In it to win it.

My fantasy football league just finished its fifth year. Laura won it this year. For the second time! Arnie said we should have a trophy… et VOILA!

New Year.

Well, I’ve been delinquent again. But I’m dropping in with belated Happy New Year wishes before the end of January.

I may have been posting less frequently here for two reasons… I’ve been keeping myself busy with lots of other activities, and in all honesty, I have not had very interesting adventures to share lately. Maybe it’s a post-pandemic lull. Maybe it will pass. I’ll see if I can’t step things up – interesting or not.

Monte and I ventured out to the marina yesterday for a few boat-keeping duties. On the way home, we stopped in at Infamous Brewery to listen to some music and grabbed a couple beers, fresh shucked oysters, and boiled shrimp while we were there. Pretty good!

NYC from the water.

Today Lori and I left Port Washington and took Trident down the East River to an anchorage near Sandy Hook, NJ. I have been to Manhattan many times but today got a really unique view of many of its sites from the water.

The most meaningful, to me, was going close by Ellis Island and the Status of Liberty. In 1951 my father sailed into New York Harbor from Ireland and saw them for the first time. He was just 21 years old.

The surrounding views have changed over the years, but the promise remains the same.

Lady Liberty
Ellis Island

Quiet anchorage.

Monte and I decided to anchor out on a Sunday night instead of a Friday or Saturday, and it was well worth it. We went for a long sail and dropped anchor about 6pm. We had the cove to ourselves. The temps at night dipped below 70 and it was very comfortable below.

I went for an hour-long paddle in Arky south. I found and picked up the usual trash along the receding shoreline of the lake. I also found one treasure – a nice 20 lb vinyl coated mushroom-style anchor with stainless shackle. There was no line, chain, or any kind of rode attached, so I think it was lost simply due to a poorly tied knot. Their loss, my gain. C’mon people, learn how to splice 3-strand line, or at least how to tie a bowline knot!

It has been a long time since I checked on the geocache that I hid in the cove, so I did that as I paddled by. All good.

All in all, a very overdue and enjoyable one boat raft-up.

Sail on.

We just got home from a productive and fun weekend on the lake. Monte refurbished some of the cabinetry in the head over the last few weeks and re-installed it today.

Friends were seen. Noodles were floated upon. Laughs were had. And a really nice 4-hour afternoon sail with Kurt & Kevin aboard Nirvana.

Word of the day.

I learned a new word: “splooting” – so, I have to share.

I couldn’t find it in Merriam Webster, but did find a definition here.

However, a picture says a thousand words… 🙂

Baby wrens.

Yet another set of Bewick’s wren hatchlings are in the Louisville Stoneware birdhouse. It seems late in the nesting season for another brood, but I guess Nature knows best.

The parents are bringing them food regularly. But it is SO hot outside, I hope they have a way to give them liquids as well. I’m keeping all the water containers full for all the critters.

I hope they make it. If so, they should be fledging in a week or two.

A new medium.

I have started to play around a bit with leather. My Sailrite handles it. But there’s so much more to lean about working with it. So I’m going slowly.

My first project: a wallet.

Not sure if practice will make perfect, but I’ll see how it goes from here.

Hottie.

It has been so hot this month. The backyard birds are really enjoying the treats and water features out back. Yesterday this big guy dropped in for a drink. The little birds were not pleased.

Pride of place.

Patrick and Nga sent us a beautiful ship’s clock that they found. Monte made a stand for it out of white oak and it now graces the mantle on our fireplace in the great room. I love it!

I understood the assignment.

Whew, what a busy week! Julie is moving out of her apartment and moving on to the next step of her career and life. This girl can make things happen in a hurry. I was only there to help. She ordered a Pod. We loaded it over 2 days. They took it away. We cleaned the apartment and took things to Goodwill and the food pantry. Celebrated a birthday in between. Some wine might have been enjoyed. Buon viaggio, Julie! We miss you already.

Dusty.

The seasonal Saharan dust clouds have arrived in Central Texas. It’s very hazy during the day, with colorful sunsets in the evening. Read more here.

So, not only is it hotter than Hell here, the air is also unsafe to breathe. Bring it on.

Pickup party.

Every three months we take a drive through the Texas hill country to pick up our wine club package. The May pickup party was lovely. The weather was beautiful. The nibblies were delicious. We made a few other stops and enjoyed a really lovely day.

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