through these unfamiliar waters of life facing us now.

On our second trip to the Bahamas in 2015, we anchored at Lyford Cay on the island of New Providence just outside of Nassau in the Clifton Bay. It is a beautiful anchorage with easy access to land by dingy. Clifton Heritage Park is nearby with several great spots for snorkeling. We stayed here for a few days waiting for our youngest daughter to join us for the rest of our trip south to the Exuma Islands.

There was much extravagance to see along the beaches of Lyford Cay. Many celebrities have homes here–Sean Connery, Peter Nygard, Louis Bacon & George Livanos. Even through my binoculars I did not meet the rich or famous who lived nearby.

The water in Clifton Bay is crystal clear. Nothing short of spectacular. While snorkeling we saw exotic fish and shells. I added several sea biscuits to my collection. We didn’t see many other people in the water –which was much to our liking–we don’t like crowds.

Later I discovered the reason we had the water to ourselves. The beach is known as Jaws Beach. The locals knew better than to swim here.

The Corona virus, like those sharks, is lurking around and making us change our way of life. Many will encounter this virus and never know it–I suspect the sharks saw us on Clifton Cay but chose to leave us alone. But there will be many whose lives will drastically be affected.

I pray we all do the best that we can to adhere to the advice of medical personnel to protect those among us who are the most vulnerable.

I pray that those of us who are shocked and angry at this situation devise innovative and creative ways in which to make our society more capable of fighting this virus.

I pray that those who grieve receive peace and comfort.

I pray that the brave nurses and doctors and health care professionals are protected. 

I pray for wisdom for our local, state and federal government.

I pray that hope will replace fear!

Joy