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A Life Less Ordinary

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Writing Update September 2021 – An Eventful Month

September 1, 2021 / / 70 Comments

Every first Wednesday of the month, the IWSG (Insecure Writer’s Support Group) engages writers to share their fears, thoughts, progress, struggles, excitement, encouragement, or anything really, about their writing. A different question is posed each month as a writing prompt. Answering it is optional. For September, the question is: “How do you define success as a writer?”

This amazing, supportive group of writers was founded by Alex J. Cavanaugh. Today, the co-hosts are Rebecca Douglass, T. Powell Coltrin @Journaling Woman, Natalie Aguirre, Karen Lynn, and C. Lee McKenzie.

My answer to the question – How do you define success as a writer?

This is an excellent question and answers will greatly vary. As a matter of fact, this question is so good and insightful that I could write an entire post as my answer. Don’t worry, I won’t. Being a perfectionist (when it comes to work) with an A-type personality (I think that’s what it’s called), it is very difficult for me to reach what I would define as success. I always want to do better, reach more readers, inspire more people, engage a wider audience.  

Each writer has their own goals. I set mine six months after publishing Plunge and I will revisit those on my first book birthday. In short: success to me as a writer is first to have my work published – in magazines, newspapers, anthologies, or books. Next, it would be to touch/inspire readers. I also aim to get some kind of recognition (positive reviews, write-ups, feature articles, awards, prizes) and – eventually – make a little bit of money with Plunge, once I break even. All this requires a lot of time, effort, and focus.

My book news

August was an incredibly busy month – in life, with our truck and camper projects, a summer-long noisy condo deck project, helping out my in-laws, writing, editing, and translating commitments, and with book stuff! In this post, of course, it’s all about the book action.

  • I finally created a banner for Plunge.

  • In the beginning of August, I did my first in-person “book event” by manning a (shared) booth during the annual Yankee Homecoming Festival in Newburyport, MA. Fellow travel author Marianne Curcio (find her book here) and I split the cost and the space on Craft Fair Day, which is where the organizers thought we’d fit in the best.
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What’s Wrong with Tuesday? – The Most Underrated Day of the Week

August 24, 2021 / / 64 Comments

Have you every realized that there is nothing special about Tuesday? It’s a weird day. Almost like it’s lost among all the other weekdays. I call Tuesday the “underdog of the week.” Why is it hidden; almost like it doesn’t exist, an afterthought?

Monday is the first day of the week, the back-to-work and too-bad-the-weekend-is-over-already day. Most people don’t like Mondays. I’m fine with them. It’s a new start, time to dive into writing and other projects with a clear mind. The weekend was fun and/or relaxing and ideally computer-less, but goals have to be reached and Monday is the perfect day to start a new to-do list. So many promises…

(As always click on or hover over photos to read the captions.)

Somebody is super spoiled!
“I’m so comfy!”
Taking Maya for a walk in the field and bordering forest
When does daddy come back?
Family dinner over the weekend
Maya, trying to sneak into the kitchen downstairs
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Buying a Used Pick-up Truck in 2021 – How Hard Can It Be?

August 20, 2021 / / 54 Comments

I played around with a few titles for this post, like “The Reality of Finding a Pick-up Truck in a Pandemic Climate” and “Our Terrible Truck Saga,” and the folder with my collected notes on the subject is called “The Truck Shit.” If that doesn’t set the tone for this multiple-month ordeal…

Mark and I have been looking non-stop for a sturdy, decent SuperDuty Ford pick-up truck to carry a truck camper, our new set-up, with extended travels in South America on the horizon. I was not going to write about this quest until it was a done deal (spoiler alert!), unlike when I touched on buying one of those cute houses (and land) for sale in Baja this past winter, which didn’t end well. (Read that post here.)

WARNING: This is a very long post, so browse the photos, skip to the end, or settle in with a cup of tea or coffee. Or, better, an alcoholic beverage.

(As always, click on or hover over the photos to read the captions.)

Why did we sell Zesty?

The first question that might arise for most long-term readers of this blog is probably why we changed gears and got rid of a perfectly-maintained and awesome campervan? A few reasons:

  • While we loved Zesty, his components – besides being European – were 15 years old; we didn’t want to risk breaking and sourcing uncommon parts in remote places, a continent removed.
  • We wanted a sturdier vehicle with high clearance and 4WD, as many boondocking areas (free parking without facilities; our main way of camping) are located along dirt roads.
  • The mileage was still relatively low and the van kept its value the last four years.
  • We wanted to sell Zesty on the US West Coast, where these vehicles are desired. You can read here how that went.
  • If we sold the van, we would HAVE TO finally change campers and make that trip to South America happen – it would be the fire beneath our bums…
  • Mark and I (and our two previous dogs) owned a truck camper before and traveled throughout Mexico and Central America with it for one year. It was the perfect set-up for such an adventure. (If you’re interested in photos and snippets of that adventure, check out this site and scroll down to “California Coast” and below. No blogs back then.)
Our previous truck camper (F350 crew cab 4WD diesel) in Costa Rica
Our previous no-name truck camper in Baja California in 2006

Do we regret selling Zesty?

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Monthly Expenses of a Nomad – July 2021

August 14, 2021 / / 42 Comments

Expenses - image

Every month, I post a report of our expenses to show that it is possible to live a comfortable, exciting, and adventurous life without breaking the bank. The less money you spend, the less you need to make. 🙂

This report includes ALL of our expenses, in US$, for two adults and one 60-pound dog (we adopted Maya on June 4th, 2019). Under groceries we incorporate food, produce, and non-alcoholic drinks predominantly bought in supermarkets. Toiletries belong in that category as well. Dining out means eating at a restaurant/event or purchasing take-out food. The health category covers non-prescription medicines and vitamins/supplements; medical contains prescription drugs and doctor’s visits. Because of our income level, Mark and I are eligible for free health care within the state of Massachusetts. For check-ups, we both return to the East Coast.

The first two weeks of July, Mark and I visited my family and friends in Belgium, while our good buddies Greg and Duwan (of Make Like An Apeman) took good care of Maya in Newburyport, Massachusetts. We splurged on goodies from the grocery store, alcohol to share, and gifts to thank our generous hosts in my home country and our friends back in the US.

Liesbet and aunt Nicole
Flowers for aunt Nicole in Oostende
Plenty of different flavors for a fun night with family
Our fancy credit card allows for free access at the airport lounge – more splurging!
Mark’s last Belgian beer for a while in the airport lounge in Brussels

The two of us also went out for food and drinks one evening to celebrate our fourteenth wedding anniversary outdoors in Oostende. Where did the time go?

Liesbet and Mark in the summer of 2007
Wedding night dinner at a bar – you can read in “Plunge” why we didn’t go out for a fancier meal that night. 🙂

Upon our return to the US, Duwan and Greg stayed on a few more days. Fun! We ordered pizza one night – they treated – and the following night, we splurged on Thai food – our treat. Life was good last month, socializing and catching up with friends and family!

Duwan and Greg in our room – Maya’s new best friends!

The last ten days of July, we tightened the belt for common expenses, as a new money pit arrived! Firstly, we had to order a new passport for Mark and – with the delays – we hope he will receive it before wintertime, when would like to return to Baja California (Mexico).

Truck shopping in Rhode Island
Checking the engine compartment when inspecting this vehicle for the first time
When we bought the truck, it came with a Teneau cover, which we are trying to sell now.

More importantly, we found a pick-up truck! More about that in a next post. Owning a vehicle again means expensive insurance, extra (used) parts to add a truck camper, and relatively pricey improvements. As always, we do all the work ourselves, so only spend money on materials, which Mark researches and buys at the best quality/price ratio. And, of course, there are fuel costs – for our new “thirsty” vehicle and for the one of my mother-in-law.

Our new vehicle
Ready for some car jobs
Adding the rear tie-downs – previously sanded and painted
Wheel well covers for the back

July 2021 was a super expensive month, but for good reasons! 🙂

July 2021 Overview:

Car (ins.: $1,167; gear: $580; fuel: $131;

reg.:$135; parking: $7):

Groceries:

Dining out:

Customs & Immigration (passport Mark):

Drinking out (anniversary):

Gifts:

Utilities (phone/internet):

Alcohol:

Medical:

Postage:

Household:

Entertainment:

 

TOTAL:

 

 

$2,020

$377

$120

$110

$40

$36

$35

$27

$11

$4

$2

$1

———

$ 2,783

Find all our expense reports here. To learn what other full-time nomads spend each month, check out the blogs of our vanlife friends Duwan and Greg at Make Like An Ape Man.

Writing Update August 2021 – Back to Promo for Plunge & A New Release from Jacqui Murray

August 4, 2021 / / 57 Comments

Every first Wednesday of the month, the IWSG (Insecure Writer’s Support Group) engages writers to share their fears, thoughts, progress, struggles, excitement, encouragement, or anything really, about their writing. A different question is posed each month as a writing prompt. Answering it is optional. For August, the question is: “What is your favorite writing craft book and why?”

This amazing, supportive group of writers was founded by Alex J. Cavanaugh. Today, the co-hosts are PK Hrezo, Cathrina Constantine, PJ Colando,Kim Lajevardi, and Sandra Cox. Click on their names to see what they’re up to this month.

My answer to the question – What is your favorite writing craft book and why?

I don’t use writing craft books. In the initial stages of creating my memoir ages ago, I enjoyed and benefitted from Your Life as Story by Tristine Rainer and I did read Mary Karr’s The Art of Memoir.

Authors helping authors

Laws of Nature by Jacqui Murray

I’m excited to announce the recent release of Laws of Nature, written by my supportive, intelligent, organized and creative friend, the versatile blogger and author Jacqui Murray. This is the second book in her prehistoric fiction series Dawn of Humanity. I have not purchased Jacqui’s newest novel yet, but the first two books of her Crossroads Trilogy are eagerly waiting on my Kindle. I am fascinated by the premise, the era, and the setting of these intriguing series.

Here is more information about Laws of Nature:

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Three-week Visit to Belgium – Vacation or Not?

July 29, 2021 / / 54 Comments

What is considered a vacation? Getting on a plane? Traveling to a tropical destination? Crossing the border? Visiting friends and family? Taking a road trip to the other side of the country? Staying at a hotel?

I have done all these things and I can guarantee that none of them resulted in a vacation. Mark and I have been together since December of 2004; that’s almost seventeen years. Even though we have lived a life less ordinary, in many different countries, the two of us have NEVER been on a typical vacation together (or apart) since we met. I know this is hard to believe and/or grasp by people who don’t know us well…

My plane from Boston to Reykjavik

The closest we have come to anything like a medley of peace, exploration, and relaxation without worries is a three-day city trip to Budapest in 2017 and two months of “living off the grid” in Baja last winter (this one still involved work, book promo, and the necessary stress that we seem to incur).

Based on all that, I have decided that the best way for me to describe “a vacation” is when I am able to leave my computer behind. Yep, that’s right. Not take my computer on a trip. How is that possible? I have a monthly editing job, receive occasional translation assignments, need to promote Plunge, write blogs on my laptop, save photos in folders on my computer, and have my important information (including passwords which I could never remember) stored on its hard drive. I actually considered this drastic act for my recent three-week visit to Belgium. (I really craved a vacation.) And … decided against it. That’s just too long without my most important electronic buddy.

(As always, hover over or click on the photos to read the captions.)

Ready for a visit “home” after three years
Quiet at the gate
The last week of June, the airport in Boston was still relatively quiet and everyone wore masks.
Quick stop in Iceland
Pretty mural in the airport of Reykjavik
Every time I have a stop-over in Iceland, I happily refill my water bottle with some of the best and purest water in the world!
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Monthly Expenses of a Nomad – June 2021

July 21, 2021 / / 40 Comments

Expenses - image

Every month, I post a report of our expenses to show that it is possible to live a comfortable, exciting, and adventurous life without breaking the bank. The less money you spend, the less you need to make. 🙂

This report includes ALL of our expenses, in US$, for two adults and one 60-pound dog (we adopted Maya on June 4th, 2019). Under groceries we incorporate food, produce, and non-alcoholic drinks predominantly bought in supermarkets. Toiletries belong in that category as well. Dining out means eating at a restaurant/event or purchasing take-out food. The health category covers non-prescription medicines and vitamins/supplements; medical contains prescription drugs and doctor’s visits. Because of our income level, Mark and I are eligible for free health care within the state of Massachusetts. For check-ups, we both return to the East Coast.

In June, Mark, Maya, and I lived in “our room above the garage” for three weeks. My companions stayed there the entire month and I flew to Belgium, where I visited friends and family from June 24th to July 15th. That first week, I was spoiled rotten by myself. Mark – without Maya – joined me on July 1st, so that is reflected in next month’s expense report.

Kim and Eli offered me wine and snacks one evening
An impromptu, quick meet-up with An in Dendermonde one afternoon – she was smart and kind enough to bring soft drinks and snacks!
Stopping by my good friend Hilde one afternoon – her daughters made a lovely dessert!

The biggest category was a painful one. On our nationwide pick-up truck search, which I still have to elaborate on whenever there is conclusion, Mark flew to a small town in Arkansas on two different planes with a hotel stay in between.  From there he would drive back in our next vehicle. Again, it was not meant to be. Instead, he had to spend another night in a hotel and return by air at increased prices. The entire ordeal – other than loads of extra research, discussions, time, energy, and emotions – set us back almost $800!

When you subtract that amount from June’s total, it wasn’t too bad of a month, despite a few other high-ish categories, like “gifts”… I treated my mom (and dad) to a fancy meal for her 70th birthday at Pacht 26 in Gijzegem and we bought some goodies for our friends Duwan and Greg, who would pet sit Maya during our absence.

Mother and daughter spoiling themselves!
The three of us enjoyed a fabulous multi-course lunch.
The desserts

Before I left Massachusetts, we organized a small outdoor party with my brother-in-law and his wife. The occasion: my in-laws 64th wedding anniversary. The four “kids” cooked a fabulous meal and Mark and I found an original gift – a fancy Irish whisky that incorporates the family name.

A while ago, we noticed these fancy whiskies in the liquor store and a plan was set in motion.
Mark’s last name reflected in the whisky brand
Happy 64th anniversary!!
Good food on the grill…
… and from the oven.
Maya in her strategic position under the table
A family celebration of love in the courtyard
The twins had their own table.
A long relationship still going strong: 64 years!
Mark made a fabulous gluten-free apple crisp

Our dog needed new heartworm meds, so that was taken care of. And I “needed” a haircut before my trip across the Atlantic. Even though I only visit Supercuts once a year or so, I was surprised at how the prices have gone up.

Our grocery, borrowed car, alcohol, and take-out costs were manageable, but we needed a new battery for Mark’s phone (the old one literally grew out of proportions and almost exploded), his passport is due for renewal, and we bought Amazon credit. Mark couldn’t resist the deal “buy $40 of credit and receive $50 worth.” 🙂

Mark carefully replaces his phone battery – tricky!

I’m a tad late with this report; the last three weeks have been extremely hectic with unreliable internet and no me-time. Despite spending different currencies in July, we seem to be back on track this month! Or not?

June 2021 Overview:

Travel Mark (plane + hotels):

Gifts (festivities, treats D + G):

Groceries:

Car (fuel):

Dog (food: $34; meds: $22):

Household (Amazon credit, caulk):

Utilities (phone/internet):

Dining out (take-out pizza):

Health & Fitness (haircut Liesbet):

Customs & Immigration (photos):

Computer (phone battery):

Alcohol:

 

TOTAL:

 

$773

$266

$205

$87

$56

$51

$35

$26

$26

$16

$14

$13

———

$ 1,568

Find all our expense reports here. To learn what other full-time nomads spend each month, check out the blogs of our vanlife friends Duwan and Greg at Make Like An Ape Man.

Writing Update July 2021 – Book News from Belgium

July 7, 2021 / / 71 Comments

Every first Wednesday of the month, the IWSG (Insecure Writer’s Support Group) engages writers to share their fears, thoughts, progress, struggles, excitement, encouragement, or anything really, about their writing. A different question is posed each month as a writing prompt. Answering it is optional. For July, the question is: “What would make you quit writing?”

This amazing, supportive group of writers was founded by Alex J. Cavanaugh. Today, the co-hosts are Pat Garcia, Victoria Marie Lees, and Louise – Fundy Blue. Click on their names to see what they’re up to this month.

My answer to the question – What would make you quit writing?

The answer that makes most sense for me is “Being physically and/or mentally unable to write anymore.” I always write. If nothing else, I still jot down a diary entry every evening (since 1989), which takes between 20 and 40 minutes! Too long, really, especially since I proofread and edit each sentence.

Mark, Liesbet, and Zesty in California

The thing that slows down other writing is my adventurous lifestyle. As I mentioned before, if I had to choose, I’d rather travel than write. In general, I don’t have to choose, but when it comes to bigger writing projects, like a book, I cannot combine my life on the road with a full-time job (which authordom is) behind the computer.  

My promo news

I have been in Belgium visiting family and friends for almost two weeks. Mark joined me last Thursday. Life has been extremely busy and overwhelming. I tried to get press meetings out of the way before Mark arrived, because Dutch became my primary language during that time and because I didn’t want to “waste” the precious, yet short time we have here together.

In June, this happened with my travel memoir Plunge – One Woman’s Pursuit of a Life Less Ordinary: 

Promotion:

  • I put extra effort in Facebook posts for groups where promotion is allowed. I made my blurbs more relevant and compelling to the audience and incorporated a link to my book instead of blatantly sending potential readers to Amazon.
Liveaboard Lifestyle post
All Things Sailing post
  • One of those well-composed posts I put on two big boating group sites with a combined total reach of 100K members (All Things Sailing: 76.2K members; Liveaboard Lifestyle: 39.3K members) and finally had it take off after unsuccessful plugs for Plunge. It led to tons of comments, shares, and extra sales.

Spike in sales due to vigilant (free) promotion on Facebook

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Spectacular Sunsets on the Water – A Photo Blog

June 23, 2021 / / 84 Comments

The following photos are my favorite sunset shots, taken on our eight-year sailing journey (2007-2015) in the Caribbean and South Pacific, aboard our 35ft catamaran Irie. These photos are shown in their “original” form. No editing has occurred, except for adding my watermark. The sun can really be this bright and colorful. 🙂

My travels and experiences (and then some) on Irie have been memorialized in my recently published travel memoir Plunge – One Woman’s Pursuit of a Life Less Ordinary. You can find more information about this compelling, “refreshingly honest,” well-received book here.

Caribbean Sunsets

Sunset in Puerto Rico


Caribbean sunset at anchor

Sunset in the Grenadines

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How Are Mark, Maya, and I (Really) Doing? – Update from the Heart

June 17, 2021 / / 75 Comments

Enough talk about publishing and promoting Plunge and spending too much money every month… What has been going on with us, in our private lives, the last few months?

Well, I haven’t really touched on how we arrived in Massachusetts, except for the road trip, and our feelings and activities since then. If you are a blog reader only interested in our alternative lifestyle and adventures, this is a good post to skip, as it is more geared towards updating our friends and family members – like in the old days on our sailboat Irie. ????

(As always, hover over the photos or click on them to read the captions.)

The line in Mexicali East to cross the border back into the US was three hours long!
Stuck at the border for ages
Back in California, on the way to Yuma, Arizona

Before we cleaned and sold Zesty and hopped in our crappy rental car, we managed to meet up quickly with artist Jon and author Gail, whom we met in Baja California, Mexico. In Yuma, Arizona, they introduced us to hospitable friends of theirs and we had a lovely evening together.

Our first night back in the US was spent in the driveway of new friends
Meeting up with Jon, Gail, and Cosmo the cat in Yuma, AZ

Another highlight was to finally be reunited with sailing circumnavigators and good friends made in the South Pacific: Lisa Dorenfest and her Captain, Fabio. This picnic get-together happened in a park in Tucson, Arizona. For anyone following Lisa’s wonderful blog, One Ocean At A Time (which contains her inviting writing and incredible photos), the couple is doing well, despite the crazy heat, taking a break from their boat to replenish the cruising kitty.

Picnic lunch in Agua Caliente park, Tucson, with Lisa and Fabio
Our friends treated us to dinner at a Mexican restaurant

Then, we cleaned and prepped Zesty, sold our van, and jumped in our crappy rental car. Busy times! We saw some cute creatures one night of “stealth camping” in Tucson as well.

Visit from a javelina (wild pig) in Tucson, AZ
Surrounded by javelinas
Vacuuming Zesty
Cleaning and organizing Zesty in Tucson, AZ
Our overloaded (and crappy) rental car for five days and over 2,600 miles
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