Squall Girl Blog
Explore my lifestyle blog, where I share advice on navigating life’s challenges. Join me as I share my musings and insights on living life to the fullest.
February 14, 2025
As Valentine’s Day approaches and as the stores fill their shelves with overpriced candy and flowers, and restaurants promote their special prix fixe menus, I have to grin and bear it because in the 32 years I have been with my husband, I have always known he has another love. One for whom he has…
January 31, 2025
Looking Back with Empathy—A Lesson from My 19-Year-Old Self Have you ever stumbled upon an old journal and cringed at your younger self’s dramatics? I did—and it was both eye-opening and humbling. As I read through pages of heartbreak, self-doubt, and over-the-top emotions, I found myself judging the 19-year-old me… until I realized something important.…
January 20, 2025
I have been hit, not by a squall, but by the common winter cold I have somehow avoided the last few years. You know the one—the aggravating stuffy head, runny nose, and cough—enough to keep you up at night but not enough to lay you out for a long sleep. So here I am at…
January 3, 2025
We have ushered in a new year, and as we move into 2025, we are filled with hope for what this new chapter will bring. The ups and downs of the previous year are now behind us, like a gentle wake trailing our passage. While we encountered storms and enjoyed moments of smooth sailing, we…
December 19, 2024
So every year, Santa packs up his tight-fitting sleigh, filling each crevice with multiple items he needs, starts up his power, and takes off for a long trip around the world. During his trip, he stops at many places and gives gifts to people of all walks of life. When done, he returns to the…
December 6, 2024
Unless you are harkening back to the good old days of following the stars, charts, and your innate sense of seamanship, you’ll likely rely on a wide array of technical assistance while out on the water. You have your chart plotter, Navionics, or another app for direction. The radio for communication. A depth sounder to…
November 21, 2024
I have to pull up my anchor. There is a new place I want to explore, and as much as I love the location I’m floating at now, I believe there is more for me to see and experience. Before you think I’m giving up this blog and sharing experiences with you—this is something beyond…
November 8, 2024
The process of monitoring and controlling the movement of a vehicle from one place to another involves gathering information, evaluating it, and making decisions based on that information. Do you have a destination you want to reach but no route planned out? On the water, as in life, you can’t get there properly without navigation.…
October 24, 2024
Well, it’s that time of year again. Leaves are falling, pumpkins are decorating front porches, and spiced lattes and stews galore are on the menu. It sounds idyllic, right? It’s the quintessential Fall in New England. We always struggle with the question of when to schedule hauling the boat out. While it’s tough to give…
October 2, 2024
The boat stays in one place, moving only with the current or waves. If you’re a sailor, you're likely very familiar with bobbing. One moment, you're moving along, and the next, the wind dies, taking away your ability to move forward. It’s frustrating, just bobbing along in the sea when you have somewhere to be.…
September 20, 2024
"The Drink" is an informal term for any body of water, especially the ocean. It’s September. The kids are back in school, the leaves are changing, pools are closed, football is on the big screen every Sunday, and the saddest part? The boat is being hauled out. We were out last weekend, and it seemed…
September 5, 2024
“A dog watch is a work shift, also known as a "watch", in a maritime watch system that is half the length of a standard watch period. This is typically formed by splitting a single four-hour watch period between 16:00 and 20:00 (4 pm and 8 pm) to form two two-hour dog watches, with the…
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