eight minutes into
August 18, 1999
Per's right. I wax philosophic, here and there. And I'm going to commit this to list tonight before I chicken out, and just don't.
It's been a very powerful day, week, and set of circumstances. And it closes seeming to have brought a lot of presents down the chimney along with its lovely sunsetting.

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I m et with those two new good folk at their Cal 33 this afternoon. Many things about the nearly three hours we enjoyed talking, eating, and laughing stand out. And what is a stranger who already keenly shares a heartfelt interest with you, but a friend you just haven't met yet?

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I keep "talking" to you folks on line, then meeting you in person. And it only gets better. What a very rich source this list is becoming for good people-mining for me and others.
I'd even venture the phrase motherlode, except I know that could plunge us into a week of genderupspersonsshipping! And we don't want to go there again just yet....as it's only been three or four months since our last self-cleansing spate.

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These good folk, Terry and Becky O'Day, and their Cal 33. Gosh. They are getting great news, and very recently. If things go well one of them will be able to retire early, maybe early next year, and so, they both may.
And straight to their Cal they'll come. Now lying Bellingham. They have owned this boat for fifteen years, by hook and by crook, mebbe. Through some tough stuff. She once filled with water to just below her cabinetry line below decks. And kept on floating. There's more.
Story after story. Very little relative actual use of their boat. And how do they feel about it all - they adore her. Just itching for the time they can be more (if possible?) devoted to her. I suspect that only means, have more free time and money to spend on her. Because as I heard their stories, there's no doubt they are already deeply devoted to her .

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For the chap on our list recently and bravely disclosing his concerns about neglecting and needing to get in gear on his Cal, these people offer a different perspective on what committment and follow through mean.
That it will be fine, that you will get to it, and that it is worth pointing toward. But not that one need amp up guilt loads around it all. Talk about the long view home. And speaking of that, it was a pure treasure spending time in the company of mates who are so obviously dedicated to each other, and so very willing to be their unvarnished authentic and quite human selves inside a 10'4" by 14'0" cabin for near three hours with someone they JUST met: me.

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