Life…
… it’s sometimes like fishing in the Sea of Cortez ya’ never know what she’ll give.
You could have an array of fun colored jigs, reels that cost a full week's pay, bait that’s laced with tentacles.
Sometimes there is a much needed lifeline as we navigate uncharted waters through our journey into life’s abyss but I ask ya’ does it have the proper weight to carry the burden we put on our shoulders?
As we hold on for dear life, facing what is in the unknown, darkness emerges slowly making itself known, we might be greeted with a great surprise.
That anchor holding you down, seemingly having you stuck in place, is but a gift offering joyful sustenance.
A refueling of souls as you gaff, thankful for the opportunity to celebrate the circle of life I let out an audible shout of glee when I see what the sea has released to me.
Time escapes us, ticking & clicking like the waves that pound against your body, never ending are the ripples that follow your actions.
Cascading outward they form not a tiny circle but my own tsunami of hope.
By remembering to gaze outward, not only down into the deep, we are rewarded with a horizon of choices each of their own unique consequence.
Like tinted glass the sea hides her keep, a Cutlassfish is a truly unique catch I refer to as a “sea snake” as its length was nearly four feet and its fins almost fully transparent as it cut through the jellyfish filled waters, creating its own wake, at first I thought it was an eel but that was my mistake.
From time to time you’ll have a seat while spending hours upon hours in the open sea, no I’m not being lazy, fishing is a lot of work. Bracing yourself constantly for that nibble or rip of line as a fish of any shape or size might take a bit of your bait. Holding onto the gear isn’t an option for me, to grasp firmly in anticipation of the call from the depths.
However, that Gulf Grouper I caught and is resting on ice is traditionally a lazy species. It emerges from the rocky bottom during slack tide looking for eats; with live bait I’d sent down the oh so fun to catch and alluring Spotted Bay Bass.
Knowing your species is critical when you’re reeling & having a chart handy will keep you legal as the White Sea Bass closely resembles the Totoaba that’s been listed as an endangered species under the U.S. Endangered Species Act since 1979.
Then there’s the Scorpion Fish you seriously don’t want to touch but fudge I need a bit o’ help getting it off my hook!
You’ll come to always guess correctly when you’ve got Trigger Fish on the line; it’s human-like teeth look so funny while it’s little fins wiggle waggle while it seemingly smiles at you.
California Halibut is an interesting hook-set that keeps you in suspense wondering what the heck until you see its large flatness emerge from the darkness into the turquoise saltiness.
The diving birds give away where Yellowtail exist along with dolphins that snack on bait balls; it’s a complete guess what might be lurking under those tasty nibbles.
It’s always a treat to meet a new species of fish, the Croaker dawning stripes that is rumored to be sweet flesh.
Sharks are around, this gal having hooked into easily a 10’ Mako our last trip but alas this visit only gave tiny Barracuda’s that are lined with sharp teeth; better to chomp on you with.
In the vast ocean I look into her depths, near the surface, only a few layers deep I see a variety of jellyfish but I don’t know their names, a string of pearls maybe is one, another round in shape and those more oblong; I do know this, I dare not reach over the edge and haphazardly give my hands a rinse.
I’m careful of big & small jellyfish, they are everywhere, one’s head large enough it bobs like a beach ball as I hope the Tortuga we saw might swim over and enjoy a snack.
This trip, a whale of a good time, we shared sunrises that illuminated the winds, would they be in our favor each day.
In the distance we saw spray that could only be from humpbacks as they swam racing to the surface, a breach of the invisible plane, their size immense miles and miles away my smile giant as I watched them disappear back into the depths.
The sea was mostly gentle, her beauty seemingly flat but filled with exuberance or was it me?
Chasing dreams I watch the horizon as my mind drifts freely, with purpose there are easily over 100 porpoises speeding, gliding, diving, chasing alongside me.
I’m a bit queasy as we head not back to shore but rather as we pack up and head towards the border.
Being here, among locals whose kindness goes beyond words, I’m filled with dread and embarrassment but I shall fight like I’ve got a Gulf Grouper on my 80 pound line and always #RESIST Red 40 & his criminal cronies BS; we shall persist! #RESIST
It was dreamy to not be connected for a spell knowing damn well that they’re working to remove our freedoms, taking away our rights, abandoning those who faltered mistaking rhetoric, there is no a care for you, you were warned but you didn’t listen only hearing false claims of a profit cloaked in a disguise but he’s only brought shame.
It’s a downer I know, these thoughts ensnared in my fishing tale. Unlike dropping my 16 ounce weight loaded up with bait hoping for the prize, to catch the big one or a new species, that’s all fun and filled with days that I can forget he’s out there wreaking havoc across the lands.
Our story hasn’t ended, although it’s trying to repeat, that hand unwilling to touch the bible, yet another tell, how many more do you need; the enemy is within.
With nothing to lose I cast my rays of love, each of us deserves, well maybe not some because they are filled with hate for humanity, races they’ll easily dispose of thinking they’re the top of the food chain.
You’re not, don’t make any more mistakes, speak up & against the regime. Like resisting the temptation to reel early, before a good hook-set, stay vigilant. #RESIST
Here, across the border, we broke bread with new friends from both Canada and Mexico, each sharing vittles to nibble along with stories, the horror, us all wondering WTF is the allure.
I’m not a bleeding heart, let’s be perfectly clear, a heart of gold filled with hope, true to the humane cause; I absolutely stand with Ukraine.
The Bible Red 40 wouldn’t place a hand upon, like salt it’d rot into his dark soul, thou not be any shape of Christian, cast away doubts he’s made alliance with the devil, in his name all actions are aimed.
This gal is not a God fearing creature, my soul is pure. Truth is my allegiance is towards Mother of all in Nature I put my faith. Nature is my muse, for without her grace we all lose.
As a fresh fish fillet lays across my plate overflowing with goodness as we share and discuss, not debate, there’s no room for floundering our lives, our planet, our ecosystem, our humanity is at stake.
With my mindful meanderings I recall time afloat on boats, speeding to a secret fishing spot with my eyes wide open & my heart welcoming this adventure flanked by Blue-footed Booby’s, Seagulls in an array of colors, Grebes, Pelicans and those dozen or so overwintering Loons I love so.
Arriving back on shore, the border wall awaits our crossing, my conscience is clear, full of wishful thinking, will you stop being sheep.
Now that’s a species we didn’t catch on our trip, Sheepshead Fish, ironically enough they’re also known as Convict Fish.
Oh well, I’ll just leave y’all with this 𝖂𝖊 𝖙𝖍𝖊 𝕻𝖊𝖔𝖕𝖑𝖊 and all of the critters from the Gulf of Mexico to the Sea of Cortez …
… it all intersects, you can’t escape it, you can’t predict it, you can’t hide from it … from the swells of this gal fishing tale, here you have it, 100% truth, we can RESIST❣️
