[L, diary, ephēmeris] 1) BLOG

Sent: Friday, December 17, 2021, 07:11:06 AM GMT+8
Subject: Fw: update

Dear All - am forwarding the letter I just wrote to reassure old, not well, former cruising friends, that I am okay: the worst of the typhoon has passed, so am passing the good news onward to further reassure family and other special people in my life that the long silence before this storm took my focus, has also passed.  The lack of stamina I'd been experiencing while recovering from illness along with another death to grieve is not with me this morning...good honest work aboard PILAR must be the cure...so gratifying to again feel confident (even if SLOWLY), remembering how to do the satisfying work that was constantly part of my life when Bill & I were cruising.  I am relieved to have the storm pass--the worst I've experienced since arriving in 2000--but so very much more pleased to have the energy to write again!  Though--please forgive me for making it generic at this moment?  The energy is back but not in the giant economy size needed to personally address each one of you, this morning...always, Diane

----- Forwarded Message -----

Dearest Ingo & Espie - It's five a.m. and I just woke up, the worst of the storm passing about the time you sent your email (arriving at three a.m.).  I had fallen asleep an hour before but didn't wake.  Worn out from two full workdays of moving PILAR to my old mooring (needing repairs) in the upper anchorage, replacing the crusty float and all shackles, then frantic completion of work-in-progress (gaskets in cockpit lockers, returning latches and drain hoses that had been removed for painting) plus tidying sloppy halyards belayed to pinrails, lashing skylight, propane tank, gaffs and booms, rigging temporary starboard lifeline to keep me from falling overboard but also hanging our rope ladder in case I needed to get back aboard...the work took it's toll on my still-not fully well body.  Renato & Jomar had brought my dinghy ashore and lashed it in the mangroves because I expected more rain and NO WAY would I be able to safely bail it if there was as much wind and rain as predicted.  Then, of course, readying below decks for keeping everything from flying.  I had mixed up bread sponge the day before while at the house, lashing and stowing stuff there that could be water-damaged, brought it to the boat and baked it--comfort food ready for eating by five when work was mostly done.  There's nothing more wonderful than fresh-baked bread, still hot from the oven, with thick cold butter during times of stress!

It may take a while for my guys to get their own homes sorted out before they are able to bring my dinghy back, but I'm happy to be able to use this time to connect with everybody I've not been able to write to lately. PILAR's mooring is well-protected so she faired very well but I've no way of knowing, yet, what other boats or friends on land had to endure.  It was a bad storm.

Daylight now.  Am feeling very rested, no longer as depleted by health and grief as I have been. I am grateful for so much good in my life, for all the good friends, especially.

much love to you,
Diane

SINCE THEN...

• There was some damage to yachts, one mangled badly when another broke free to crash into it; another one or two drifted loose with no damage to others before being re-anchored.
• An astounding amount of organic beach debris, trees almost denuded of leaves, but roofs and older structures need repair elsewhere.
• Renato's family has been staying in my house during this extended power outtage using, a large generator keeping lights & refrigerator (plus cell phones of the entire neighborhood) charged during the continuing brownout.
• There is hope that by tomorrow, Christmas Eve day, power will be reinstalled..

Today is the last workday for all of us until after the New Year, a blessed respite for rejuvenation.  Possibly even further posts to be made...

...but this post needs an added, extra-special THANK YOU to my good friend Mark Foote, who suggested updating via my website for those intermittent times when I am unable to connect personally online.