It won't be long

Fewer of our dockmates are seen milling around this time of year. 

Most of the boats are still in the water, but I imagine the majority 

have haul-out dates chosen and their owners are sitting on their

couches watching football or, perish the thought, baseball playoffs. 

And some may even be walking around their local orchards, choosing

pumpkins for their front porches or watching their grandchildren

enjoying the hayride around the corn maze.  Mulled cider and cider

donuts.  Bluegrass bands and funnel cakes.  I'm pissed.

I'm not ready for summer to be over.  I never even put my

hammock out in the back yard!  We didn't once even sleep on

the boat.  Probably the reason for both of those complaints

is that it was so goddamn hot this year.  Waaaah.

We did , however, race the boat twice this season.  The 

second race was the most thrilling one I've been in for

probably thirty years.  We were solidly middle of the pack

and I am still pinching myself, wishing I had a camera 

mounted to my head so I could relive it every day.  We will

do much more of that next year, I swear.  I also would love

to get back into smaller one-design races, but that's

another bridge to be crossed. 

Emotions are mixed right now.  I still have the desire to

sail, but the fall brings new responsibilities. Yardwork,

family obligations, the realization that nobody wants to be

on the boat and shiver at the same time.  I can somehow

relate to that.  Plus, the state marina wants my butt (boat)

out around Halloween.  That's scary.  I've got two weeks

to come to terms with this.  Honey, another hot-buttered rum?