I think sometimes that June
is just a wisp of a thing…
No sooner does it begin
before there is the countdown
to the Fourth of July.
It is the month of weddings
and graduations and parties
on green, grassy lawns.
And so it is, the days slip by,
fields of yellow buttercups
in the rear- view mirror.
July beckons with fireworks
and fireflies, and the heat
of a fiery sun.
Slowly, August makes its way
and we know a new season
is coming…
The heat will cease
and September will arrive…
memories of another summer
cast in Autumn’s light.
Sailing Dreams
My husband and I have renovated three sailboats over the last several years. Older boats require a great deal of work! When you take on a project boat, it becomes a labor of love. You are not out sailing on the high seas. You are varnishing and painting, cleaning and scrubbing, making repairs where need be.
Slowly, the dream takes shape and at last your little vessel is ready to launch. It seems almost impossible, knowing the obstacles that stood in your path, all the moments when you wondered if it was really worth it.
The picture above is taken from our marina. It is not a picture of our boat on launch day. I think I was so over the top excited on that day that I did not even take a picture. I could hardly believe that at long last, we could actually set sail.
I have cruising books about going all kinds of places, but mostly, I just love the water and sailing close to home is fine with me. We have met a great many people who have gone on grand adventures and sailed around the world. I don’t know what they would think if I told them that renovating boat number three has been a grand adventure in itself. The first two boats we sold were similar adventures and we learned a lot along the way.
To be sure, our sailing ventures have been fun. We took our second boat down from Annapolis, Maryland, to Cape Charles, Virginia. (Cape Charles is a wonderful beach town, and we have returned there a couple of times.) While sailing, we have enjoyed seeing the dolphins in our nearby rivers, especially in the Mobjack Bay. We have enjoyed many wonderful sunsets close to home on the Severn River…
It is a funny thing about working on a dream project. It might be building a house or a new deck. It might be building a cabin or planting a garden. We learn as we go, and the dream takes on a life of its own. Rarely, does everything go as planned. In fact, sometimes nothing goes as planned! The beauty in that is that you find unexpected gifts. You meet people who want to help you with your dream project. You find kindred spirits who share in your passion. You discover things about yourself you never knew. (You might even discover that you have a great deal more patience than you ever imagined.)
Whatever our dreams, God is there in the midst of them. He blesses the work of our hands and hearts. We sow seeds in the garden, but it is God who makes the harvest. We build houses and boats and a great many things, but it is God who is the Master Builder. Without His help, we could accomplish nothing.
It is said that God works in mysterious ways, and that is so. Sometimes, we are working very hard at one thing, but He is actually trying to teach us something else. Maybe, He is trying to teach us that whatever we do, He is right there with us, leading the way, guiding our steps. God is always working in our lives. Our projects change, our routines may change, but we are the work of God’s hands and that never changes.
I love the lines of the famous seafarer’s poem penned by Winfred Ernest Garrison: “Oh God, the sea is so great, and my boat is so small.”
The sea can be tempestuous, and the storms of life can threaten us. Through it all, we know that God is ever present, and we need not fear. He is our captain on the sea of life and we are so very blessed!
John 14:27: “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your heart be troubled and do not be afraid.”
(We have a new grandbaby! Our granddaughter, Abigail, was born on June 18th, 2025. She was born almost three weeks early and weighed 8 pounds, 5 ounces.) Her two big brothers were certainly happy to welcome her home!)
(This is a photo of our boat before launch date…still working on a number of things.) It is a 1981 35′ Pearson.
Above are pictures of the Merry Point Ferry in Lancaster, Va. which we take to get to our marina. The ferry crosses the western end of the Corrotoman River. It is a scenic ride and one I always look forward to. (We almost always stop in White Stone, Va. on the way…we get a croissant at the ‘Out of the Oven’ bakery.) So good!
Sunset on the Severn River
Severn River Photographs
How exciting! The boat and the grandbaby.
It is exciting! We do feel blessed with little Abigail! There is still more to do with the boat…but it is something we enjoy doing. 🙂
Love it Linda. I live in a world of many small lakes and small boats compared to the sea and needed watercraft. You have to love renovating to be worth the thrill of the launch. I just mentioned to my wife yesterday that summer is half gone and we better hang on to the edge, dig in and slow it down.
This summer seems to be going especially fast. We do need to enjoy the rest of it!!! We have had a couple of cooler days and that has been awesome!
Wonderful words 😊I always appreciate your beautiful perspective!
Thank you, Laura! 🙂 🙂 🙂
Congratulations on your new granddaughter!!! I didn’t know you and your husband restored boats, that’s amazing! And I agree about Summer. June just flies by and then we are in 4th of July, and then it seems we go right to “back to school.” Whatever happened to the Summers that I remember?
Thank you, Ann! Our childhood summers seemed to last so much longer!!! (Perhaps, we had less to do!) 🙂 Some lazy days are always nice…we should plan some in!!!I hope you enjoy some quiet summer moments in these coming days…
There’s so much to thrill to in this post, Linda. Your poem and so much of what you’ve written here was like the hug I needed today. Quiet comfort pointing to gentle hope.
Happy welcomes for the precious addition to the family. I love that name – Abigail. My eldest daughter is one too! It’s a bright, cheery yet gentle name. I know your precious grandbaby will be all of that and so much more!
I can just imagine how much of work must have gone into keeping your sailboats in good condition. It takes patience to maintain and to transform old into new. And all comes together to be so worthwhile the moment the open seas welcome you. As one who also loves the seas, it’s wonderful that the water can be a great part of your life.
Make the most of this summer, Linda. Even if there be many more, this summer will never come again, thus it must be savoured to the hilt!
I am so glad that my Summertime poem was a happy thing for you to read! And thank you for all your good wishes on baby Abigail. We thank God for her, and she is a joy! We bought our first sailboat about 15 years ago. Then, we wanted a bigger one so it could sleep our family of six people. One thing led to another and now we are on number three! It is kind of like fixing up older homes, except they float on the water! We keep the fun in it as we update the boats…we have explored all the nearby towns in the Northern Neck of Virginia. Now, we have our favorite places to return to again and again. I wish you joy in these summer days ahead!!!
Very good. Love the pictures too.
Thank you! I hope you are having a good summer! It is a hot one, that is for sure!
I don’t know anything about sailboats or sailing, but enjoy!
Congratulations on your new granddaughter! Wow–she was big for three weeks early. I’m sure you and your family are thrilled to welcome her into the family.
My husband is the true sailor…I am still on a learning curve! We do feel blessed with baby Abigail!!! She has two older brothers, and they are thrilled to have this little sister.
Wonderful all around, Linda!
🙂 🙂 🙂
Linda, you are always so descriptive in your writing. You place me there as the reader. Photos help. Congrats on the grandbaby! How exciting for you and yours. In His grip – Alan
Thank you so very much! 🙂 And thank you for your congrats on the arrival of our baby granddaughter. We are so enjoying her!
Congratulations–a new grandbaby to love, kiss, and cuddle, to introduce to the world around her. Like summer, that cuddly baby stage is brief. You don’t need me to tell you to savor it! Congratulations also on completing THREE boat renovations. Quite the accomplishment! What’s next?!
Thank you, Nancy! You are so right about the cuddly baby stage…it goes by so quickly. Best to enjoy the time while we can!!! As with all things in life, you cannot turn back the clock. As for the boat, I would like to enjoy this one for a while without starting on another one! (To be honest, it is a lot like a house…there are always more things to be doing.) 🙂
I can understand that!
Thank you for all of this, Linda–your adventures with your boat, the joy of baby Abigail, and always, the inspiration and goodness of God! Love your photos, too!
Thank you for your beautiful comment! It means a lot to me! 🙂