Only One Go Around

Well, our original plan was to only be in the boat yard for 7-10 days at most, but one project leads to another and another.  Something so simple, such a quick fix, would turn in to "Don't go making a project out of it, Margo." (Something Len's father frequently said to his mother). It would cause us to smile or laugh, amidst the searing heat, humidity, sweat, grease and grime.  We lived like that, fixing one project after another, climbing a ladder to get in the boat which was on jack stands for far too long. With just one day shy of three weeks in the yard, LAUNCH DAY finally arrived! We had just a few projects left on Sunday, July 30th. First, I had to go aloft- which means up the mast. This was my view about 63' in the air. To the left of the photo you can see a black receptacle. The old broken Windex atop the mast had to come off, and I installed a new one.  Easy peasy. The next job was to change the light bulbs in the masthead light.  You must turn ...

My grandmother used to say, "You only get one go around in life; you better make it good." She believed in living life full tilt, all the way to 102 years old. She had the wanderlust (I come by it honestly) and she loved to travel, even if it meant taking a road never traveled just so she could see something new. I am the very same way. She got me started early in life. My first solo plane trip was at the age of seven, on Delta, when I flew from Orlando back to Chicago after Christmas vacation. It was the first year Disney World had opened in 1971. I remember riding the monorail, and the 'animals' in the gardens we're just chicken wire shapes with little twiglets planted at the base. I remember being in awe of the Jungle Cruise, The Hall of Presidents, and walking through Cinderella's Castle. I remember riding Dumbo the Flying Elephant sandwiched between Grandma and Grandpa. At the end of that magical vacation with my grandparents, the stewardess assigned ...