I always thought I was healthy, thought I was healthy as a horse, but the past five months I've been sick three times with the same upper respiratory infection.

I woke up at the end of this past summer and thought, 'I've just completed my 50th year in sailing.' I'm 55 and started when I was six.

In my mind, we didn't take the step we thought we would take this year. Beyond that, we have to see the big picture and in that context, Larry has strung together some winning seasons in a row that, quite honestly, haven't happened a lot here.

Reminders of the past are a neat addition.

Sheltered Paws has found homes for 12 dogs in the past two months. I directly helped with two. That's kind of how I look at it: If everyone does a little bit, collectively, we can make a big difference.

I've got to take the blame. I thought we were past that. It's good to feel good about yourself, but when the ball goes up, you've got to compete. You don't get W's from reading the press clippings.