Avast Me Hearty,
It has been a long summer…I got to go across the state my
doctoral residency in Fort Lauderdale…It was long hours and lots of work…it was
so groovy, I got to meet many new people, share lots of information and
introduced to many new concepts…I had my first real brain hangover…it was here
I was first introduced to my dissertation topic…I also got to meet Kim DelValle,
who like me is trying to show women there is a better, more positive way to get
past the abuse…
As the water heated up, so did the problems…flesh eating
bacteria (necrotizing fasciitis) and red tide have been heavy hitters for the last month…I have been
part of 2 different beach clean ups- most of the reason for this is dead
fish…if you should find the dead fish and dig about a 3 foot hole in the yard
and bury it with any banana peels or egg shells…this will help feed the yard…if
you run into either of these problems, please make sure you have no open cuts
and soak your head before you get in the water…this will reduce harmful
effects- it will not stop them, but it will reduce them…
Someone said to me that the spring fed rivers do not have
that situation going on…no but, it is gator mating season…one person has been
bit on the Hillsboro River…Jelly fish are mating on the coast…sharks are trying
to avoid the red tide…it is amazing to watch nature…with so much going on, one
must keep aware of their surroundings more acutely at the moment…
Here at The Sunshine Paddle we have started thinking about
Christmas…it is our hope to provide Holiday Needs for 3 Pasco County families
this Christmas Holiday…We will be collecting toys for children, presents for
mom and/or dad and a holiday meal…anything collected above and beyond will be
given to the Pasco County Sheriff in order to help other members of the
community:)
Practice, Practice, Practice…at the moment, with so many
problems on the coast, I have been working out in the pool…I am swimming over
an hour every day and doing paddle workouts on the table and in the pool every
other day…this is a must in order to keep my muscles from hurting…I am a woman
who needs the water…my happiness level will go up by 10 when I can paddle in
the gulf again…it would be cool if I could work my way down to the keys for a
weekend to paddle for a few days…
Fall approaches and my happy dance begins…I will soon be in
the gulf playing with my friends…please make sure if you are going out to wear
a PFD…it may just save your life…for my Northern friends, as you go to pack
your gear for the winter- wash it off and coat it with turtle wax, then pack it
away…I have a friend who has a 25 year old yak and it looks brand new, this is
what she does…she has sown a jacket for it and the yak is barn kept…just an
idea…
Carry On...
Your Girly Pirate,
Captain D
