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    • April 16th: Captain AJ’s Birthday & My Blog Anniversary!

      Posted at 1:29 pm by Heidi Benson Stagg, on April 16, 2020

      AJ at helmToday is a significant date. First and foremost, it is my husband’s birthday. Aaron, the Captain of our boat and my heart, was born in 1964 and is 56 today. He unselfishly gives of his time and talent, and most of all, Love, to his friends and family. He is completely devoted to our three Grands and drops everything to care for them. He coaches Little League, builds props for my daughter’s photography business, mans the barbecue and is known as the “Tickle Monster” by the GrandBoys. He’s a great role model for Cody and Matthew, and Ellie is definitely a “Papy’s Girl.” This from a guy who never had children of his own and became a step-father when my kids were teens! We are blessed to have him in our lives.

      Continue reading →

      Posted in You Live on a Boat?! | 0 Comments | Tagged BoatingLife, Cruising, LifeOnboard, LiveAboard, LivingTheDream, MarinaLife, Tayana, TLWA, ToLiveandWriteinAlameda, VivoOSonho
    • Missed it By This Much

      Posted at 4:17 am by Heidi Benson Stagg, on February 20, 2020

      sailboat-in-the-sparkling-blue-steve-andersonHe lifted the binoculars, focused the lenses and could just make out her red foul weather jacket, bright against the tiny white triangle of the sail. She headed away from land, away from him, towards the horizon. The ocean was calm and the sunshine cast a path of shimmering diamonds between them, reminding him of the jewelry she left behind.

      His fortune was made many times over in the dot com bubble by fortuitously cashing out and missing the crash by just a few months. He’d become an angel investor in an organization that housed and trained homeless youth, where he met her when she was barely 18. They married on her 21st birthday and he bought her everything money could buy, but the truly pleased smiles didn’t dim the haunted look in her eyes. She never talked about her past, except for the fact that her parents had died when she was very young and she bounced through the foster system, never owning more than could fit in a backpack.

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      Posted in Story Shelf | 1 Comment | Tagged 2LWA, FlashLitChallenge, LivingTheDream, SailingWriter, ShortStory, TLWA, ToLiveandWriteinAlameda, VivoOSonho
    • The Hangover Cure

      Posted at 4:20 am by Heidi Benson Stagg, on June 27, 2019
      Dali Women

      “Two Women Running on the Beach” by Pablo Picasso

      She thought that the only thing worse than waking up with a hangover was waking up with a hangover next to some guy that looked way better drunk. But this wasn’t a guy. It was a girl. And a pretty good looking one.

      Shana had no clue how she got into this predicament. So she lay there and stared at the naked brunette in her bed, watching her chest rise and fall and trying to figure out what to do next.

      Her bedmate’s eyes fluttered open and a slow smile crossed her face. “Heeeyyy, Girl. Got a headache? You were a hoot.”

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      Posted in Story Shelf | 0 Comments | Tagged 2LWA, FlashLitChallenge, LivingTheDream, SailingWriter, ShortStory, TLWA, ToLiveandWriteinAlameda, VivoOSonho, Writing Sailor
    • Birth-Day

      Posted at 3:42 am by Heidi Benson Stagg, on June 14, 2019

      June 14, 1987
      The day before …
      Too young
      Irritated by the heat
      Wanting relief.
      Swollen belly, huge boobs
      Destroyed career
      Trapped.

      The Day …
      Pain beyond relief
      Rush of emotion
      Delayed cry.
      Life changed
      My heart
      Outside my body.

      The day after …
      Best job ever
      Meghan’s Mommy
      Sigh of relief.
      I can do this
      Because Love
      Is always enough.

      Meghan Elizabeth Ortez
      June 14, 1987, 8 lbs 6 oz, 21 inches

      19059258_10215735264395988_3738564969654947665_n
      35281155_10216278003044115_3778662418285068288_n
      29694838_10215735253115706_7618173145456616202_n

       

      Written for the To Live and Write in Alameda 2019 “Flash Lit February” Challenge 10. We had three days to write a poem or short story (of 500 words or less) or draw a piece of art to the theme “The Day Before” and submit. 

       

       

      Posted in Story Shelf | 0 Comments | Tagged 2LWA, LivingTheDream, ShortStory, TLWA, ToLiveandWriteinAlameda, VivoOSonho
    • The Straight & Narrow

      Posted at 2:08 am by Heidi Benson Stagg, on June 13, 2019

      images“When you turn the wheel right, the boat goes right” he said patiently. “Think of it as driving a car.”

      “It’s not at all like driving a car. And it’s STARBOARD, not right,” she snapped back. “I KNOW how to STEER a boat with a tiller, just not a fancy schmancy “yacht” with a wheel.”

      “Well, then try STEERING to a compass heading. Follow the chartplotter course and keep it on the straight and narrow,” he suggested.

      “Straight and narrow? This is the Pacific Ocean,  not the friggin’ Pacific Coast Highway! Take it, I’m done.”

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      Posted in Story Shelf | 0 Comments | Tagged 2LWA, BoatingLife, Cruising, GalleyCooking, LifeOnboard, LiveAboard, LivingTheDream, MarinaLife, ShortStory, Tayana, TinyKitchen, TLWA, ToLiveandWriteinAlameda, VivoOSonho
    • Signs of Life

      Posted at 1:00 am by Heidi Benson Stagg, on May 30, 2019

      imgresSpring had finally arrived. The stark branches were dotted with pink flower buds and these little signs of life gave her hope. It had been a harsh winter and her husband had been laid off, making it twice as miserable.

      “You’re late again. Got a boyfriend?” he shot at her from the living room recliner as she walked through the front door.

      “Sorry. I worked late. Thought we could use the overtime,” she answered, balancing two full bags of grocery and her purse.

      “What’s that supposed to mean?” he jumped up, blocking her way. “I’m a highly skilled plumber and deserve top pay. I’ll get a job when I’m good and ready. You trying to piss me off?”

      Continue reading →

      Posted in Story Shelf | 0 Comments | Tagged 2LWA, BoatingLife, Cruising, GalleyCooking, LifeOnboard, LivingTheDream, MarinaLife, ShortStory, Tayana, TinyKitchen, TLWA, ToLiveandWriteinAlameda, VivoOSonho
    • Hidden Message

      Posted at 4:46 am by Heidi Benson Stagg, on May 16, 2019

      Kinkade Kirby Cove“X marks the spot. Well, if that isn’t cliche,” Sarah rolled her eyes at her boyfriend as she studied the map that was poorly made to look like a pirate’s treasure map.

      “C’mon, it’ll be fun. Treasure hunts are all the rage right now. And I got a deal on GroupOn. You always say we do the same things. I wanted to shake it up.”

      “I’m sorry. This will be fun and I’m assuming there’ll be drinks and lunch at the end. Let’s do this!”

      Glenn unfolded the instructions and read Clue #1:
      It’s been said that there is no there there. But here you will find your first and last chance to sip a hot beverage. Ask Tom for your next clue.

      Continue reading →

      Posted in Story Shelf | 4 Comments | Tagged 2LWA, BoatingLife, Cruising, GalleyCooking, LifeOnboard, LiveAboard, LivingTheDream, MarinaLife, ShortStory, Tayana, TinyKitchen, TLWA, ToLiveandWriteinAlameda, VivoOSonho
    • Abandoned Chores

      Posted at 5:41 am by Heidi Benson Stagg, on May 2, 2019

      car2Heather stretched languidly in bed, inhaling the aroma of fresh coffee wafting from the kitchen. She smiled, listening to her husband singing off-key to “American Pie.” He knew every word to all 20 plus verses. Up next would be a collection of Buddy Holly hits. His playlist was as predictable as Dan himself. 

      Dan cracked the bedroom door to see if she was awake, then entered with a bed tray laden with a heaping plate, two steaming mugs and a vase with a daisy from their yard.

      “Matzah Brei?!” Heather exclaimed. “It’s not my birthday. Did you buy the Tesla? Seriously, if you bought the Tesla, you’re taking it back.”

      “Take it easy! I didn’t buy the Tesla. I just wanted to do something nice for you. Scoot over.”

      Continue reading →

      Posted in Story Shelf | 0 Comments | Tagged 2LWA, BoatingLife, GalleyCooking, LifeOnboard, LiveAboard, LivingTheDream, MarinaLife, ShortStory, TinyKitchen, TLWA, ToLiveandWriteinAlameda, VivoOSonho
    • The Empty Vessel

      Posted at 4:37 am by Heidi Benson Stagg, on April 18, 2019

      SirenThe foursome were enjoying their sundowner cocktails and pupus in the cockpit when John suddenly jumped up.

      “We’ve got company.” Everyone turned towards the pretty boat entering the narrow passageway between the reefs into the secluded cove.

      “It’s almost dark. We better help them get moored. C’mon, Tom, you drive.”

      Tom maneuvered the dinghy carefully around the reef, approaching the boat as John hailed, “Ahoy there! We’re here to give you a hand. It’s a tricky reef.”

      Continue reading →

      Posted in Story Shelf | 0 Comments | Tagged 2LWA, BoatingLife, GalleyCooking, LifeOnboard, LiveAboard, LivingTheDream, MarinaLife, ShortStory, Tayana, TinyKitchen, TLWA, ToLiveandWriteinAlameda, VivoOSonho
    • April 16th

      Posted at 9:42 am by Heidi Benson Stagg, on April 16, 2019

      AJ at helmToday is a significant date. First and foremost, it is my husband’s birthday. Aaron, the Captain of my boat and my heart, was born in 1964 and is 55 today. He is the most unselfish person I have ever met, giving of his time and talent, and most of all, Love, to his friends and family. He is completely devoted to our three Grands and, with his retirement, he spends more time with them than any of the grandparents, including me! He coaches Little League, builds props for my daughter’s photography business, and shows up just to cuddle our little princess when mommy needs a break. This from a guy who never had children and became a step-father when my kids were teens! We are blessed to have him in our lives and will celebrate with the kids after he coaches a baseball game this afternoon.

      Continue reading →

      Posted in You Live on a Boat?! | 1 Comment | Tagged BoatingLife, Cruising, LifeOnboard, LiveAboard, LivingTheDream, MarinaLife, Tayana, TLWA, ToLiveandWriteinAlameda, VivoOSonho
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    Heidi Benson Stagg

    Heidi Benson Stagg

    I live aboard a 42 ft Tayana Vancouver sailboat, hull #5 laid in 1979, with my husband and little dog. We are preparing to head to Mexico in Fall 2022 and I enjoy blogging about our preparations for our journey, cooking in my tiny kitchen and writing short stories.

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