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

 

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 20^th 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

 

 

Listen – I can hear the Ocean

 

All Hands On Deck,

Episodes brought on by Battered Women’s Syndrome from beatings that happened over 20 years ago have me landlocked at the moment…it is very frustrating as I really want to be on the water…it has also changed our plans a little…

In April of 2014, the plan has changed to paddling the coast of Pasco…we will raise money by using a signup sheet and going per mile paddled…I will have time to prepare for this and it will hopefully give me time to heal enough to make the big trip

The plan now to go up the east coast has now been changed to April of 2015..by no means have we given up…it is just my feeling if something is worth doing it is worth taking the time to do it correctly

In the mean time, equipment maintenance needs done…the Horizon needs cleaned and waxed…we need to find volunteers…meeting times need to be set with the church…we also need to get the okay from parks and rec…so never fear there is plenty to do

 

 

 

Carry On,

Your Girly Pirate Captain

 

Choices and Decisions

 

Avast Me Hardies,

I bring news forth…as you know, I have been battling battered women’s syndrome for over 20 years…last week it became very serious…my heart went into hypertrophy…this was very painful…I went to Florida Hospital of Wesley Chapel and was admitted…this is an amazing hospital…they ran many tests, the staff was polite and respectful…though I could not eat much- the food was to die for…I felt safe in Their care…these events are brought forth from damage to my brainstem…I have been for my recheck- I am healthy and have doctor okay to return to m kayak

To make my family happy…I need to find a teammate…they are worried if I am on the water and an event happens, I may not make it back to shore…I am physically fit to perform the task ahead, but I have a brain stem that likes to have fun with me…though they have begged for this- I now have to agree…safety must be a priority at all times…a second paddler could only be a good thing…help would be a great thing...looking for 3 different people

What do they need to do???

I need someone who will paddle with me 2-3 days a week…on the off days be willing to work out until we launch…we will launch on the Atlantic Coast Paddle on April 20, 2015…it will take minimum of 40 days…I am willing to do tandem or two singles…this person needs to live in Florida

I have to have someone manage the Paddle…up until now I have done it all, but really need some help…it has gotten to be too much for just one person…this person must be organized and not mind dealing with different states…this person can live anywhere as most of this would be phone or internet work

A person to handle media along the even route would be a Godsend too…as this is a phone and internet job- this person too could be most anywhere too

 

I am back on the water…like any good pirate the salt calls to the blood in me veins…it is where I feel whole and recharged- the peace, the animals, the fresh air…It is my wish for others to see how special it is…I am requesting help if you know of anyone, please let me know…

 

 

 

 

 

 

Your Girly Pirate,

D

 

 

 

Bos’n Call Forth Me Scurvy Dogs

 

Rough Sea Me Hearties,

This summer has seen the boat fighting many storms and at least fairing well in the beam seas…I have not been able to take many pictures when I have to fight the paddle- sorry…when the storms were too hard, I worked the bike…it is now I should admit I feel better than I have in ages…

We approach the 8 month point with gusto…weather I paddle or not from here out the welso must become an everyday thing…it is now I will work harder on endurance…it is now I want to hash out any issues...I do not want to find them find on the paddle this time…

I am in a new job that allows me to paddle (for now) as a requirement to the job…how very cool is that…I am so excited…I measure things like current and flow…it will be neat to have all of this information for this area…

 

 

Sadly I must speak of a crew member we lost…she was a woman who it took almost 10 years to get away from her abuser…it had been aprox. 25 years since her last beating…she died due to complications caused by the old injuries…coming to terms with that was not easy on many levels...she is now free…may she swim the waters of Valhalla as she always talked about

 

At the moment I am trying to scout a Sit On Top Vessel…I would like 2 yaks to be safe on our journey…though, I am aware when I round the bend in NC, I will mostly us the Horizon…I would like a Sit On for the southern states…I hope for a donation of either a SOT or cash to get one…fingers crossed...If you have a picture of a ‘Girly Pirate’ please send it to us…every one is important and should be loved…who got in a kayak this summer??? Did you try other water sports??? Did you volunteer at your local shelter??? Did you donate??? So many charities have had their budgets cut, please remember a good Pirate takes care of their community…

 

 

Carry On,

Captain D

 

Ceiling Can’t Hold Us

 

Avast Me Hearties,

The summer has come in bringing rain almost every day…which here in Florida means rip currents are abound…please keep this in mind and make sure you speak to your children about it too- it may save their life…it is my feeling that every child should be taught to swim as one never knows when it will be important or just handy…I took my children to the ocean by 3 weeks old because it then becomes a transition from in utro to the water vs. being a chore one must learn…

Weeki Wachee River is a great place to practice my paddle work…the water has been clear and the river busy…it was fun…due to a warm winter I got to see flowers that had not been around in a few years…a baby manatee seemed to enjoy splashing me…it was so hot, I was thankful for so many overhanging trees…the fish were lining up and looked like a piece of silver ribbon in the wind:)

 

 

Hudson calls to me and I must go…I needed to get water readings…due to the high water level the current runs around this area…lift my paddle and go for the joy ride…I need to invest in an anchor and a rope with depth knots…yes, this is one of my favorite beaches…2 notch and I bummed around and had fun

 

 

 

At the shelter there was a changing of the guard so to speak…Penny and Jacquie are off to start the next phase of their lives…I was blessed to have both as a part of my life…you gave so many women the chance to be whole again…may whatever lies ahead hold the magic you deserve…

Swim practice is important…this is about endurance…if something happens, I may need to swim for shore…I can go for 2 hours straight so far without my feet touching bottom…when I started I could barely make 5 minutes- my how far I’ve come…not easy, but so worth it

 

 

 

Carry On,

Captain D

 

Blast! Blast! Blast!

 

Ahoy,

I have been paddling around St. Joseph Sound…Fred has been out to see me and we have had fun…he likes to tap the boat…2 Notch has been staying on the gulf side of the islands for some reason…she has been having fun with the boat too…her fin slap is always when I least expect it…it has been good practice around other boats, islands and bridges…I enjoy stopping on some of the outer keys…getting in and out on my own- I am good at this, just do not expect me to be graceful- at all…lol…I can almost hear the dolphins’ laugh…

In the last week, I have been launching from Hudson Beach…the wind has been high which makes it a really- feel your muscles burn- kind of paddle…The Blue Horizon has brought me safely to shore each time and I am thankful for her…she has been an awesome ride…due to northern weather being far harsher than ours I feel it proper to paddle in all weather, one can never be too prepared…it is not the paddling I enjoy the most though- it is blasted painful

So badly do I want to run and get a quart of fudgy chubby hubby ice cream, that would be yummy…I know people think I am a little crazy as I talk to myself in the store while I shop…as I look at many treats, I must say No…I find that it is best to avoid the cookie and candy isle…lol

Speaking of pain…I am now up to 20 minute, 5 mile reps on the Welso…I never look at a scale, but I have now gone from a 2X to a LG…also a far cry from the 2 minutes I started at…lol…my legs can bloody well feel it

 

I need help in each state…if you have time please volunteer…if you know of someone who has time, please ask them for me…I am working on bumper stickers, T-shirts and flyers…if all you can do is post a flyer at your local public bulletin board I would be ever so thankful…if you are interested in the bumper stickers or T-shirt let me know…I have to start pre-paying for what I can and getting ready to bank for what we need…Taylor has been ill, so I am looking for someone who would not mind video editing until he returns…anyone???

Well, next week my plan is Crystal River…as always, I will keep you posted

 

Your Captain,

 D