Where Globe-Trotting meets Beach-Combing
You know what’s the absolute WORST part of life as a Navy family? The unending separations. Chris and us, us from friends, Chris and I from our siblings, kids from extended family, cousins from cousins. So when we do get time together, I want to make the most of it. At long last, the moment…
Blogging is so out, according to everyone. I don’t care. It’s meditative for me. I started Passport Diaries 10 YEARS AGO, in April 2008. TEN YEARS AGO. I wanted to go one of Jacksonville, Florida’s fish markets at dawn and watch the fishing boats unload the catch of the day. We had our orders to Japan and…
My precious kiddos have thrived in their school schedule this year. We all have! I know everyone always says kids need routine and regularity in their lives, and it turns out they’re not lying! Amazing! A few weeks ago I lost my voice. Chris was flying late. The kids wanted their bedtime stories of course….
I love Change of Command ceremonies. It’s full of excitement and hope like a wedding, in that a new ‘family’ is formed. It’s sad like a funeral, because there are tearful goodbyes and lots of thanking people for their support, and a review of the good times shared together. Families and friends fly in from…
Just days before the Big Island’s Pu’u O’o crater collapsed and magma began spurting and oozing out of cracks in the earth, Chris was in the area evaluating air quality. Thick smoke—much thicker than the smoke we saw there five months ago—was already pouring forth from the ground. Below ground, what they could not see…
So there you are, two months into your beginner hula class, when your teacher announces that everyone will be performing in the upcoming I Love Kailua Town Party festival. Doesn’t that sound like an opportunity to feel truly part of this community you grow to love more and more every day, yet also exceedingly ripe…
Chris’ ship 1MC announcement before the fly off: “Good afternoon Michael Murphy, this is the Air Boss, Scalleykat Actual. As we approach the end of deployment together and before we fly off tomorrow, on behalf of myself and the rest of the Scalleykatz I want to thank each and every one of you for the…
