a nautical almanac

For many years, my go-to desk calendar was a nautical almanac. It was published annually, and every day contained unique material on the sea, seamanship, or practical nautical knowledge. In fact, they were so information-packed that all of the ones I own sit on the shelf for reference. Many of us had withdrawal symptoms when the author and compiler decided to cease publication.

As we searched for alternatives, we discovered how tawdry the competition had been: mere photos of pretty boats – sailors’ pornography, if you will! There was no worthy successor. Where daily we had opened a new page that promised to introduce us to a bit of nautical doggerel, coach us through a tight passage in a famous sloop, or discuss the merits of various mess cooks recipes for spotted dog* – no, I don’t mean either a real dog or a frosted cake with polka dots!

It was then that many of us realized that our passionate attachment to the sea, things nautical, coastal, or beyond soundings, was a bit out of control. My wife got me a subscription to a sailing magazine. A friend and I went to the Annapolis Boat Show in hopes of finding a “fix.” No, not that kind, a nautical fix!

Over time, the cravings have subsided. Then, the blog prompt this morning. Write about something you feel passionate about. You sick, sadistic bastard… just when I was finally over the withdrawal symptoms. I will find you; when I do, it’s the Jonah Lift over the side! Sleep with the fishes, jerk!

*This was a popular ship’s cook dessert. The recipe called for a few straightforward ingredients—similar to soda bread, with raisins as the spots.