No Greasy Poles, here, thank you.

I’ve done it. I’ve carved a week for a vacation at our place in Gloucester, Massachusetts (home to 5 minutes of fame on YOU Tube for the St Peter’s Festival and the Greasy Pole). Nope, I didn’t see it but I did hear about it and all the locals love it because it brings in the tourists.

At age 55, a greasy pole contest and drunk people– not my idea of a good time. Not sure it ever was. But I love Gloucester. It’s still got a little bit left of a fishing community and the locals who have been here for generations. And, you can’t beat the ocean views and the marsh. We take our kayaks out onto the Annisquam River into the ocean or the marshes and I forget about everything…work, worries, and how to publish my book.

Speaking of kayaking, I love it. I can do it without hurting anything and nothing that hurts gets in my way. On the ongoing search for something that I can do that helps me stay connected to the great outdoors, this one seems to be “it”. I loved skiing but I broke a few bones. I didn’t mind that I couldn’t hit a golf ball more than 100 yards, it was straight — but the heat and walking a course would leave me looking for a tree to hide behind so I could go to the bathroom by the 4th hole (bladder problems).

But kayaking is good. You don’t need balance, you can go as fast or slow as you want, and you’re on water. I feel like I’m 20 again and a healthy person. I love it. We have to have these moments to keep our heads on straight. Hurray for the concept of vacation.
Rosalind