We'll be meandering back someday. This isn't my home right now. Texas isn't either. I look for tools here, they're in Texas. I look for tools in Texas, they're in Ohio. Torn between two worlds. Home is where your tools are. This whole boat thing can be blamed on Joshua Slocum. Back in the day, the first man to solo circumnavigate. He inspired the great sailors of our time and created a whole passel of lunatics and dreamers like us. Oh yeah, he made it around the world. The second time, he didn't. Lost at sea. Don't press your luck. S0 you two guys that read this blog should take stock and appreciate what you have. Dreams only work if you make them real. Pick one you can attain and don't give up on it. Appreciate the life you have not one you wish you had. Otherwise, you'll miss it. Life is what happens while you're making plans said the great Lennon.
So, I slowly emerged from lethargy and decided that I need something to do. Why not learn to sew. I'll tell you why not. It's hard and a new learning process and I don't need something new. Here's a pattern that I'm trying to make. Basically a bunch cones with straps. 140 of 'em.
Piece of cake, easy as pie............. So it ain't baking I learn. It's fat fingers, weak eyesight and poor lighting trying to thread a needle and not screw up. It's a new set of coordinated motor skills. It's working with the soft not the hard (I won't make any references to the aging process here).
Piece of cake, easy as pie............. So it ain't baking I learn. It's fat fingers, weak eyesight and poor lighting trying to thread a needle and not screw up. It's a new set of coordinated motor skills. It's working with the soft not the hard (I won't make any references to the aging process here).
I had to make a pattern. I used a chunk of Masonite as a pattern. Then I had to learn to cut ripstop nylon. The suggestion was to use a hot knife. Cheezey hot knives from cheap tool stores wouldn't spread butter. Hmmmm.......soldering iron! It works! Slap the Masonite pattern on the nylon, trace around the pattern with a soldering iron, burn knuckles a couple times. I cut about half of them out during a football game. Football requires about 20% concentration and, if you miss something, they show it again (and again and again). The announcers babble a lot and also give about 20% content.
The raggedy one on the left was cut with a hot knife and it took about 5 minutes. The smooth one on the right was cut with a soldering iron in about a minute. Two more games on Sunday!
Sewing machine to learn how to use.
Each cone has three 23" straps sewn to it. 3 X 140 = A LOT. An emergency call to the Hawaiian Zen Sewing master (Mike) gave me great pointers as to how to hold the straps on so I can sew them- E6000! Be patient, my bruddah!
The first cone. The sewing sucks. I still need to work out the process. Cut out the cones and straps and figure out the sewing process in general. After this monumental task is finished, I have to attach them to 300' of rope. I have to buy rope. That will come later when I have to buy a lot of rope. Hey, at least you're getting boat related stuff this week. This month it's dentists and eye exam and new glasses. It's hard to see through the epoxy glops on the lenses and the frames are stripped out and held together with twist ties. You two readers hang in there I hope that I've provided enough vicarious living for you this week.
The Music♪: The Black Angels "The Boat Song"
Hey, a boat song!
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