2023 was a very different year

 Jim:  I never expected to live this long, and in fact I thought I would die in my 50s like my father did...genetics..... But here I am closing in on twice his age and 2023 started with a bang.

No, not fireworks. It started with our wedding after a whirlwind courtship of just six weeks. Oddly enough I didn't even see it coming, but just trusted my instincts. A year later I can say, my instincts were correct. What a year 2023 has been!

This picture is of an antique binnacle (the housing of the ships compass) that was salvaged from the USS Constantinople. A cargo ship I found rotting away in the marine salvage yard in Brownsville TX. It had been a supply ship in WWII and later after decommissioning from the US Navy had become a lowly “Banana Boat” until it was no longer economical to operate. This binnacle stands at the bottom of the 18 steps up to the front door where it constantly reminds me that I need a compass even now after all these 87 years. And apparently my compass is reading true as it led me to Mi-sA-le.

So now onward through the fog of 2024 with a true and tested compass. Maybe some sailing adventures still lie ahead, but whatever lies ahead, Africa, Central America, Ecuador, and more, I will be guided by a good compass. I thank the Lord for guiding me to Mi-sA-le, and guiding us through the maze of life.