This is the season when most sane (or insane) Americans are On Vacation. School’s out, the weather’s warming, plans have been made for sandy toes and long flights, Disney days or camping nights. I’ve been on vacation as well — from blogging. My new Oysterville Life is full and fulfilling, but as a wise Oysterman pointed out to me, “You can do anything, but you can’t do everything.” It’s not so bad. Everything I want to do includes world travel, writing my memoir/novel/website

This year would be the first Thanksgiving I’d be spending with my honey, and the first in my new home “village” of Oysterville, WA (pop. 14). It would also be the first year I’d be spending it away from my family and California friends in decades. I wanted to — needed to — surround myself with the new family and friends who have wrapped me in their warm circle. And while we have had our crosses to bear, we are also blessed with good fortune, and wanted to share our bounty wit

SUMMER SOLSTICE, 2014 Last year, at the suggestion of my beau, I celebrated the summer solstice with a ritual which has officially become tradition. Burn (literally) destructive behaviors and manifest new, accompany with gratitude, self-reflection, good food and pleasing drink. This year, while I’ve evolved into a more focused and less fractured being than I was on last year’s longest day, I’m also in the midst of one of the most intense and disorienting periods of my life —

I love the breath of possibility that comes with starting a new year. 2013 began with a dreadful head cold, lots of Dungeness crab and a new romance.The year saw a lot of firsts for me – first dive, first kayak, first near-death experience on an elephant. I traveled to Thailand, Istanbul and Florida, and crossed the canyon to the big five-oh. 2014 has begun with a clear head, lots of Razor Clams, and a year-old romance that still feels new – due partially to those Razor Clams

I’ve never tried a long-distance relationship, unless emotional distance counts the same as air miles (I’m not naming names — please do not try to parse this post for clues). But when you share handfuls of common interests with someone — love of nature, oysters, all other seafood, all other food, socializing, wine, parties, adventuresomeness (there really is no better word), competitive party games, otters — you try to find a way to make it work. And while there might be a la