By the time you read this in the newspaper on June 17, I will have left the dock on my own boat, raised sails by myself, and used the wind as my journeyman. That most awesome event happened after work last night (June 16). But I’m writing this on June […]
Beth Caldwell – The View From Here
To contact Beth, email her at caldwellandcompany@gmail.com
My sailboat still remains in my yard on a trailer—far from the wind and waves. The grass growing underneath the boat trailer, which I cannot reach with the lawnmower, grows tall and thick. I now lament each day that I watch it grow unfettered because it defines the one more […]
Since the moment I made the decision to buy my sailboat, I’ve dwelt a lot on what defines me as I sought out a name for it. I’ve brainstormed names, picked one, then another, and second-guessed them all. It’s been nearly a daily think-tank for three-and-a-half months. However, I’ve made […]
When my daughters were “littles,” I would show them their reflection in a mirror and had them practice saying “I love you” to them. At bedtime, when it came time for prayers of gratitude and lists of whom they loved, I cued them in as first on their lists. There […]
I looked out my kitchen window earlier this week and there was my black cat sitting like a statue in the driveway—staring at me with her telepathic flat stare that said, “You must let me in.” I think “Millie” is feeling the pinch of neglect these days as I race […]
Charles Schultz once penned, “Life is like a 10-speed bike. Most of us have gears we never use.” I think I’m a few gearshifts ahead of the game at this point. In the past 29 days, I’ve learned about electrical panels on sailboats, deep cycle and “AGM” batteries, pintles and […]
I stared out longingly at my sailboat on Monday morning. It looked dejected and beaten down by the skiff of snow that covered her like a thin white layer of wax paper that weighed two tons. I’ll bet she, too, was thinking, “Really? Snow? I just want to sail.” And […]
If it wasn’t for lists, I would never get anything done around here. Although I freely admit that sometimes just having a list makes me feel I’ve accomplished something—and sometimes that means nothing on the list really gets done at all. I just look it over, and cross stuff off […]
Someone paid me a heart-warming compliment recently, revealing to me that I enriched life during time spent together. I’ve learned to say thanks for sincere moments of offering like that. There was a time when I would have reduced the accolade with “Oh, don’t be silly” or “I don’t know […]
Do you remember what was in your grandmother’s purse? My Grandma’s purse smelled like “Juicy Fruit” gum and there always was at least a stick or two in there for the little kid I was at the time. I don’t chew the stuff today but if I catch the scent […]
Allan Gurganus is an accomplished American novelist and although I haven’t read any of his books, I came across a quote of his during a recent detective project. “Know what, Sugar? Stories only happen to people who can tell them.” It resounded with me, though I’d hate to think that […]
Did you know that the heart of a woman only weighs about eight ounces? I didn’t. It wasn’t until I recently checked “Google University” that I learned the facts. I was sure mine weighed more like 10 pounds—stone heavy and sinkable. I’ve been away, caring for that part of me. […]
