A Happy Fourth

[Seadogg]

of July to all!!

And, if you're not a U.S. citizen, have a lovely Tuesday!!

Fair winds,

Nick

[Zen]

back at cha !

[Adam]

Have a great 4th everybody! If you're on the water, watch out for all of the idiots (of course, none of us are EVER the idiots! :) )

[Zen]

"There is nothing better than moderation for teaching people or serving Heaven. Those who use moderation are already on the path to the Tao". ...Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching ( aka the watercourse way)

Part of my enjoyment about sailing is the sense of oneness with the Universe, that group spiritualness that happens when you are in the "zone" Feeling the wind, water and yourself as one unit that zen moment. To me that is only a part of that "mind" and it carries over into other areas, like being aware of and respecting the environment and not doing wastefullness, respect for our limited resources and others who follow. I was reminded today by example that just because, sailing enhances my sense of environmental awareness, it is not the same with all other sailors. :'(


A 4th of July washing lesson:

I was at the marina on Sunday. Doing some work on S/V Zen.
I was finishing some sanding work on the bow. It took me about 4 hours to finish up. It was a fairly pleasant day, other folks were out doing their boat stuff as well, including a guy a few slips down from me washing his boat.

It is my habit and training to be aware of what is going on around me and make some type of mental note. So I get on to the task at hand, sanding. I practice doing the Zen thing making big thing small and using mindfulness on the task at hand, not thinking about getting it over, but getting each small section done correctly. Time moves on. I take a break after about 1 hour. I notice the guy is still washing his boat...more like just rinsing ???

I go back to work, small sections...I am about half way done, it is a good 1.5 - 2 hrs later :-\
Guy is still washing...hmmm ok, he is also practicing mindfullness I tell myself and he also is focusing on the small things not the big job. I go back to work, another 1/2 passes,  :o I still see him still rinsing, my focus is slipping now. I notice he is rinsing the same spots again and again.  :o To be clear he is not washing he is rinsing, there is no soap or scrubbing involved there is just water being sprayed. So now I am watching more... as gallons of fresh water are being sprayed on the same areas for another 1/2 hour.  :'(  Now perhaps I'm overly sensitive having gone through a drought here in CA and also thinking about water that is needed on a long ocean passage is LIFE. However this seems WASTEFUL. Three hours of running water just to rinse down a boat. I notice he is looking at little spots and not taking a brush to clean them just turning the hose on them and standing there. Hmmm should I go say something, something smart ( read wise arse ) and make an enemy, or let heaven issue it's own balance.  :-X I notice others go by he speaks to no one... not a friendly type, I note. :(
I figure time to take a break stretch my legs, etc. I have now finished sanding and applying the TeaQua and need to let it dry before putting on the second coat. So I head down his way to see how dirty this boat is that needs 4 hours of water to clean it. Nothing special, no caked on mud, no oil spots with stuck on seal poop, no globs of sea weeds growing out of the hull, at least on top, no garden flower boxes that needed to be watered, just your basic boat hull, it was your basic post dirty ( I looked at it last week on my walk ), that should have been cleaned and done in 1- 1.5 hour tops.  >:(

This guy was just your basic water waster, those who use the water hose for every part of cleaning ( like using the water hose to sweep the driveway not a push broom). He did have a brush & bucket through I do have to say, it was tucked neatly out of the way, not to interfer with the water pressure doing it's job. Todays washing lesson from a big boat sailor, after your basic soap down, one needs to spend the next 3 hours getting every drop of that nasty soapy stuff off your hull.

Doh, silly me, it is the 4th of July on Tuesday, :o he like so many others who do not move or visit their boat for months at a time will most likely be down on the 4th for the show. Him and his hunting buddies from the gun club 8) , ( I saw the shirt) One can not have it look like it has not been moved in 6 months ( which it has not been) , what was I thinking. ok my bad.  :-[

Happy 4th

[AdriftAtSea]

Yes, Zen, there are people who have boats, but no idea how to treat them. 

They do not visit her except on rare occasions, and allow her to languish at the dock.  And then, when a holiday comes about, they are down trying to make up for weeks and weeks of neglect...in order to impress their buddies, that they've invited out for the holiday.   Pathetic... but that's just me. 

I try to get down and spend at least a day or two with the Pretty Gee a week... usually overnighting at least two days a week.  :D 

[Zen]

Yo yo yo  Happy 4 th everyone. Coming to you live from s/v Zen, down at the dock.
Wireless baby!!  ;D

Getting ready to fireup some salmon, yams, veggies and ... margarettas  ;D ;D

pictures later  ;)

I hope everyone is out having fun not reading this   ;D ;D

[EdD]

Hope everyone had a GREAT 4th of July.  My wife, who is German, will be sworn in as an American Citizen on July 18th.  She was hoping for the 4th but missed it by a few days.

My wife is so excited to become an American citizen.  She has been studying very hard for the citizenship test.  Applicants end up knowing more about our country than most Americans.

Unfortunately some people who were born here take their citizenship and all it's rights for granted.  I lived and worked in West Germany for over 13 years.  My work took me to many of the former "Eastern Bloc" countries.  You simply cannot appreciate this country until you've seen the oppression, hopelessness and hunger in the faces of the people there.  Yes, America has some blemishes, but she is still IMHO the best place to live in this world.

As for my wife... we are here by birth...she is here by choice. 

Happy Birthday America!

[Adam]

Congrats to your wife! Becoming an American by choice, I'll bet she'd make a great Civics teacher at any local school :)

[Captain Smollett]

Wow, Ed.  Contrats to your wife.  That is really cool.

[Seadogg]

Fantastic!

Please tell your wife that we are VERY excited for her and thrilled at her accomplishment.

Incidentally, it's 8:36pm  here in Michigan.   Had a great Fourth!  No boating, but ate like Elvis and hung out in the pool.


Mmmmmmmm.......

God Bless America!

[Frank]

now THATS eating !!!! ;D

[Captain Smollett]

Launched my old, expired 12 ga arial flares ... the three reds did okay, but the white did nothing (well, it launched, but that's it...nothing once in flight).

One of the reds I launched got some oohs and aaahs from the neighbors.   :)  Now I cannot wait until some of the 25 mm expire.  :D

[Zen]

We just finished eating. BBQ salmon, with zen's garden herbs, plus potatoes, corn, a salad, wine, margaritas. Then a walk. now it is resting time, waiting for the night show.
weather is perfect, life is good!






I thought about going for a sail but, too much of a hassle to packup.  :-[

So just kicking back. listening to interent radio.

Installed the new bug screen early today , my design, Lady Zen's handy work.
works great!! Snaps in place over the door cover snaps.

[Zen]

Almost fireworks time here on the left coast. Not as many people out this year, but still pleanty of drunks on the docks and around. Wahoo.  ;D
Glad I'm not driving  :o , they will be gone by the time we leave to go home.

[Zen]

Here is the big finish, viewed from the deck of s/v Zen

[Captain Smollett]

Wow, Zen, great shots.  Photos of fireworks are hard to get (at least that's been my experience).

[Pixie Dust]

I am finally catching up on posts.  I have been on the goooooo a lot.  All good though! I totally enjoyed the postings on this thread!  4th was a blast.  The whole week was good! Short ones always are.  ED- congratulations to your wife!!  Very cool.   Zen, I am hungry just looking at your food picts.   Good job on the net screen!

Got to PD on Sat morning early, sailed in awesome winds. Blew 16-19 and made for fun sailing. Anchored out behind Shell Island.  No bugs, nice breeze, very comfortable for Florida in July.  Sunday morning I donned my snorkle gear and cleaned my boat bottom in the crystal clear warm water.   :D  Replaced a light in the cabin with a reading light and then chilled and read.  Great day!!  Did not want to come back to the real world of work, so I spent one more night on the boat and headed back to Tally at 6:00am on Monday.  Gotta love the weekends.  8)

[Zen]

Good to read ya back Connie ;D

[EdD]

Pixie Dust,

Thanks to you and all the others for their comments and well wishes on my wife's citizenship.  Next Tuesday is the big day.

The active members on this site have created an almost family-like atmosphere.  You kind of get to know people as you read their posts over a period of time.  It is in essence a "virtual" community.  I cracked up when I read about your sailing adventure with CapnK.  Your account may have been more accurate, but his was more entertaining. 

I've had the pleasure to meet and sail with Captain Smollett, and hope to do the same with CapnK in the near future.  As a new sailor, this site has provided a wealth of information and practical tips.  I really enjoy reading about everyone's sailing trips and it encourages me to get out there myself. 

I took up sailing about three years ago...I'm 63 now.  I am tempted to say I wish I had taken it up earlier in life, but in reality we all know that there is a time in life for everything.   I will admit though when I read about your sailing adventures I am not just a little envious. 

To Pixie Dust, and all the rest out there, please keep the comments and stories coming...I enjoy them immensely.

EdD

[Zen]

Quite right on your thoughts EdD!

and 63 gives you other insites the young ones will not understand. I plan on being that age for my big adventure. So you yourself are an inspiration.

I know of a story, listed here, the man did not start sailing until he was 80.

Best of luck to the Mrs. It will be inspiring to others to see her fill her dream.

and speaking of the Capnk, where the heck has he gone to now? :-\ ???