Henderson Inlet Sailboat Race 2009

While it may not be as exciting as a Submarine Race, the South Sound Sailing Society's annual Sail Boat race through Henderson Inlet is much more fun to watch! The official start time was 9:35.... Although by 11:00 it was still looking like a submarine race as we waited for the first signs that the big event was under way. But then the Mark Boat putted into the inlet with sales down to take up its postition marking the turning point in the inlet... ...
as the glittering sunshine broke through the clouds!
Even the crows were waiting with black-eyed anticipation for the big race to begin!
And then, at 11:20, the first sail rounded the point...
Followed by another....
And soon the inlet was filling with brightly colored sails....

The first boats reach the Mark Boat. They drop their brightly colored Spinnakers and pivot tightly around the Mark Boat to begin tacking out of the inlet

The chaotic, colorful comings and goings continued for an hour and a quarter as 23 different sailboats moved through the inlet. The perfect silence of the morning was broken only by the occassional pop of canvas and the faint echo of voices calling from vessel to vessel... and the delighted chatter from those watching on the back deck as each new vessel was spotted rounding the point!

This is the last boat dropping its Spinnaker and pivoting around the Mark boat. Around 1:15 the last boat is tacking out of the inlet, while the Mark Boat is putting back to the harbor to watch the finish of the race!

Rain Drops on the Edge of Night

Drops, like stars on a winter night,
Sparkling on the limb
Glittering in the back porch light
Diamonds on velvet trim
Crystal sparks of liquid delight
Clinging below the rim
Then dropping gently out of sight
Where the porch light is dim

Found this picture in an article on the net....

Steven Crowder uses it in his blog posts on Breitbart.com! But.... Is it me or what?!!!!!

New Buds in the Mist

Faith Affirmed: Life renews

The birds are chattering at each other this morning and the squirrel hops from branch to branch out the back door. The new buds of spring are trying to burst forth in the fresh mist of a balmy NW morning.

And even the Old Man peeks out from under his covers at the whisper of spring in the air!

Sorrow in the Night

A touch of sorrow in the night
The wash of bitter tears
Yet with the darkness will come dawn
As it has done for years

Leap Up, Leap Up

Leap up, Leap up for dawn is near
The night’s gone on too long
Leap up and sing with gleeful heart
Oh sing a joyous song

Dwell not in darkness, it will pass
Dwell not in fear and pain
Dwell not in sorrow for too long
For joy will come again

Weep for the moment, then let go
For sorrow will not last
Look to the future, there is hope
Don’t linger in the past

The heartbreaks of today will flee
Before tomorrow’s dawn
And you will find great strength in joy
To help you carry on

Leap up, Leap up for dawn is near
The night’s gone on too long
Leap up and sing with gleeful heart
Oh sing a joyous song

A Day of Rain and Sorrow

She wept, she wept all through the day,
She wept into the night;
And neither sun nor misty moon
Dared penetrate her sight.

She wept until the water flowed
In rivulets and rills;
She wept as if she could not stop.
But now her weeping stills.

There, silently, in one small flash,
A star peeks through the tears
It glimmers briefly in the clouds
And then it disappears.