Red over Red

Red over Red

Saturday, November 20, 2010

Putting Boats to Bed

That time of the year. I am Skipper of a Sea Scout Ship, Ship 243, the Kennebec Rovers. Sea Scouts are part of the Boy Scouts Venturing Program, and is open to boys and girls 14 to 21. Being the Skipper is the equivalent of being a Boy Scout Scout Master.

The Kennebec Rovers prepare their boat for winter

In any event, our Sea Scout ship recently acquired a Bristol 24, a nice little pocket cruiser. We had a work party to get it ready to overwinter. I was so inspired by the young people's energy I went home and put a frame and cover on my own boat.

Me, my daughter Elizabeth (center) and friend Mary Catherine

You folks in warmer climes may not be familiar with this process. I remember when I lived in Los Angeles I was amazed that people talked about the "sailing season". It seemed to me that all year was sailing season. A December afternoon sailing in Southern California was like a late June day here in Maine.

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

First Pass Passed - New Book on the Way

Just finished reviewing first pass pages on the new book. In the last stage of the editing process (at least the last stage that involves the author) the publisher prints out the entire book on loose sheets as it will look when it is bound. Then the author gets one last go-over. The publisher is adamant that this is only to correct spelling and the like, since they have to pay for any changes at this point, but in fact the author can make minor alterations. This is the last look the author gets before it goes to print, but of course by this point you are so sick of the book you can hardly stand to read it.

The new book is called With Fire and Sword: The Battle of Bunker Hill and the Beginnings of the American Revolution. Anyone who has heard me speak knows that I have a particular interest in the early days of the Revolution and the confused way that it all came together. This book looks at that period, focusing on Boston and the unique part that the Battle of Bunker Hill played on the rest of the war.

More on that subject in later posts. But I have to say, I love the cover of this one!

Saturday, November 6, 2010

SIBs Ahoy!

By SIBs we mean Ships in Bottles of course. It's a hobby I used to enjoy, before Real Life began to eliminate any time for hobbies. But my friend Jim Goodwin in North Carolina has taken SIBing to a new level, turning pro a few years back. He made the SIBs for the movie The Lovely Bones as well as many, many custom bottles.

Now he's offering a course in SIBing at none other than Roy Underhill's Woodwright's School. (Jim was featured on one of Roy's TV episodes). Check it out! Anyone in the area interested in SIBs should take part.

More on Jim's work can be found on his web site, Carolina Ships in Bottles

Okay, now I'm flashed up to get SIBing again. I'll post a photo of the last SIB I made, once my daughter gets back from retreat with the camera (assuming she gets back with the camera).