Sitting in my easy chair, watching my granddaughter play with her dolls and stroller, it dawned on me that she, at 18 months old, is already a complete person. A person with likes and dislikes, wants and needs. Simply put, she has her own identity. Some would call it a soul and it is a real and tangible thing. If you have ever had the displeasure of seeing a person die, as I have, you would not doubt that a persons spirit exists.
I an not a religious person, meaning that I do not subscribe to the established religious mumbo jumbo, but I do believe that things exist beyond the scope of our ability to understand them. If you look into the eyes of someone that is dying and see the fear and pleading in them as they slowly stare at you without seeing; the person that you once knew is no longer there and only the empty shell of their body remains; you will understand that the spirit does exist and it has traveled somewhere that we can not follow. At least not while we are alive.
Life is precious, it is a gift that many take lightly, some never get a chance to live while others squander theirs on drugs and alcohol. Death is the price that we all must pay for the privilege to live and I don't understand how some people waste their gift enslaving themselves to oppressive religions. We were given the ability to do and experience many of the very things that religion would wish to suppress. Is not beauty a gift from God? If so, why would we as mere mortals cover one of Gods creations?
"The Gods envy us for our mortality, because we live life with a passion, never knowing when it might end", Live your lives the way you want to, cherish the moments, feelings, dreams, and happy times that come your way because when your spirit takes that journey away from your staring eyes, regret shouldn't be your last thought.
Sunday, September 29, 2013
Monday, September 23, 2013
Best sail of the year
Saturday the weather was amazing; add in a steady breeze from the Northwest, and you have the makings of a perfect sailing day. We started off the day grilling beef kabobs and enjoying them along with potato salad in the cockpit of the boat. Cool breezes and sunshine mixed with the gentle swaying of the boat made lunch even more enjoyable. After stuffing ourselves we headed out on the lake.
Having Martina's parents with us, we opted to use only our front sail so the boat wouldn't heel too much. We set the sail and pointed her bow towards the dam at the southern end of the lake. The wind was from the perfect direction to reach the dam on a single tack. The lake was a little choppy but Aquilon glides through the waves like a champ and it wasn't uncomfortable at all.
It took about two hours to round the point at Cole's Creek and approach the dam. We had the company of fish jumping out of the water and birds floating by on the trip down. There were plenty of other boats on the water enjoying the perfect day too. There is nothing more majestic than seeing a boat under full sail glide silently past as if pushed by invisible hands.
After a time, we turned Aquilon around and headed back towards the Marina, We tacked once to get around the point jutting out from Cole's Creek and then set a course straight into the mouth of the Marina. We made it back in record time and could have sailed all the way in, but common sense prevailed and we dropped sail to motor in.
After securing our sails and equipment we reluctantly headed back home; but with the memory of a beautiful sail on a beautiful sailing day.
Having Martina's parents with us, we opted to use only our front sail so the boat wouldn't heel too much. We set the sail and pointed her bow towards the dam at the southern end of the lake. The wind was from the perfect direction to reach the dam on a single tack. The lake was a little choppy but Aquilon glides through the waves like a champ and it wasn't uncomfortable at all.
It took about two hours to round the point at Cole's Creek and approach the dam. We had the company of fish jumping out of the water and birds floating by on the trip down. There were plenty of other boats on the water enjoying the perfect day too. There is nothing more majestic than seeing a boat under full sail glide silently past as if pushed by invisible hands.
After a time, we turned Aquilon around and headed back towards the Marina, We tacked once to get around the point jutting out from Cole's Creek and then set a course straight into the mouth of the Marina. We made it back in record time and could have sailed all the way in, but common sense prevailed and we dropped sail to motor in.
After securing our sails and equipment we reluctantly headed back home; but with the memory of a beautiful sail on a beautiful sailing day.
Friday, August 30, 2013
Boat Haulin
Yesterday driving home from work I spied a semi hauling a sailboat. At first glance, I thought it was marina friends Tim and Deb who are starting their cruising dream, but this boat was headed west and they are going to the east coast. The boat being towed was the same color and similar shape, but I quickly realized it was too small to be theirs anyway.
I have probably seen lots of sailboats being towed in my almost fifty years on the planet but its only after becoming a sailor that I paid any attention to them. So much so, that I snapped a picture of this one as I passed her by.
I wanted to capture the name of the company for future references, but after reviewing the photo at home, I realized that the sailboat was in the mirror of my truck, and I thought that was kind of cool.
I don't know anything about the company "U.S. boat haulers" but if anyone is looking for a company to move a boat, they might be a good place to start; looked professional to me.
Seeing this boat on its way to who knows where, made me just a little envious, but I know that will be me sometime in the hopefully not too distant future.
JF
s/v Aquilon
I have probably seen lots of sailboats being towed in my almost fifty years on the planet but its only after becoming a sailor that I paid any attention to them. So much so, that I snapped a picture of this one as I passed her by.
I don't know anything about the company "U.S. boat haulers" but if anyone is looking for a company to move a boat, they might be a good place to start; looked professional to me.
Seeing this boat on its way to who knows where, made me just a little envious, but I know that will be me sometime in the hopefully not too distant future.
JF
s/v Aquilon
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
The Sea
The Sea....
She calls to me, bidding me, take my place upon her swells. In the dark of night, only the stars to give me light, her shores give no reason to have fright, the waves lapping against a quay, dawn breaking across the bay. Sailboats anchored in the deep, awaiting the wind to give them reach. Over swells and breaking surf, out to sea open water is calling me. Stow the anchor, set the sails, point her bow towards the sun, with the wind at our back we chase dolphins on a run. Poseidon's breath pushes me along, I guide my bow into the throng, no land anywhere in sight, all my sheets set in tight, I settle in for the ride and surf along the ebbing tide. Over my stern I can see, rippling water; the only trace I've left of me. Worries in the past, over the horizon my eyes do cast. From one port to another, life has become like no other. To the sea I will wander and sail away to a life of wonder.
Thursday, July 18, 2013
To be a Dreamer
Everyone dreams, but not all try to achieve them, to reach for a seemingly unattainable goal. Why are some people driven by their dreams and others ignore them? I remember when I was a child and I would have the most outlandish dreams; everything from pirates to Archaeologists. I would lay awake at night and think of wild adventures and danger. I was, of course, the super hero in my dreams; boldly charging into every challenge to win the day or rescue the fair maiden.
I was a lonely child even though I was surrounded by family and friends. I turned inward to seek my own solace, even having an imaginary friend named Michael. Together we would build forts and play soldiers, camouflaging ourselves and spying on unsuspecting neighbors. It was a sad and wondrous time for me. Sad, because I felt so alone, and wondrous, because my inward reality had no limit.
It seems as we age our dreams become less important, or maybe more life centered, catering to our own careers and family life. I still dream of places I would like to see and sailing to far away shores, perhaps that's why I chose the path that I am on. I am still an introvert, often gazing into space, my mind a thousand miles away. Some people might mistake me as arrogant for ignoring them, but I'm probably not even in the same room mentally. I don't really care what people think about me anyway; I am who I am and happy with it.
If we didn't dream and imagine a life different from the ordinary we would still be in the stone age. Dreamers have always pushed the boundary of "what is" and found a way to achieve the "could be". Our world, in just the last hundred years, has changed more than in the last ten thousand. Much of the accelerated change has come through war and a pulling away from the ignorance and superstition of religion, but they started with someones dream.
Many people that read my statement about religion will be shocked and they are welcome to their own opinion; but, the world was full of dreamers before religion dictated our lives for two thousand years, people like Aristotle, Archimedes, Plato etc. Much of their writings have been lost or destroyed during religious purges including the burning of the great library of Alexandria. Ghandi said it best "I like your Christ, its your Christians that I despise".When we started coming out of the fog of religion during the Renaissance, ideas and dreams became a reality. Perhaps that is why we have come so far, so fast; pent up energy and free thinking exploded outward, and we are still pushing our horizons today.
God gave us the ability to dream and the reasoning skills to achieve them, so close your eyes and let your mind wander. You may be surprised where the journey takes you or the goals you set out to accomplish. I know I am well on the way to living mine, after all I dream about it everyday.
I was a lonely child even though I was surrounded by family and friends. I turned inward to seek my own solace, even having an imaginary friend named Michael. Together we would build forts and play soldiers, camouflaging ourselves and spying on unsuspecting neighbors. It was a sad and wondrous time for me. Sad, because I felt so alone, and wondrous, because my inward reality had no limit.
It seems as we age our dreams become less important, or maybe more life centered, catering to our own careers and family life. I still dream of places I would like to see and sailing to far away shores, perhaps that's why I chose the path that I am on. I am still an introvert, often gazing into space, my mind a thousand miles away. Some people might mistake me as arrogant for ignoring them, but I'm probably not even in the same room mentally. I don't really care what people think about me anyway; I am who I am and happy with it.
If we didn't dream and imagine a life different from the ordinary we would still be in the stone age. Dreamers have always pushed the boundary of "what is" and found a way to achieve the "could be". Our world, in just the last hundred years, has changed more than in the last ten thousand. Much of the accelerated change has come through war and a pulling away from the ignorance and superstition of religion, but they started with someones dream.
Many people that read my statement about religion will be shocked and they are welcome to their own opinion; but, the world was full of dreamers before religion dictated our lives for two thousand years, people like Aristotle, Archimedes, Plato etc. Much of their writings have been lost or destroyed during religious purges including the burning of the great library of Alexandria. Ghandi said it best "I like your Christ, its your Christians that I despise".When we started coming out of the fog of religion during the Renaissance, ideas and dreams became a reality. Perhaps that is why we have come so far, so fast; pent up energy and free thinking exploded outward, and we are still pushing our horizons today.
God gave us the ability to dream and the reasoning skills to achieve them, so close your eyes and let your mind wander. You may be surprised where the journey takes you or the goals you set out to accomplish. I know I am well on the way to living mine, after all I dream about it everyday.
Monday, July 15, 2013
Mother Nature can be....
Very Frustrating!
That was very evident this past weekend.
After three weeks away from the marina, we took Aquilon out for a Saturday sail, we were happily greeted with nice mid eighties temps, low humidity, winds around 10 mph with gusts a little over. Not bad for Carlyle lake in the summer, which is usually very hot and humid with little or no wind. After motoring out of the harbor we put out the Genoa sail, but after a few minutes, and wanting to sail faster, I turned her into the wind to set the main sail. We turned south, headed towards the dam on a beam reach. Aquilon likes spirited winds and dug in for a fast run toward the dam. After clearing the point of land at Coles Creek, not wanting to go all the way to the dam because of boat traffic, we tacked, and pointed her bow just south of the mouth of the creek. She was sailing very nice and it was relaxing, Martina even sat behind the wheel for a while and got some good practice in.
Being ill for 3 weeks left me tired and easily exhausted, so we decided to turn back to the marina after a couple of hours and good sailing, on the way back we were sailing fast, over 7 miles per hour, heeled nicely on a close reach. We went on a single tack all the way to the start of the shallow area of the lake just south of the south tower. We tacked toward the marina; that's when Mother Nature decided my fun was over for the day.
The wind changed direction; after being from the northeast all day, it decide to blow from the east; the same direction that I had just turned toward. So I veered a little more south hoping it would change back and let me continue to sail east. With no change from the wind, we tacked again, heading almost straight north. As soon as we had the sails adjusted, the wind shifted north, once again right on our nose. Now for those of you that are not familiar with sailing, you can not sail directly into the wind. You can, however, sail about 40-45 degrees of the wind or closer depending on your boat and/or rig. With Aquilon I can get within 20 degrees of the wind close hauled and she sails very well on that tack.
This went on for over two hours, tacking back and forth, the wind seeming to tack with us, and we only progressed about 200 yards up the lake. My pleasant sail after a 3 week hiatus, suddenly made very frustrating and took the rest of the wind out of my sails, (pun very much intended). So, with about 300 yards to go I threw in the towel and fired up the "Iron Jib" and made way toward the marina.
When we got back, I was so exhausted that I went below and laid down for a while and let the "crew" stow our sails and gear.
There is no moral to this story except that we are always at the mercy of Mother Nature and she can be a fickle lady; just when you think she is on your side, she will remind you of who is really in charge.
That was very evident this past weekend.
After three weeks away from the marina, we took Aquilon out for a Saturday sail, we were happily greeted with nice mid eighties temps, low humidity, winds around 10 mph with gusts a little over. Not bad for Carlyle lake in the summer, which is usually very hot and humid with little or no wind. After motoring out of the harbor we put out the Genoa sail, but after a few minutes, and wanting to sail faster, I turned her into the wind to set the main sail. We turned south, headed towards the dam on a beam reach. Aquilon likes spirited winds and dug in for a fast run toward the dam. After clearing the point of land at Coles Creek, not wanting to go all the way to the dam because of boat traffic, we tacked, and pointed her bow just south of the mouth of the creek. She was sailing very nice and it was relaxing, Martina even sat behind the wheel for a while and got some good practice in.
Being ill for 3 weeks left me tired and easily exhausted, so we decided to turn back to the marina after a couple of hours and good sailing, on the way back we were sailing fast, over 7 miles per hour, heeled nicely on a close reach. We went on a single tack all the way to the start of the shallow area of the lake just south of the south tower. We tacked toward the marina; that's when Mother Nature decided my fun was over for the day.
The wind changed direction; after being from the northeast all day, it decide to blow from the east; the same direction that I had just turned toward. So I veered a little more south hoping it would change back and let me continue to sail east. With no change from the wind, we tacked again, heading almost straight north. As soon as we had the sails adjusted, the wind shifted north, once again right on our nose. Now for those of you that are not familiar with sailing, you can not sail directly into the wind. You can, however, sail about 40-45 degrees of the wind or closer depending on your boat and/or rig. With Aquilon I can get within 20 degrees of the wind close hauled and she sails very well on that tack.
This went on for over two hours, tacking back and forth, the wind seeming to tack with us, and we only progressed about 200 yards up the lake. My pleasant sail after a 3 week hiatus, suddenly made very frustrating and took the rest of the wind out of my sails, (pun very much intended). So, with about 300 yards to go I threw in the towel and fired up the "Iron Jib" and made way toward the marina.
When we got back, I was so exhausted that I went below and laid down for a while and let the "crew" stow our sails and gear.
There is no moral to this story except that we are always at the mercy of Mother Nature and she can be a fickle lady; just when you think she is on your side, she will remind you of who is really in charge.
Friday, July 5, 2013
Dont forget to live a little
When planning and preparing for a retirement goal, sometimes we loose sight on whats right in front of us. Talking with my wife this past weekend, we discussed feeling like we were in limbo, between work and retirement and that nothing seemed to give us joy. I thought about that a lot and realized that tomorrow may never come. All of our planning and preparation can fly out the window in a instant": One slip and fall or a health problem and its over, and you will have lost out on some valuable time along the way.
Time; oh time, we could fill volumns writing about this elusive subject that always seems to slip through our fingers. Time is fleeting; I like a quote from a movie, (can you guess which one?) " You are never more beautiful than you are today". If you think about that quote; it makes sense because we are aging everyday and our lives are only a tiny speck in time. Youth is replaced by middle age before you know it, and old age is on the horizon. It's something we all must face, every breath of air in our toxic world brings us closer to the end.
If you are religious you would be much better off praying to Gods like Bacchus or Aphrodite; good food, wine, love and merriment abound. People in antiquity lived for the moment more than we do today. Their lives could be snuffed away from disease, war or famine in a heartbeat. They embraced their fleeting moments with gusto and were probably much happier people than we are. They had a passion that we can only dream about, you can see it in their art, their architecture, and their writing. They lived and loved like it would be their last day on earth, hence the saying " Carpe Diem" (Seize the Day).
I decided that preparing for retirement is a good thing, but living while I get there is just as important. I plan to enjoy my wine, my food, smile more, laugh more and be happy along the way. Oh, and of course sail more!
Time; oh time, we could fill volumns writing about this elusive subject that always seems to slip through our fingers. Time is fleeting; I like a quote from a movie, (can you guess which one?) " You are never more beautiful than you are today". If you think about that quote; it makes sense because we are aging everyday and our lives are only a tiny speck in time. Youth is replaced by middle age before you know it, and old age is on the horizon. It's something we all must face, every breath of air in our toxic world brings us closer to the end.
If you are religious you would be much better off praying to Gods like Bacchus or Aphrodite; good food, wine, love and merriment abound. People in antiquity lived for the moment more than we do today. Their lives could be snuffed away from disease, war or famine in a heartbeat. They embraced their fleeting moments with gusto and were probably much happier people than we are. They had a passion that we can only dream about, you can see it in their art, their architecture, and their writing. They lived and loved like it would be their last day on earth, hence the saying " Carpe Diem" (Seize the Day).
I decided that preparing for retirement is a good thing, but living while I get there is just as important. I plan to enjoy my wine, my food, smile more, laugh more and be happy along the way. Oh, and of course sail more!
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