Ho Ho Ho Home Sweet Boat
Damn, it's just not supposed to be this cold here in Galveston, Texas.
Awakening to the sound of sleet tickling the deck above, I'm greeting this Christmas Eve Day with a counterattack of warmth of heart in a snug and cozy boat.
And with much to be thankful for, with my most humbled appreciation for each of you who've commented, e-mailed and even called lo these many weeks past. I scarecly merit your inquiries, but I'm grateful all the same. Please do accept my sincerest apologies for having not replied.... it's not that I wasn't congizant of your great intentions....it was that I could no more write there than I could have here. And, I didn't.
You've helped to keep me sane and safe through many troubling times. I'll catch y'all up on the roller-coaster life which has been my life later, but not now. Today though, I want you all to know how very much I appreciate and hold you dear.
My folks are doing well, my cats are warm and happy and I'm beginning to see some daylight in my heart too. Sometimes, nothing but time....for which there is no substitute........time, is what's needed to mend a broken heart, to soothe a troubled soul and to rest a weary mind.
The New Year cometh, and I'm truly looking forward to it.
In the next few weeks, the comments on all old posts will be closed, one by one. Until TypePad generates a tool to help kill spambots, that's going to be the only way to manage this small site. Further, a frequent commenter (to be named later, now hush!), will join me on deck, making Smoke on the Water, for the first time, a collaborative writing effort.
Gawd though, I can't believe what I'm feeling right now. I'm damn near moved to tears, just being here at the keyboard again, and wanting to write, instead of wanting anything but the agony of facing the screen with an empty heart and a shattered soul.
Time heals all wounds.......and time is on my side for a change.
Again, a very Merry Christmas to each and every one of you.
All my Love.
Jim
Sloop New Dawn
Galveston, TX
So glad to see that you're back. I hope that Christmas and the New Year bring you a fresh start filled with hope and happiness.
Posted by: Kathleen | December 24, 2004 at 03:10 PM
Welcome Back.
Merry Christmas.
Posted by: DeAnna | December 24, 2004 at 03:57 PM
Merry Christmas, my friend. Welcome back--in so many, many ways.
Posted by: Mrs. du Toit | December 24, 2004 at 04:12 PM
Well, bud, it's good to see you back!
We got us one hell of a bout of global warming over here in southwest Louisiana, too: snow flurries!
Looking forward to you exposing parts of your brain again.
Merry Christmas, friend!
Posted by: mostly cajun | December 24, 2004 at 04:17 PM
We've missed ya bud. Glad to see you around.
Posted by: Liberty | December 24, 2004 at 05:24 PM
Merry Christmas!
Posted by: Geoffrey | December 24, 2004 at 09:33 PM
Glad you're back, neighbor. We've missed you.
Merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous New Year.
Posted by: homebru | December 24, 2004 at 11:08 PM
Merry Christmas my friend!! And may you truly have Fair Winds and Following Seas come the New Year! Good to see you back, you have been missed.
Posted by: Guy S. | December 25, 2004 at 04:22 AM
Ah, good to see you weathering your storms.
Merry Christmas, and here's to looking forward to the New Year!
Posted by: Special Ed | December 25, 2004 at 04:32 AM
I am glad you have survived your journey through whatever Valley of Shadow your path has taken you.
I wish you all the best in continuing your climb upwards and outwards.
Posted by: Jack | December 25, 2004 at 11:48 AM
What a nice Christmas present! Welcome back, friend.
Bob
(My spy Dana will be pleased as punch!)
Posted by: Bob Baird | December 25, 2004 at 11:50 AM
Best of wishes in the comming New Year. Looking forward having you back on board.
Gene
Posted by: Gene Pool | December 25, 2004 at 12:29 PM
Got any cigars? I'm on my last box and will be out by tomorrow morning.
Posted by: Marcus | December 25, 2004 at 12:56 PM
Merry Christmas Cap'n.
Glad to see you backat the keyboard, for a whole lot of reasons.
P.
Posted by: Light & Dark | December 25, 2004 at 03:36 PM
Oh it's good to see you back. What a nice Christmas present.
Posted by: BeeBee | December 25, 2004 at 06:47 PM
Merry Christmas to you, too. It was a pleasure to meet you at Kim & Connie's, and I'll try to look you up when I'm in Houston early next year.
Posted by: Kevin Baker | December 25, 2004 at 07:13 PM
Glad your back
See you soon
Posted by: Airboss | December 26, 2004 at 07:03 AM
Holy Guacamole! He returns!
Good to see you again! Your 'MIA' tag gets pulled off the blogroll now!
Buena Suerta in 2005! Welcome back!
Posted by: El Capitan | December 26, 2004 at 11:03 AM
Now here's a pleasant sight: seeing that you're back. Nice to know you're well and at peace.
Love,
J.
Posted by: Juliette | December 26, 2004 at 04:33 PM
Welcome back Jim, glad to hear from you and that you are doing ok.
Hope you had a Merry Christmas and will have a happy New Year.
Posted by: Starhawk | December 26, 2004 at 05:59 PM
Welcome Back!!!!
Posted by: Sam | December 26, 2004 at 10:22 PM
Beautiful Jim, so good to hear from you.
(...thought I was gonna have to call your ass AGAIN! Missed my blogboy. : D)
Posted by: Key | December 27, 2004 at 05:05 PM
Posted by: Ironbear | December 27, 2004 at 07:35 PM
Glad your back..gives me hope
Sharon
Posted by: Sharon | December 27, 2004 at 10:10 PM
Well hell, I thought you'd given up this waste of time known as blogging. Good to see you back among us time wasters!
Posted by: kevin whited | December 28, 2004 at 11:39 AM
Sorry it's late,
But late is better that never,
Happy Kwanza to you,
Cause ya haven't written in forever.
Hope you were sailing,
With jib trimmed in tight,
A mainsail filled,
with winter winds delight.
If not the case,
Even if i wish it were true,
A happy new year i wish,
To all of you.
May it be better than mine and all that you wish .Glad to see ya scribblin' again.
Posted by: Cracker | December 28, 2004 at 08:29 PM
Jim -
An answer to prayer, my dear friend. Welcome back. I have missed you.
Always,
Dana
Posted by: Dana | December 28, 2004 at 08:58 PM
Welcome back, Jim.
The blogroll seemed a little poorer without you.
Posted by: PQ | December 29, 2004 at 06:43 AM
Now THAT'S a Merry Christmas present...
Happy New Year, Jim. It's great to have you back...
Posted by: Jay G | December 29, 2004 at 08:03 AM
Conservative sailboatowners unite! Welcome back, I see someone must have paid the pirates ransom. May your brain waves always be positive and make it down to your fingers at the keyboard. May your anchor always hold on the first set. May liberals continue to fail to make their point(weak political insert). May your thru hulls never leak. May your main and genny be taut and pull you through any passage you wish to follow.
Fair winds.
Posted by: Talentscout | December 29, 2004 at 09:13 AM
We thought you had croaked. I had dibs on your cigars.
Posted by: Steve H. | December 29, 2004 at 10:05 AM
What a pleasant surprise - glad to see that you are back. Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year!
Posted by: Anna | December 29, 2004 at 01:41 PM
Hot damn! First Rachel resurfaced, and now you too. Welcome back!
Posted by: Resident Wife | December 29, 2004 at 03:21 PM
Jim, welcome back. You were truly missed.
Posted by: Heywood | December 31, 2004 at 12:07 AM
'Bout time you showed back up, you salty old fart! We've missed you!
Posted by: Cromagnon | January 05, 2005 at 08:40 AM