Birthday Surprise!

I'm notorious for forgetting birthdays of friends and remembering family only after the date arrives.  Don't know what it is about my brain, but those dates slip through my little gray cells as the detective Perot calls them.  I've tried writing the dates on calendars, but I lose the calendars.  I've tried electronic card services, but I end up dropping the service and lose the carefully entered reminders.  I think you get the idea.  I'm a space cadet at times.

Luckily, my daughter's birthday and my husband's are only days apart (July 31 and July 29), so I have a better chance of remembering their celebrations.  It took me several years to remember John's as it was only slightly different from an ex-husband's -- very embarrassing.  After 18 years though, someone should shoot me if I can't remember these dates!  This year I was determined not only to remember but to get perfect presents delivered on time.  After I sent Kathryn's present, I shopped, wrapped and hid John's in the guest bathroom a whole week before the day.  Surely, he had no reason to go in there when he returned from New York after being with his first grandchild.

It was with great joy I woke my guy up at 6:00 AM on July 29th with an off key, but hearty rendition of "Happy Birthday" as he snoozed on the couch (he'd fallen asleep there after an 11PM set of physical therapy exercises to strengthen the muscles around his arthritic left hip). He can't swagger anymore.  His gait is more of a hop, skip and drag on bad days.

"Thanks honey," he smiling weakly while he stretched and rubbed his eyes.
"Do you want to open your birthday present?  I got you something very special"  I chirped.
A smart man, he answered, "Sure.  Just let me get up."  He rose, pulled his hair back into its perpetual ponytail, snapped on the hair band and stood up.
"You'll have to help me carry them in," I declared as he followed me into the bathroom.
"Did you know I hid them here?"
"Yes, honey.  I thought you had gotten me over sized fire extinguishers or boat fenders."
"Well, that's not the case at all."  I sighed, beginning to feel a bit worried about my choice of present.

We took the two boxes wrapped in multi-colored birthday paper and big bows into the living and plopped them on the couch.  One weighed about 4 pounds and the other about eight or nine.  He opened the the smaller one.  The way he tore the paper back and yanked the ribbons indicated some enthusiasm.  The smile returned to my face.

"I never would have guessed," he laughed as he unrolled a thick gel mat, plopped it on the kitchen floor in front of the stove and stood on it.  He became pensive for a moment. Again,  I thought he was disappointed. I remembered the time, years ago when I was a kid, that Dad bought Mom a new set of tires for her birthday.

"Are you disappointed?" I whimpered, ready for the worst.
"No, this is great'" he bellowed. "It feels great on my hip.  I can cook forever with these mats."  He unwrapped the six foot long second mat and placed it in front of the sink and work counter.  He walked back and forth over the mats.  He smiled.  He was pleased, gave me a big hug and poured the coffee.

Lesson learned: You know you're getting old when your husband actually appreciates a practical gift like gel mats.  I'm looking forward to my tires.

Pension Time

On October 5th in 1981, I resigned from AT&T complete with a vested pension.  I couldn't imagine myself getting to 65 to collect all promised $441.93 per month.  However, I've dragged the paperwork around for 30 years just in case.  Well, time has caught up with me.  On November 19th I will turn 65 so last month I hunted down the forms that are now brown around the edges.  Would I be able to hunt down the benefits department?  All the old phone numbers are defunct.  They didn't have my current address and the people who issued my paperwork are most likely retired as well. 

Thirty years is a long time.  In fact, it's so old that the "Application for Distribution on Termination of Service" form has key punch operator instructions for what should be on each of three cards. I found the website for retirees, but none of my information is electronically accessible.  This makes a girl feel really, really old.  However I persevered.  After multiple phone calls and listening patiently through multiple phone instructions, I reached a young man confirmed that my records were not available online but reassured me when he explained, "We tried to send you a retirement package in June, but it was returned." 

"Wow! I'm not lost!" I exclaimed. 
"No, ma'am.  You are not lost.  We have your information."
"Can I still get my pension?"
"Yes, of course.  Give me your current address and we'll send you the new paperwork."

I wait with great expectations for the new paperwork to arrive.  The next challenge is to decide what I might do with my monthly stipend.  Wrinkle cream?  Personal trainer?  Champagne?

John's a grandfather!

Bridget - 7 days old

He called Liz at her office in NYC Friday afternoon, "We're going sailing for the weekend, unless you think I should hang around."

"Oh no, Dad.  Don't worry.  I'm still 8 days away from the due date.  I'm feeling fine. Have a great sail.  I'll talk with you Monday," she chirped into the phone.

So we went to the boat.  The weather was perfect -- like late September...dry, bright and breezy.  My phone buzzed in the middle of the night.  I ignored it, thinking it was John's.  He ignored it, thinking it was mine.  He slept like a baby and I tossed and turned -- between his gurgling and my achy shoulders -- it's a tough sleep sometimes.

At 8:00AM we woke, and by rote, checked the phones. There was a voice mail from Liz. "Water broke at 1AM. Am off to the hospital. Come soon!"  John called Patricia, his oldest daughter, who had called and left multiple excited messages.  She'd left Harper's Ferry at 1:30AM and was now at the house in Queens taking care of the dogs before going to the hospital.  She laughed, "Dad!  What happened?  I drove up without you. I couldn't get you." 

Scurrying like mice, we gathered essentials and headed home.  We had John on a train to NYC by 10:30AM.  Before he arrived, little Bridget was born.  Tonight they are all together.  Liz is tired and sore after 12 hours of labor. And, little Bridget gave everyone a scare.  She started turning blue while Liz was holding her.  Fast action by the nurses resulted in oxygen and inflating one of her little lungs.  She's fine now, but will stay in neo-natal for a few days just to make sure.

After fetching John to the train at Union Station, I drove back to the boat.  I felt at loose ends, alone and unable to take Forte Vento out by myself. I pushed myself out of my doldrums by washing and waxing the boat in the balmy afternoon breeze and sun.  It's a good day -- new life and high hopes for a happy mother and child.

John loves kids.  He has a natural affinity. His heart is tender.  His openness and acceptance of them, no matter what they do or say is just amazing.  Goodnight.

Mid-summer heat

It's a hot summer on the Chesapeake.  Winds are getting lighter.  We consider three hours in 5-8 knot winds a sailing success.  Forte Vento continues to please us. 

We took a short four days on the water over the July 4th weekend.  No jelly fish yet so I went swimming off the back of the boat in Ledenham Creek in Little Owl Cove.  Second night brought us a storm with pounding rain and 25 knot winds.  We twirled on our anchor as the wind whipped us around.  But, the anchor held.  The morning brought sunshine. As we tried to leave the clutch on our windlass (power assist for raising the anchor). John hauled up his wrench and fixed the boy. (he's becoming quite handy mechanically on the boat).  Once out of Broad Creek, we sailed across the Choptank over to the eastern short village of Cambridge, the county seat for Dorchester County.  It's still struggling to rejuvenate itself after the death of the crabbing and oystering waterman industries.  It's a bit to far for commuting to DC or Baltimore.  A few smart restaurants and galleries dot the main street amongst weathered and broken store fronts that remain to be repaired.
Confused by the entry into the Cambridge Municipal Marina, we almost go a aground.  However, we persist to take a slip.  That night, we sit mesmerized by the  fireworks off our starboard side.  A perfect, unobstructed close-up view.

Unexpectedly, we were able to sail across the Choptank in light winds.  John climbed on deck to adjust the leach lines(outer edge of the sails)  on the sails to stop the flapping.  He's becoming quite confident and maneuvers well despite his arthritic hip.  By the time we approached the turn into the Bay, the wind died and we motored home, hot and sweaty, but happy to once again get into our on the water groove.

Forte Vento opens the sailing season

The summer is upon us. John and I took possession of Forte Vento (Strong Wind) on May 21, 2011. This new 39' Hunter is "The Boat" -- the retirement home, the summer home, the place to escape. It's everything we wanted and didn't get in the first boat, the 33' shortie. See some pics from our recent voyages. It's the boat to enterain our fellow sailing friends. It's a place to have some quiet time together.

Why do we sail when some claim we are well past the age of "adventure" some people ask us? The simple answer is that we love sailing and need a place to escape to. It's the cheapest waterfront property we can own. If we don't like where we are, we just move. It's better than camping -- no dirt, always a bit of a breeze and 10 degrees cooler than inland.

The more complex answer is that it's a way to deny aging -- a way to fight the pain of John's arthritic hip and my always aching shoulders. When we are underway, we forget about it all -- pop some Advil or Tylenol and keep going. We watch sunsets and sunrises from the deck. The views of nature are unobstructed. It is the only place where I calm down enough to just sit and take in the world around me.

We will work until the loans are paid off, sailing on summer vacation weeks and on weekends. Our goal is to retire within the next four years and spend a lot more time exploring the bay and hanging out. Will it be enough? Who knows. I'll probably have to get back to writing in some serious way and John will knuckle down to cheffing and keeping "boat" and "house" for us.

The cost? We had to find new homes for the dogs -- both are happy. Both now have big back yards to run and play in. Fred is with an elderly lady who dotes on him and lets him sleep in bed. JoeJoe is with John's daughter in Harper's Ferry with two dog pals. John does miss them on quiet days working in the office.

My work as CIO for the Peace Corps continues to be challenging, yet enjoyable in strange ways. Staff likes the fact that I can make decisions and stick to them, am willing to try new things, and am pushing them to stretch. All around its a great gig! John just returned from Brussels, bringing truffle chocolates. He keeps with it.

To all of you who wondered if I'd ever get back to writing the blog -- I am and will.

Cheers, Dorine

New job stirred with hurricane

It's been two months since I last recorded my life here on Sixties Shorties. I apologise to all four of my fans. It's been busy. August 16th was my first day at my new job -- I'm now the Chief Information Officer for the Peace Corps. It was fate -- in 2006 John and I had, after six months, achieved the "nomination" step -- that's Peace Corps speak for being accepted as a volunteer, but not medically cleared to serve. We were looking at more months to plow our way through the medical review process and then be matched with a specific program assignment in an eastern European country that might be able to use our skills. Before all that could be finished, John received an offer from Fed Ex in Memphis. Weighing a bird-in-the-hand vs. more waiting, we chose Memphis. Now, I'm working on technology and redesigning that very application process. It's come full circle. The Peace Corps is a fabulous organization full of enthusiastic people with great skills. I'm honored to be trusted with the majority of their IT and management information systems.

In the communications job I took to get us out of Memphis and back in DC, I worked in the guts of an organization. It was a great gig where I easily performed minor miracles. However, as I told the guys at my going away party -- "It's a hell of a job to lead from the bottom." Now I'm leading from the top, responsible for the welfare of over 90 people and tasked with performing major miracles. It's time to put my "money where my mouth is" as my dad used to say. I'm loving it, solving a puzzle with many moving parts.

Just as I'm settling into the new job and John is settling into being a committed sailor (he's taken docking lessons and has become the champ at maneuvering the boat in close quarters), we are faced with the threat of hurricane Earl. We're driving to j-bird tomorrow night to clear the decks (take down dodger & Bimini, stow the rolled up dinghy, etc.) and reinforce the docks lines so she doesn't get smashed up against the dock in big winds. For sure the labor day weekend sail won't happen or will be not what we planned.

The kids visit

June 2nd the kids came to visit. Despite light winds, we went for a sail on Friday. Ian, the youngest, enthusiastically embraced sailing once he got over the problem of getting on the boat from the dock. Jeremy, the fifteen year old, ventured on onto the deck without his cell phone--he was separated from it for a full 20 minutes. We weren't sure he would survive.

It was so hot the second day that we all went to the marina pool for the day. We ended the visit we a crab cake dinner at the local Calypso restaurant. A fun time wa had by all.

Fred and JoeJoe at their best

On Sunday, our friend Susan, armed with her killer camera, captured Fred and JoeJoe aboard j-bird as we've never seen them before. Exquisite and perfect is all we can say. What do you think?

Day 16 - one last sail

Sunday brought fair winds (translate 10-15 knots and no more), partially sunny skies and cool air. My former business partner, Susan, joined us for a day sail. She kept JoeJoe from shivering as we headed out across the Bay toward Tilghman Island. It was chilly, but delightful. Not a dog threw-up and the seas were quite bearable. Our j-bird isn't a fast boat (top speed is 4-5 knots), but she's reliable and easy to handle. What more could a sailor ask for?

This ends our two week shakedown cruise. As the sun set over the harbour, a crescent moon and Venus blessed our experience. We've learned a lot and experienced enough to know we work well together and can handle whatever the Bay and j-bird bring us. As John surmised, "This sailing stuff isn't easy, but it's a whole different world that is wonderfully seductive."

We'll be on the water for many years to come. The only question is whether we do with our little 33 feet or go for something more substantial is several years. Who knows? It's what keeps life interesting.

Rough seas

On Saturday morning, John and I were ready once again to test our sailing skills. We left our home dock to venture out into the Bay with 20 knot winds and "small craft warning" seas of 2-3 feet with white caps. I was confident. John was nervous. We reefed to main and put out the jib. We banged against the waves. The dogs threw up. Luckily is was not projectile vomiting.

After an hour, we agreed that it was time to head back to dock. John was less nervous and I was proud that my instincts were still good. By the time we settled into the dock, John and I were too tired to make lunch. We piled the pups into the back seat of the car and made the short trip down the road and over the first bridge into Deale for crab cakes at the "Happy Harbour" cafe, sitting amidst the charter fishing boats. (I think I have John's birthday present in mind!)

In our home slip safe, warm and dry!

John returned to j-bird sans pain and $25 in taxi fare this morning. He didn't see a doctor, but walking around seemed to cure his aches (at least temporarily). At 10:57am we caste off from Bert Jabin's Yacht Yard for the last time. It was chilly, but the rain held off and so did the winds. I put on two pair of socks, double pants and a sweat shirt under my jacket. John seemed fine without all the layers, but JoeJoe and Fred needed covers to keep the shivers away. Luckily, our friend J supplied us with several loaner doggy towels and I dug up an extra pillow sham to wrap around the little guy. Problem was is that he kept getting up when he spied a bird sweep across the water and we had to wrap him up all over again.

With no wind, we were forced to motor south for three hours. It was pleasant enough. We captured a great shot of Thomas Point Light and practiced setting and sailing to waypoints. We lunched on a bit of salad and roasted potatoes (left overs!)

The channel into Herrington Harbour North is very narrow so we carefully navigated it with great success. I backed j-bird stern first into the slip. We then spent over an hour figuring out how to do the dock lines -- the slip is almost twice as wide as j-bird. I walked the dock to see what other boats had done and then we tugged and rearranged the dock lines 3 or 4 times to get them right. We're still not sure they are right, but by Sunday when we leave, we will know more (crossing fingers).

This home slip is the top bar of a T shaped dock so most of the other boats in the marina are behind us. There is a boat on each side of j-bird, but our view is the break water and surrounding shore. It's like being at anchor with no one around. No one is blocking our view of the Herrington Harbour. We've settled in to our new "home".

Days 10-13 Rain, rain and more cold rain

The weather gods have not been kind to us. This second week of the shakedown cruise is pretty much a sailing bust--since Monday its been wet and rainy. There were enough breaks in the rain to deflate the dinghy and put it away at the bow in its tidy bag, but beyond that it's nothing but gray skies. Lucky for us we have a well-functioning heating-air conditioning system, so we are dry and warm below decks.

Our plans were to sail to St. Michaels on the Eastern Shore today (Thursday), then head over to Herrington Habour North on Friday to get settled into our new slip. We shopped for provisions one last time, then yesterday drove the car to Herrington Harbour North (Deal, MD). We were able to set up our dock lines on the slip before the Tidewater shuttle brought us back to Bert Jabins Yacht Yard here in Annapolis so we are now carless.

Last night, John's left leg/hip area ached so much that he spent most of the night groaning. This morning he ordered and taxi and is off in search of an urgent care center to get some inkling as to what is going on with it. He's done more climbing and stretching in the past week than he's done in months. I canceled St. Michaels. Once he gets back, we're heading south to Herrington Harbour North so we'll have our car and beat out tomorrow's weather which is predicted to be rainy, wet and cold with thunderstorms.

Day 9 - Christening j-bird

After a weekend of ferocious winds that kept us at the dock, Monday brought calmer air and the service guy to correct a few "bugs" on the boat. But, most importantly, our dear friend, J, after whom we named our boat, came to officially christen j-bird to ensure the blessing of the sailing spirits. Even though we bought a "scored" bottle of champagne to make the christening easy, it took us five swats (three by J and two by me) of the bottle against the anchor channel before the bottle finally cracked, spilling champagne on her bow. It was all environmentally safe as the glass bits fell into the protective gold mesh bag surrounding the bottle.

It took some courage for J to do the christening. She gets sea sick just looking a boat. She went above and beyond the "call of duty", but, then not everyone has a boat named after them. We love her for it!

Day 7 - Our first all day cruise

My friend, Paige Ireland, a woman of some experience as foredeck crew on race boats, joined John and me for a full day of cruising. She's also a photographer who captured a some sweet moments during the day. We started out about 10am under sail, but before long had to roll'em up and motor south to get around Thomas Point, then head to our luncheon destination -- the South River. The wind god had decided to stay closed for the morning. She's cranky that way sometimes.

We found what we thought was a nice place for lunch then promptly went aground, not a 100 yards off of a duck blind. We easily got ourselves free, anchored (another first for us) and lunched on tomato and cheese sourdough sandwiches. I had planned to prepare a salmon salad, but there was no can opener aboard and had to improvise. We relaxed for a bit then decided to head home as the wind was picking up and the air was cooling.

For the rest of the day, there was a goodly amount of cooperating wind and we were able to sail all the way home into the harbor under sail. Only after we rounded the last green mark did we roll in the jib and mainsail. John and I, thanks to Paige's help feel very comfortable on the boat, working together. We'll be ready to head for our own slip on Thursday or Friday.

During this day, we had a number of firsts. They included:

• John getting on deck to adjust the clew of the jib and get a few trimming tips from Paige
• Going aground and getting off
• Anchoring
• Sailing all points of sail, including a few jibes as we played around the parked tankers
• Sailing into harbor with both sailing up

We've become a grand sailing family.

Day 6 - Dinghy Day

When you are anchored in a creek instead of resting in a slip at the dock, a dinghy is a life line that gets you to land and back; therefore, for any sail boat necessary accessories inlcude a dinghy and outboard motor.

While John worked at the computer attempting to finish a laste minute work assignment (the ump-teenth one), I spent the morning preparing the dinghy for launch--rolling it out on the dock, blowing it up with 12 volt air pump and finishing with the foot pump, applying the registration numbers, and attaching the lines. All John had to do was launch the little floater and take us for a test run. He launched the dinghy with grace and dignity.

With Fred and JoeJoe zipped into their yellow life jackets, we piled into TTJB (tender to j-bird) and Johon started the engine and took us out into Back Creek. I assumed that he knew how to use an outboard motor since he's always talking about how he worked on cars as a youth. He also dropped quips about parts and necessary liquids as if he were some kind of expert. But, it was an OMG experience when,several times, he unexpectedly down throttled and killed the engine as the wind pushed us into the grassy shore. Fred and JoeJoe started barking, I began coaching and John reached for the oars. That was when I learned he only rowed a boat once in his life.

We avoided disaster when he rowed us far enough away from shore to restart the engine without the prop getting stuck in the mud. As we put-tputted around the creek, he told me he'd never been in such a small boat, nor had he ever operated an outboard motor. I laughed and asked if I might take the helm of TTJB. He readily agreed. As I steered us around, the engine lost power. What had happened? We limped back to the dock speculating on possible causes and cures.

Once back at the dock, a passing sailor saw our deliberations and suggested we check the gas tank. I opened the gas tank. It seems that John didn't fill tank quite full enough. It was dry as a bone. We laughed, we sighed. Another learning experience, but a good one.

Day 5 - Pups and perfect sailing weather

Fred and JoeJoe arrived at the dock full of energy, smartly groomed with summer cuts, ready for their first sailing adventure. For safety, we put the boys in doggy life jackets before we left the dock a bit after 3pm for another practice sail. The sky was an azure clear blue, the temperature a mild 75 degrees and the winds a light 10-15 knots. Just enough to fill the sails, but not enough to put you on guard for a "tip you over" gust.

Fred has turned out to be the super water dog -- able to take one look at what is happening and then lie down to enjoy the ride. In the mean time his hyper active brother paced the cockpit to find the perfect spot for "nose into the wind". It was better than any car with an open back window could provide. He split his time with that and hanging his head out the stern to watch water bubble out from under the boat as we sliced through the water. All the sail went out today. John took the helm. I relaxed and all is well with the world.

On our return we gave j-bird her first wash down. It made us both proud to see her in Bristol condition at our own hands. Tomorrow we begin waxing the deck--a labor of love -- at least for this first time.

We were too tired to inflate the dinghy as planned so it goes on tomorrow's list of things to do. Fred and JoeJoe need to get used to getting in and out of the dinghy. Enjoying the "putt-putt" ride in the little craft will be a breeze for them.

It's late, almost 11pm. It's a cool and windy night. The boys are asleep on the settees in the salon while John and I diddle at our computers. Living in fresh air before the heat of the summer is heavenly. It's a lifesyle that just calms me down.

Day 4 - We keep on practicing

Morning brought sunshine and fresh breeze. I took action on several items that only a sailor could appreciate so I won't go into the details. John worked through the morning (as only the Internet and broadband can allow).

Our sail this day was focused on learning how to reef the main (aka learn how to adjust the sails so you can sail more upright in strong winds) and learning how to dock using this really great technique of driving backwards. Both were successful. John was much more comfortable. He even took the helm to motor us home into Back Creek. He's smiling!!! Both of us are happy.

We also installed our outboard engine (aka dinghy engine) holder. Next is inflating the dinghy so we can take the dog boys for a cruise tomorrow night.

Dinner was scallops in butter, shallots and lemon with a bit of Old Bay with steamed garlic and toasted walnut broccoli. Cooking simple does not mean cooking dull! It was fabulous.

Day 3 - Our first sail

The sky was cloudy, but the air was warm and the winds moderate (10-15 knots with gusts to 20). Our boat broker, Bob, walked us through all the on deck systems, then directed us away from the dock and took us out for our maiden voyage.

This picture says it all! I'm enthralled and my husband is trying with all his might to enjoy the ride. John is new to sailing and his one boating experience as a teenager was trying to swim around an anchored power boat with other kids when he couldn't swim and they could. So, we're talking about it. He's working through the panic many people feel when a sail boat heels 10-15 degrees in a burst of wind-- which j-bird did on Monday as we took a beam reach (wind across our middle) out to some tankers parked in the bay, awaiting orders to steam into Baltimore harbor.

j-bird is a swift little 33' wonder. She's stable, well equipped and easy to maneuver. We go out again tomorrow. The sun is supposed to shine!

Day1 and 2 - Systems and Stowing Stuff

We arrived at Bert Jabin's Boat Yard on the backside of Annapolis in Eastport Saturday at 10am sans dogs. They are in camp (aka kennel) until Wednesday as we thought it wise to learn the boat without them scampering and whining about. In two short hours we toured j-bird's innards -- the engine, pumps, water and fuel systems, head and holding tanks and the finish flurish -- a quick overview of electrical systems. I know more about innards of a sailboat then I ever really wanted to know. And, I really don't "know" anything. Only after reading the manuals and trying to change one of the several filters will I actually know something.

today, Sunday, Day 2, was organization day. As the saying goes, we've stowed 10 pounds of stuff in a 5 pound box. Galley (aka kitchen) is now fully stocked and organized. Our clothes are still in duffel bags, but head (aka bathroom) has all the basic health and beauty aids and fully operational. Cockpit and deck stuff is stowed in bins in the cockpit and I'm writing from the cockpit as the rain drizzles all around (it's Monday morning). Luckily we have a great Bimini and dodger (aka porch) to keep us dry.

After our second trip to West Marine (aka hardware store for boats), lunch and grocery store run, we relaxed, sipped wine at the bow (aka pointy end) looked west across Back Creek with its many boats nestled in slips lined around its edges. The setting sun made the creek sparkle on the rivulets made by a light breeze blowing across the water.

John cooked up some steam shrimp. I mixed some cocktail sauce. Our first meal on j-bird in the cockpit under a starless but pleasant sky. We turned off the dockside air conditioning, and opened the hatches to sleep in the open air. As we climbed into the V-birth (aka pointy end master cabin) we discovered we'd forgotten to buy sleeping pillows. Guess it's time for a new shopping list!

The month of anticipation

In one week, we begin our sailing life. J-bird has her name emblazoned on the stern and she's got a lovely marine blue coat of bottom paint. Her hull above the water line has been waxed to a mirror shine. She goes into the water on Monday.

We succeeded in putting a trunk full of equipment and supplies on the boat in March, only to learn from our broker in a moaning and groaning voice that the shipwrights were going to tear the interior apart to install the fans, electronics and anchor wash tubing. Now everything is scattered about, buried among tools, cushions and hoses. However, in the true shopping spirit, we've continued to acquire the essentials -- everything from sunglasses to binoculars, bedding and wax for the deck. Our small trunk is, once again, full to the brim and the dinghy and outboard motor for it are still sitting in the guest room along with charts, a Chesapeake Cruising guide, Chapman's, knot books, and cook books for boaters. My sister generously returned the ones I gave her years ago--she heats more than she cooks.

We can't get all this stuff on the boat until the outfitting is complete and she is sitting in the water. Last weekend, we managed to install our federal id numbers above the door to the aft cabin on the inside. The regulation 3" numbers MD 3922 BX are firmly displayed and painted over with polyurethane. The feds require that the numbers be attached in such a way that if they are removed, it will be obvious.

As we wait for j-bird to be readied, we attended three different courses offered by our marina -- one on safety, one on diesel engines and the last one on navigation. We are ready! We've even carried the boys up the ladder (j-bird sits on sticks right now) so they could walk around her to get acquainted the environs. Fred immediately scooted down the companion way stairs, circled the salon, plopped down on floor and sighed, glad that he was home. This is a good sign. JoeJoe found j-bird to be a curious and strange place. He sniffed and scurried everywhere, never reaxing. Luckily we've got doggy life jackets so he'll float until he calms down and gets the idea of living on the water.

Back at the condo, we are preparing to remove the vertical living room and bedroom blinds that close across sliding glass doors. They'll soon be replaced with graceful draperies that complement the soft gold walls. We're also getting estimates on a built-in bookcase for John's office. He's been working for FedEx for three years (my how time flies) and instead of retiring again, he's staying. He's been promoted and is starting to travel more. Guess he can't say no to such a good thing. I'm still working as an independent communications consultant here in DC. The good news is that I approval to to take Friday's off for the summer and fall. More time to sail. It's been a good month for both of us. Hooray!