s/v buddha

Skip to November 11, 2011

2011-11-11T15:32:00.000-08:00

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

2010-08-21T16:58:00.000-07:00

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

Anniversary Surprise

2009-11-01T15:22:00.000-08:00

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

Start The Revolution

2009-03-04T15:10:00.001-08:00

bitching

2009-03-04T14:54:00.001-08:00

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

2009-03-04T14:20:00.000-08:00

Our Dog

2009-03-04T14:11:00.000-08:00

She likes to ride in my truck.

Not Sailing

2009-03-04T13:27:00.000-08:00

Sunny, 50F, 72nd and Dodge. Sign of the times.

This fellow is holding up a sign on which was written, "HOMELESS NO MONEY TO EAT RATHER BEG THAN ROB". I tried to get a shot but he quickly folded it.

He got upset. To bad. I think he knew his sign was questionable..

He went on begging. I stopped to watch and he stayed busy.

Social Acceptable Extortion?

Gulf Videos

2008-06-22T16:43:00.000-07:00

Here are some videos finally.

I had 15 to 25 knot winds all the way across. Lots of sail handling. I really had very little idea what I was doing for the first few days but it was fun. Scary, little sleep, uncomfortable, but fun.

Here is a video from the trip back. Calm during the day. Thunderstorms in the evening.

Here is a video of some dolphins. I took this on a friends boat on the way to Port Arthur last year.

Gulf of Mexico

2008-06-18T09:50:00.000-07:00

Thanks Sheryl. You have always let me do what I must.

After almost a year of getting ready to become a "cruiser" I headed out across the Gulf of Mexico. I had no expectations. As soon as I hit the Galveston jettys I was treated to a really strong south wind. I am not the best sailor but I am good at making quick decisions. I decided to work east which took me through the densly populated oil fields off the coast of Texas, Mississippi, and Louisiana. Oh lordy. The wind stayed strong and the seas were big. I did many sail changes to keep things comfortable and still make good progress. Where were the easterlies to get me south. I had a little trouble getting around the Mississippi delta maybe due to currents and maybe because my navigation skills were a little rusty. Three days into the trip I had still not slept more than a cat nap here and there. I was not 100%.

After clearing the delta I still had southerlies so I set my autopilot for Panama City at the east end of the Florida panhandle. After a day the winds did switch to the SE but I needed to get off the boat. I reset for Pensicola and went to bed, waking up becalmed twenty miles south of the harbor. I was able to locate a transient slip where I intended to get my ducks back in a row. I got the slip and met the local yachties and made made a decision.

"This is not what I want to do for the next years, month, day." I talked to Sheryl and explained my thoughts and she was supportive as she always is. I knew if I did not get Buddha back out on the scary seas it would only get harder to go. I headed back out the next day and the winds were pushing me to Panama City...............until they died. I decided to motor south through the night and decide on my course the next morning.

The next morning and the rest of the trip I was faced with weak south winds along with frequent thunderstorm type squalls. I was headed back to Kemah, Texas but I was going way out and avoiding ALL the oil fields. I saw a few huge rigs, well lit and very avoidable. Two days from home I entered the ship safety fairway and motorsailed for two days into Galveston.

During the trip I saw beautiful deep, deep blue water. I saw dolphins and flying fish. Flying fish can fly. Not just glide. I saw ten foot waves and absolutely flat water. I became a better nivigator and boat handler. I also experienced panic and unbelievable boredom. I got wet from the waves and rinsed by the rain. I ate well during the two weeks but ran out of bacon. My beer froze but I only split two so I never ran out, thank god. They were just a tad flat.

Buddha worked great and sang all the way. No problems at all.

I learned to sleep while the boat sailed. This is a very nice experience. The alarm did not wake me several times. The most difficult times during the trip were sailing through oil fields in heavy seas and strong winds............. at night. My radar did a pretty good job of showing me the rigs but the waves often made for sketchy echos. The first daylight was very welcome.

Anyway, I am home. My friends Dina, Troy, Kat, Trey, Kitty and Jim met me at the slip. Dina and Troy brought me a fresh beer as I motored in the channel. Bless you. I am fortunate to have beautiful friends down here.

I am really happy and excited to have some blue water sailing under my belt. I wish Sheryl was here and look forward to getting back to our house. Our 33rd aniversary is June 26. I probably will not be with her but it is only a day.

I hope this is not my last sailboat trip.

Morning I left Texas

First sunset before the terror of the night

Big waves

No waves

Rig

Marley taking the helm

Beautiful moonset

I love you

Sheryl's Sister Julie Visits

2008-03-26T21:40:00.001-07:00

Sheryl, Julie, Trey and I got out for a good sail. Sheryl set the speed record of 9 knots.

Julie

Cheryl Visits Us

2008-03-26T20:24:00.000-07:00

In October of 2007 Cheryl came down for a few days. While she was here the pier had a combination bon voyage/birthday party.

Hi all yall.

Cheryl and Sheryl

Kat and Sandy

Grillin'

Nice pic of Connie

Jim making Rum Wookies

Kids

The band

2008-03-26T20:23:00.001-07:00

Double Bayou Trip With Pammy

2008-03-20T19:17:00.000-07:00

Pam flew in from Omaha and we boated to Double Bayou with some other boats. We stayed for five days and came back on the sixth. Lots of good food, beer, nice weather, and fine people.

Pammy

Dancing

The band in back of Channel Marker 17 Bar

damn

Boats

Sea Monster

This boat pulled us out after we ran aground.

Me and Troy pulling Pam and Deana.

Pammy on the way back.

Other Boats

2008-02-26T18:29:00.001-08:00

Dawntreader

Henhouse

Folbot

buddha

buddha

Storyville

River Rats

2008-02-26T16:18:00.001-08:00

It was good to be back on the Missouri river after Ragbrai. My good friend Dennis was out in his boat. My boat is a 1959 Century Resorter.

I think this is a nice shot. Dennis is my other brother.

I miss all my river rat friends.

" The wise enjoy nothing in particular, and so enjoy everything in general." LAO TZU

Sheryl Moves Aboard

2008-02-26T14:46:00.000-08:00

In July Sheryl moved aboard. On her first sail we opened a fine bottle of champagne given to us two years ago for this occasion by Lauren's father Larry. Thanks Larry. Make time to visit.

If you look close you can see the cork in flight.

That is half of Trey from s/v Dawntreader. Sheryl makes me happy. Friends make us happy. Wine makes us happy.

Vacation Time

2008-02-26T14:43:00.000-08:00

The last week of July is always Ragbrai. The Fiddlefarts rode almost every mile again this year. Kat shot a ton of pics and drove our gear from town to town. Thanks Kat. Mel sorry you had to leave early. See you next year. Trey and Kat of s/v Dawntreader live next door to Sheryl and me.

Spandex rocks

Kat

Dave

Sandra

Trey

John

I know where you are coming from. I agree. This is so much fun.

Leaving Home and Moving Aboard

2008-02-26T13:34:00.000-08:00

Late May I loaded up the metro and headed for Houston.

Hello Houston. Thanks Rain-X.

Liza, Cloe, Kathryn, and Brook were my first guests the weekend after I moved in.

Back home in May

2008-02-26T11:55:00.000-08:00

This is Elsie on the left and my daughter Hanna at her high school graduation cocktail. Elsie is a artist who works primarily with textiles. Hanna is majoring in fashion design. This picture was shot in May after my trip to Houston.

This is Sheryl and my daughter-in-law Lauren who is married to my son Ian.

Polly Is my other daughter. She is married to Mark and their son is Andrew.

Sheryl and I are blessed. I will introduce the rest of the family as time goes on.

Peace.

The Beginning

2008-02-26T11:38:00.000-08:00

we purchased buddha in June of 2007. In May I visited Liza in Austin. We took a trip to Houston where I found buddha. This is before I became an orphan.

On the trip we went to a cemetery in Galveston and checked out some mausoleums. Why is the cross crooked.

"Life terminates in a sleep that is followed by a new awakening." CHUANG TZU

First picture

2008-02-26T10:03:00.000-08:00

Okay. First post worked. Now I will try a photo.

That is me holding the rope. I learned to wear gloves after my first sail. Rope burns. My wife Sheryl is behind me on the left with Marya from m/v WetPicketFence.

First post

2008-02-26T09:59:00.000-08:00

This is a test. First post.

It is noon and the wind continues to blow f6 out of the north. That means the water is dropping below the predicted tide and we cannot leave the pier. I did not want to anyway. Sheryl is doing a little sewing for Kitty and Jim on s/v Dreamaway. buddha is rocking and rolling but it is warm and sunny.

Peace

Cheryl Visits Us

2007-10-20T19:49:00.000-07:00

In October Cheryl came down for a visit. While she was here we had a bon voyage party for Jenny and Bobby and Sandy and Tom. We also celebrated Anne and Cheryl's birthdays.