Tonight, I saw the “flash” as the sun set for the first time in my life!! 😍🥰❣️⚓️🧜🏼♀️🏖💃🏼🎉🏝🏴☠️
Sharon Slonaker and I got our hook bracelets from Bamboo, Port A’s ( Bron’s Beach Carts) received recognition at Woody’s, and the sunset was spectacular!
Month: May 2021
Mermaids’ Maritime Tales – The Dark Side of Beauty
On April 26th, 2021, we moored the Star Gazer in Christmas Cove. As I was writing in my journal some thoughts hit me quite hard. I had to post the following on Facebook because I could not wait until I was able to post here on the blog. One never knows what darkness lies on the other side of beauty.
As I sit here alone in the galley writing in my journal, I cannot help but think of a categorical contrast to the beauty before my eyes and the past atrocities on an island just to my south.
We are moored in Christmas Cove, USVI, and in one turn we would be in view of what has come to be known as Pedo-Island. The island owned by Jeffery Epstein and his despicable guests.
The irony of the name of this cove and the evil which was once lurking to the south does not escape my soul. I pray for his victims and hope they can find the healing due them. The hope and joy wrapped in the promise of Christmas is something that should not bring pain to someone. Then when you consider the beautiful surroundings of this area, I’m heartbroken over the distain imposed by a self-serving & atrocious individual.
I’m in awe of this beautiful paradise; yet I’m heartbroken at the same time.
Heartbroken but Abiding Still, Rachele
This Mermaid’s Maritime Tale – God’s Humor
If you have read the other posts on my blog, then you know that I found out some shocking news this year. 2021 has been anything but boring! In January, I discovered that my father was not my biological father after all. I mean, if you have looked at the pictures then you know…the resemblance was unreal! This year also brought me a sister through this bio-dad. She is fabulous! Let us now fast forward to April 28, 2021. This day would have been my daddy’s 79th birthday. But, it was also Siboney’s birthday!! These were two very good reasons that my heart longed to have the trip inclusive of this date in particular. I needed this time with her, time to myself to reminisce about my dad, now to use this date to have peace with the news, and finally I really needed the time at sea to spend it with my Heavenly Father! (I am a huge fan of run-on sentences…haha, just kidding, but it had to be done!)
April 28th, 2021 began with a beautiful double rainbow, which we thought would be a sign to the last of our daily island rain. Instead it was an all day drenching. Nothing like some gloomy skies to process devastating news, right?! This was the day to celebrate Siboney and for me to find some peace about my dad situation. Our plans were also sure to be enough of a distraction for me as well. We had planned for Cinnamon Bay that day then onto a lovely new private resort for a lavish experience on Siboney’s happy day. By the time we arrived to Lovango Resort, the rain had decided to stay. Being the good crew from a sailboat, we did the next best thing and adjusted our sails. Who wouldn’t do just that? Take a look at the next few pictures and you can tell me if it is just too beautiful to let the rain get you down?! From the rains behind the hills, to the white sandy beach, cotton candy skies, and the window to the sea in Cinnamon Bay (Ventana al Mar Canela Bay), this day was filled with many gifts and blessings. Of course, spending a birthday with your mermaid soul sister, is the icing on the cake! (Pun absolutely intended!)
By now, you must be asking yourself exactly why this is about God’s sense of humor. You shall wait no longer….
Waking up to the gorgeous double rainbow definitely helped set the tone for the day. However, today was still not going to be easy in my mind. I had set the day up to be a bit bad that way I would be happy if it turned out wonderful. Also, this day was not wholly about me and I wanted to make sure that stayed in the forefront. However, I must admit that a certain level of sadness encompassed my heart and soul as unexpected memories besieged me. Some sent me into fits of laughter, while others caused me to search for a space to be alone.
Once we left Cinnamon Bay, which deserves its own post, we moored up to the Lovango Beach Club and Resort. The rain had begun to ease some, so we called for the dingy to take us ashore. Since it was Siboney’s birthday and raining, they gave us a covered cabana for our stay and our own server. Our server’s name was Jimmy and he was from Boston. Lovango was owned by the same people of Martha’s Vineyard. Due to the seasonal employment and the pandemic, they offered positions in paradise to some of their employees. I would work there in a New York minute!! It is stunning!
Here is where my laughter began and my attitude greatly shifted regarding my dad, bio-dad, and Heavenly Dad. My daddy’s name was Johnny but he was called Chico. Bio-dad’s name was….I will give you a moment to guess…yes it’s the same as our server!! It WAS JIMMY! My biological father’s name was James but he went by Jimmy. Upon hearing this particular name, I looked right at Sharon and proclaimed, “God definitely has a sense of humor!! And he wanted me enjoying this day with a smile!” So I had to talk to Jimmy all day on Chico’s birthday!! I am not sure either father would have appreciated the humor but I certainly did! Even now, as I type this post on the rainiest day of 2021 in Corpus Christi, TX, I cannot help but laugh again! If I had the time and the money, I think I would have liked to buy Jimmy from Boston a drink and share my story. Maybe next time I will do exactly that!
This post must be concluded with a little advice from me. This year has not been easy but it has offered and produced many blessings and gifts. If I had not allowed for attitude adjustments, perspective challenges, and kept an open heart I would have missed them all! Be very willing to ADJUST YOUR SAILS in this life whether you have difficult news or the best news of your life. Happiness and joy can be YOUR CHOICE!!! And I must admit, this is much easier to do in paradise!!
Until next time my friends, I am Abiding Still,
Rachele
Mermaids’ Maritime Tales
We arrived at the airport to be greeted by Carnaval like characters, island music, and festive faces. the first character to greet us was towering over us from his stilts and dancing as if he had two bare feet. the beautiful ladies, donning bright colorful costumes were very welcoming. Their beauty was only outshone by their smiles. I felt most welcomed to the island of St. Thomas.
This trip was two years in the making, for me and one of my best friends, Sharon. It had been rescheduled until the third time was a charm. We were supposed to this very week in 2020, which was planned in 2019! Siboney, my sweet friend, who is also one of my best friends, was the hostess, chef, and beautiful first mate to Captain Tim. The only thing prettier than her appearance is her heart of gold! She is one incredibly kind, outrageously thoughtful, and sweet mermaid.
Tim, our gracious captain, also my friend who is like a brother, is the kind of man with stories that would make you think he was 100 years old. Unlike, most men with stories like this, his are all true. He is as unique as he is accomplished. when you sail with him, you know you have a rescuer at the helm. Tim is a former Navy rescue diver, USCG certified, and a heart as big as the ocean.
Siboney and I met and were friends from that moment on. Our friendship grew quickly and I can’t imagine my life without her or Tim in it. Those two hit it off from the moment they set eyes upon one another. It was as if their hearts extended outward to one another and drew the other person in for all eternity. It feels my heart with such joy to see their relationship become this amazing journey. They were definitely created for one another. Their dreams and experiences have come together into a union that only God could accomplish. How else would that mid-west boy meet this beautiful south Texan lady? Only our Father can do something like that! Now their lives consist of one beautiful destination after another. Which brings me back to my journey and places me in one of the most beautiful places on earth, The Virgin Islands.
Six women and one captain all set sail from St. Thomas upon the Star Gazer and began a journey from one gorgeous shore to another. This vessel has almost everything one could hope for and definitely all that we need. The galley is roomy and all in one with the salon. With 4 roomy berths, each having its own head, this sailboat provided a wonderful home away from home for the week. There was plenty of room to nap, sun, watch the sunrise and sunset, all while maintaining adequate privacy and together time. This is a vacation I will repeat as often as possible for the remainder of my life.
Stay tuned for more on this mermaid’s journey around coves and bays of the US Virgin Islands.
Abiding Still,
Rachele
Abiding Still 