Date: 6 January 2015. Holiday Invitations (Christmas 2014)

A common misconception I've too often seen stated online is: "When you go in a marina You will be the sailors home from the Sea. Everyone will invite you aboard to feed you and ply you with drinks in return for telling them sea Stories." Although I've only been out six years, I have yet to find an open invitation to any boat. I matters not if I'm in a marina or at an anchorage populated by other boats. Newbies should not count on the generosity of fellow boaters.
 

Even the couple I met who first touched the US after having left 17 years ago were not "feted" though folks with vehicles did haul them to a grocery store. Truly, what you can most expect as a traveler is for folks to want to come aboard your boat and see it.

We will want to learn what you've had success with along with failures experienced. And we want to see it first hand.

The locals will look over your equipment, ask questions and such. But as for invitations? That is less likely than the online world would have you believe.

Then come the holidays... and out of the woodwork invitations arrive from folks who have never invited you anyplace before. Suddenly you're alone and they can "spare" you the agony of being an unwanted soul. It sucks.

And believe you me, those of us who are solitary do talk about those invitations. We wonder why you only appear in the days before Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter. Where were you weeks ago?
 

Plus the thought of spending Christmas with strangers is less than enticing. Frankly, it's intimidating and a bit scary too. I'd rather not, you know?

What made the holidays nice however was an invention from the previous century. The simple telephone allowed many of us out here to touch base. Throughout the day I enjoyed catching up with other singles. Everyone I knew who was both without local relatives and a soloist opted to enjoy the day alone.

And although I didn't ask, from the discussions of gifts (see lists above) we avoided by staying home, it was a unanimous decision. All had invitations elsewhere and chose our destiny. By late afternoon however several of us admitted to missing the leftovers.

I still treasured the time to think back to earlier years. Many happy memories were shared, especially with my friend Irene. Irene is a great listener who has lead an interesting life.

It was such fun to tell stories about when the children were young, and so were we. Where did the years go? It seemed to me not so very long ago that I had my duo.

Here are Son and Kidlet on the tow boat my dad ran for a while down in the Florida Keys:

 

I made several calls, and received some too. It was fun. And to my good friend who had cheesecake for breakfast? I'm seriously jealous. That sounded just about perfect.

When speaking with Kidlet I was pleased to know that her family's Christmas morning included Cheese Danish. That's something I started when she and Son were young ones. Publix bakery supplied it. I'd definitely recommend the Publix version if you're near that grocery store chain.

Without outsiders we soloists were all free to spend the day as we pleased. I read a couple of books. Have I mentioned lately how very much I like my Kindle? It truly makes all the difference in my happiness quotient -- I should have bought one long before.
 

Among those I spoke with on Christmas day was a universal joy at being afloat. Also there were a few regrets. Many of us missed the plethora of food choices offered on holidays. Even though I cook for self, there was not the great variety of good things to eat. Have I mentioned leftovers?!?

And I'd forgotten to buy apples for a pie. Christmas without apple pie just isn't the same. Mother's apple pie was one of my favorites...

Frankly though I can't see inviting a single fellow over to Seaweed for food and drinks who just arrived in port -- not unless there was to be a large gathering of people. And as a single woman I'm careful. Out here all we have is our reputation.

You, collectively, and me too -- are nothing special. We are living our lives and should be prepared to be self-sufficient. Holidays are no different.

What did you do for Christmas dinner?
Is there any holiday tradition you look forward to enjoying each year?

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