Growing up in Tampa and living on Bayshore Blvd, I thought I was used to hurricanes, water surges, uprooted palms, and what to do to protect our home. I have seen Tampa Bay roll over the sea wall and climb it's way up to our front door. I have even seen Tampa Bay water get sucked out leaving old cars, tires, and various other dumped stuff high and dry. The good thing about this was that I was able to finally learn what ate all of my fishing hooks. Hurricane Judy back in the early sixties was about the worst and remains in memory to this day. I will never forget watching our garage being picked up by wind and roughly deposited almost against the sea wall, but only after it topped our mango tree. The mango tree also never forgot as it never again provided us with its fruit. The scars from our garage bore deep into the tree's hard tissue. I loved that tree and still today miss the fresh mango salads. Today, some forty years later, I now enjoy Sheer Magic. She is snug into her slip at Selby Bay Yacht Basin, Maryland with double the dock lines and an extra care of duct tape covering her more vulnerable spots. Today Diane and I finished all that we could to protect her from the looming storm. We added to her protection all the years of Tampa experience but as we walked away down the dock, we both stopped and looked back at her. She is a beautiful boat and quite easy on the eyes. I can't help but to remember the mango tree so I will visit her tomorrow and stay with her as long as I dare. She likes Cheeseburgers in Paradise so I will play it a few times for her. In the news tonight we learned that Isabel may not be as bold as first thought, but perhaps we were viewing the news from the story of the mango tree told years later. From 3:00 on tomorrow, she is in Neptune's or Poseidon's hands. Maybe its a good idea to ask everyone to offer a small nautical prayer for all the crafts and marinas in Isabel's way. Joe Goldsmith Sheer Magic 1973 38' Chris Craft Coho Aft Cabin