Sailing, sailing, sailing, and sailing some-more

[Marlene A. Sassaman]

It is a good thing my addiction is to sailing, a sport that entices me with a constant challenge. Sometimes the challenge is to get a crew together. Other times, it is a challenge to teach the crew. Still other times, the challenge is to train me. Whatever the challenge sailing keeps me motivated to sail some more.

Three days a week I host dockside chats. Two on my F28 tri and one on a Lindenberg 28. With springtime on her doorstep it is expected our dockside chats will morph into short one hour sails emphasizing just one skill. For example, tacking, tacking, tacking. When you break it down there are several dimensions. There is releasing the jib sheet, trimming on the new tack; there is pushing the tiller over, releasing the mainsheet a tad, stalling for a millisecond so the crew can get the jib in quickly, watching where you are going, watching for other boats, tacking on a shift, coordinating everyone's movement, and communicating throughout the maneaver. Other skills will also be worked on.

In addition to the weekly chats, there is the monthly women's series, the commodore's goal to get me to attend more parties, the coed series on the Lindenberg, the fun Rhum races on my F28 tri and the bi-weekly sunfish races. Now, friends want me to attend out of area races. OH yea, there is also the Monday night interviews with a sailing friend whose biography I am writing, and a little time each evening to work on another book. Lastly, I need to squeeze in planning for my summer cruise to the Statue of Liberty. Oh yea, all of this while continuing to work 50 + hours a week as a School Counselor, following Dr. Phil's 14 day plan to improving one's relationship with a loved one - in this case, my honey poo and me have agreed to 30 minutes a day. Then, there is time for walking the dog 2 - 3 mornings a week and swimming for 30 minutes 5 days a week. Anything else? OH yea, quit eating all those carbs,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Hmmmmmmmmmmmm, better go get some sleep. Love to all,