Getting the feel of it

Out of bed at a very late 7:30AM.  I read a bit of the Times while I drank my normal morning coffee.  Instead of dressing for work, I dressed for the gym and found myself running on a treadmill, not driving into the office.  It could not have felt better.  Sweaty from following my trainer's instructions and feeling somewhat righteous, I escaped the gym, stepping into the morning air -- it was all crisp and sunny.  "I could get used to this!"

By noon we were on our way to the marina to check Forte Vento's last set of repairs.  She is looking very good again--finally.  No more tress cracks.  However, we can't let her sit there in the marina for very long.  A severe winter is ahead of us.  At least that is what John and the long range weather forecasts he reads. So we made the decision to leave her on the hard (aka on solid ground) to be shrink wrapped in a cocoon of white plastic for the duration.  Her deck and cockpit will be sealed from the winter weather.  Snow and rain will run down this tenting before it can harden into ice.  No worries and no emergency trips to dig out the boat from under the weight of accumulated snow -- except of course that she will be up on those testy "sticks" (jack stands) holding her upright.  Let's keep our fingers crossed.

Today, the drive between the marina and DC reminded me of New England.  Bright sun warmed my neck as I drove.  Brilliant orange, red and yellow leaves glittered in the light wind.  Our 50 minute trip took us through one of the many bucolic areas in Southern Maryland.  Lots of rolling hills, plowed fields and winter crops just laid in.  Civilization is stuffed behind tree lines.   We turn off Route 4 (it eventually becomes Pennsylvania Avenue) at Suitland Parkway and continue to enjoy the ride until we cross the Anacostia Bridge and pass the Nationals (Nats - our baseball team) stadium.  It's only then that the reality of the city smacks us in the face.  But today it's a gentle smack because its pre-rush hour.  All is well.  "I could get used to this."

I now had three hours to spend doing whatever. What to do?  I've never had three hours to just be (on land).  I found a few little tasks to tidy up the place, but then I came face to face with leisure.  OMG!  Determined not to nap--I cannot waste the day-- I paced a bit, then read -  a WHOLE DAMN magazine.  WOW!  Decadent.  What an experience! It was so astonishing that I just had to write about it.  Hence, this blog entry.  "Can I get used to this?"  If I learned to sail, I can learn to relax.  I am determined!  Ok everyone, you can stop laughing now :-)