ailing the Northeast coast is sometimes an experience one can only relate with photos, and not necessarily a story from memory that many people would not believe. Having a friend who never could see such beauty as a dolphin frolicking in the distance, seals basking on the rocks, or even, if you will, a whale broaching in the distance. They never saw anything unless it was pointed out to them. We would radio them and tell them to look at a certain compass reading for such sea life. When we reached our destination, they would always accuse us of "hallucinating from being on the ocean too long". We, maybe doubting our own sanity, began taking photographs to prove that our brains were not water-logged, and we were in fact alert to the beauty and activity around us.

ne early morning we left a port which we had tucked into for protection from a storm. As we crossed the sound to reach our next destination, we encountered a female tern pecking at our bow, and causing quite a ruckus. As we got closer, we saw that her nest had been washed out to sea probably due to the storm, and in it were her three young chicks. She was willing to martyr herself to save her young. We have thought of those three chicks and that mother tern so many times, hoping that they made it to shore, as safely as we did.

henever we were in Gloucester, Massachusetts, tucked away in that small protected harbor, we always experienced the beautiful resident swans begging for a cookie or two, but when our small black poodle "Mr. Beaujangles", (Beau) spotted, and tried to befriend them, they weren't so "pretty" when they hissed at him. Beau didn't like them too much, and we stopped providing cookies for the swans!

here were friendly birds at sea, however, one afternoon as he slept in the cockpit, a little bird landed on his head and woke him up. Several times we would encounter a small land bird who was blown offshore, and so tired that they could hardly fly, they would hitch a ride with us. One even went down below, ate some crumbs that we put out for him, and fell asleep on the chimney of our oil lamp. We often wondered if they felt a little lost in their new environments.



ut the most unusual experience we had was one calm morning when I was reading in the forward bunk waiting for some wind to come up for us to sail, my husband informed me that if I thought I had seen every type of sealife, from manatees and giant turtles in Florida, to spotting a Blue Whale off the coast of Port Clyde, Maine, I was in for a great surprise. Sure enough, off the stern of our boat, standing in the ocean water, was a BULL MOOSEIII

ther than sailing and enjoying the creatures God has given to us to observe, with mystique and awe, I truly enjoy entertaining and cooking aboard. Foraging is fun, and along with friendship and entertaining during the short summer season, in some beautiful harbor at the end of the day as the sun sets, is as enjoyable as the sail itself. For this reason, I have devoted much time in assembling my cookbook "ONE FOR THE POT". After consulting with other boating friends, and knowing the necessity for such a tool, to help us prepare good meals with fresh foods and little cleanup, while working in a small galley, I researched and incorporated one pot meals, both elaborate or easy, into one book for easy reference. I am proud of this book, and hope it helps others simplify this necessary chore.

wish everyone a happy and safe boating season, while looking for, and enjoying sea creatures in their homes, to which they invite us in all innocence, and we invade with our presence. - -Mary Jane