Tag: Nature

Christmas Eve and our tree’s up

~ Jnana Hodson ~ Leave a comment

Ours doesn’t come indoors until the day before Christmas and rarely is it decorated before dark. Long ago I learned the price of pushing the tradition to get the job done earlier in the day. Nope, it’s not a task to be done more efficiently.

Last year, we cut ours at Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge with a permit. You’d be amazed how few natural trees measure up. We’d see a good one only to find two growing close together. Separated, they were lobsided and had bald spots. This one caught our eye but we then passed, thinking it might be too open. A mile or two or walking later, we returned and decided to give it a try after all.

Here’s to the wonders of the tradition of sitting in a mostly dark room early morning or evening and enjoying the lighted branches.

As we return to port

~ Jnana Hodson ~ Leave a comment

the fog’s burned off
but still hazy

with another schooner far off to the left of the Angelique
a sailboat comes between us

another windjammer’s way off on the horizon
while we skirted a sandbar

Camden grows as we approach
the Congregational spire for navigation
perhaps there’s a third behind her

entry into crowded harbor even in shoulder season
a bit tricky
especially when a pleasure boat backs into our path

shouts of “get back!” or “keep moving” finally heard

Coast Guard a bit more astute

the transom of one sailboat ASTARA also the name of our messmate
should they get acquainted sometime

haven’t seen a Kroger product for ages till now
the logo popping above someone’s pack

My messenger bag has a conspicuous stain
its first
remaining as a badge of honor
or oarlock grease

as I’m getting off, “This is all you have?” as in surprised
while I’m realizing how much I overpacked

now to send off a deposit for next year
(which I did)

Yes, we had a cannon

~ Jnana Hodson ~ Leave a comment

you’re out of line
you’re out of rope

rock, paper, scissor
last call

3 loons
heard first
and then seen

3 passengers showing the captain
photos of their parents’ and grandparents’ weddings
vintage dresses they thought she could consider
for her upcoming wedding in January
Captain Becky not yet 30

Becky our captain
is very funny
and so is Dylan, the mate

Fort Point at Stockton Springs

~ Jnana Hodson ~ Leave a comment

Having passed Searsport and now at anchor in Stockton Springs

Captain Becky’s reading in the galley
from Lincoln Ross Colcord’s Sailing Days on the Penobscot
of the treacherous trip from here,
where the crooked, tricky Penobscot River is said to begin
and the 24 miles to Bangor and Brewer at the first falls
and all the lumber collected from upstream

even the 18 miles from Bucksport was a terror
in the days of sails

 tidewalkers
broken logs along the shoreline
and river
can sink a ship

60 boats a day at Bangor and Brewer

schooners lashed three abreast
for the Bangor stretch
pulled by a steamboat

Make way!