Monday, June 23, 2014

Ahoy Matey



Avast Me Hearty,

It is hard to believe it is June already…we have been so busy…practice in open water leaves one feeling refreshed…using Hudson Beach as a launch point is really nice during the week…it is quiet and clean…the boaters in the area are quite respectful and friendly…it is one of my favorite places- the beach is not too big, so there are not too many humans and a good deal of wildlife to observe…binoculars are a good thing to bring on a paddle here…



After seeing what is happening on the east coast and in the south, several people called and messaged me about doing a beach clean-up…divers in the water, kayaks on the water and beach combers in the sand…because some of these people are battered women in hiding, these actions were done quietly- it was still really cool to be a part of it…not just because we cleaned the beach…as a battered woman, one feels as though they are useless with nothing to be proud of…during that time of cleaning up the beach these women felt important, useful and at the end of the day they were proud of what they were able to accomplish…the dolphins came out to play with us…just such a blessing

In the next month we will be ramping up the training schedule…it was nice to eat for a few months, now back to the training menu…if you want to improve the coast please use trash cans, avoid straws when possible and even if you are not going to recycle give your cans and paper products to someone who does…being a good community citizen starts with each and every one of us…if not me than who, if not now than when?????

Carry on,

The Girly Pirate
 

 

 

Monday, April 28, 2014

Oh so many thoughts…Gather the crew


 

Avast Me Hearties,

So much has happened this month…some is really weighing heavy on my heart and would really like your help with…we also have great news about the recently completed 25 Mile 2014 Paddle…

First this month was Gumbo Limbo the Sea Turtle Hospital…this is a really amazing place…it disturbs me greatly that US is #7 in the world for finning- this is so horrid, I will ask you to google the meaning…I also noted a number of turtles were being hurt due to be sucked into energy intakes…please tell me if we know this, why are there no grates over these intakes…our water tables are being hurt by the phosphate in the water being released from those same plants…again, why do we not put up forested pipes to clean the water before putting it back in system…lastly, if you live on the coast and have a porch light- PLEASE use yellow, green, amber or blue bulbs…it makes a difference to all of the costal creatures…please ask your representatives for help, these very small things will make a BIG difference…

My next stop was the Dolphin Research Center…did you know Dolphins and Orca are cousins…many animals for a holy host of reasons cannot be released and much like a handi-capable child, they need special homes…they are treated like family and loved- this is HIGHLY visible…this is a place that works with special needs children- OMG touches you heart to watch...to see the trainers just hanging out with the dolphins was so cool…the babies chatted with me swam around for me…there is one who enjoys ‘people watching’ so much that the trainers have to keep SPF on him…if you get to Grassy Key it is well worth the stop...did you know one adult dolphin eat 60 pounds of restaurant quality fish per day

Because I am the Girly Pirate, I get to go behind the scenes…I am not a major celebrity so people act naturally around me…currently there is a horrid move about orca running about…let me speak on a few things of what I observe…all of these places I have been are VERY clean…animals are well fed with top quality food…the are usually happy...as with every animal, a nose may get bent out of shape from time to time…when this does happen BAD things can happen as these are big animals (like a cow or horse or elephant)…the people who work there keep safety a priority…did you know cows kill 6 times the amount of humans as sharks do…that being said why does Discovery not have a ‘cow week’…because of money and ratings…the movie was made to provoke people and make money- not to help the animals…Dawn is looking down from heaven crying- these people used her death to hurt the animals she loved…her poor family has to see all this crapp in the news…I plead with you to ‘Blacklist Blackfish’...

The best for last…I MADE IT ALL 25 MILES!!!!! I left from Hudson Beach at 6 am and arrived at Anclote River Park at 2pm…Sunshine Paddle 2014 is complete…The Helping Hands Food Bank and Sunrise of Pasco Shelter will each get a check for $150…Applebees of Wesley Chapel gave a few gift certificates for workers…we also had an anonymous donor give a brand new piece of baby furniture for the shelter…when I launched it was really crappy weather so I had the water to myself…it is hard to explain how beautiful and amazing the trip was…I got to play with dolphins and 2 notch met up with me along the route…they were all quite encouraging…as I saw Walter waiting onshore…the feeling that was left in my heart is ‘peace be with you’…

Carry On,

Captain D

The Girly Pirate
 

Thursday, April 10, 2014

10 Days and Counting


 
 
Ahoy Matey,

I have so much to fill you in on…though I am doing much, I need help…with very little effort we have a chance to make a big difference…in the last 7 days, my world has been crazy…the next 14 will require a great deal of work from me and a little effort from you- we CAN make a change…let me explain:

In Boca Raton on the morning of April 5th, I walked for graduation of my Masters Degree from Everglades University…Lawanda cheerfully became a member of the crew and made the trip with me…several years ago I was told this could not happen for me due to the Battered Syndrome…from this please learn: you can do anything as long as you do not let anyone steal your dream…currently I am enrolled at Keiser University going after my PhD in Global Business…my goals are in sight and attainable…

That afternoon Lawanda and I went to Gumbo Limbo; the sea turtle sanctuary...I was grateful Diane made time to show this Girly Pirate around…Gumbo Limbo gets its name from a tree of the same name…this facility has classrooms for children and lecture rooms for adults…it is a well cared for and very clean environment…the animals under the care of this staff are very blessed…it is also a research center for local colleges…it bothered me that several of the turtles that were there had to be rescued from the intake of the power plant…*this could be fixed by putting a grating over the intake…also the turtle herpes/cancer…this is mostly due to phosphates being so high…*this could be fixed with a forested pipe…all donations are for the care of the facility and animals…

What can you do to make things better…change your outside bulbs…amber, yellow, red, blue and green are acceptable animal colors anywhere near water…no white, incandescent or flood type…if you want to take pics, be cool and do not use flash…clean up behind yourself…observe the animals, but do not interfere with them…pay attention to the area you are in

On the 6th we drove down to Grassy Key to the Dolphin Research Center…as the Girly Pirate, I was welcomed as a family…this is an amazing home to several animals…these animals each have their own story and each has its own why it cannot be released…here they have amazing care and love…the dolphins see themselves and the humans, as beings- one is treated with as much reverence as the other…they are a healthy and active part of the center…it is VERY easy to see the animals are happy…to see the bond between Dolphins and staff is really notable and heartwarming…this center also has the ability to handle special needs (both children and adult) and the animals seem to enjoy the ability to be therapeutic…
Lawanda and I had several special moments- really do not think we will ever be the same…all donations here are used on the animals and facility

 Cathy heard me and will be allowing me to us Yum Yum for the Sunshine Paddle…I will be going to pick her up on Saturday the 12th…sounds like a beach day or 2…I have been out and about getting pledge papers signed…starting to put together all my gear

On the 20th of April, I will paddle the 25 mile Coast of Pasco County, Florida...This is the Sunshine Paddle of 2014…we are treating this as a paddle a thon…half of all money donated will go to Sunrise of Pasco Battered Shelter and the other half will go to Helping Hands Food Pantry of Wesley Chapel…we will leave Hudson Beach at 6am and paddle through to Anclote Park…fingers are crossed for an amazing day:)
If you wish to pledge or paddle with us, please give me a call (813)907-6279.

Dismissed- Carry On,

Captain D

*Please stand up for a creature too small to help itself…send an e-mail to someone in your local or state government and ask for help…let them know you care

 

Monday, March 17, 2014

Overdrive


 

Avast Me Hearties,

Glad for you to see the busy start of the Year…let me fill you in…taxes and state paperwork are filed- have I said how I dislike paperwork…training has now become a way of life…I find on the day I do not get to paddle- I must stretch my body out…

On the morning of April 5th, 2014…At Everglades University, I will walk for graduation of my Masters Degree in Business…I am excited!!! Not so long ago, I was told this would never be possible for someone with Battered Woman's Syndrome…
 

On the Afternoon of April 5th, 2014…The Girly Pirate will make an appearance at the coolest Sea Turtle sanctuary…we are scheduled to be there at 3p.m…Gumbo Limbo is so cool…the money raised here goes directly to the care and maintenance of the animals…I will be excited to see this facility...it will be interesting to see the work being done and how many turtles are being cared for:)
On the 6th of 2014…The ship will lay a course for Marathon Key to see The Dolphin Research Center…since so many of you have asked and since I will be so close, I will stop to see meet their crew…I spoke with Amy today and confirmed our time with them…it will be exciting to see the unity and love shared here…what an awesome graduation present- Thank you for pushing me into it :)

I will then get a quiet week of training…though 25 miles is not much in a speedboat, it will be more than a healthy paddle…I am really thinking about going to Weeki Wachee, Honeymoon Island and then maybe a practice blast down the coast…if you want to paddle, I would love company on any part of the journey…if you want to go for a bit give me a call (813) 907- 6279

April 20, 2014…Our official Sunshine Paddle...The money raised will be split 50/50 between…Helping Hands Food Bank in Wesley Chapel and Sunrise of Pasco Battered and Raped Shelter in Dade City…This will be a 25 mile paddle down the coast of Pasco…If you want to pledge any amount (per mile Paddled) or join ma on the paddle- it will start on Hudson Beach at 6 a.m. Call (813) 907- 6279

Carry On,

Captain D
 

Saturday, February 1, 2014

Welcome 2014


 
Ahoy Mate,
Our new year has been very active… We continue to train…today is the day we start to gain pledges to go the 25 miles down coast of Pasco in April…this year the money will be split between Sunrise of Pasco in Dade City and Helping Hands Food Pantry in Wesley Chapel
We are looking for a Sit On Top Kayak as the Horizon is proving to be quite painful on my hip…if you know of one or have one to donate- it would be awesome…we have turned in our taxes for 2013…
 
Donations/ Expenses Report for The Sunshine Paddle 2013
This year was all about safety and training…we received donations from friends
of the paddle to help with gas and kayak rentals. With my hip being out SOT rentals were necessary as we do not own one. To save money we got rid of the truck, the money from this helped to pay some on the website. We also shut down the spot tracking service in an attempt to save money. The phones were shut off after the 2013 paddle as they would not be needed for another year. New gear included a new PDF and re-roping the Horizon. Bank fees totaled over $140. The year of 2013 started out with $25 in the account. We had income or trade of $3500. At year end we had $12 in the account.
List of Benefactors:
Judy Gavinski of Norwood (MA),

Siesta Key Bike and Kayak of Siesta Key,
Crystal River Kayaks of Crystal River,

Tory Cooper of Norton (MA),
Tim O’Hara of Crystal Beach,

Julie Perez of Wesley Chapel,
Cathy Cooper of Wesley Chapel,
Walter Rooney of Wesley Chapel
That is All…Carry On
Captain D

Friday, December 27, 2013

Concept Absorption


 
Ahoy,

I have been messaged by many of you…I am truly sorry it has taken me so long to reply…First let me state the Paddle of Pasco will happen in April of 2014...

As your Captain…it is my job to keep the paddle safe…due to many health issues that stem from past beatings things have been staggered…they have been a great deal to cope with…not just in a physical sense, but in a mental sense too…it would be a lie to say that it did not- this too is part of the healing…allowing yourself to feel the anger and to let it go…to hold onto that anger will allow the abuser to continue hurting us even when they are no longer there- take that away from them and be special...

I can no longer paddle alone…my family would feel better to be safe…I am trying to work on finding a Sit On Top as my hip has been freezing in the Horizon…it makes getting out really difficult and painful…as a matter fact, yes, I have been sticking to the menu-even with the holidays’…so, I have had a bit to deal with...

I continue to paddle…a few friends have been helping me, paddling with me or sitting on shore and I am so thankful…it is a time of peace and I miss my time alone but, I would rather be safe than sorry:)

I would like to take a moment and thank you all for the love and support to get through this…We here at the Sunshine Paddle wish everyone a healthy New Year and hope to see many dreams coming true…

That Is All...
Your Girly Pirate,

Captain D
 

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Good News


 
Ahoy Mate,

News be abound…I now have full release from the doctor and will once again be allowed on the water…it has felt like forever…as I continue to heal, it will feel good to be on the water again

It will soon be time to take 2Notch and her family north to Crystal River for the winter…this will be my third year escorting her…I feel so very privileged that she lets me paddle beside her…I ran to the coast to see her a few days ago…she did not understand why I was not in the boat…I will paddle with her next weekend
The second Sun Ray Paddle will be on April the 20th of 2014…this will be a per mile paddled event…if you would like to sign the pledge sheet, please inbox me…if you want to paddle with me please let me know…all proceeds from this paddle will be split between Sunrise of Pasco Domestic Violence Shelter and the Helping Hands Food Pantry of Wesley Chapel…plans are underway:)




We have been going through the equipment…updating or cleaning out…we could always use any donations…I have my fingers crossed for a sit on top for Yule…I spoke to Pastor Scott and our meetings will start again in November…with so much to do, extra hands are always helpful


 
The second and final Sunshine Paddle will take place April of 2015…Planning has begun…this too will be per mile paddled…we are looking for day sponsors…anyone with time to help out is very appreciated

Carry On,

Captain D