I decided to make the coaming for my kayak out of carbon fiber. So far this has been the most difficult part of construction. I used a layup of FCCFCCFCCF where F=fiberglass and C=carbon fiber. It took almost four hours to complete the task which involves building up one layer at a time and then waiting for the epoxy to stiffen before beginning the next layer.
A quick art shot featuring our pineapple lamp. Nice study in shadows.
Between Jeanine’s birthday yesterday and my soccer match this morning, I was not able to do much work on the kayak. We played Lexington, one of the reputedly stronger teams in our division and beat them in a strong 3-1 showing. I scored a nice header off a corner kick for the first goal. I did manage to cut out the cockpit opening and install the vertical coaming later in the evening.
Even though the day has been peppered with intense rain storms, the sun was out for the entire game. Maya constructed this tepee frame and hung a jacket on it to shield herself from the intense rays while she watched the game.
Later in the day the entire family drove out to Lancaster to watch Kyle (#5) in action. Here he wins a header (not exactly obvious from the photo) and together with teammate Ray totally dominate their defender. The boys dropped a 2 point lead in the last five minutes to settle for a tie. Despite the dissappointing outcome, Kyle had a nice assist.
Today is Jeanine’s birthday. Despite receiving many wonderful gifts, she was most please when we opened her composting bin for the first time in three years. You may be able to see that the bottom third is now a rich loam. Her birthday wish was to install a raised garden for Maya and we completed the project using the newly created soil. I often refer to Jeanine as a granola girl. Now I am considering changing that to Earth mother. Had I married anyone else, today’s photo would have been of a cake and candles. As soon as the composting bin was opened she told me to run and get my camera. This is why I love Jeanine. Who else could get this excited about dirt.
Jeanine will celebrate her birthday on Saturday. She is seen here returning from a lap around the neighborhood on a new road bike, her early present from me. This makes the third bicycle I have given her over the 23 years we have known each other. She will continue to use her hybrid for mixed and off-road riding.
Jeanine spotted this little fellow traversing our field and I chased him down for the close up.
Nala is growing up like the rest of the children in the family. She has progressed from gnawing on the furniture to wasting energy and messing up the house. When she wants to go in or out she simply opens the door. We have lever style handles and she can open a door as easily as you or I. Closing the door, or wiping her feet when she comes in from digging in the mud are very low on her priority list, not unlike my other children. I am going to have to change handles back to round knobs and pray she doen’t learn to turn those with her teeth.
Turning 50 this year comes with upsides and downsides. Yesterday, playing soccer in the over 50 leauge was a thrill because my speed was a factor again. This afternoon, I had my first routine colonoscopy. Between the fasting and the prep, my weight dropped to below 160 for the first time since I can remember. That’s a 25 pound loss since January and I think I will stabilize here.
This morning I had a soccer scrimmage with my new team (hard to believe I have graduating to the over 50 league). I scored three goals and had two assists. Amazing what playing with guys your own age can do for your game! I thought I would spare everyone another picture of the kayak and instead chose this still life. These orchids were a gift from our good friend Aliza and make me happy every time I look at them. Kyle was also in action today and his team beat the Bolts, a top ranked club which they have never defeated in several years of competition.
Today I fiberglassed the deck of my kayak. Once again, Maya played a crucial role mixing epoxy on a just in time basis. It took roughly 20 batches to completely bond the fiberglass to the wood. Four additional layers of epoxy are required but these should go much more quickly and Nicolai has volunteered for the next round of mixing. Jeanine just back from a bike ride inspects the progress. You really need to click on the photo for a higher resolution view.
Maura and Nico spent several minutes attacking the dog before they all relaxed on the couch for a portrait.
Since Kyle will be shooting black and white film (they develop it at the school), I thought I would give it a try as well.