Ellen Jacobson's Blog, page 21

N Is For "Nadar" {To Swim} | A To Z Challenge

As part of my ongoing efforts to learn Spanish, I'm highlighting a different Spanish word each day during April as part of the Blogging from A to Z Challenge. I'm also sharing the random thoughts that pop into my head when I try to pronounce them.

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Today's Spanish word is >>nadar<< (to swim). And now for some random thoughts:

1 - I used to love swimming as a child. My sister and I would spend every day in the pool during the summers.

2 - I still like swimming, but these days, I usually swim in the ocean where there are evil sea monsters like sharks and barracuda. I'd much rather have to just worry about whether I need to apply more sun screen, not whether something is going to bite me.

3 - One of the coolest places I've swum at was a blue hole in the Bahamas. It was so nice to cool off in a fresh water pool and not worry being a mid-afternoon snack for some creature.


Do you like swimming? Ever worry about something biting you? What's your favorite word that starts with "N"?

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Check out the other folks participating in the Blogging from A to Z Challenge here.

M Is for "Mástil" {Mast} | A To Z Challenge

In my ongoing efforts to learn Spanish, I'm highlighting a Spanish word each day during April as part of the Blogging from A to Z Challenge. I'm also sharing the random thoughts that pop into my head when I try to pronounce them.

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Today's Spanish word is >>mástil<< (mast). And here are some random thoughts:

1 - The mast on our boat is 40.66 feet / 12.4 meters tall, as measured from the deck to the top. One of my fears is being demasted and watching our mast and rigging crash into the water.

2 - When it comes to going under bridges, the number you really want to know is 46.35 feet / 14.1 meters, which is the height of the mast from the top down to the waterline. But this doesn't account for the various things we have attached at the top of our mast (wind indicator, antennas etc.). So we usually think of around 48 feet / 14.63 meters as our threshold. If a bridge is shorter than that, we don't go through.

3 - Our mast is deck-stepped, which means that it's attached to the deck. It's supported by a compression post which is attached to the keel. Some people would argue that keel-stepped masts (masts that go through the deck down to the keel) are better.

4 - This is a picture of our compression post. It's wrapped with cord to make it look pretty. The downside is that it gets all grimy and gross when people put their hands on it to keep their balance.


Do you know anyone who has ever been demasted? What's your favorite word that starts with "M"?

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Check out the other folks participating in this year's Blogging from A to Z Challenge.

L Is For "Lijar" {To Sand} | A To Z Challenge

In my ongoing efforts to learn Spanish, I'm featuring a different Spanish word each day during April as part of the Blogging from A to Z Challenge. I'm also sharing the random thoughts that pop into my head when I try to pronounce them.

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Today's Spanish word is >>lijar<< (to sand). And now for some random thoughts:

1 - One of the things boat owners dread is sanding the bottom of their boat before reapplying anti-foul paint (a magical potion which keeps barnacles and the like from growing on the bottom). It's not exactly a fun job, especially when it's sweltering outside and you're wearing protective gear.

2 - The last time we did our bottom paint, I tried sanding the rudder. The electric sander weighs a ton and the vibration your hands is unbelievable. Fortunately, Scott came to the rescue and finished the job.

3 - This is a picture of our boat after we bought her - you can see the blue paint which has to be sanded down before you can put on anti-foul paint.

4 - Anti-foul paint is insanely expensive. The stuff on our boat costs around $300 a gallon.




Have you ever used an electric sander? What's your favorite word that starts with "L"?

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Check out the other folks participating in the Blogging from A to Z Challenge here.

K Is For "Kilogramo" {Kilogram} | A To Z Challenge

In my ongoing efforts to learn Spanish, I'm highlighting a Spanish word each day during April as part of the Blogging from A to Z Challenge. I'm also sharing the random thoughts that pop into my head when I try to pronounce them.

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Today's Spanish word is >>kilogramo<< (kilogram). And now for some random thoughts:

1 - Kilograms make me think of food shopping and cooking in New Zealand.

2 - Unlike us Yankees, they use the metric system. Such enlightened people. Americans of a certain age, will remember when we tried to go metric back in the 70s. It was  dismal failure. Although, we do buy soda pop in liter bottles. So there is that small victory.

3 - Kilograms were pretty easy to work with. When it came to shopping for meat, you just figure that two kilograms of ground beef (or mince) equals roughly a pound.

4 - Now I'm thinking about cooking in New Zealand. That's how random my thought process is. That's a picture of our stove on our boat in New Zealand. No oven, although it did have a broiler which was handy for garlic toast. The other picture is of our provisions for one of our cruises. You'll note the Bombay Sapphire Gin (courtesy of duty-free at the airport) next to the coffee. Both indispensable items.




Do you use the metric system? What would you consider to be an indispensable provision if you were setting out for a cruise or trip? What's your favorite word that starts with K?

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Check out the other folks participating in the Blogging from A to Z Challenge.

J Is For "Jefe" {Boss} | A To Z Challenge

In my ongoing efforts to learn Spanish, I'm highlighting a Spanish word each day during April as part of the Blogging from A to Z Challenge. I'm also sharing the random thoughts that pop into my head as I try to pronounce them.

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Today's Spanish word is >>jefe<< (boss). And now for today's random thoughts:

1 - I think >>jefe<< is one of those words that some people already know in Spanish. I'm pretty sure I had heard it before. Not sure where - maybe on Breaking Bad. I also learned >>hermanos<< (brothers) from watching it. Did you know there's a Spanish remake of Breaking Bad?

2 - Today's word reminds me of my time working in corporate la-la land. I had some great bosses. I also had one or two that were. . .perhaps it's best if I don't finish that thought.

3 - For the most part, I enjoyed working, but I have to say that I enjoy not working even more.

4 - It's so nice not to have to set an alarm every morning.






Any good work stories you want to share? Are you the boss at work and/or at home? What's your favorite word that starts with "J"?

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Check out the other folks participating in the Blogging from A to Z Challenge here.

I Is For "Impulsor" {Impeller} | A To Z Challenge

In my ongoing efforts to learn Spanish, I'm highlighting a Spanish word each day during April as part of the Blogging from A to Z Challenge. I'm also sharing the random thoughts that pop into my head when I try to pronounce them.

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Today's Spanish word is >>impulsor<< (impeller). And now for today's random thoughts:

1 - Some of you may already know what impellers are. For the rest of you, here's the official definition: "The rotating part of a centrifugal pump, compressor, or other machine designed to move a fluid by rotation."

2 - Pretty boring definition, huh? I prefer to think of an impeller as a whirligig. You know, like a pinwheel that you might have played with as a child.

3 - One of the places we buy boat parts from is Defender. For some reason, they mailed out a catalog. I can't remember the last time I bought something from a catalog. I do all my shopping online these days.

4 - The cover of the catalog looks inviting with its picture of a lighthouse. Once you open it though, you enter a world of rather dull descriptions, the occasional picture, and prices that will make your jaw drop.





Do you shop from catalogs? What's your favorite word that starts with "I"?

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Check out the other folks participating in the Blogging from A to Z Challenge here.

H Is For "Hágalo Usted Mismo" {DIY} | A To Z Challenge

In my ongoing efforts to learn Spanish, I'm highlighting a Spanish word each day during April as part of the Blogging from A to Z Challenge. I'm also sharing the random thoughts that pop into my head when I try to pronounce them.

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Today's Spanish word (or really a phrase) is >>hagalo usted mismo<< (do-it-yourself). And now for today's random thoughts.

1 - If you're going to own a sailboat, being able to do boat projects yourself is essential. Unless, of course, you have a lot of money and can hire folks to do the work for you.

2 - Scott is really good at DIY projects. I'm not sure he enjoys all of them (as measured by the amount of swearing that goes on), but he's clever and has that sort of engineering mindset that can figure stuff out.

3 - I do some projects myself, but I'm often more of an assistant DIY-in-training type.

4 - Here are some pictures of some of the projects we've done - replacing the portlights, servicing the winches, dealing with the steering system, and installing a new controller for our solar panels.



Are you the DIY type? What's your favorite word that starts with "H"?

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Check out the other folks participating in this year's Blogging from A to Z Challenge here.

 

G Is For "Gato" {Cat} | A To Z Challenge

In my ongoing efforts to learn Spanish, I'm highlighting a Spanish word every day during April as part of the Blogging from A to Z Challenge. I'm also sharing the random thoughts that pop into my head when I try to pronounce them.

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Today's Spanish word is >>gato<< (cat). And here are some random thoughts:

1 - Yes, I'm a crazy cat lady. In fact, one of the few Spanish words I already knew was >>gato<<.

2 - You'd think that we'd have at least a dozen cats, given how often I talk about them on the blog. But, alas, we don't and there are no plans to get one. Finding room for a litter box on our sailboat isn't going to happen.

3 - I kind of went overboard with all of the cat pictures on today's post. Of course, if you're a crazy cat lady (or gent), you'll completely understand.

4 - If you want to see more of my Crazy Cat Lady blog posts, just click here.








Do you like cats? What's your favorite word that starts with "G"?

Thanks for stopping by our blog - we love it when people come visit! We're also on Facebook - pop by and say hi! 

Check out the other folks participating in this year's A to Z Blogging Challenge here.

F Is For "Frecuencia" {Frequency} | A To Z Challenge

In my ongoing efforts to learn Spanish, I'm highlighting a Spanish word each day during April as part of the Blogging from A to Z Challenge. I'm also sharing the random thoughts that pop into my head when I try to pronounce them.
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Today's Spanish word is >>frecuencia<< (frequency). And now for some random thoughts.
1 - Having a VHF radio on your boat is essential. Almost as essential as a supply of chocolate. It's how you communicate with other boats, marinas, your shore party, ports of entry, the Coast Guard etc.
2 - It's basically a party line. Everyone can hear what you're saying. Some people don't seem to realize this or they just don't care.
3 - It's important to keep your conversations short and sweet and keep certain frequencies / channels free for emergencies.
You can read more about communicating on the VHF in the Bahamas and how I annoy Scott with pet names here.


Have you ever used a VHF radio? What's your favorite word that starts with "F"?

Thanks for stopping by our blog - we love it when people come visit! We're also on Facebook - we'd love for you to pop by and say hi!

Check out the other folks participating in the Blogging from A to Z Challenge here.

E Is For "Eslinga" {Sling} | A To Z Challenge

In my ongoing efforts to learn Spanish, I'm highlighting a Spanish word each day during April as part of the Blogging from A to Z Challenge. I'm also sharing the random thoughts that pop into my head when I try to pronounce them.

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Today's Spanish word is >>eslinga<< (sling). And here are some random thoughts:

1 - You have to periodically haul out your boat out of the water for maintenance and repairs.

2 - For bigger boats, you use a Travelift. It has slings that lower into the water, cradling your boat, then lifting it out.

3 - I'm always a bit freaked out when I watch boats being hauled out. How can those slings possibly hold all that weight?




Have you ever seen a boat being hauled out by a Travelift? What's your favorite word that starts with "E" (besides Ellen, of course)?

Thanks for stopping by our blog - we love it when people come visit! We're also on Facebook - pop by and say hi! 

Check out the other folks participating in this year's Blogging from A to Z Challenge here.