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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SPLASH!!!!!

The wind has been blowing like snot for the last two weeks! But today, it calmed down and s/v IDRIS got wet.

Bert and Sheri, my former co-workers, wanted to witness this momentous occasion, so they joined me for the shakedown cruise.

She performed beautifully. Coming out of the local ramp, it is surrounded by mangroves blocking the wind. Luckily, there is a current that was running down wind and in the direction we wanted to travel. We only had to push off and take a few paddles to get in the canal, and we were on our way. The water is very skinny coming out of there, but since it was 3/4 high tide and she doesn't draw much, we only bumped a couple times.

Once in the wind, she took off. She performed well with three aboard, and Bert supplied us with champagne to toast the occasion.

I'm also pleased with the sail. I used a 3.3 oz tarp from Tarps Direct. I plan to build one from heavier material for stronger winds. She sailed close to the wind, and was easy with a jibe and tack... no problems at all. I guess I had her balanced.

I had both hands full most of the time, so Sheri took most of the pictures and video. However, her phone is not sharing those pictures at the moment. It doesn't feel like turning on right now. So, I put together a video taken with my GoPro.  You can see it here: Maiden voyage

Love that water!

FL2282RC

Today, my boat received her title and registration. She is official! I wasn't sure how difficult it would be to get these documents, but it was simple. I just filled out one form and within 15 minutes the transaction was complete.

SATURDAY NIGHT SPECIAL BOAT BUILD: PART THREE

By Saturday, all 18 sheets of plywood have two coats of epoxy. Patterns for all the bulkheads were  made and then transferred to the coated plywood. The Saturday Night Special is built on strongbacks, and right-side up.

John Goodman checking a part against the plans.

Christine DeMerchant flew in from Canada to help with the build. She thought it was hot in the shop today... I think it was mid-70s.

Christine was able to get both centerboard cases together today. She is so organized, she brought her own safety gear and metric tape measure. She is about the only one that doesn't curse the metric measurements on the plans.

Tillers

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The transom and two of the bulkheads are cut and ready for the framing to be glued on.

John Allison, John and Rosa Goodman made it down yesterday and put in a full day today. Charlie Jones was here a few days this week, as was Mark Bugyi from Austin. Ray Deming has been at the shop everyday.

Every day a feast is spread for the hard working volunteers. We don't go hungry.

Back at the cottage, John Allison cooked up a delisious meal.

It has been four days at Farley's Boat Works, tomorrow we rest. Everyone helping has been wonderful. John Allison, John and Rosa Goodman made it down yesterday and put in a full day today. Charlie Jones was here a few days this week, as was Mark Bugyi from Austin. Ray Deming has been at the shop everyday.

MY TRIP TO PORT ARANSAS: PART TWO

Thursday, March 24th, 2016

Sunrise over the Gulf this morning.

I have spent the last two days spreading epoxy, tomorrow will be the last... on the plywood.

We stacked the wet plywood because we have 18 sheets and need to get two coats on both sides and don't have a lot of room.

Christine is lofting templates. Since we are building two boats, this is faster.

These two strongbacks are ready for construction. We should be able to start cutting in a couple days.