November 26th, 2014

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Wednesday, November 26. Thanksgiving Eve. And an invitation for you.

Wednesday, November 26th, 2014

Wishing all a very Happy Thanksgiving Holiday. Even though  I did not grow up with this celebration, it has become my favorite family holiday.

There is no end to the long list of blessings, particularly this year. A year ago I was licking my wounds on the island of Ibiza. I had lost everything in the November 16 shipwreck.  A miraculous rescue. If the boat would have come to rest just 20 feet from the spot it did, I would not be writing this. God had a new plan for me. I walked off the boat with the clothes I wore and a week later I was the best dressed shipwreck survivor. Help came from everywhere. Thanks to people who cared and their generosity. I was homeless but soon I had an oceanfront furnished flat for $18 per day on Ibiza. Later the free use of a friend’s  luxurious condo on Mallorca. Then three months in Holland looking after a friend’s home, with the   use of a car and weekly cleaning lady. Then the unexpected opportunity to replace “Fleetwood” with  an identical boat, that happened to be well within my savings and a better boat than the one I lost. The list I put out for the items I need to continue my off shore adventure shrunk steadily with donations from dock neighbors in Gig Harbor and beyond. I have been spoiled by old friends here in Gig Harbor and made many new friends. The recent surprise to bestow honorary membership in the Gig Harbor Yacht Club. The list goes on and on.

I have mentioned it in this blog before but this happens to be the reason/season to repeat it. Knowing Who your Donor is and directing your gratitude makes the experience of Thanksgiving so much more meaningful. Thanks be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

The Invitation: go to :https://cometosea.us/albums/FleetwoodFlyer.pdf

I am giving a presentation on December 14th from 1 p.m. in the parish hall of the St. Nicholas church. Check the above link for details. You will not have any regrets that you missed the Seahawks game against the 49ers. Guaranteed. The next day I fly to Virginia to spend Christmas with daughter # 3, Jeannine and her family (three grandchildren and three great grandchildren…) I expect to be back in mid January. I will staying with Rose Marie (daughter #2) and her husband in Federal Way till my December 15 departure and celebrate Thanksgiving with Lisa (d.#1) and her family and son Seth and his mom. I look forward to share my story and slide shows with you on December 14. Spread the word!. You can print out the flyer or forward it to your friends. All are welcome!

 

 

Wednesday November 26. I lost a dear friend.

Wednesday, November 26th, 2014

Roger Rue passed away on Monday after a long struggle with cancer. We met in 1978. The beginning of a long memorable friendship. One of the reasons for coming back to the Northwest from Holland last April was to be able to celebrate Rogers’ 80th birthday. We knew for some time that the end was near but he surprised everyone for longer than the predictions with his wit and firm handshake. But still I, apparently, was not quite prepared for the reality. He has been such a good friend. He encouraged and supported my adventure. His generous gift paid for my Monitor windvane. He made me part of the “Old Salts” crew that went out with him on “Grand Central” on Thursday evenings sails and a stop at a favorite drinking hole on the Tacoma waterfront. I crewed with Roger to sail the boat from Tacoma to San Francisco and on an other occasion we buddy boated with Larry Burcars’s “Siren” to San Francisco. I could go on with the anecdotes and adventures I have had the privilege to have shared with this man and his friends.

To know Roger read his obituary at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/tribnet/obituary.aspx?n=roger-rue&pin 19id=173287595&fhid=23431

May Roger rest in peace, the winds be gentle and his final moorage be secure.

Roger the Pilot

Roger the Pilot