Marlene Anne Sassaman's Blog (140)

This plastic sextant was purchased for the Bermuda shake down cruise. Sailing mate, Maryanne enjoyed telling everyone that yes I have a sextant. It is nicely packed in the original box. The wrapping still sealing it in place. Well, just so you know, the sextant is out of the box. 

Before I get too carried away with it I thought I would learn how to use…

It seems I can blog but not send e-mails. Here in Staniel Cay I am thankful this is my only challenge. Thanks to last year's sailing mate who taught me how to select a good anchorage has paid off. Securely settled on the northeast side of Thunderball Rock, the bumpy seas to the south, southwest are minimal. Although I can squeak in closer to the 'rock,' I am comfortable having more sea room between me and my neighbors.

Accessing e-mail would make my heart sing as the loneliness of not…

Getting on the internet here at Staniel Cay in the Central Exumas has been a patient challenge. Finally, perseverance paid off. Today was the first time I literally took the plunge. About an hour ago I could no longer resist the crystal clear water. With the clean sandy beach a mere 4 feet beneath my 'bottom' I set out a chicken line because the current looked swift and it makes safety sense.

Then, I descended the stern ladder. Before I stepped down onto the second rung, impulse took…

Ay, remember those days when you begged your teacher for a pass to the library. Not to check out a book or complete a research assignment, but rather to avoid listening to a lecture about George Washington crossing the Potomac. Even worse was watching the biology teacher cut up a frog. The library was a great place to see friends from other classes. 

Fast forward to retirement in a quiet little town, a village it may even be…

First is a pix of the scary looking entrance to the Big Pine Key Library here in the Florida Keys. The guy standing in the doorway was there for the same reason as I-- to pass the ham license test. What a bureaucratic that is. After 3 weeks of diligent study I passed after the 3rd attempt. No more tests for me. I am glad that I can now transmit on most frequencies that will provide the type of chatter I am looking for. Mostly, though I want weather information, for which I learned during my…

With three dates in three days this week-end sure flew by. The first pros[ect backed out about ten minutes before we were to meet. The second prospect was enjoyable for a few hours of meanderation at the Big Pine Flea Market followed by lunch at Hurricanes. This morning brunch at the Stuffed Pig was most enjoyable. Conversation flowed along topics of interest.

The week-ends bonus is about to take place at Boot Key's annual Super Bowl party. Who plays, who wins, who has the best…

Back on November 18 of this past year I made a promise to send a hand written letter of gratitude to someone deserving. It could be a friend from childhood, a clerk in a retail store, or even an ex. Although I have had to sacrifice a letter each and every day, I have been consistently writing at least twice a week. 

Being chief, cook and bottle washer as a solo…

Send SPRAY a Man for the Lovely Sailing Lady

No blogging the past few days due to a pleasant interruption by friends Carol and Paul. Their visit is a real treat as they are the first ones to visit during Year 2 of my nomadic lifestyle. Here in Boot Key adjustment has been easy. The masthead light is working, even though I forgot to put the LED bulbs in. That should be an easy change. Monday the Yanmar will bless Danny Diesel. Chris should be by any day to clean the bottom. Feb. 5 I take the General Ham License Test. That means…

It seems my MacBook Air allows me to put an image in the text section of blog entering but not my IPAD. As that guy on the old 1970s Laugh-In show would say,

V e r y I n t e r e s t i n g.

O.k. so back to today's blog. 

Trying to keep the blog entries organized as I anticipate the writing of an inspirational book, I number the events as Year 1, 2, and such followed by the Day of what happens during a particular time. Year 1 started in Janaury 2013, the first year of my retirement. Year 2 began January 2014. The Days, such as Day 1, Day 2 refer to particular times. Although I did not blog my Bahamian and cross country trips, along with my life in Everglades City, I do have a written diary of such. Does this…

DSC_0895.JPGIt finally dawned on me how I can put photos onto my written blog section. For the past few months I have posted pictures under the Photos section. But this section, blog post, is where I should be putting my ramblings. 

In the future, starting now, I will try to serrate so as not to bore those wanting to look at those pictures that should be worth a thousand words.…

Day 55 and day 1. The end of the transition period from ending a romantic relationship to the start of a new life as a single woman has begun. Oh, I could dwell on the shoulda, woulda, coulda. I can also try the 30 day 'no contact' approach to winning him back. Perhaps I will concentrate on a safe voyage to the next anchor whole. Either way, tomorrow will be a transition chapter, an interlude perhaps between 2013's love affair and 2014's love of life. 

Not even sure how to spell the title. The conveyance is oh my my. Here i have the latest and greatest MacBook Air. What I don't have is the computer acumen to figure out how to get my photos from my iPad to my new air. The representative at Apple I Care, for which I paid a healthy sum walked me through the process last night. I was certain all my photos transferred. That assurance motivated me to add another photo page to my blog. Then, when I went to post…