The Best is Yet to Come...

Forty years and change ago I picked me a plumb, (or at least I saw one), out of the tree of life. She came along and everything started in to hum. Still a real good bet the best is yet to come. The best is yet to come and babe won't it be fine. You think you have seen the sun but you ain't seen it shine...

Saturday we'll walk the beach come rain or shine. Walk the sands and feel the sea. Smell the breeze and squeeze a hand... The best is yet to come, for all of us. Little boys and a tree house, a bigger boy and thoughtful conversation. Incredible daughters and a son. I love you all. Most important is the woman I married and met on that beach forty years and change ago. How much of the next forty years will we have together? Who can say but whatever, the best is yet to come...

Love you babe.

A View from the Bow...

Yesterday I ordered from San Devlin the new and improved design for his 22' Surf Scoter Pilot House Cruiser. The boat features several improvements including the ability of mounting an outboard motor on the transom as well as an extended cabin. With the extra room in the cabin there is room for a sit down potty and an enclosed head.

The hull lines have changed so it handles better at higher speeds meaning it planes a little better than earlier Surf Scoter designs. I have to complete the various projects around the place before I can start construction however. Not all bad.

Babe on Board...

A recent trip to Seattle area to visit Kelly resulted in a visit to a wooden boat festival. We met Sam Devlin the desginer and builder of some incredible seaworthy craft including the 22' I want to start. Work will commence this winter in the garage. He also designed the Prandall, the boat the boy scouts and I built last summer.

Note the lady on board a Surf Scoter 22'. This is the boat I have plans for so it was useful to be able to climb about and get some perspective of its size and layout.

Can't wait but a number of tasks involving wood have to completed first. Its not all bad.

On my wall...

I have the 1565 Tyndale Book of James framed behind museum glass and surrounded by archival matting on the wall in the living room. According to scholars William Tyndale is as much responsible for the modern English language as any author, poet, or scholar. Much of the KJV is from Tyndale's own hand, more than 80%. For his contribution and translation of the holy writ into English he was betrayed by friends, strangled, and then burned at the stake by the order of King Henry the VIII. Arguing with a priest about his work to bring the scriptures to everyone he said: “I defie the Pope and all his lawes. If God spare my life, ere many yeares I wyl cause a boy that driveth the plough to know more of the Scripture, than he doust.” It would be for three hundred years to pass for that boy 'that driveth the plough' to read Tyndale's translated Book of James -- "If any of you lack wisdom..." and put it to the test defying the religionists of his day and he too ultimately to wear the martyr's crown.

To me the greatest tribute to William Tyndale is the incorportaion of his English translation into the Endowment Ceremony in the Temples. Of course these were taken from the KJV but they were lifted from the Tyndale Bible. Among the many phrases he brought into English from early Greek and Hebrew texts are the following:
And God said, Let there be light, and there was light (Genesis 1)
And God shall wipe away all tears from there eyes (Revelation 7)
Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you (Matthew 7)
With God all things are possible (Matthew 19)
In him we live and move and have our being (Acts 17)
Be not weary in well doing (2 Thessalonians 3)
Fight the good fight of faith; lay hold of eternal life (1 Timothy 6)
Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12)
Behold, I stand at the door and knock (Revelation 3)
Am I my brother’s keeper (Genesis 4)
Ye are the salt of the earth (Matthew 5)
The signs of the times (Matthew 16)
Where two or three are gathered together (Matthew 18)
They made light of it (Matthew 22)
Eat, drink, and be merry (Luke 12)
Scales fell from his eyes (Acts 9)
Full of good works (Acts 9)
The powers that be (Romans 13)
Filthy lucre (1 Timothy 3)
The patience of Job (James 5)

During the months of imprisonment prior to his execution he wrote this in his diary: "My overcoat is worn out; my shirts also are worn out. And I ask to be allowed to have a lamp in the evening; it is indeed wearisome sitting alone in the dark." He mastered at least eight languages and spoke them as a native might. He was a scholar of the first order and yet was reduced to begging the king's guards just for a lamp to illuminate his prison.

Thank you William Tyndale for illuminating our experience.

Successful Fishing

Jack, Kyle, and I went out on a charter boat for a morning fishing expedition. It was his first adventure on the ocean and he did very well. The ocean was flat so no one got sea sick and Jack quickly got his sea legs under him in the gentle swells. We all entered the on board contest for the biggest rock cod but we came in third place. Jack did catch the most fish of anyone and did a fine job of reeling them in, one after another, and once two at one time.

Next year if we get a flat day on the ocean Andy and Josh will have to go with us.

A New Edition to the Branscomb Road House

The boys started climbing in the tree in front of the house so it seemed natural to enhance their experience by adding a few boards and some screws. Andy calls it his "office", but it is shared equally by the grandsons. We will add to it in the years ahead, maybe a fire pole or a plastic slide... It will grow in future as the boys grow too.

"By the Sea" from Emily Dickinson

I started early, took my dog, (it was really Em's)
And visited the sea;
The mermaids in the basement
Came out to look at me.

And frigates in the upper floor
Extended hempen hands,
Presuming me to be a mouse
Aground, upon the sands.

But no man moved me till the tide
Went past my simple shoe,
And past my apron and my belt,
And past my bodice too,

And made as he would eat me up
As wholly as a dew
Upon a dandelion's sleeve —
And then I started too.

And he — he followed close behind;
I felt his silver heel
Upon my ankle, — then my shoes
Would overflow with pearl.

Until we met the solid town,
No man he seemed to know;
And bowing with a mighty look
At me, the sea withdrew.

Feliz Dia Pascua a Todos

Update on the Branscomb Road House

We got a few things done around the house. The gate was termite infested and about to fall down so I replaced the posts with pressure treated doug fir and started the rebuilding. Because they sit on piers rather than burried with cement in the ground they will need some additonal bracing -- a couple more posts and cross members. That will have to wait until next trip. The gates are remounted again and were free of termites. I believe termites prefer the fir when they can get it. It seems they left the redwood alone. We burned the termite infested wood and removed the screws and nails with our magnet when the fire died down.

We also cleared a large pile of brush and debris from near one of the parking areas and removed some limbs from a couple trees so we have a little more room for parking. We will call the gravel place and have them haul in a load to expand parking in front of the garden. Some branches were cut back as well that were rubing against the house.

So much fun and so little time to work on it.

A Palm Sunday note from my sister...

My sister sent me the following:

"I have said a little prayer so I can make it to Mass on this special day. In the last month I have been so interested in a pair of Magpies outside my bedroom window. I have to peek thru my curtain because it makes them nervous if they see me, First of all they have a schedule and every morning they work on building the nest. At first the time was short and I couldn't even tell they were making one. Then each morning their work time increased. Sometimes one of them brings a bigger twig and the other one grabs the opposite end to help get it in. Usually they are noisy birds but now they are very quiet. The nest is very intricate and getting quite large. I am simply amazed that how can this be. they communicate and work together. I really have seen evidence that we do have a Heavenly Father behind all this because it is a miracle. This time I think about Mary the mother of Jesus. When Spottie even lets out a little yelp it cuts into me causing me great pain. The pain Mary must have suffered is beyond understanding how she could survive that torturing of her son. Again I guess the answer is in our Heavenly Father. Time to get ready and pay my respects at church."

Thanks Colleen for sharing.

Poetry from the Stern?

"Don't worry about saving these song, and if one of our instruments breaks, it doesn't matter. We have fallen into the place, where everything is music. Poems reach up like spin drift on the edge of driftwood along the beach, wanting. They derive from a slow and powerful route that we can't see."

COLEMAN BARKS

End of the Trail

I was excited on Friday's ride when exploring the new Legacy Parkway bike trail I saw signs that suggested it connected to the Jordan River Parkway trail. Not so, after 9 miles I came to this sign. If I had been on a mountain bike I could have continued and crossed Redwood Road and started that trail. A biker I met at trail's end told me it is supposed to be connected one day. That suggests it would be possible to ride from Centerville to Provo without ever being on a public road -- no SUV's with their drivers talking on cell phones about to smash you flat or run you off the road.

And a further note, I suggest since we are all running or riding or both we reestablish the Team Fisher exercise program. My goal is to ride a thousand miles this year and lose 40 pounds. Step up with your goals and I am good for some cool shirts.

Juan Luis and me today...

I have been waiting impatiently for spring to arrive and finally had my chance this morning to get Juan Luis out of the garage and on the asphalt. I rode on the new Legacy Parkway Trail from West Bountiful over to see Jack, Andy, CP and their parents in NSL. The first ride I think in more than a year. The first five miles were the worst. I was hoping the old out of shape body would have some memory of what is was once to ride with Juan Luis. Sure enough the last 11+ were actually better than the first five.

There are lots of people on the trail, kids and moms walking, bike riders, harses even, and a couple old guys like me. The photo is of some unknown person I found on Google Images of the trail.

I have to conclude this is one road the Sierra Club got wrong. The commute is scenic and relieves I-15 and we can get 55 mpg in the Prius driving to work at 55 mph. The bike riding is safe and I am enthused to ride again soon.

Que bueno!

Time is short...

I have decided it is time to start building the Noyo King. RA's projects will get done first and then I will be laying out the frame in the garage to support the hull. It has to be level, flat, plumb and dimensionally accurate within a quarter inch from stem to stern. The frame won't be a lot different than building a raise bed garden frame to start.

Visiting with our friend Kelly in Port Orchard, WA, over the weekend confirmed to me again of the fragility of life. It did not help either that we were constantly surrounded by water and boats everywhere. Now is the time. I have two sets of plans for the Surf Scoters, a 22' version and a 25'. The 22' is one I am planning on building. It fits into the garage too, though I am adding an extra foot to the boat.

No longer will Q be able to point out to me that this blog has gotten so far a field from its original intent of documenting the construction of the Noyo King. Q, here is a nice article about cruising aboard a Surf Scoter on the designer's web page.

Does anyone know of any maritime traditions or rituals that presage the beginning of the construction of a new boat?

Almost a salty dog...

I was downloading images from my digital camera and found this from a fishing trip this past fall. Ripley went for a ride and is seen here on board the Prandall. At the present Strawberry Reservoir is hosting ice fisherman and the ice is a couple feet thick.

Can't wait for the spring thaw to come and return there to catch more of those 'Cutts'.

It was a low tide in the afternoon.

The moon is full at night and I guess its position makes for a low tide in the afternoon here. We went walking along the beach and enjoyed the views at the old Union Landing camping area at the bottom of Branscomb Road. The bluff continues to be undermined and new cracks are visible as it sluffs off toward the ocean.

Enjoy the views...

Teaching Sunday School

I have had my current class, ages 12-14, in the Hispanic Branch for two months. I have asked them some questions to help me understand what they know and don't know. Our course of study has been the Book of Mormon. A couple of weeks ago I asked them to tell me one thing they had learned from their class all year. I waited and waited for a response and none were forthcoming. I then asked them how many teachers they have had in 2008. It was uncertain if I was the 5th or the 6th.

In order to help them as we finished the year's study I prepared a take home test for them based on their reading of 3 Nephi 11 though chapter 30. Generally, as a missionary if we could get anyone to read those chapters and seriously consider the content they were close to acceptance of the whole package. That being my goal I suggested if there was credible effort I would take them all to a fine restaurant for dinner. The enthusiasm was great and I have all but two exams turned back in and one of those was out of town with his family for the holiday.

Three things I have asked them to remember as we have read and studied these past two months about the Book of Mormon:
1. It is a history of their ancestors here in the Western Hemisphere.
2. It contains the formula for success in life which is found from 1 Nephi to 4 Nephi, and nearly every chapter in between, "for inasmuch as ye keep my commandments, ye shall prosper in the land."
3. Lastly, they should not to be confused by all the 'do's' and 'don'ts', all of the rules and regulations of the Church. Just remember what Christ instructed the Nephites about his doctrine, the Doctrine of Christ, which is to repent, be baptized and become as a little child. That is all that is required.

We are making progress and started the Doctrina y Convenios ayer Domingo. Que Bueno!

Sugar is sweet...

Alabama's sensational tailback Glen Coffee offered this up after his team was schooled by the Utes in last night's Sugar Bowl: "I felt like as a team we may not have given them their due respect. As a football team, that's something that we should never let happen." The Ute defense held him to under 40 yards rushing for the night.

'The Visitor' is the best movie I saw over the holidays...

Thanksgiving Day and the problem of meaning...

The aromas coming from the kitchen are not like any other time of the year. I counted some 20 pies on the table, refrigerator, counter, and in the garage. Orange rolls are underway. I have a turkey smoking outside. Later we are off to Alice's for the dinner with our contribution.

What is it that I can be most grateful for this Thanksgiving? First of all it is my family. Having a brother return to Centerville and become part of my life has been a special thing. Being three years older his memory of times gone by is better than mine. I was often too young to be included in some activities. We discuss from time to time our parents and how good things were in living life at 460 North Main in Centerville and in our extended family. I am forever grateful for the 'goodly parents' who made life so full of joy and happiness. Yesterday we went fishing with nephew Howard and we all caught fish. We have two large cutthroats to grill tomorrow.

I am grateful for my family of the present and future, and do more so as I get along in years. The joy of grandsons brings back fond memories of the activities we had as a young family at 498 North Main Street.

Life is filled with loss and that brings a poignancy to nearly everything. We spoke with our friend Kelly and he is not doing well. We will visit him in Washington in a couple weeks. His condition is that described by a contemporary of Joseph Smith, a religious philosopher, named Soren Kierkegaard. Unfortunately for Professor Kierkegaard he never knew Joseph or the revolutionary notions of his infant but transcendent theology. First a summary from Kierkegaard on the human condition and the pain of the uncertainty. Man is "a trembling animal at the mercy of the entire cosmos and the problem of the meaning of it." Now the certainty of Joseph Smith, "What is the object of our coming into existence, then dying and falling away to become no more?...This is a subject we ought to study more than any other. We ought to study it day and night...If we have any claim on our Heavenly Father it is for knowledge on this important subject." And he also observed, "Happiness is the object and end design of our existence."

Oh that I were an angel and could relieve in some way the pain of my friend Kelly and share somehow the assurance of continuation of life and the plan of happiness.