I took this shot of the plumbago out back before the rain that’s in the forecast (yay!) gets here. It’s an amazing plant; can withstand pretty much any drought and heat. This one is sprawled over half of my flower bed. So pretty.
There’s another coldfront coming in from the north tonight. I can hear thunder already. I hope this one is a super-soaker. Today the marina was planning on moving our dock to the end of another dock, since the lake level continues to drop and it’s now too shallow where E-dock currently is.
The acorns are back. Weighing down each red oak branch. The squirrels rejoice.
Acorn in sepia.
Last year was a lean one for the furry critters that live off the acorns in our neighborhood. The red oak was just too stressed. This year the tree is absolutely loaded with them. I just wish the pecan tree out back would cooperate.
I’ve had an eerie experience this morning. Monte went to the marina last night for some repairs to the jib, and spent the night on the boat. So I’m up drinking coffee and watching the morning news by myself. The very same kind of morning I was having 11 years ago today — when I watched a plane fly into the World Trade Center.
At about a quarter to 8AM, central time, it all started. I recall the evolving emotions I felt …disbelief, anger, uncertainty and confusion throughout the rest of the day as events unfolded. I went to work that day, but everyone was glued to their web browser or TV monitors. And then came the prolonged feeling of what can only be described as grief, as I watched the aftermath of the attack play out on television over the following days and weeks. I did not experience personal loss of family or friends in the attack, but I believe all Americans were mourning the loss, together, of an attack directed at all of us.
Since then, life has moved on for me, bringing both joy and loss. But in reflecting on that day 11 years ago, it’s startling to realize how quickly the time has flown by. And, it’s embarrassing to note that I let too many of my days be filled with meaningless concerns and busy work.
So, on this day I pause to remember those that lost their lives, those that sacrificed their lives for others, the family and friends that experienced inconsolable loss, the feeling of national unity that today seems unattainable, and the responsibility we all must bear to live each day of our lives to the fullest.
Beautiful day, looking upriver towards Anderson Bend.
We spent the night on the boat last night. A cold front came through the area early yesterday and the wind gusted all day out of the North, but fell quiet over night. The temperatures dropped into the 50’s overnight (!)
Today we went for an afternoon sail with Joe, Wally & Kurt joining us. The breezes were light. It was a gorgeous day, with temps in the 80’s. I think the air temperature was a little cooler than the water temp.
Maybe it’s just me, but I think these clouds look a bit wintery…thin and flat instead of puffy and tall. Fall is on the way!
We were treated to a JerrySpringer-esque shouting match / near brawl from one of the parties camping at the park on land overnight. After finally getting to sleep, I woke up at about 5 AM. The full moon was shining brightly, but I had a great view of the stars from the deck of the boat.
Orion is up in the sky this month well before sunrise. It is a very well known constellation, and easy to pick out in the sky. This is a shot I took of it from the boat. I know it’s dark, but you can make out the 3 stars that make up Orion’s Belt, and most of the other stars. Clockwise from the top are: Bellatrix, Rigel, Saiph, and the yellow-ish colored Betelgeuse.
We headed out from the marina after lunch, and anchored for the day in Arky South, and decided to stay overnight. This afternoon Lori stopped by on Camelot and tied up with us for an hour or so. Laura, Ann and Doray were with her – out for a ladies’ sail. Marty & Sue also stopped by and left ’round sunset. The cove was packed with boats during the day, but as the evening approached, we ended up being the only boat in the cove. We had a magnificant view of the sunset, and later the (just past) full moon.
The shot above is off the stern, looking over the park towards the west after the sun had set. I just love the colors.
I took a walk down E-dock this morning after scrubbing Nirvana stem to stern. There are some big boats on this dock, and most seem to be used frequently and are well taken care of. There are one or two that haven’t been boarded in many, many years. The photo above is of one boat that has lichens growing all over the top of its deck and cockpit. Sad.
As I was walking along in my flip-flops looking at the boats, and not watching where I was walking, I kicked one of the dock cleats. OW! Luckily just a scrape. A few minutes later, CRACK! I did it again, and this time brought blood. I thought I had broken my toe. That brought an end to my dock walk. Live and learn: no flip-flops on dock walks.
Cleat toe.
The rest of the day was spent lounging around. Until the afternoon, when the beer can race took place. This week Wally came aboard Nirvana and gave us some lessons in racing a sloop. Kurt and Kevin won on Dancer. Marty & Sue came in 2nd this week. And Monte, Wally & I took third. That’s better than last week when we came in 4th! 😀
The shot below is of Marty & Sue on Caribbean Hug approaching the starting line.
Sheila365 