Blog Posts

The definition of adventure—more or less—is a risky endeavor with an uncertain outcome.

Adventures are scary because we don't know what will happen, and they're exciting for exactly the same reason. They are where our greatest challenges lie, as well as the greatest triumphs. Here are some of my own adventures (and mis-adventures!) in writing, sailing, and life.
Man Overboard: The Day I Thought I’d Lost My Husband at Sea
Man Overboard: The Day I Thought I’d Lost My Husband at Sea
My #1 sailing nightmare isn’t storms or pirates or sinking. It’s coming up on deck to find myself alone. Read more...
Becalmed in the Bay of Biscay: When the Sea Rewrites Your Plans
Becalmed in the Bay of Biscay: When the Sea Rewrites Your Plans
Our engine died 300 miles from land, and then the wind vanished too. Becalmed in the Bay of Biscay, I learned what the sea does to a carefully charted plan. Read more...
What a Blue Triscuit Taught Me About Chasing a Midlife Dream
What a Blue Triscuit Taught Me About Chasing a Midlife Dream
I sold the house, left the career, and risked everything for this life. Then one lost key and an absurd afternoon reminded me I don’t have to keep earning it. Read more...
Crossing the English Channel After Five Years Off the Water
Crossing the English Channel After Five Years Off the Water
Three weeks ago I wasn’t sure I had it in me. The English Channel after five years off the water, on a brand-new boat, with eight-meter tides and the world’s... Read more...
I’d sweated through my interview suit
I’d sweated through my interview suit
I was on a Los Angeles freeway with a stack of maps and absolutely no idea whether my exit was ahead of me or behind me. Read more...
Trust issues (not the kind you think)
Trust issues (not the kind you think)
"Baby!" Colin yelled from the cockpit. "Come see. But you have to be quick." I’d been struggling to wash dishes with the weirdly poor French dish soap that barely sudsed... Read more...
The champagne sat untouched in the fridge
The champagne sat untouched in the fridge
I kept expecting someone to kick me off the show model. This wasn't how victory was supposed to feel... Read more...
Sailing to the End of the World
Sailing to the End of the World
Last month, I got to do something I’d been dreaming about for years. More than dreaming, in fact. I’ve been actively visualizing this thing every time I sat down to... Read more...
Best Surprise Gift Ever (From Me to Me)
Best Surprise Gift Ever (From Me to Me)
The great in-between has arrived. These few weeks between Thanksgiving and Xmas are one of my favorite times of the year thanks to a decision made by my mom and... Read more...
🎉 You helped The Navigator hit #1—thank you!
🎉 You helped The Navigator hit #1—thank you!
First things first: THANK YOU! I kept refreshing the screen, convinced it must be a data glitch. But no. The Navigator just spent weeks at #1 in all three of... Read more...
Six Weeks Out, What I’m Freaking Out Over
Six Weeks Out, What I’m Freaking Out Over
I’ve been lucky enough to have some glorious beach days recently, plus a decent streak of meditation and exercise—but all that R&R hasn’t quite been enough to keep the growing... Read more...
That Time I Was Fired
That Time I Was Fired
Do you know those truly special conversations where you walk away seeing your life through a different lens—fuller, brighter, kinder somehow? I had that experience this week when I joined... Read more...
My Favorite Historical Seafaring Novels Featuring Strong Women
My Favorite Historical Seafaring Novels Featuring Strong Women
If you love a good sea story, you might have noticed that it's a fairly male-heavy genre. I love a good Patrick O'Brien novel as much as the next gal,... Read more...
Why I Had to Write The Navigator
Why I Had to Write The Navigator
If a picture's worth a thousand words, maybe a video's worth a bit more. Beyond Ellen's amazing accomplishments, here's exactly why her story was so compelling to me personally.  Read more...
I Finally Know Who I Am Again
I Finally Know Who I Am Again
This has been the most incredible month for me and I'm overflowing with gratitude for the incredible response to The Navigator.  I'm breathing a huge sigh of relief today. Even... Read more...
Pride, Prejudice, and Pristine
Pride, Prejudice, and Pristine
If you’d asked, I would have said I liked Jane Austen. Not loved. Not ravenously consumed. Definitely not Beatlemania level, willing to neglect husband and hygiene to make it through... Read more...
On the Trail of History's Most Famous Cookie
On the Trail of History's Most Famous Cookie
True confession. I once set the kitchen on fire making toaster waffles. The kind that come pre-made. In a box.  In other words, be sure to take any baking advice... Read more...
What's In Your Tussie-Mussie?
What's In Your Tussie-Mussie?
Is your garden accidentally communicating heartlessness, or misfortune, or longing? 😱 Nosegays, also known as tussie-mussies, were small bouquets pinned to a dress or carried as fashion accessories. In the... Read more...
What Does the 16th of December Have to do With Anything?
What Does the 16th of December Have to do With Anything?
If you’re a reader, there’s something you may want to have on your radar well before the ball drops. A fun and significant date that just may change how you... Read more...
Old Writer, New Trick
Old Writer, New Trick
You know how, when you reflect on your life, there are a few key insights that stand out as true game-changers? Only a few, mind you. Not many things make... Read more...
I Sure Never Saw This Gift Coming
I Sure Never Saw This Gift Coming
One more September in the books. One more October's commandeered our calendars while we were sleeping, or clipping our toenails, or snorfing up carnitas tacos with pickled red onions. Now... Read more...
Sailing From the Past to the Future
Sailing From the Past to the Future
I spent my August mornings sailing into the past. The writing process was a gorgeous mix of excruciating and amazing, and the first draft is now done. It took 8... Read more...
The Big Daddy Fear I'm Keeping
The Big Daddy Fear I'm Keeping
Fears. We all have them. And we’d sure like to banish them, eh? Our culture supports derring-do. We thrive on it. We make documentaries about people who face their fears.... Read more...
Why I’m Having Coffee With My Fears
Why I’m Having Coffee With My Fears
You might think someone planning to sail across oceans might be afraid of storms, pirates, or running aground. But as Colin and I prepped for the next phase of our... Read more...