I enjoyed your take on it tremendously. Amazing backstory too. You're right. Home is a feeling. I lived on two continents. And every time I moved, I knew whether my new place felt like home. It felt familiar, and I had that feeling that I was home. Whenever a life chapter ended, I lost that feeling, and if I went back, I could no longer find the things that had made that place wonderful in the first, so there was nothing for me there other than the memories. I didn't have the same perception. It's an interesting thing and nostalgic in so many ways.
Growing up in our family, we were given an appreciation for travel and change. I’ve also been thinking about home and where I’m really from. California was where I went to school, worked and lived all over the state. But since Susan and I got married, we’ve owned a dozen houses in five states and moved 20 times. We fix up every place we live from planting gardens, trees, to rehabbing interiors with new walls, windows, basements, and bathrooms. Something about trying to make a new home is creative and inspiring. But where am I from? Don’t really know - except where we are now always seems like home!
Hey Steve! My brother the house flipper! I know it's not your intention, but you sure have lived in and improved LOTS of digs. I continue to find your energy level amazing when it comes to fixing up houses. Glad to know you enjoy it and find it inspiring.
My wife and I lived on a 48 ft ketch for 8 years so I can relate. The boat was all the home we needed. Just getting into your free book and enjoying your writing, but you sure weren't kidding about noir. I used to write a little and would like to get back into it. Started a Substack here and not sure where I'm going with it. Was planning some nautical fiction, but had to get a few political rants off my chest first! Can hardly wait to find out. Keep writing.
Hey, the name is good, and I read your post about the origin. Funny. My first husband and I ran our crewed charter boat SUNRISE in the Virgins in the 80's, and we would take our guests to The Big Bamboo in Virgin Gorda. Never saw the cow, but the bar was made of shelves nailed to the trunk of a tree and several of the seats were in rusted out cars in the yard. I have great memories of dancing barefoot in the dirt at the Big Bamboo. Welcome to Substack.
We too have great memories of the Big Bamboo. My wife and I were drinking and dancing there the night before our wedding. The next day we sailed over to beef island and met the registrar of the BVI who we had actually paid to meet us there. We brought him aboard to marry us on deck. I guess that's a good story to write! Was in the 80s too. The cow episode came in a later visit when we were bareboat chartering. Thanks for subscribing!
Though I only started traveling 6 months ago, I totally get this, Christine! Thanks for verbalizing many of the things I've been feeling about my relationship with "home" lately. Like you, I'm also from Southern California (O.C. to be specific), and I agree, it only feels like home because my friends and family are still there. Their presence is what makes that area of the world worth returning to time and time again. Thanks for sharing this post :))
Hey there Macy - I grew up in O.C. too - Fullerton. Troy high. After leaving so many years ago, I married Wayne and his daughter lives in La Habra Heights, so I find myself going back and visiting frequently. She is family now, but it is a whole new family in a new age. But it is wild when we're driving around and all of a sudden, I look out the window and I say, "Hey, I went to elementary school right there!"
As a former boat kid myself this really resonated! I now live in the Czech Republic--and it is “home” but it will never feel as much like home as the first sight of the ocean when coming from a trip ashore.
Hi Beth - Thanks for stopping by here. I'm honored. I really enjoy reading your Substack work, and your comment above shows what a talented and insightful writer you are. And you're brave if you dare to read a Dean Koontz book on night watch :-)
Great post and pics. Glad I found you. My husband and I live on our sailboat and I feel exactly the same way. Home is aboard Watchfire, but not in any specific location. My newest author bio says I live aboard my boat, "Somewhere on the west coast of North America"!
Making Waves, Richard S. Hillman’s fourth work of fiction, takes you on a trip around the world. The novella delivers an exciting, eye-opening, vicarious experience. A must read for anyone who loves stories in international settings.
“Hillman has created a captivating tale that combines a travelogue, human interest stories, and a search for meaning in a world awash with inequality and injustice.”
Based loosely on the author’s true educational excursion with a shipful of students and professors, Making Waves explores and highlights beautiful port cities as well as some sleazy neighborhoods in Latin America, Africa, and Asia. The fictitious characters in this story expand their horizons, at times struggling with inner demons and flirting with danger.
A significant sub-plot follows the personal odyssey of an interracial couple. Along with their fellow travelers on this journey, Josh and Camila woefully discover pervasive racism, misogyny, and extreme disparity in income distribution. Will their experience inspire action?
Richard S. Hillman’s “thought-provoking and entertaining novella” Making Waves is available through Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Books-a-Million, and select bookstores.
For information on the author and his notable publications, see:
I think you would enjoy reading Making Waves. At the end the novella "returns home" in an unusual way that you will identify with. BTW -- we met at Writers in Paradise at Eckerd College many years ago. Happy sailing!
Hi Peter - Thanks for sharing that good old line about hanging your hat. But it's your last line that resonates with me - "wherever we happen to be." Home is in the "we."
I enjoyed your take on it tremendously. Amazing backstory too. You're right. Home is a feeling. I lived on two continents. And every time I moved, I knew whether my new place felt like home. It felt familiar, and I had that feeling that I was home. Whenever a life chapter ended, I lost that feeling, and if I went back, I could no longer find the things that had made that place wonderful in the first, so there was nothing for me there other than the memories. I didn't have the same perception. It's an interesting thing and nostalgic in so many ways.
Thanks for the kind words. And it's true that some places you live just never feel like home.
Growing up in our family, we were given an appreciation for travel and change. I’ve also been thinking about home and where I’m really from. California was where I went to school, worked and lived all over the state. But since Susan and I got married, we’ve owned a dozen houses in five states and moved 20 times. We fix up every place we live from planting gardens, trees, to rehabbing interiors with new walls, windows, basements, and bathrooms. Something about trying to make a new home is creative and inspiring. But where am I from? Don’t really know - except where we are now always seems like home!
Hey Steve! My brother the house flipper! I know it's not your intention, but you sure have lived in and improved LOTS of digs. I continue to find your energy level amazing when it comes to fixing up houses. Glad to know you enjoy it and find it inspiring.
My wife and I lived on a 48 ft ketch for 8 years so I can relate. The boat was all the home we needed. Just getting into your free book and enjoying your writing, but you sure weren't kidding about noir. I used to write a little and would like to get back into it. Started a Substack here and not sure where I'm going with it. Was planning some nautical fiction, but had to get a few political rants off my chest first! Can hardly wait to find out. Keep writing.
Hey, the name is good, and I read your post about the origin. Funny. My first husband and I ran our crewed charter boat SUNRISE in the Virgins in the 80's, and we would take our guests to The Big Bamboo in Virgin Gorda. Never saw the cow, but the bar was made of shelves nailed to the trunk of a tree and several of the seats were in rusted out cars in the yard. I have great memories of dancing barefoot in the dirt at the Big Bamboo. Welcome to Substack.
We too have great memories of the Big Bamboo. My wife and I were drinking and dancing there the night before our wedding. The next day we sailed over to beef island and met the registrar of the BVI who we had actually paid to meet us there. We brought him aboard to marry us on deck. I guess that's a good story to write! Was in the 80s too. The cow episode came in a later visit when we were bareboat chartering. Thanks for subscribing!
"Not sure home is a place for me anymore."
Though I only started traveling 6 months ago, I totally get this, Christine! Thanks for verbalizing many of the things I've been feeling about my relationship with "home" lately. Like you, I'm also from Southern California (O.C. to be specific), and I agree, it only feels like home because my friends and family are still there. Their presence is what makes that area of the world worth returning to time and time again. Thanks for sharing this post :))
Hey there Macy - I grew up in O.C. too - Fullerton. Troy high. After leaving so many years ago, I married Wayne and his daughter lives in La Habra Heights, so I find myself going back and visiting frequently. She is family now, but it is a whole new family in a new age. But it is wild when we're driving around and all of a sudden, I look out the window and I say, "Hey, I went to elementary school right there!"
Agree! Home is where your Love is.
Hi Marie! As a fellow boater, you know this well.
As a former boat kid myself this really resonated! I now live in the Czech Republic--and it is “home” but it will never feel as much like home as the first sight of the ocean when coming from a trip ashore.
Hi Beth - Thanks for stopping by here. I'm honored. I really enjoy reading your Substack work, and your comment above shows what a talented and insightful writer you are. And you're brave if you dare to read a Dean Koontz book on night watch :-)
Great post and pics. Glad I found you. My husband and I live on our sailboat and I feel exactly the same way. Home is aboard Watchfire, but not in any specific location. My newest author bio says I live aboard my boat, "Somewhere on the west coast of North America"!
Press Release: Peppertree Press
April 2023
Making Waves, Richard S. Hillman’s fourth work of fiction, takes you on a trip around the world. The novella delivers an exciting, eye-opening, vicarious experience. A must read for anyone who loves stories in international settings.
“Hillman has created a captivating tale that combines a travelogue, human interest stories, and a search for meaning in a world awash with inequality and injustice.”
Based loosely on the author’s true educational excursion with a shipful of students and professors, Making Waves explores and highlights beautiful port cities as well as some sleazy neighborhoods in Latin America, Africa, and Asia. The fictitious characters in this story expand their horizons, at times struggling with inner demons and flirting with danger.
A significant sub-plot follows the personal odyssey of an interracial couple. Along with their fellow travelers on this journey, Josh and Camila woefully discover pervasive racism, misogyny, and extreme disparity in income distribution. Will their experience inspire action?
Richard S. Hillman’s “thought-provoking and entertaining novella” Making Waves is available through Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Books-a-Million, and select bookstores.
For information on the author and his notable publications, see:
amazon.com/author/richardshillman
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1614938830?ref_=ast_author_dp&th=1&psc=1
I think you would enjoy reading Making Waves. At the end the novella "returns home" in an unusual way that you will identify with. BTW -- we met at Writers in Paradise at Eckerd College many years ago. Happy sailing!
Hi Richard - That Writers in Paradise seminar at Eckerd College was lots of fun. I miss being a part of a writers' community.
Hi Peter - Thanks for sharing that good old line about hanging your hat. But it's your last line that resonates with me - "wherever we happen to be." Home is in the "we."