Sailing Last Mango

1-24-17     Karen and I watched another beautiful orange and blue sunset with the great company of Greg and MaryLynn from Fracas. I cannot explain how fortunate I feel to be here living the life I’m living with a wonderful wife and great friends. Maybe it’s the wine we had with dinner but I really don’t think so since I’ve held this feeling for the last week or so. Yes, some days are better than others. Sometimes the air is some heavy with moisture it makes it hard to grasp a zipper to close canvas. Other times I find I have bruises on my ribs with no explanation and then remember reaching deep into a locker for the boat hook that dropped down to the bottom while removing a bicycle. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve muttered “Son of a bitch” under my breath while trying to perform what should be a simple tasks.  I think I enjoyed the better part of this bottle. My hula girls in her Happy Place. Thanks Chris, she looks and fits great.

Would’ve posted sooner if I had decent internet. 1-10-16     We got a bit of a late start after being up late watching the Clemson - Alabama game. I watched the game with my parents and didn’t get home until sometime after 1:30 AM. Karen’s been battling cold like symptoms for the past week so she stayed home and was fast asleep when I arrived. I took a quick shower and hopped into bed, Karen awoke but was quickly back sleeping so I didn’t feel too bad. It took me some time to wind down after the drive. A rainy, windy 9:00 AM greeted us and we were soon packing the Prius for its second trip to Florida in as many years. The temperature was warm but the wind was howling out of the south. Of course we’re traveling south and our normal 50 mpg was not happening. Just north of Champaign Illinois we witnessed a trailer of semi blown sideways while traveling at 70 mph down the road, made it interesting passing. I would like to say we were through Illinois in no time but we all

1-4-17     I woke up several times early morning seeing what I thought was sunshine or a brightness of some type coming through the blinds and dome part of the upper window. As it turns out this brightness was light being reflected off the snow that was falling. For anyone who doesn’t know, Eugene Oregon is in a valley and they are not used to weather too much below the 30’s and definitely aren’t used to snow. I got up at my normal time and found maybe 3 inches of snow on the ground. I turned on the news and found that almost everything was shutdown from the snowfall, I find it funny. As it turns out the whole area only has 4 snowplows and they don’t use salt. A few hours after the snowfall. Believe it or not this snowfall shutdown schools and public offices. Fortunately, by the time we left for the Sam’s house for the train station, the snow was melting and everyone was driving very civil. Our train was over an hour late due to weather issues up near Portland. T

12-29-16     Morning came with the sunlight shining through the window, this was a good sign because the last few times the weatherman had forecast nice weather I’ve woken to clouds and fog. I just said to Nicole that when I think Eugene Oregon in the winter it reminds me of Sherlock Holmes in foggy London. Today is different, it’s already warm and the sun shows no signs of abating. After a quick morning workout we were on out Spencer’s Bluff noting many cars and homes with their windows open since the temperature was in the mid 50’s. My two Beautiful Girls. Hannah surveys the view. The Sister Mountains as seen from the top on Spencer's. Spencer’s Bluff was gorgeous as we had a pretty good view of mountains to the Northeast. Karen, Hannah and I had a great hike up enjoying the sunshine peeking through the trees. Once we arrived on the higher portion of the bluff we got the full effects of the sun which was so nice and warm however the breeze was coo