Titusville - we see a James Bond movie

Titusville is filling up, more so than in the past five years, a sign of a surging economy?

This morning we had a yummy breakfast that started our day. I called my mother since it's Saturday and I read out of my book for fun. Today I saw Mary the manatee enjoying her nice taste of water when the boat next to us was washing their bow of their boat. I had lunch and then Nana and I took Hoolie for a walk. The marina says to walk dogs on the other side of grass near where the train runs through. Then we went out to go get some supplies and Nana and I looked at all the Christmas stuff. After that we went to the movie theater, It was a movie with James Bond the spy in it, not the actor. I like it, it was defiantly action packed with explosions and car chases. It has been a little windy today,    but not very hot. Now I am here writing about my day, so farewell bye. Sarah

The weather continues to be cooler and today there were clouds in the afternoon so it's more like normal Titusville weather in November. We provisioned in the morning at the local Walmart which has a superior grocery section (some Walmarts do not) followed by relaxing on the boat while I watched my Ohio State game. 

You can't wash a boat without seeing one of these guys around slurping up the fresh water

Since I took Sarah to watch The Martian while Ann stayed at the boat (she doesn't like SiFi movies) I took her to the latest James Bond movie this afternoon. It was typical Bond with lots of car chases, things being blown up and a Bond that's immortal, nothing can touch him permanently no matter how improbable.

We let Sarah chose what she wanted to do on Sunday and aside from donuts in the morning, a staple, she wants to see the local zoo so we'll try that out. We've never been there but we've heard it's pretty decent.  

Titusville - Another beach day

At the beach in November - you've got to love Florida

This morning we had breakfast and then I did my school work. I read out of my book about a horse am on page 71, I also did algebra that was good. In French we did the months that are hard until you get to September, then it gets easier. After my work we went to the beach, we also got another new rental car for this weekend. I went to play in the sand first and made a wall to try to block the wind. The water is almost at a light blue, there is a lot of sand  and then it gets deep in the water. I sat in the water and watched the waves splash against me, I did that for a while. Then I got out for a snack and I saw a  jellyfish, Nana says that it's a  Moon jellyfish. The wind was blowing so much I made a sail with my towel. Then we went back to the boat after I taught Nana some algebra in the sand. I don't know what my mom is going to think that am in my swim  suit and she in her heavy coat up north. When we came back we got a big welcome from Hoolie and took him to the dog park. I threw the ball for him and the German Shepherd there that I play with when ever he's there. After that we went back to the boat, there we saw a heron with net around his beak, no one we called could help. So hopefully he gets it off some how, I named him Brave. Now here I am tired with all the action that we did, so good bye. Sarah 

I picked up the car this morning for another $10/day rental over the weekend. There was another couple waiting for a pickup that said they were told there were no cars available. I had made my reservation a week in advance to be sure of getting a car. Upon reaching the Enterprise dealership, I learned that every car they had was rented out. So if you're ever in Titusville and want a car for the weekend, don't wait until the last minute to make your reservations. 

Cold?, Naw, just relaxing in the ocean

The weather was more like we expected in November in Titusville with a high near 80 and full sun. With that forecast we decided on a day at the beach. It's only about 12 miles to the Atlantic beach from hear so off we went. I have a Golden Passport card which gets me and whoever is in the car into the park for free, we've used it twice this month so far. The beach is impossible to be crowded since there's so much room, miles and miles of beach area. We picked out a spot, set the umbrella and chairs and watched as Sarah enjoyed the water and waves. She seemed immune to getting chilled from the water and 12 mph winds blowing, she played for hours.

Sadly, the Heron has netter across his beak

She found the time to give Nana an algebra lesson. Nana got the first problem Sarah drew up but messed up on the second problem. Sarah then showed Nana what to do to get the right answer. Sarah knows her stuff. 

It was then back to the boat and the dog park for Hoolie who held down Fleetwing in our absence. On Saturday we're headed to provision some more, I'll watch my Ohio State football game and then we'll see the latest James Bond movie, a full day is planned. 

Titusville - Algebra Day

We have a Flicka in the marina! 

This morning I slept in and it felt good, we had breakfast and then I did my work. I read in my book I am on page 50, I did some algebra too. After my lunch that was after my work I checked my curls on the dock, some times they get lose. I want them to look  fabulous all the time, I recoiled the dingy rope since we untied it yesterday. I coiled it on top of the thick rope attached to the boat coil that I thought looks nice and neat. It's not too hot here with the breeze, but I thought we should have the AC on. Am so used to seeing palm trees I don't know what it will be like when I go home in a week. We took Hoolie to the dog park where I met the pretty German Shepherd and played with the both of them. There weren't that many dogs there, but more came in when we left. After the dog park I played tug a war with Hoolie and read some Calvin & Hobbles. Our lights  in the cockpit look really pretty at night and the sunsets are beautiful here in Florida. We are having honey roasted pork and our fudge stash isn't doing so good, bye! Sarah

A detail of the bow, notice the scroll work inlaid with gold

Yesterday was a day off for Sarah (Veterans' Day) so today we had to make up for lost time in algebra. There's a lot to cover and a lot to understand so I made up a test for Sarah. Home schooling requires a time investment which we're ready to do. In all we spent about 2 hours on algebra in review. Sarah took the test and I graded it and went over the answers with her. 

Then it was a trip to the dog park and Hoolie exercise, running at full tilt for 30 minutes. The weather continues to turn cooler, tomorrow the high is only 81, great - we'll probably go to the beach in the afternoon since we'll have a car again at the $40/weekend rate from Enterprise.  

Coming back from walking the dog tonight I noticed a Flicka at one of the docks. It's a beautiful boat and several have circumnavigated, they are very seaworthy despite their small size. They have beautiful lines and are generally very well built.  

For those interested in what an algebra test looks like for the first quarter of 8th grade, here's the test I gave Sarah. How many can you do?

1) If n is equal to -9, what is the value of the expression n-(n)?

2)  Using the table below:

      Wind speed         Air Temperature (feels like...)

         0 mph          10F     0F     -10F

        10                  -9       -22     -34

        20                 -24      -39     -53

        30                 -33      -49     -64

2a) If the temperature is -10F and the wind is blowing 20 mph, how many degrees colder would you feel?

2b)  How much colder does it feel when the air temp is 0F and the wind is 30 mph compared to an air temp of 0F and at 10F mph?

2c)  Scott when outside when the wind was  blowing 20 mph and the temp was 0F. Ryan was playing outside when there was no wind but the temp was -10F, who felt colder?

4)  Sarah was in debt $52 while Grandpa had $85. If Natalie was in debt $8, what is the total amount of money the three had?

5)  -5 x 5 =

     -5 x -5 =

     -7 x 7n = 

     -6 x -6n = 

     180 ÷ (-2) =

6a)  Sarah's watch loses 0.05 minutes per hour. She set her watch to the correct time at noon on May 5, 2014. What time will her watch read exactly one year later, use 365 days in a year?

6b)  Save as above but now her watch gains 0.05 minutes per hour. 

7a)  If n is a negative number, is the value of n exponent 39 positive or negative?

7b)  If n is a negative number, if the value of n exponent 50 positive or negative?

8)  Find n

     12(8n-4) = 24

     8(n+2) = -16

     6(4n-8) = 72

     38(6n-8) = 1330

     14(6n-2) = 196

     -10(2n-20) = 60

     (2n+4)/10 = (2n-6)/14

     2n/18 = 18/80

     8n/16 = 8-2n

     6n/8 = 18/20

     (2n+4)/10 = (2n-6)/14

10a)  A 20 ft stick casts a 34 ft shadow at the same time a tree casts a 229.5 ft shadow. How tall is the tree?

10b)  A 10 ft stick casts a shadow of 8 ft at the same time Elin casts a shadow of 4 ft 6 inches. How tall is Elin?

10c)  The ratio of sugar to flour in a certain recipe is 5:7. If there is 9.5 cups of sugar to be used, how much flour must be used?

10d)  Luke had $75 in the bank. Jordan had $35. Luke wanted to always have the same ratio of money with Jordan. If Jordan adds $735 to his savings, how much must Luke have in his savings to keep the same ratio?

Isn't algebra fun? It gets much better as we progress and will include geometry, the Pythagorean theorem, scientific notation, roots and much more. I got this stuff in high school, not in the 8th grade.

Titusville - The banana tree

Bananas on our banana tree in the marina by our gate

This morning I slept in so I didn't get to walk, today I have no school and I am looking forward to it. We had breakfast and then I read out of my new book about a horse. I hit the wires so the bird will fly away and they have pooped a lot on the deck. It is hot here but we have a very nice breeze that is almost the coolest day we have had. We had lunch, then Nana and I started to draw a little. I did a bird on a mast and that didn't come out very well and Nana did a landscape with trees reflecting in the water. After that Grandpa and I put some extra ropes to keep the boat nice and sturdy for the winter. I went in the dink so we could get close to the pilling, I tied a knot to the boat so we wouldn't drift away. After Grandpa felt happy with the set up we went to the dog park. There was only Hoolie in the big dog part, but there were about ten little dogs in their part. I threw the ball until Hoolie was tired, the sun is really bright this time of day. Now I am here with you, so goodbye we will meet again bye. Sarah

We have just one tree, right by the parking spaces

It was 76 this morning, much cooler and it never got much above 80 all day. Ann even closed up the cockpit when the temps dropped to 77 this afternoon, it's 76 now, downright cool. So we continue getting the boat ready for our extended absence. The storms that stress the boat come out of the east so we requested a dock with the finger between us and the harbor opening. That way when the storms come, the winds will push us away from the dock and not into it. Even with that arrangement we use rubber stretchers on the aft lines to lessen the stress on the cleats. Sarah was a big help. 

As usual for Florida, lots of flowers this time of the year

Having set the boat up, we did our daily walk over to the dog park and Hoolie as usual ran and ran. On the way is the marina banana tree. It even has bananas although they are not ripe yet, small and green so far. Apparently, they can grow successfully this far north in Florida. It's a clear night and we're looking forward to our first night below 70 since we arrived. This is the Florida weather we remember from past trips south. 

Titusville - Cooling off

The entrance to Titusville Marina - very protected except when the wind if out of the east - through the opening

This morning I woke up just in time to go on our walk. We went a little longer this time and man was I tired. Today I did a book report on "To Kill a Mockingbird", I think I made a good job but will have to see. After my work I ate lunch then we had to wash the window screens. I sprayed them and then Nana rinsed then off. We also did algebra today, we did proportions and cross multiplying that was fun with Grandpa. I saw Mary and William the manatees today, Mary like to roll over again and again that is cute. William looks so massive and majestic with is tail too, I stared at them for a while. Then I looked at a magazine for a while with art in it, soon after we took Hoolie to the dog park. There was a big beautiful German Shepard that was so pretty and cute. I threw that ball for him and when I pet him and he'd lean on me. He reminded me off are old German Shepard that we had when I was five, then we went back to the boat when Hoolie was tired. I felt the breeze and checked my coiled line on the deck. I think am going to miss Titusville and the boat, then I saw Mary again trying to find fresh water. Now I am talking to you or writing whatever, bye! Sarah

It's 77 here at 8:11, about 10 degrees cooler than yesterday. I think the heatwave has finally broken. With that we went over to the dog park and gave Hoolie his daily exercise which consisted of running at a dead gallop for 30 minutes. None of the other dogs ever kept up with him and Hoolie was only interested in chasing after the bouncing ball. 

We use Apple's Facetime for video over cellphone sessions, great fun

I read through some of the outlines on the internet for Common Core algebra and I now have a better idea of what's expected for 8th graders. Frankly, it's a lot more than I remember having to digest. We didn't have algebra until high school, not so anymore. There's even irrational numbers and geometry that's covered as well as taking roots and scientific notation, all in the 8th grade. Sarah is learning it quite well. We spend about an hour a day on math on the boat. 

There's still more boat stuff to do to get Fleetwing ready for a two month absence. We only have one week left before we leave for points north. Gotta plan all this out. 

Titusville - We get new lights for the cockpit

Here comes the front!

This morning I woke up with no noise at all, I figured they have started out. I looked up and saw Nana's way to her walk, I knew she turns around and walks back past the dock so I met her there. I finished half of a walk and then we eat breakfast. Then I started my school work and finished by lunch time, I did some questions for reading today about my book. I had lunch then went up stairs to feel the breeze, the people next to us had left this morning. What's really annoying is all the birds dirtying up are deck after we washed did some time ago. When they are on the wires to the sail, you hit it and the vibration makes then go poop some where else. Then we took Hoolie to the dog park, he was pulling so much in excitement I felt my arm was coming off. I threw the ball for him and there was a ice cream cone ball that he liked a lot. When he was really tired we headed back to the boat, I have to say the trip back was a lot easier. Then we put up some lights in the cockpit they look really nice and pretty, I can't wait to see them when it gets dark. There was a big fishing boat that came in on the dock behind us, it actually backed in really smoothly. Now am here writing about my very excited day, well kind of, bye. Sarah

Hoolie gets the most out of  the dog park, full speed ahead, all the time

We're going to be away from the boat for close to two months. During that time you do not want to lose power if you have anything in the freezer. A couple of years ago, that's just what happened. We lost power for some unknown reason and the freezer ran down the batteries (we have a 12v compressor for the refrigerator). Returning to the boat, we found the freezer in terrible shape - I won't go into the details but food does spoil and nature has a way of getting rid of spoiled food... So for the last two years I've bought inexpensive lights to put in the cockpit so the marina personnel who walk the docks every day and see whether or not I have power. This year I bought rope lights, the kind you see often at Christmas and plugged them in. They provide good light for holding a conversation at night in the cockpit and serve the dual purpose of alerting the dockhands if the power is out to my boat. 

We are all looking forward to a cool front coming through tonight so the lows will be in the 60's Wednesday night. We've had enough of the hot weather. It did cool enough to take Hoolie over to the dog park. Once there, he runs at full speed all the time, no idle. Sarah does the exercising by throwing the ball which Hoolie finds irresistible. No matter how much he's out of breath, he chases that ball. 

  

Titusville - To the beach!

Just a beautiful beach, Playalinda

This morning I woke up and helped Grandpa get the donuts, I picked out a maple, cherry,  and raspberry filled. They are the best donuts I ever had, then I looked in the newspaper with the comics. Nana said we can go to the beach, there was a path the went up and down through the sand dunes. The view was great on top, we went wading in the water and I got sea shells. The waters were so pretty, they were a light blue. There were two little cute baby seagulls looking for food, there names are Jem and Scout. They are the characters from my book, then we went  back to the boat. It is hot here but has a gentle breeze that feels good. After some time reading Grandpa and I went to see a movie from the book he read, I liked it. It talked about a man getting left on Mars and how he tries to get back on earth. After the movie we went to the boat, Hoolie was happy to see us. We had sushi for a snack and we are having pulled chicken for dinner bye. Sarah

Even had time for a little algebra: 2n + 5 = 15, what's n? (very simple)

Sunday is always donut day in our house and especially with a grandkid onboard! Luckily, there's an excellent donut shop nearby, Donuts R Us with a good variety of fresh donuts of all kinds, much better donuts than Dunkin Donuts. Sarah, of course, wanted to go with me to be sure I picked out the best ones. 

Today we decided a beach day was in order. The nearest beach is Playalinda which is part of the Canaveral Seashore which is free if you have a Golden Passport (65 or older). It's many miles long and mostly uncrowded since it is so big. The only trouble is the heat. It's hotter here than when we vacationed in Ocean City New Jersey in August! We didn't bring a beach umbrella and the sun was deadly so the next time we'll have one. 

If you're on a beach, then you've got to collect seashells

I took Sarah to see The Martian. I read the book which I enjoyed greatly and always wanted to see the movie and got my first chance this afternoon and with a willing crew member, Sarah. If you haven't seen the movie yet, you ought to, it's outstanding. It's all scientifically based and nothing like Gravity which had Hollywood science throughout or worse yet, Interstellar. I have to return my $10/day car Monday morning but we'll rent a car again next weekend and hopefully the heat wave will have passed by then.