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The Way Home : Home is the Way
So here we are in our 25th year together at a new crossroads.…
Remember SAILING?
The Banderas Bay Blast was the weekend of my birthday. We decided to join it for our first time off the dock since April 2020!…
Why I Paddle and Sing the Sun Up and Down
This one's all about the glorious images, friends.…
Monday Morning on Dock 9
This is a series of nested stories. None is a big deal, but together they are a sweet tapestry of the small-town life that's evolved for us spending the pandemic at dock in La Cruz.…
Grounding Retreat 2021: As You Wish
Our 15th autumn Grounding retreat will be luscious, flexible, and easeful. We’ll be trying something radical: there are absolutely no requirements. I will offer a simple menu of delicious resources. You are welcome to enjoy whatever feels right for you, in whatever way your own heart guides you.…
Hiking Cerro del Mono, Monkey Mountain
It was magnificent. Important spoiler: there are no monkeys on Monkey Mountain.…
Umbrella Downwind Regatta, Redux
I spoke too soon with my post about the magnificently absurd charity race here last week, as several more people have shared their documentation. Here's a little more art about it!…
The Umbrella Downwind Regatta
Now THIS is my kind of race: The Umbrella Downwind Regatta. You can use any floating platform under 14' (4.2 meters), a paddle for a steering tiller or to fend off boats to prevent impact but not to paddle, and some kind of jerry-rigged sail, usually an umbrella.…
While I Kiss the Sky
This bay is a crater: round, and ringed by mountains except where it opens onto the sea. It's the most astonishing feeling to live here, like the earth is cupping you in the palm of her hand.…
April Events with Dahlia
Oh, you tender and precious bit of stardust! Happy Spring! Happy Equinox! We have entered the season where the light is greater than the darkness. Ahhhhh. I wish to offer you opportunities for integration, for mending, for peace.…
The Gentlest Spring Retreat (SOLD OUT)
Beloved friends, Spring is coming, and after this strangest of years, budding feels both tender and vital. I wish to support you with a spring retreat. I have endeavored to create one which is as gentle and flexible as possible, and as deep and sincere as all my work.…
Quantum Physics and the Joy of Not-Knowing
Just now, I'm giddily anthropomorphizing quantum physics.…
One Revolution of the Earth Around the Sun
Today is the one year anniversary of my quarantine. HOT HOLY JELLY DOUGHNUTS!…
Best of this Week: Crocodiles and a Wringer
This little fella is named Galileo. He is two years old. Alfredo thinks he was born prematurely; he is blind and has bone deformities.... I close my eyes and remember the feel of Galileo's surprisingly soft tiny abdomen against my palms, swelling and contracting with his sweet little breath.…
On the Radio, Whoa-oh-oh-oh
"Good morning, this is the Banderas Bay Net for Wednesday, (today's date.) Net control today is Dahlia from S/V Rejoice." These sentences are one of the bright spots of my pandemic year.…
Gathering for Peace and Courage
We’ll begin by tending to ourselves with loving tenderness: simple self-massage, gentle, seated stretching, and deep relaxation. If you choose, we'll continue by coming together for satsang, a gathering of spiritual practitioners for conversation. We will close with guided meditation.…
Tiny Massage Workshop: A Little Self-Love (11/28)
Come play! I'll lead simple, gentle massage & movement for your face, neck, and shoulders, easily done sitting on the chair, couch, bed, or in the bathtub over Zoom. I offer you as a testimonial the words of my mama, who after some touch and stretch, said: "I FEEL LIKE I TOOK A HOUSE OFF OF ME!"…
Look at you, Astronomer!
When I saw this juicy sky event, I asked James if he'd paddle out with me in the dark before dawn. As is often the case with sky plans, the first day the alarm went off at 4:30 it was overcast and we went back to sleep. The second day, though, was perfect.…
Storm Porn
As I seek to return to the groove of sharing with you here, I'm simply going to begin in the moment. We're on Banderas Bay, in La Cruz de Huanacaxtle. Most days are sunny in the middle and rainy at the end. We had a great storm on Saturday night and I got some beautiful footage.…
Sangha Retreat: Home Meditation Course 18 (FULL)
Beloved friend, I’m offering an 8 week remote meditation retreat for prior students of my Home Meditation Course. This retreat will meet you wherever you are with healing, peace and reflection. It's okay if you are out of the groove of practice or if your heart is breaking. This is why we retreat.…
The Light Inside: Home Meditation Course 17 (SOLD OUT)
Come, rinse your heart in the light of the stars. Remember the way to the refuge that lies within you, holding wells of strength, courage, and solace. We need this, both always and now, right now. The world needs us, every one of us: strong and clear of heart. I am here to support you in that.…
Letters from Quarantine
In the early weeks of the COVID-10 pandemic, when quarantines were new, I sent a supportive email to my sangha (spiritual community) most days. This is the best of them. They speak to hard times, grief, hope, and most of all, to love.…
Project Breakdown: Companionway Screen Door
Yesterday I finished making a companionway screen door. This is probably not a general-interest post, though you might dig it if you love problem solving! This is a love letter to the Sewing On Boats Facebook group; I posted a photo there and several people asked for details.…
Pandemic Offerings and Strategies
We're all in this together. We wanted to share with you a few things we're doing to ease all of our efforts to flatten the curve, both here in La Cruz de Huanacaxtle and in the wider world.…
Now What?
James and I are finding that folks are curious about our plans. Some people want to know what's happening next. Some people want to know about our long term plans. So let's talk!…
Five Minutes On Marriage: For Mamie & Kayvon
Kayvon and Mamie asked three couples of different generations to speak upon love and marriage during their wedding ceremony. We were honored to be the middle couple.…
Monster Trucks, the Ferris wheel, and Ribbon Fries, Oh My!
Mama suggested that we might want to check out the Windsor Fair, which has been taking place since 1888. Oh my gosh, we had so much fun! First there were Monster Trucks.…
Retreating
A vital aspect of my spiritual practice is retreat: taking to wild places with wise folk to turn inward, like spring cleaning and a growth spurt for my being. I spent last week at the Kripalu Center studying with Lorin Roche, whose…
Home Again: 20 Year Vows
Our ceremony began with the same introduction we wrote for our first wedding and used to renew our vows at ten years. This time we swapped which of us said which now-traditional parts; to each hear the other say to us what…
Delicious Mountain: On Improvisation
Last night James and I went out in San Francisco. We drove across the Bay Bridge, which never fails to awe, and meandered on foot through the waterfront tourist district and Aquatic park to Fort Mason. We were headed off to see…
Everyday Magnificence: Frigatebirds
I found them breathtaking from the start, appearing in their in elegant soaring congregations hundreds of feet above us, welcoming us to the waters of Pacific Mexico as we made our way around Cabo San Lucas.…
On Wildness
A few nights ago in the dreamtime, James and I were in the forest sitting at the top of a slide. A deep, narrow ravine was quite near and a pair of huge red wolves were running along its far side. They…
Meditation Retreats: This Spaciousness That You Are
Come. Let go. Turn inward and be nourished! A period of deep practice is a wonderful way to learn how to meditate, to reignite the fires of a sluggish or lapsed practice, and to refresh and heal.…
Your Radiant True Nature: Home Meditation Course 14
Come, dip your toes in the waters of your existence. Rinse your heart in the light of the stars. Remember the way to the refuge that lies within you, holding wells of strength, courage, and solace.…
Isla Isabel: The Galapagos of Mexico
Isla Isabel (also called Isla Isabela) is a small volcanic island, a little over a mile square, and about 45 miles from the nearest port. Often called the Galapagos of Mexico, and famous for the documentary that Jacques Cousteau made here, this…
It's all the Same F*cking Day, Man
I hadn't had more than three weeks without work (except for 2 surgical recoveries) since I was 16 years old until I stopped teaching just before we left San Francisco last fall. That's 32 years of work. For…
Mazatlán: Port Notes
We spent close to two months in Mazatlán, from mid January to mid March 2019. Here are our Port Notes. Things change pretty fast in the world — don't be surprised if the businesses we mention or conditions we describe have…
Tips on the TIP, Mexico’s Golden Ticket
It’s last year, the middle of September. Rejoice should be anchored out in the lee of Avalon, our first visit to picturesque Catalina, the island off the coast of Los Angeles that was to be one of the highlights of our…
El Faro Mazatlán: The Lighthouse
What you read is "the highest lighthouse in the Americas!" What you don't read is: tiny building atop a huge lump of rock jutting into sea at the end of town! What everyone tells you is: The climb!…
Carnaval in Mazatlán: The Parade
Sunday night was Mazatlán's famous Carnaval parade. The ending was not too far from our marina, so we walked down the beach at sunset and had dinner shoreside at twilight. Barra al Mar was some of our favorite food and…
Laundry without Machines
We're at our first marina that doesn't have washing machines. Turns out there are no public washing machines in the little town of La Cruz! You wash things at home or send your laundry out. Most cruising sailors…
Carnaval in Mazatlán: Burning of Bad Humor and Naval Battle Fireworks
After our work in the boatyard was complete, we decided to hang out until Carnaval, the pre-Lenten festival; Mardi Gras is the most famous example in the United States. Mazatlán's Carnaval is world famous, one of the biggest. We were…
The Loss of a Foremother
Today I sing for Carolee Schneeman, the glorious, ferociously incarnate, brilliant artist, who has left her body at the age of 79. "I guess my best advice is this: Be stubborn and persist, and trust yourself on what you love. You…
Stumbling into Magic: El Cladavista
After we completed our work in the boatyard we decided to linger in Mazatlán; Carnaval was not far off and Mazatlán's Carnaval is quite famous, one of the largest in the world. Carnaval is a public celebration of indulgence that…
Boatyard Life
In order to replace the seals and bearings on Rejoice's rudder, she had to be hauled out of the water. We were about due to repaint the part of the hull that is under water, so as long as we&…
Danger vs. Fear
Everyone: BUT WHAT ABOUT PIRATES? Me: Actually, carjacking is more common than piracy at sea! Everyone: OMG RLLY? BUT WHAT ABOUT SHARKS? Me: Sharks aren't actually very interested in people; that's just a movie thing. Everyone: BUT SAILING…
Hanging in There in Mazatlán
You might remember that when we were crossing the Gulfo de California / Sea of Cortez, we had some concerns about our rudder after a dull thud that didn't match the pattern of things clattering about in lockers in the waves…
The Southern Crossing: No Resistance to the Darkness
for Mary Oliver, whose spirit left her body during this trip, and whose words have long guided my heart First Leg: It was a couple of hours from La Paz, the Peace, to Isla Espiritu Santo, the Island of the Holy Spirit.…
We Forgot About Netflix
When we lived on land, like just about everyone else we knew, we watched Netflix after dinner pretty much every day. Recently, I realized that I couldn't remember the last time we'd watched Netflix despite having been at…
Caleb is 50! Our Trip to Tulum
Caleb and Tricia are some of our favorite humans, so when Tricia asked if we'd be able to come to Tulum to celebrate Caleb's 50th birthday with a few friends, we said HECK YES. Okay, actually, when she…
The Marina Menagerie
This morning James and I were walking up the dock toward shore and Jacob, who works here at Marina de La Paz on boats, stopped us to point in awe at an enormous jellyfish that was bobbing about in the shallow water…
Women Who Swim with Sharks
When we arrived in La Paz at the end of November, all our new sailing friends were doing the local tourist thing, which is going swimming with whale sharks. James asked if I wanted to do this. I said "F*CK…
Fungus Among Us (and sure, Prickly Heat, too)
Sailors are always working to keep mold and mildew at bay on our ships, and, to be honest, those who live at sea must be vigilant about fungal infections on our skin! As someone who loves to geek out about human bodies,…
Love is the Way: Home Meditation Course 13
If you'd like to receive this information by email in the future, let me know! Sometimes I do not post publicly and only notify my email list. Private sessions are often available by phone or email; drop me a line…
La Paz: Mercado Bravo
By the time we got to La Paz, our cupboards, fridge and freezer were nearly empty. As usual, I'd researched the local farmer's market, so we biked up to the Tuesday and Saturday "La Paz Organic Farmer&…
Cabo San Lucas to Los Frailes: Two Tries, and Our First Emergency
The first time we left Cabo San Lucas, the day seemed mild, the forecast was good, and we didn't have far to go, so we left in the late morning. As we approached to the point at the edge of…
Ha-Ha Redux, Because Gabriel is an Angel
Our friend, bright shining light of human inspiration, and crewperson Gabe shot a lot of stuff during his time aboard Rejoice, and here are a few of my favorites. James doing some logging. Why yes, we do use sheepskins for cozy in…
Not All Roses
Having recently shared a lot of gorgeous shots of our trip from San Diego, California to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, I thought I'd go for a nitty-gritty post next! Folks often imagine that a cruising life is largely leisure --…
Chocolate Mousse
Autumn is a heavenly time for avocados and dates along the coast of California and Mexico, which has made our journey a perfect time to enjoy one of our favorite desserts, a chocolate mousse from Reneé Loux's The Art and…
Ha-Ha Leg Three: Bahia Santa Maria to Cabo
2018 was, we are told, the least windy conditions ever seen on the Baja Ha-Ha in all its 25 years. Most folks had to motor most of the way. There were many engine issues, alternator issues, electrical issues from systems unaccustomed to…
Ha-Ha Leg Two: Bahia Tortuga to Bahia Santa Maria
By now our crew was in a sweet groove. We had a routine with shifts, and the second leg was just one overnight rather than two. Gabe had noticed that while the schedule said we each had a three hour shift at…
Ha-Ha Leg One: San Diego to Bahia Tortuga
In San Diego, we joined the 25th Annual Baja Ha-ha. I have in the past not been much of a joiner, and I must admit that it was mostly James who felt that we should participate in this rally. It turned to…
The Baja Ha-Ha is Underway!
If all has gone as planned, we departed for Mexico on Monday, October 29 with the 25th annual Baja Ha-Ha Cruisers' Rally. You can check out the schedule if you wish, or just know that we'll be landing in…
San Diego
We spent our final week in the United States in San Diego making preparations for spending the next few months in Mexico. The time was filled with work and magic. The gorgeous views I've mentioned have continued; I woke up…
Marina del Rey to San Diego
The Santa Ana winds were up, so we lingered a day longer than planned in Marina del Rey. James used the day to go to the banjercito at the Mexican Consulate to get the TIP (Temporary Import Permit) which would allow us…
Sea Lions, Ahoy!
In Marina del Rey we stayed at the guest docks of Burton Chace Park. This was our first time at a park; we've docked at marinas and a yacht club, we've rafted and we've anchored. This…
Parallel Play
Once the realization is accepted that even between the closest human beings infinite distances continue, a wonderful living side by side can grow, if they succeed in loving the distance between them which makes it possible for each to see the other…
Kale Walnut Pesto
One of the things we are asked about often is how we eat on Rejoice. The answer is: very well! Nourishment is a primary activity and a great pleasure for us. My body has some interesting ideas about food, which is common…
Santa Barbara to Marina del Rey
We sailed from Santa Barbara to Ventura and spent a day visiting with our friend Anastasia and her daughter Maeve. They have an extensive garden, two cats, and a dog, and we had a cozy time chatting and eating and picking herbs…
blessing the boats
blessing the boats BY LUCILLE CLIFTON (at St. Mary's) may the tide that is entering even now the lip of our understanding carry you out beyond the face of fear may you kiss the wind then turn from it certain…
When We Are Not Sailing
The pattern we've been following along the coast is often to sail hard for a few days, then rest for a few. Folks tend to think of travel as vacation and assume that we are sight-seeing when we pause. We…
Cojo Anchorage to Santa Barbara
To recap, we sailed from Morro Bay to Avila Beach, where we spent a brief, rolly night and rose at 3a to round Point Conception, landing on the far side at Cojo Anchorage. We spent another rolly night here and woke with…
Rounding Point Conception
Brian Fagan, in his canonical "Cruising Guide to Central and Southern California", says that this area has been "known since the ninteeth century as the 'Cape Horn of the Pacific'"; he then devotes two sobering pages…
First Overnight Passage: Monterey to Morro Bay
When one secures a boat, there are several ways this can happen. Anchoring: You use your anchor! Because humans have been sailing for a very long time, there are resources that tell where safe anchorages are. When anchoring, it is necessary to…
Sea Folk: Pyrate Steve and Nick the Diesel Jesus
James and Dan and I went out for food after our 24.5 passage from Monterey to Morro Bay. I am REALLY looking forward to telling you that story, but it's in progress, and I want to tell you this…
Half Moon Bay to Monterey
Since coastal cruising is new to us, we are doing our best to stay wide open, clear, and limit our expectations. We set out for the Golden Gate on Friday morning with minimal fanfare, just texting a few friends late the night…
Go For It!
James and I have attended the Pacific Power and Sail boat show in the SF Bay Area for several years. It's a wonderful opportunity to learn; once you've paid your admission fee, there are free seminars all day…
WE DID IT: Sailing Out of the Golden Gate
Friday morning September 14 at 8:51 we cast off our dock lines from our berth at Marina Bay Yacht Harbor, which is where 'joice was when we bought her, and which has been our home base for the past year.…
Our Love is a Grownup
Twenty one years ago this weekend, a dozenish friends went to Burning Man. James and I were among them. We were not a couple; in fact, each of us was dating someone else. At the burn, I put my arms around him…
Introducing our Tender
ten·der adjective 1. showing gentleness and concern or sympathy. 2. (of food) easy to cut or chew; not tough. verb 1. offer or present (something) formally. noun 1. an offer to carry out work, supply goods, or buy land, shares, or…
On the Cusp
Last week, we had our Bon Voyage Party on Thursday, returned the car we'd been loaned for the past month Friday, and took some of our house family from San Francisco out on the water Saturday. At that point, the…
Bon Voyage: Thank you
Oh, you wonderful, wonderful creatures! Thank you, thank you, thank you. We were nervous about our Bon Voyage Party. It seemed possible that we might just sit amongst you all and sob, which would not be fun for anyone. My heart-sister Eleni…
Anxiety, Peace, and Our Ditch Bag
One of the things that James and I love about sailing is that emergency preparedness is, for good sailors, a natural way of being. As mainstream life in America grows ever more swaddled by layers of technology and commercialism, we are fascinated…
I Want to Spend the Rest of My Life Everywhere, With Everyone, One to One, Always, Forever, Now
Yesterday I hugged someone, one of my dearest humans, for the last time in our friendship here, as they will be out of town for the next couple weeks, and they cried in my arms and I in theirs. The tears were…
Mama Said There'd Be Days Like This
Yesterday I wanted to lie down and found that all six of the sleeping surfaces aboard Rejoice were covered with projects that were on pause for some reason. We woke today on the settees in the saloon (the bench-couches in the main…
The Garden of the Mind
I've had the habit of hanging words to cultivate myself for as long as I can remember. The world is full of messages that are designed to sculpt our thoughts and desires. I like to counter the capitalist agenda by…
Preparation for Departure
For months, people have said, "You are so tan from sailing!" and "So you sail every day, right?" Really, the tans were from driving around in Lola, our beloved and dearly departed convertible, running errands. Soon we will…
Everything You Call Mine is Holding You
One of the things that people ask most consistently about the path that we have taken is "Do you miss your things?" The simple answer is: No. The longer answer is: Our path toward living with a smaller footprint aboard…
Prayersong: Life and Death
Last week I would have told you that, 4ish weeks from our planned departure, my big concern at the moment was that my best friend was coming to be our first weekend guest. I was sure that I needed to get the…
Welcome Home, Again
Yesterday was the 19th anniversary of our marriage. We decided to make year nineteen The Wetsuit Anniversary. Bruce and Alene of s/v Migration said that we had to go to Steele's Discount Scuba for this. When folks who'…
The Joy of Being Lost and Finding Your Way
This is a story for Ludwig, who I love, whose body is not alive. A few threads, and then the heart of it. The boat in the berth to our right has gone to the boatyard for some work to prepare her…
In the Wee Hours: Anxiety and the Nature of Comfort
At some point in the dark and wee hours last night, I got up, grabbed a flashlight, and lifted a floorboard to peer down into the bilge, bottom of our boat. I'd like to tell you why, because it'…
A Day in the Life
Fhis is what our days tend to look like right now. On the left is the overflow of James' project; he and his work are in the engine compartment, where he's replacing a whole lot of wiring to understand…
Get Free?
Walking back to my office from lunch with the team, Daniel elbows me and with his irrepressible grin points at the license plate of what he does not yet know is my car. "Do you think that guy is a Buddhist…
The Nature of Existence: a Letter upon Love or Why ONE is Tattooed on my Wrist
One of my students, following the end of a romantic relationship, found themselves feeling horribly about themselves as well as heartbroken. Beloved friend, I once had a breakup that left my self-esteem feeling tattered in a way that was unfamiliar and surprising…
Our Saloon
When we bought Rejoice, her saloon looked like this: Removing the TV/DVD player and taking out the carpet came first. After that, we debated for months whether to reupholster our settees, and if so, whether to try it ourselves or hire…
Kind Words in Dark Times
For most of my adult life, in difficult times, the practice of dropping into the intimate and transpersonal space of teaching has been a great comfort to me; I always knew that I was doing good, every day, by participating in the…
Tools We Carry Onboard
I've always had strong feelings about tools, but on a broken boat in the middle of an ocean, they take on a new importance. I originally put this list together for Brittany from Windtraveler when she was trying to piece…
Darkness and Light
This bit of backstory was written May 12, 2017. Last night we went to a talk at OCSC, our beloved local sailing school, about Blue Water Cruising -- which means crossing oceans for pleasure in a sailboat, as we aim to do.…
45 Pairs of Shoes
This bit of backstory was written in May 2016. I like to think of myself as a practical, earthy woman. Upon preparing to downsize from the Edwardian flat in which I lived for 13 years, which had a closet in every room,…
Basic Keelboat
This bit of backstory was written in September 2015. Home today after a week on the Bay learning to sail during the days and at home on my boat in the Berkeley Marina at night. Last night I woke back in my…
Upon Awakening
I have written this poem before. May I write this poem again; it is worthy every time: the orchid blossoms are opening.…