Marlene Anne Sassaman's Blog (140)

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It is funny how my blog is becoming a night time buddy. After all the craziness of life as a school counselor in a Title I public school, the disappointment of a phone call that doesn't come, and the realization that there is still so much I need to learn before setting out offshore, I actually feel content when deciding to check out the sea knots blogs. For the first time in months I scanned the many groups. Of course, the multihull group was my first visit. There hasn't been a post since…

Received an interesting e-mail from Joe F. with www.outrig.com  His theme had to do with a conversation years ago with John Marples (designer of my tri). The question was, "Why do we love these multihulls?" Consider that John Marples, along with Piver, and Jim Brown were forerunners in the trimaran world. What compelled them to follow a path less traveled? Afterall, the Europeans are blamed (or given credit) for introducing monohulls to the US. Tri lovers…

Ay, forget the cake and that dern icing, too. Well, at least the literal kind. After convincing myself to learn to cook, I had two delicious, low calorie, high healthy soups; cabbage soup first, then french onion. The problem with the french onion is I topped it off with fresh french bread, devouring the whole thing in two days. I've learned every meal has to have one leftover. That was o.k. except I followed up these two SPRAY specialties with a new recipe for spaghetti sauce. Hm, yum, not…

Afterall, what good is having cake if you can't eat it? Geepers wheepers, It's not like I'm asking for a million bucks. Rather, I already have a decent boat. No, it's not the Queen Mary or even a Mahe 36 catamaran with all the amenities. It is a seemingly sturdy, tank looking barge of a trimaran. SPRAY is just what I was asking for a 35 foot tri with an inboard diesel. To be alone at sea, to sail into an unknown harbor inhaling through all my senses the wonderment of a totally foreign…

Isn't it amazing when new people come into your life? Well, not just any people, but ladies who sail their own boats inspire me. Regardless of its size, being in control of a sailboat is an awesome responsibility. The liability of possible harm coming to another person is real. The possibility of bring harm to oneself is real. The prospect of doing damage to another vessel is real. Sure the risks can be minimized based on skill and weather, but these two factors do not undermine the…

At least the prevarication was only to myself. Indeed, I was tired today. The past 3 days had me on an emotional high as SPRAY took 2nd place to having any physical work being done. That's not entirely true as I did complete the stern castle window, have the helm lines adjusted, and the bottom cleaned. What I need to do right now is get off this blog and order the auto helm belts. Before that, I need to thank who  ever is in charge of Sea Knots for featuring my previous blog.

Enough foolishness, it is time to get the to do list caught up. At least that was today's intention; to be honest it was on the back burner while I allowed other thoughts, hopes and dreams take a precendance. It is just so easy to get discouraged. Duh?

So, with a vengence I made a note to myself and pasted it in strategic places around the house. Get SPRAY ready to go . . .

Get the house ready to rent . . . Work out, eat right, stick to the plan. . .

At least I drove by…

Ay! With a new permanent lens in my right eye I can see clearly. Cruising up the same area of the ICW where I have sailed for 30 years, I could finally see the landmark house that guides into Ballard Park.  More importantly, I  clearly see where my life is going. The vision of sailing out Port Canaveral on a warm sunny day is crystal clear.  Nervously rounding the fartheest channel mark, setting a northerly course, wondering how the weather will be are visible images that compel me to be…

While going on 41 hours of no sleep, an old friend , Pat calls about 7:25 pm. The timing was perfect for the two of us to take a walk  to the beach to watch a delta rocket being launched into space. With clear skies to the south, ORION was proudly displaying his beautiful stance. Back home I admit to crying as Pat and I parted ways.

Because sleep continued to evade me I decided to conquer my fear of relaxing in the hot tub when no one else is home. By this time a random assortment of…

With the rudder and one solar panel on, and two new batteries on the way, it is time to pump up the dinghy, install the other solar panel, then zip on the dodger.  With all these dodads done  SPRAY should be all set for a Friday evening or Saturday daytime sail. With a little luck I will have a special guest on board. Then for fun my women's team will embark up the river about two hours to join the East Coast Sailing Association's frostbite cruise and bar-b-que at Ballard Park.

Girls…

With the rudder and one solar panel on, and two new batteries on the way, it is time to pump up the dinghy, install the other solar panel, then zip on the dodger.  With all these dodads done  SPRAY should be all set for a Friday evening or Saturday daytime sail. With a little luck I will have a special guest on board. Then for fun my women's team will embark up the river about two hours to join the East Coast Sailing Association's frostbite cruise and bar-b-que at Ballard Park.

Girls…

With the rudder and one solar panel on, and two new batteries on the way, it is time to pump up the dinghy, install the other solar panel, then zip on the dodger.  With all these dodads done  SPRAY should be all set for a Friday evening or Saturday daytime sail. With a little luck I will have a special guest on board. Then for fun my women's team will embark up the river about two hours to join the East Coast Sailing Association's frostbite cruise and bar-b-que at Ballard Park.

Girls…

With temperatures about to dip down to 39 degrees by 6 am I am almost all snuggled in for the long winter's night. It is interesting how cozy and securie I feel in the crew's bunk. It is a narrow one so there isn't much room for the lap top, lantern, pleasure reading book, clothes catalogs and of course, my teddy bear. Yea, I can drive back home to my big 4 bedroom house, queen size bed, ultra soft leather sofa and a full professional style office. But It's lonely there and confusing. I…

As Tony Horton frequently says during his P90X work outs, I will capitalize on his words and say to each of you, "Bring it On 2012." Never before has a new year begun with such optimism. Every where you look opportunity abounds. Certainly when it comes to sailing there is no shortage of activity, especially when one lives in the sunshine state. While most local sailing is done during the day, when the full moon rises over the coast on a cloudless navy blue sueded sky, how can you not be on…

Wow, what a holiday this has been. Can't believe it has been about 18 days since my last post. Christmas Eve was designed to be a simple solo evening on the boat where I planned to revive my 62 1/2 year old Teddy Bear. Poor Teddy, he has lost most of his furr, the bell in his ear is hanging out and lost its jingle and his belly is split open. I don't know what they stuffed him with back in 1948 but it's good stiff material so his internal organs are in great shape. Its been so long, probably…

Golly I hate being sick. Not that anyone does although in my business I've met quite a few who yearn for their next ailment. Be that as it may, having a stuffed head, annoying throat, and sneezy, stuffy nose makes me want to curl up in bed. No it doesn't. It makes me want to search for the perfect remedy. For years I took Zicam at the first sign of a cold. Well, this year, the cold one after consuming a bottle of Zicam over 3 days. But, does it dampen my appreciation for meeting another nice…

About five years ago two friends and I decided to enter a mini triathalon at Walt Disney World. Voraciously we'd bike, swim, and walk on a regular basis for several months leading up to the event. It was the weekly walks on the beach with Sherry that made me turn my dream into a reality. Both of us talked incessantly about cruising around the world. She wanted a mate, I wanted to go solo.

Lo and behold by summer's end she found her perfect mate while I struggled with a loving husband…

Finally, I am seriously studying for the ham license. So far it seems pretty simple. Words I've heard forever about amps, volts, and meters are beginning to have meaning. Should get the technician test taken in a few weeks, then I have to take the next level one which will require another 20 hours of learning. Not bad though I'll have to quell my test taking anxiety.

Had respected sailing friends Dave and Sherry McCampbell do an overview of SPRAY. It was encouraging to have them bring…