Well, it's nearly the end of another year, and FIVE years since I've posted to my old blog. I miss this type of diary entry. Social media has taken some strange turns and we now see the limitations of the immediate.
These five years past have been incredible - both in their celebrations and losses. Always fortunate to still be spinning around the sun. This year in particular was mind blowing. I was fortunate to be able to travel to the Arctic Circle (80˚20'61 N 008˚48'46 E to be specific) aboard the tall ship Antigua accompanied by some of the most incredibly giving and talented artists, crew members, and guides that I will NEVER forget. I still dream of being aboard the ship and the vividness of the midnight sun is so permanently etched into my heart. I'm on a constant mission to return again soon.
I've was fortunate to visit Denmark, Norway, Svalbard, France, Austria, and Hungary. Five of those countries are completely new to me! I'm still overwhelmed thinking about it. Antoine and I have now been married for FIFTEEN years, but I've officially known him for over 29 years. He's the best friend and loyal partner I could have ever hoped for. And, many joke that we run an animal menagerie, complete with Kiwi & Gaetano (chihuahuas), Matryoshka (Russian tortoise), Tampa (yellow bellied slider turtle), Poprocks & Batman (bettas), Bang (green terror cichlid) and two stocked aquatic tanks. We welcome many fuzzy friends while pet sitting for others throughout the year as well (Ollie, Lucy, Linus, Chappy, William, Tesla, etc.)
The last big news - and it's not 100% official just yet... but I think I've sold my second authored book. It's only been 22 years since the last one! And you may have guessed it... it's all about tallships and my mildly recent obsession with sailing! 2026 is going to be an amazing 250th anniversary celebration for the United States and I hope my book help usher in the amazing ship parade planned for the eastern seacoast. More on that later!! January will have two new book releases, too! Bea Birdsong's adorable Goat is the G.O.A.T.! and the phenom Elise Broach's Bulldozer & Friends book one! Wooooooof, what a year.
