I’d hoped to show you a photo of me toasting you all with a TimTam in front of a glorious ocean sunset. However, the weather has other ideas. Last night Sedna was knocked onto her beam ends by a large wave, and conditions have continued monstrous today. Mostly around 30 knots, gusting 35.
I didn’t suffer any injuries in the knockdown, but the metal covers were ripped off two of the six scupper flaps (the boat’s self-draining system) and my bedpan was smashed to smithereens. Various objects relocated themselves and we were generally in a bit of disarray.
I rowed for a while today, more for the fresh air and exercise than because it made any difference, but mostly I’ve been confined to the safety of the Purple Palace. The 30 knot bits of the day were okay, but the “gusting 35” bits are not much fun at all. And I usually can’t see them coming. The first giveaway sign is an enormous wave looming over the side of the boat, cresting, starting to fall…. followed by much splashing and much swearing.
But a promise is a promise, so this sunset I cracked open the packet of TimTams and paid tribute to my trusty Rozlings around the world – only from the relative safety of the Purple Palace, rather than from the wind-lashed deck.
I also took a moment to remember absent friends, including Timothy Ray, Larry Grandt who for so long was my oldest fan, and my father, who would have celebrated his 82nd birthday this coming Monday.
I pictured the blue and green marble of our Earth, and pictured little dots of light in each place where there are members of our community – the US, UK, Australia, India, Philippines, Norway, Germany, Belgium, Canada, Papua New Guinea, Costa Rica, Brazil, South Africa, France, New Zealand, and, ummm, all the other ones too. Oh, and of course another little dot of light in the middle of the Indian Ocean. That’s me.
I wish you all health, happiness, and a bright, green future. Thank you for always being there for me, and for your love, support and encouragement – come rain or shine, hell or high water. At this moment, especially, I feel very close to you all. Hope you enjoyed the full moon tonight. I was looking at it too.
Other Stuff:
I haven’t yet managed to fix the scupper flaps, so they are dangling and clanking like a couple of castanets with no sense of rhythm. Fixing them involves hanging headfirst over the side of the boat so I’m going to wait until things calm down a little, and will just have to put up with the sound effects until then.
These conditions are forecast to last for at least another 3 days. Oh joy.
According to the news my mother is sending through, it seems that one cause of the rioting in the UK is boredom. Boredom! Wouldn’t it be great if we could take all those bored people and give them something useful to do, like cleaning up rivers and streams before the trash reaches the ocean?
And is it just me, or is it crazy that people are being laid off from their jobs all over the civilized world, but the same sum total of work has to get done to meet the needs of the 7 billion of us – so those who still have jobs are rushed off their feet and stressed to the eyeballs, while the ones without jobs get bored and frustrated?
Quote for the day: A friend is one before whom I may think aloud. (Ralph Waldo Emerson)
Sponsored Miles: Roz did 23 miles but none of those had been specifically sponsored. Thanks to Bonnie Sterngold who did make a payment a few weeks ago to fill in some unsponsored gaps.
Well I could have said that I paddled across Wrights Lake in the advancing darkness and rising moon, but really(not really) I spent the whole time huddled in the outhouse eating power bars as I was famished:) The sunset was perfect here at the Echo Summit, yep the moon was full and a couple of rock climbing buddies were dangling off respective ledges, when the heavens were aligning, … or rather chasing themselves. I even saw a few shooting stars. It was a neat show… soon it will circle around and you will have your turn again… Cheers to Tim, Larry, Hamer, and your friend Jan. There are many more sunsets and many more vibes on their way… energy travels in waves… sorry about the ones that accumulate and wash over the gunwhales. We’re just beginners you see… will keep making goes at it though… so hold on tight!
Keep Rowing!
Will go ahead and contact Reuben for that welcome home party soon. Give me a time frame when you can. Those interested can join me next week for another round of Roz Solidarity Saturday Sunsets!
Cheers!
~Jay
Jay,
This whole concept of doing the Solidarity Sunsets was an excellent idea, and I, for one, give you a standing ovation for the idea. It’s an excellent way getting the energy of the universe focused on helping Roz. 🙂
Rico
I am not the one risking life and injury for the health of the world. As much as I would like to take any credit for it…. it was the Universe that made me do it… and that’s no victim story! … 🙂
Row Roz Row!
“Our
deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we
are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that
most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous,
talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? ~Marianne Williamson
Roz, your are fabulous, talented, gorgeous and full of LOVE!
Row Girl Row!
~Jay 🙂
Dear Roz,
I look forward with relish and amazement and gratitude to reading your blog each day and am a staunch fan since meeting you in the hotel bar in Nashville after you spoke and inspired us at The Climate Project training.
I thought of you and your journey at yesterday’s sunset and full moon rise in a full moon naam chanting circle at Sagg Main Beach on the east end of Long Island, New York, which has been held every full moon for over a decade! We offered prayers of gratitude and for the healing of our loved ones, for all of us critters, for our oceans and our earth.
I thank you every day for your courage and astounding. joyous pluck! We’re so proud of you! Love to you Roz, from Sara of Sag Harbor.
Here is the Prayer of Love, Peace and Light we end the full moon circle with:
Love before me
Love behind me
Love at my left
Love at my rightLove above me
Love below me
Love unto me
Love in my surroundings
Love to all
Love to the Universe
Peace before me
Peace behind me
Peace at my left
Peace at my rightPeace above mePeace below mePeace unto mePeace in my surroundingsPeace to allPeace to the UniverseLight before meLight behind meLight at my leftLight at my rightLight above meLight below meLight unto meLight in my surroundingsLight to allLight to the Universe
Love, Peace and Light surround you and your Sedna!
Good Morning Roz, Glad to hear no real harm was done as Sedna was on her beam ends. Those Hokusai waves must be scary. Thanks for the great picture of you with Timtams. Nice hat. I saw (I am a carpenter after all) a video of you in what looks like the South End boathouse. Did you go out in one of the boats? See any seals? Pelicans? Also saw the one of you rowing about in San Francisco bay being interviewed.
Went for a walk last night to see the light of the sunset and moon rise…it was cloudy so only saw the end of the sunset through the clouds. Sent many good thoughts your way. Woke up at 5 this morning, went outside and there was the moon and two or three stars between the clouds.
The riots do seem to be done by people who are missing something in their lives. Perhaps boredom, the want of material things, and lack of purpose and direction in life. I believe there is plenty of work and food and joy for everyone if we all could get things arranged properly. People could pitch in and raise food, put things right and still have time to enjoy life and family. And of course, clean house, our home, the earth. The Emmerson quote is good too. All the best to you and Rita and everyone, Stephen
Hi Roz,
I wish you a pleasant, safe, and productive journey with all your wishes and goals realized.
Thanks for all that you do! You are in the top ten of my favorite heroes/leaders. The list includes: Rosa Parks, Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Al Gore…
Very best,
Pamela
P.S. Also, I need to give you some video. Who can I communicate with about the best format (codec) or to mail copies (DVD)?
Congratulations Roz! I hope those winds and waves are moving you in the right direction. At least that’s what I visualized at 2034B Saturday night. Even if they’re not, I suspect you’ll be doing much better by September.
Peace, calmer seas, & good thoughts to you
Roz, you asked for funny things:
Thoughts to Get You Through Almost Any CrisisIndecision is the key to flexibility.
You cannot tell which way the train went by looking at the track.
There is absolutely no substitute for a genuine lack of preparation.
Happiness is merely the remission of pain.
Nostalgia isn’t what it used to be.
Sometimes too much drink is not enough.
The facts, although interesting, are irrelevant.
The careful application of terror is also a form of communication.
Someone who thinks logically is a nice contrast to the real world.
Things are more like they are today than they ever have been before.
Anything worth fighting for is worth fighting dirty for.
Everything should be made as simple as possible, but no simpler.
Friends may come and go, but enemies accumulate.
I have seen the truth and it makes no sense.
All things being equal, fat people use more soap.
If you can smile when things go wrong, you have someone in mind to
blame.
By the time you can make ends meet, they move the ends.
Not one shred of evidence supports the notion that life is serious.
The more you run over a dead cat, the flatter it gets.
There is always one more imbecile than you counted on.
This is as bad as it can get, but don’t bet on it.
Never wrestle with a pig: You both get all dirty, and the pig likes
it.
The trouble with life is, you’re halfway through it before you realize
it’s a “do it yourself.”
For Roz:
Thoughts to Get You Through Almost Any CrisisIndecision is the key to flexibility.
You cannot tell which way the train went by looking at the track.
There is absolutely no substitute for a genuine lack of preparation.
Happiness is merely the remission of pain.
Nostalgia isn’t what it used to be.
Sometimes too much drink is not enough.
The facts, although interesting, are irrelevant.
The careful application of terror is also a form of communication.
Someone who thinks logically is a nice contrast to the real world.
Things are more like they are today than they ever have been before.
Anything worth fighting for is worth fighting dirty for.
Everything should be made as simple as possible, but no simpler.
Friends may come and go, but enemies accumulate.
I have seen the truth and it makes no sense.
All things being equal, fat people use more soap.
If you can smile when things go wrong, you have someone in mind to
blame.
By the time you can make ends meet, they move the ends.
Not one shred of evidence supports the notion that life is serious.
The more you run over a dead cat, the flatter it gets.
There is always one more imbecile than you counted on.
This is as bad as it can get, but don’t bet on it.
Never wrestle with a pig: You both get all dirty, and the pig likes
it.
The trouble with life is, you’re halfway through it before you realize
it’s a “do it yourself.”
Hi Roz, You are amazing beyond words in your bravery and fortitude and sheer spirit…. we can’t eat for you ( enjoy the Tim tams) we cannot row for you , but we can and do pray for you …. and still the cry goes up … ” Bon Voyage !”
I read that Earnest Shackleton kept his men alive and in spirits by giving them things to do, and rarely keeping it at a lull.
Good luck fixing your boat! Wicked ride out there, aye?
same reason we have the husband go “boil water”… keeps em busy while the birthing takes place… by the time the hot water boils, it’s all done… just like past milenia.
Also the roman roads were pretty much the same thing… An Idle army will coup… the last thing on your list of things to happen… so keep em occupied, training, roads and aquaduct, achitectural … wells, I could go on…
All new moments are ones we have
never lived before.
Everything that got you to this point,
did only that,
We are near you always, inside
your soul – without permission,
You can feel our breath in your
ear
Whispering into each cell of your
being,
Our love comes to you, for you,
No rock, wave or star is completely
alone,
This is true, as well, of you,
So few, brave past their own edge
of inner uncertainty,
You demonstrate it more than you
speak of it friend,
Each of us is guilty and innocent,
to different degrees,
How much to hold, to give and all
in between,
It is clear for you and a mystery
to many,
Always worrying about the end,
without ever beginning,
This is the journey of love,
It gives all of our lives
meaning.
Bsavage
Stay safe Roz…..your bravery, tenacity and ability to stay positive on the face of extreme adversity is a lesson to us all
hoping the waves abate soon?!!. David church
A toast to you too, Roz. You might be a little dot on the indian Ocean, but you’re a very special one.
Great beanie Roz; good to see you’re keeping in good spirits!
Row well, eceryone is right behind you…
Unfortunately it was too cloudy to see any meteors here. Cloudy and gloomy in the north of England? Never! However, apart from the weather I celebrated your sunset in a most cheery manner – at an outdoor concert, watching an ABBA tribute band with a glass of cider in my hand. Best wishes for a speedy return.
A friend emailed the following quote from Isocrates relating to the riots;
Our democracy self destructs because it abused the right of freedom and equality, because it taught the citizens to consider audacity as a given right, breaking the law as a freedom, verbal impertinence as equality, and anarchy as bliss.
Hi Roz – well, thought it was about time for a message! Well done so far. A friend sent a message to Lin and I during our Atlantic crossing ‘Duct tape is like the force – it has a dark side, a light side, and it holds the universe together!’ Never a truer word spoken onboard an ocean rowing boat! Stick at it – one stroke at a time. Rachel S x
too bad you can’t hove to, maybe a sea anchor? or a makeshift tiller and tiny sail?