John Smith started the day early having set his alarm clock (MADE IN JAPAN ) for 6 am.

While his coffee pot (MADE IN CHINA ) was perking, he shaved with his

electric razor (MADE IN HONG KONG )

He put on a dress shirt (MADE IN SRI LANKA ),

designer jeans (MADE IN SINGAPORE )

and tennis shoes (MADE IN KOREA)

After cooking his breakfast in his new

electric skillet (MADE IN INDIA )

he sat down with his calculator (MADE IN MEXICO )

to see how much he could spend today...

After setting his watch (MADE IN TAIWAN )

to the radio (MADE IN INDIA )

he got in his car (MADE IN GERMANY )

filled it with GAS (from Saudi Arabia )

and continued his search for a good paying AMERICAN JOB.

At the end of yet another discouraging

and fruitless day checking his Computer

(made in MALAYSIA ),

John decided to relax for a while.

He put on his sandals (MADE IN BRAZIL ),

poured himself a glass of wine (MADE IN FRANCE )

and turned on his TV (MADE IN INDONESIA ),

and then wondered why he can't find a good paying job in AMERICA

Buy American, shop local, keep it where it counts.

February 8th

The weather here has been beautiful. I have spent the last week working on a game plan for the Roo. She is so close to being sail ready I cant take it. I have been shopping engines and think I have settled on a 6hp extra long shaft. She might not be quite ready to sail but at least I can motor around the bay feel the surge of the ocean again. The jib is finally done, I still have to finish with the main and stay sail and design and build a new traveler. I still need to choose what size main winches to add and add track for the head sails, that's it. Oh, and strap in the new water tanks.

So what's been holding up my progress? I cant find any boat products made in America.

Do we not manufacture any products anymore? I went through my office and couldn't find one product made in America. I simply cant imagine why we are in a economic depression with over 70 trillion in national debt and 18% true unemployment.

Who want's a free boat?

February, 10th

I've spent the last month doing quite a bit of soul searching. What is it that I truly want out of life? How do I get it? I have been a constant part of the water front since 1986.

Back in the 80's I worked for Ron Pearson at Pearson's Marine Fuels. Its where I kept and lived aboard my first sailboat Atarah, She was a 1969 engineless Seaquest 26. We were the last stop out of the country and the first one on the way back in. Way back then I started interviewing cruising sailors about their boats and trips. It has been a constant practice for nearly 25 years and counting into the thousands by now.

All I have ever wanted to do is sail and share the joy of sailing. It isn't easy putting my life out there like I do but Its a true story of what it takes to make a dream come true, the good, the bad and sometimes a sad reality.

Lizzie and I have set off on different tacks. While I can assure you there is no shortage of love between us, right now we are on different courses. Should our wakes cross again I know there will be a huge celebration. So the question is who wants a free boat? I told Lizzie she could have the Roo. I 'm good at buying and fixing boats I know I will have no problem finding a new boat. She declined my offer and told me I could have her. The are so many memory's on the Roo but without each other she is simply just a boat. So I guess neither one of us wants a free boat. We will sell the Roo and life will go on.

Going back over twenty years one of my first writing assignments was for the Hawaii based Spike Africa while on visit to San Diego. She was allot of work to sail but I never will forget that beautiful day. She is one of the last working cargo schooners in the world. I was poking around in the boat yard and it seems she has come to visit me. I remember way back then she leaked badly from the top the bottom and the sides. While she is not perfect somebody has made a lifetime commitment to caring for her regardless of her faults. They take care of her and in return she takes care of them. she will be back in her element soon good as new and ready for the next big storm and so will the Roo and her crew.

February 19th

While I'm not a politician or a conspiracy theorist I have been watching the financial state of our economy with great interest. Owning a fully contained boat with several months provisions is a hedge for my family against the financial depression our country is experiencing. That's what makes selling the Roo so difficult. If I'm right I have a warm dry safe place to live. If I'm wrong and I hope that I am "not likely" I have a fun safe beautiful boat. Either way its a win win situation. I am marking 02/22/2010 as the day the financial systems slowly start to implode. Its not the end, it's the beginning. Either way the next six months will be very interesting. I already regret the decision to sell but it has been made and it's final. There will be another boat and many more perfect broad reaches but for now I have to weather the storm.

What's next? Only time will tell but as usual I hope it involves Lizzie and no matter what it will be a great adventure. For Valentines day I bought Lizzie a new cyclocross bike hoping it would keep her company in my absence. They say great minds think alike and she actually bought me the exact same bike so maybe there will be some great off trail explorations in our future. As for me, and for now I'm going for a ride, I need a break from the sea. Just a small one. ;)~

February 27

This is Sally, short for Mustang Sally. Lizzie also has a new bike named Johnny but Lizzie and Johnny are following their own path right now. We have been planning a getaway ride without the dogs. Our plan is to start local up and down the coast and then start exploring the San Juan Islands. I still have a Hawaiian Island tour on the books but am not sure how to attach my surfboard.

They say that faith is the sound the song bird makes before the dawn. I have been working hard at my fear of the surf and getting back into the water.