Skip to November 11, 2011

Sheryl is reading and I am on the internet. We are down below in our boat Moon since it is a little chilly outside. We bought moon about four months ago and spent most of that time getting her ready to go. Sheryl did what she does quite well such as sewing bed linen, stitching canvas, rope splicing, organizing, paperwork, painting, and keeping us fed and clothed. I wrenched.

We purchased Moon at a Bock Marine boatyard in Core Creek, NC. Bock is a small full service yard which caters to the do-it-yourselfers. We made some very good friends there who we now miss. It never feels good saying good-bye.

Moon is a cutter rigged sailboat. This means there are two sails in front of a single mast. She has a full deep keel and is made to cross oceans if we decide to. She has a double berth in a small cabin in the front, a head behind that on the port side, a salon with two couches mid-ship and a galley and navigation station aft on the port and starboard sides. The cockpit is aft everything. Moon is small at thirty five feet but heavy at twelve tons. If she tips she should right fairly quickly.

We left Bock about two weeks ago and headed south in the Atlantic Intercoastal Waterway. We hope to end up in the Florida keys for the holidays. Then maybe we will sail to the Caribbean islands. It is tough sometimes. Moon has no heat and it is getting cold at night. Wind, tides and currents are all issues on a underpowered boat especially in marinas or anchorages. Navigation is a big issue. We must know where we are exactly all the time or we could run aground. We are getting better at navigation. One night we woke up with the boat leaning way over. We had anchored in ten feet of water at high tide. Moon has a six foot draft and the tide was six foot also. Do the math.

We just finished an overnight sail off shore from South Carolina to Florida. Moon sails nice and feels safe. The night was cold and I was happy to feel the sun in the morning. Sheryl saw a whale. I saw some UFOs. Seems like dolphins are everywhere. Tomorrow we are going to start working our way down through Florida.

I am so lucky to have a wife who wants to do this with me. I am also lucky to have three children who are safe and happy.

Metro is gone

The Metro went to a good home today. I am going to miss that car.

Anniversary Surprise

Hanna came to our 33rd anniversary party. Sheryl was really surprised to see her sitting out back. June 26nd.

Start The Revolution

bitching

I copied the following from http://www.theodoresworld.net/

The Tax Poem

At first I thought this was funny...then I realized the awful truth of it. Be sure to read all the way to the end!

Tax his land,
Tax his bed,
Tax the table
At which he's fed.

Tax his tractor,
Tax his mule,
Teach him taxes
Are the rule.

Tax his work,
Tax his pay,
He works for peanuts
Anyway!

Tax his cow,
Tax his goat,
Tax his pants,
Tax his coat..

Tax his ties,
Tax his shirt,
Tax his work,
Tax his dirt.

Tax his tobacco,
Tax his drink,
Tax him if he
Tries to think.

Tax his cigars,
Tax his beers,
If he cries
Tax his tears..

Tax his car,
Tax his gas,
Find other ways
To tax his ass-ets.

Tax all he has
Then let him know
That you won't be done
Till he has no dough.

When he screams and hollers,
Then tax him some more,
Tax him till
He's good and sore.

Then tax his coffin,
Tax his grave,
Tax the sod in
Which he's laid.

Put these words
Upon his tomb,
"Taxes drove me to my doom..."

When he's gone,
Do not relax,
Its time to apply
The inheritance tax.

Accounts Receivable Tax
Building Permit Tax
CDL license Tax
Cigarette Tax
Corporate Income Tax
Dog License Tax
Excise Taxes
Federal Income Tax
Federal Unemployment Tax (FUTA)
Fishing License Tax
Food License Tax
Fuel Permit Tax
Gasoline Tax (44.75 cents per gallon)
Gross Receipts Tax
Hunting License Tax
Inheritance Tax
Inventory Tax
IRS Interest Charges IRS Penalties (tax on top of tax)
Liquor Tax
Luxury Taxes
Marriage License Tax
Medicare Tax
Personal Property Tax
Property Tax
Real Estate Tax
Service Charge Tax
Social Security Tax
Road Usage Tax
Sales Tax
Recreational Vehicle Tax
School Tax
State Income Tax
State Unemployment Tax (SUTA) Telephone Federal Excise Tax
Telephone Federal Universal Service Fee Tax
Telephone Federal, State and Local Surcharge Taxes
Telephone Minimum Usage Surcharge Tax
Telephone Recurring & Non-recurring Charges Tax
Telephone State and Local Tax
Telephone Usage Charge Tax
Utility Taxes
Vehicle License Registration Tax
Vehicle Sales Tax
Watercraft Registration Tax
Well Permit Tax
Workers Compensation Tax

STILL THINK THIS IS FUNNY?

Not one of these taxes existed 100 years ago, and our nation was the most prosperous in the world.

We had absolutely no national debt, had the largest middleclass in the world, and Mom stayed home to raise the kids.

What in the hell happened?

Eleven Years Ago

Our Dog

She likes to ride in my truck.