Happy 50th Sailing Day March 6, 2014

[Marlene Anne Sassaman]

Tired of keeping two sets of days, I soul searched and logically concluded that I began solo sailing the day I left the dock on DuPont Island. That was January 15, 2014, fifty days ago. To commemorate the occasion I changed the fuel filter.

All by myself, after hearing many renditions of how it is to be done, what tools I would need and one echoing reminder. "Mechanical work is not rocket science. It is about turning nuts and bolts, and being smarter than them." I organized the specially designed filter ratchet thing a ma jig, a few rags, an empty yogurt container for catching fuel out of old filter, a clean plastic container filled with about two cups of clean fuel, paper towels, and the gumption to give it a go. I moistened the two new o-rings with oil from my trusty little Wizard of Oz oil can. Then, took to the task.

An hour later, my hands were soaked in liquid dish detergent, rinsed thoroughly and dried. For a reward the frozen chicken I spent two days cooking in the energy efficient and no muss, no fuss clean up solar oven. When I opened the lid, the chicken was a roasted brown. It was at least as tempting as the ones you can buy in Publix. This one was cooked by yours truly. Yum, yum, what a great afternoon delight.

Tonight I will further reward myself with a dink ride to the Peace and Plenty for some live music. I will show up about 8:30 pm. Last week I was early, for bored and left. Maybe tonight I will project a more inviting image and one of those men I dream about will sweep me off my feet. If not, there is always the next port.

Tomorrow, my Garmin charts should be here. The tracking information states they cleared customs in Nassau. A phone call revealed they were dispatched for Georgetown today. Also, the fittings for the new fuel filter are expected tomorrow as well. Three items mailed to me, three different venues. Certainly the United States Postal Service Air Mail is the least desirable. Best to wait until the other two items are in hand before I make a final recommendation.

Also, tomorrow, I will spend a few hours at the primary school. My goal is to have the students write letters to Terri Messer's and Barbi Miller's students. I will let them use my Peruvian crayons, and teach a math lesson about mean, median and mode. 

Au voir....