I have had a crappy month. I am so sorry to announce the passing of my wife and first mate Brenda. It was sudden and unexpected. We had been Brats only a short time last year and our first gathering was the one we put on last August. It was so darn hot Brenda only came down for the pot luck. Some of you met her for a few hours. She was looking forward to cruising this summer and getting to know more Brats. Having lost our little Madison earlier this month and now Brenda, suffice to say I'm looking hard at life choices. It's short folks. I'm going to need to do all the tidy up of estate etc and then I think I'll go "walk about" for a while. I have family and friends hove to alongside at the moment and will get thru this period. I'll be on the water a lot this summer and hope to cross paths with many of you. When I first floated the idea of a C-dory to Brenda she said.."aren't they cute?" Being aboard the boat she says she always felt safe and secure. Keep a thought for me will you, I'm getting thru this but have had better years. I'll see you on the water and we'll hoist a beer to my lost mate. George