Indispensable

Recently, we were without a microwave for a week.  My daughter

wanted a cup of tea the other day and actually asked me, without

thinking, how she was going to boil water.  Really.  It's amazing

how often you rely on microwaves for otherwise simply cooked

or re-heated foods.  What do you use your microwave for most?

Stinkboat

A combination stinkpot/blowboat.  It's funny, I think I've seen these

MacGregors used as motorboats almost as often as sailboats.  And

it's kind of odd to see one under power, barreling down the bay.

Graduation!

Our first baby.  Someone once told me to enjoy the first couple

of years when she's little because she'll grow up so quickly.  I

went to the fridge to get a beer, and when I returned, Wham!

There she was on the stage receiving her High School diploma.

We took advantage of the great weather forecast and the natural

amphitheater that is our backyard and invited family and close 

friends to celebrate the occasion.

Main course:  Roasted Pig.  Having never attempted this before,

I spoke with several people and watched countless Youtube

testimonials, ordered the pig from a butcher, the charcoal roaster

from the party rental outfit, and dove in head first.  It was quite

an experience, one I will never forget.  But there are a couple

things I may do differently next time.  I think I may expand on

this subject in the near future at a different location.

Lawrence High School's finest.  A great bunch of friends

who are all always welcome in our house.

Well this is supposedly a blog about sailing too.

Some watched from nearby, while others watched from the safety

of the hammock.  From any vantage point, it was a spectacle not

to be missed.  There's nothing more entertaining than watching

someone handle a hot, slippery, crispy roasted pig while trying to

grip a large, very sharp knife and carve enough meat to feed 50

people at one time.  Fortunately, a friend grabbed another knife

and made smaller serving-sized pieces out of the hunks I was

producing.  I would not have been able to do it without his help.

Happy-people sounds emanated from under the tent and umbrella.

Good conversations were had and friends, siblings, cousins, and

 relatives who don't always get to see one another as much as they 

should got caught up and re-acquainted.  It's what usually happens 

when we all get together.  I wouldn't have it any other way.

Bygones

The garvey is a classic Barnegat Bay work boat whose salad days

are long since past, but there are still a good handful of them

still plying (love that word - plying) the local waters.  I wondered

about the name of the boat, but then realized that the pilot did 

have the right to bare arms. If I had a garvey, I'd name her Steve.

Now that guy had big forearms.  I was more interested in the 

home port of the boat than I was the name.  Aserdayton, the 

skipper informed me, is a small hamlet that no longer exists.

Where? I asked.  Between Warren Grove and Tuckerton.

If my memory serves me, Warren Grove is not more than 

a bend in the road, so it wasn't difficult to imagine Aserdayton

not being there anymore.  I do remember Lucille's as being the 

the main business at that bend in the road, one of many

quirky roadside attractions one finds in the Pine Barrens

on the long desolate drive to Atlantic City.

Railmeat

Will hike for watermelon.