Stella Maris and Timely Thoughts

Upon leaving home we were the beneficiaries of a number of thoughtful gifts. These included much appreciated care packages of chips, snacks, nuts, sodas, candy, wine, cookies, etc. These did nourish us as we drove eastward to Mobile where we still wait for significant progress on our commissioning process in preparation to leave this marina. I guess the little bits and pieces of progress do add up but it seems ever so slow. We hope that tomorrow will bring us a big step forward... but we've been wrong before.

However, two of the non-edible and significant remembrances came from family members. Bob's brother Jim and his wife Mary gave us a Stella Maris medal pictured below.

According to Wikipedia the words "Star of the Sea" are a translation the Latin title Stella Maris. The title was used to emphasize Mary's role as a sign of hope and as a guiding star for Christians. This has led the devotion of Our Lady, Star of the Sea in many coastal and fishing villages.

It is kind of like a Saint Christopher's medal for those of us who hang out around the water and travel by boat. Thank you Jim and Mary! We don't want to leave any opportunity for safety and guidance pass us by.

While visiting Bob's Mom the day before we left, she had us read her daily positive "Thought For The Day" that she keeps on her coffee table. On that particular day it read  "We can not discover new oceans unless we have the courage to lose sight of the shore". She thought that was pretty timely as did we. At 98 years of age she always has positive thoughts and well wishes for all and serves as a role model for all her kids. Thanks for that inspiration Mom!

Nautical Word For The Day: [from seatalk.info]                

Cabin Fever:                                                                      

1. A state of anxiety caused by long confinement below

deck in bad weather.                                              

From Great Loop Jargon:                                                  

                                           

2. Also noticeably noted when the commissioning of one's

drags on and on and on..........