kateandjohnsail.boats

Nothing beats a downsize and a move to help refine your thinking about what makes “home.” Certainly the people are the essence of home; on our sailing journey we miss our family and communities of friends. Physical objects are less important: only a few suitcases came with us to Quintessa, and those contained mostly clothing and boat parts. However, a few special things came along that have outsize significance in making the boat feel like home.

In the months just before we left, our very gifted friend Sheila made this beautiful quilt for our bed. No two of the boats on it are the same, and as she made each one, Sheila prayed for our flourishing and our safety on our journeys.

Kate’s sister Barbara weaves magic on a floor loom in a studio in her home. This towel that she made for us has a place of honor in our galley where we can use and appreciate it every day. Next to the towel is a roll of flannel “better than paper towels” made by our daughter in law Catherine. These cloths contribute to our effort to go easy on resources. Even on a boat, it’s possible to give up consumable products like paper towels and napkins.

In years past, our daughter Meg made a large wall calendar for us annually, featuring family pictures from the preceding year. This Christmas she downsized the concept, and we very much look forward to changing the page each month to reveal the new photos of the grandkids.

We don’t have a large refrigerator to display grandchild art, but our small microwave hosts a magnet picturing a very favorite grandchild memory. A new friend I met just last summer heard the story in which I brought the boat in during John’s thumb emergency, and she gave me a magnet that says You are braver than you think and stronger then you know. It came with the promise of daily prayer, and that means a lot.

Lastly, one of John’s friends decided we needed a pair of sock monkeys to accompany us on our journeys. I was dubious about having them as crew, but right away they found places to hang out where they are not in the way, and I find myself smiling when I catch them watching our daily activities. Home, sweet boat.