BOATER'S RESALE SHOP

The other day I took off work early and stopped by the Boater's Resale Shop in Kemah, TX. The location of the shop has moved, and is very close to my work. I went in to just look around, see what they had. I've never seen another place like this one. You enter the door and it is floor to ceiling used boat stuff. You can literally spend hours in there.

When I first started sailing, a friend had a copy of Campbell's Guide to Cruising Texas. I wanted one, so I looked online. Couldn't find one, they were rare, but if found, would cost about $150. That is way out of my budget, so I never looked again. Today, there was a copy at the Boater's Resale Shop, and only $5. I quickly grabbed it. Amazon now tells me they could sell me a used one from $99 to $250. Mine is not the newest edition, I am assuming, but I HAVE ONE!!!

Looking farther into their collection of cruising guides, I found one for the Florida Keys. I had to have it too. The picture on the cover is of Fort Jefferson in the Dry Tortugas. I recommend you make a trip out there if you visit Key West. A huge boat called YANKEE FREEDOM makes a trip out there everyday. It is worth the money and your day.

MEMORIES

My memory is not the best, and has caused me heartache in the past. When I was young, my grandmother jokingly said I needed "remembering" pill, but I would forget to take them. That was funny, but there is a lot truth to that statement. I buy several vitamins, and have even purchased a daily pill box to hold the doses. Half the time I don't remember to take them.

That was a wonderful trip... we should do it again!

Fifteen years ago, I started a scrapbook filling pages with pictures from adventures of my life. I envisioned me old and gray, sitting in a rocking chair thumbing through my scrapbook and reliving those adventures I didn't want to forget.

In the last three years, I was busy living this life, and hadn't taken the time to record it in my scrapbook. For the last few weeks, I have been trying to catch up on this recording of history. I don't want to forget any of it. But this has been more therapy than anything.

The last page has been filled, and I can close the book on the last 15 years of my life. Will I start another scrapbook for my next chapter? I don't know, maybe....

BAGGAGE

If you have lived and experienced life for any length of time, you carry some baggage. The older you are, the more baggage you have. Life events will leave an imprint, whether good or bad. This effects future relationships.


Baggage comes in different sizes. There is the small toiletry kit. This

bag holds your basic needs. This one is a must. The backpack holds more, is easily carried and accessed, but behind you and doesn't get in the way of your daily activities. A duffel bag carries still more and even though it might have wheels and follow behind, you have a firm grip on it, and it will slow you down at times. The spinner will stay next to your side and in view at all times and can trip you up. The steamer trunk is a real burden. It cannot be carried alone, you need a helper to get it moved. It is more like an anchor.

Even though we have this baggage, no matter what the size, we do not have to open it. The steamer trunk can stay locked and stored in the back corner of the storage unit. It all depends on how we manage our luggage. Do you carry it with you all the time? Do you open it and take out every article and inspect it daily? Is your hand always in your bag searching for that rogue sock?



I have baggage like everyone else. After I have packed my bag, and I admit that sometimes it takes a while to get it all in there, but then I lock it and throw it in the back of the closet. I keep the good memories in my backpack. I like to sift through them occasionally. They make me smile.

What kind do you have, and where do you store it?

WANDERER Update

Of all my posts, the post about this boat has gotten the most visits. A few days ago, I thought I would stop by and see the progress on her restoration. In 2012, the boat was purchased and her restoration was estimated at four years. It has been four years. Of course I don't know what's going on down below, but I couldn't see much progress on the outside. There was no one present, so I couldn't ask questions.

My loyal followers will remember s/v Kairos, the boat that took me across the Gulf three years ago. Several months back, I read that she was being sold. I assumed Bill would use the same broker that he purchased her though. Sure enough, there she was in all her glory. I really did like that boat, and if I was dripping in diamonds, she would be mine.

I have good memories on that boat... and some scary ones too.

She is a very comfortable and capable boat. If anyone is interested in her, contact Little Yacht Sales at 281-334-6500. Here is a link to the posting, then scroll down to "Tayana 48 center cockpit 1999": http://littleyachtsales.com/used-sail-boats/

LIVING ALONE

Looking back on my life, it seems that I have nearly always lived with someone. Whether it was with my parent, my spouse, my child or a roommate. I have rarely lived alone. At present, I am living alone. It feels different to come home to an empty house, and not expecting someone to arrive later.

I know exactly what is in my refrigerator and pantry. No learning bathroom or laundry schedules.  Not responsible for someone else's laundry. No phone calls letting someone know your whereabouts if you deviate from your normal routine. No sticky note on the kitchen sink reminding everyone of kitchen etiquette. No tiptoeing around the house because someone is trying to nap between their two jobs.

But all this freedom comes at a price. There is no, "How was your day?" And I eat alone. I've been asked if I would ever marry again, and I seriously doubt that I would. My track record with relationships has not been the best. Yep, I need this time alone for me.

BLINKING YELLOW ARROW?

Okay, I pull up to an intersection in the left turn lane. The arrow is red, and then blinking yellow. WTF! I don't know what that means! I've never seen this before! I'm confused: can I go, do I wait for a green arrow? In confusion I wait, it turns green and I turn.

What do I do? Google it, of course. So, what else has changed since I left Texas?

STARTING OVER....AGAIN

My time in Key West has come to an end. I returned to the Clear Lake area, and will once again work with Mike at Sorensen Canvas. You can take the girl out of Texas, but you can't take Texas out of the girl!

I left with a lot more than I arrived with, but was able to fit it all in my Explorer and boat. It was a two day trip from Key West to League City. My son flew out to make the trip with me. He has never been to Key West, so we played tourist and he got the tour. 

When I left Texas three years ago, I gave a lot of my kitchen stuff to a very good friend of mine named Bobby. Every Wednesday, Bobby invited me over for his delicious fish tacos. These were fish he caught, usually redfish.

I haven't had communication with Bobby for nearly two years. Wondering what was going on in his life, I shot him an email. To my surprise, we are living in the same apartment complex. What a small world. While visiting with Bobby this afternoon, he asked what I need for my apartment. To be honest, I need almost everything. But now, thanks to Bobby, my kitchen is more complete.

While gathering stuff for my apartment, Bobby asked if I wanted the glass fish on the table. I gracefully declined. As we walked out the door, Bobby told his son to grab the fish because Lezlie really wants it. It now lives on my shelf.

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