Under Cover for the Winter

Good morning everyone. The crew did an amazing job once again. The folded shrink wrap was already in place ready to be dropped over the sides. After a few more minutes of finishing touches we unfurled the plastic and began fastening it down along the bottom.
The hardest part of this whole process is fastening the plastic around the shrouds and masts. Shrink wrap is weldable and the tape made for this plastic is wicked sticky! So at days end we had welded and taped and shrunk. The weather was perfect although a little too hot for this time of year. We had several folks stop by to comment about how premature a winter cover seemed. But I can tell you that the first cool rainy day that comes along will make this cover seem all worth it. Mary remembers how many times we have been fighting wind and rain this time of year of year to get the cover on. So we will count our lucky stars and be thankful for a good strong cover..and a few days off.

We had a wonderful crew dinner together last night, 17 places set around a big table. Breaking bread together in celebration of a great summer I was overwhelmed with joy for the crew sitting around the table who have made this season possible. They have given so much of themselves, more than we can ever pay them for. They have been through thick and thin and worked some very long days. And when I see how much guests appreciate their efforts I am even more pleased. But in the end the pride this crew takes in a a job well done comes from a place that I have yet to define adequately. There is something special about schooners and sailing the bay that brings out the best in all of us. What makes a human being want to live in cramped quarters, stand out in the rain, stand on a pole 70 feet in the air, and work their tails off? The answer is different for each person but I am certainly honored to get to see the best in people everyday.

Have a great day. Be well. Do good.

Comments

Hail Mary

My heart is heavy with sadness as I write this particular blog. Since the beginning of August our dear friend and cook for the last 12 years, Mary Barney, had been struggling with cancer. I have intentionally respected Mary’s privacy and I apologize to you for not sharing any news about Mary’s health sooner. On Monday afternoon Mary passed away very peacefully at home, surrounded by friends and “family”. Her departure was as graceful as the rest of her life. Many people, including Jen, have been doing heroic work to support Mary these last few weeks. Oddly enough Mary was never very excited about transitions though this was about the fastest transition she ever made. And as I struggle to let go of Mary I realize I am terrible with transitions as well. We used to joke about how we liked things just the way they are, thank you very much, so why change what is working already even if it might be less labor intensive. Hard works is its own reward. I used to joke about getting Mary a Cui

Swimming Anyone?

Good morning everyone. Winter is still here in New England though it seems to be taking a rest these days. We have enjoyed a little bit of a thaw. We still have snow covering our field but it is thinning out in the sunny patches. Mary Day rests comfortably in the harbor, bilges dry, cover intact, waiting for the crew to return. Another busy week has passed so I will get you up to speed on everything that is happening here at the global headquarters. Jen is putting the finishing touches on year end taxes. Blockfest 2008 is finally finished. The blocks have received quite the massaging. And while we have the off-white paint out we are starting in on the lifeline stanchions, the davits, and a few other miscellaneous parts. Alex asked me last night how we were doing with our pace. We are doing great but in the back of my mind I know that there is never enough time to do it all. Having perfectionist tendencies is a curse. I want to do it all and know we will never have enough time. There se

Fall Maintenance

Good morning everyone. The sun has been kind to us these past few days and the crew has been spending much time aloft prepping and painting the mast heads and tarring the rig as part of our annual fall maintenance schedule. They were a little silly on tar fumes by the end of the day hence the rat board dance moves. Am I the only one who is reminded of Willy Wonka's little friends at the sight of the crew in their tyvek suits? Schoona-loompas? The smell of tar, after all, is what we sailors live for. Extracted from the stumps and roots of pine trees through dry distillation pine tar will cure what ails you especially some skin conditions and any emotional maladies from being too long away from the sea. All we know for sure is that Mary Day’s rigging is kept hail and hearty by coats of tar mixed with boiled linseed oil. Notice that I specified boiled linseed oil and not raw linseed oil. Tar mix with raw linseed oil will not “kick”. Don’t ask me how I know this… just take my wo

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