Corky Parker's Blog

It’s been a while since my last rather heroic (or so it felt to me) post aboard the Endeavour, the science research vessel based in Petersburg, Alaska where I spent a few weeks in March on a trial first mate training. That felt sort of epic — to be learning how to run this large, and rather magnificent boat.  So new and different to me. Old dogs, new tricks, and all that

I just helped dock a 100-ton, 72-foot steel T-Boat. Just saying that, and hearing from the skipper that it went perfectly got me all excited, almost downright confident, certainly relieved. It always feels good, whatever the boat, to be tied up at the dock, safe and sound. But this vessel is a whole new kettle of fish from the sailboats I’ve been crewing on. It’s just the two of us handling this thing, amidst a swirl of currents and eddies as we pulled in. So I almost skip down the dock when we’...

I just arrived home from winter travels and adventures to find a big bronze medallion in my mail, proving it real; that the audiobook version of La Finca, Love, Loss and Laundry on a Tiny Puerto Rican Island is among six memoirs nominated as this year’s best. Now, I've always had a soft spot for the underdog. I’m just not used to being my own. I guess that's why I'm still so blown away by this nomination that puts lil’ ol’ me, and my book neck and neck, shoulder to shoulder, whatever it’s calle...

By the last page of my book, I had realized that those rolling hills out to the Caribbean and beyond, to the southern ...

Oh dear reader, past guest, or pal,

I am thinking of you…if you only knew how often I did. One could never guess by the frequency of these blogs, I realize that…but the truth is, behind the scenes, I do.

Sometimes I’ve thought about sewing together all the one-off paragraphs, even whole pages, I’ve written to you in this past year…like a patchwork quilt.

Okay. Whew. This is, indeed the life. And… sigh. The one I was looking for. Breathing into it. Owning the length of time, and tribulations it's taken to get this sweet bite of the life, we’ve been working towards; the sweet upside of living on a boat coming true. Finally.

I am in the thick, green, wet and sparkly Maine woods. My writing station s...

I am in the thick, green, wet and sparkly Maine woods. My writing station set up with tea, breakfast, and Merlin bird app, to help identify my singing neighbors hidden all around me. I’ve showered, laundered, and the world has almost stopped rocking. After 600 miles more or less, I’m off the bo...

We are finally under sail! And it’s a big one.  Finally, a moment to catch my breath and let you know we are healthy a...

Is it this record-breaking cold, darn near November-like, weather that is keeping me inside and focused? What is it about today? Why do I suddenly feel the pull to write — after months...okay, years. The late afternoon sun on my desk has put my little studio corner in the spotlight. Maybe my pens and paint are just asking to be played with, at least recognized for being here and ready.