After testing out a model for blogging for a while it’s clear that it’s not working as well as the some of the previous efforts. As a result, I’ve reconfigured some of the settings on the site and the feeds with the hope of getting rid of some of the clutter in my feed and a disturbing appearance of inactivity on the blog.

So, as they say, please stand by….

So, here I am, back where I started. A few things led to this, some very important, others less so.

First and foremost, the respite of the last year has helped me set to right the important things at home. As the title banner implies, Christian, husband and father come first, and everthing else comes later. Second, other efforts at blogging proved less than satisfying. Finally, for those of you that use it and have tried other options, the interface and functionality of WordPress can’t be beat.

Now, Why ’Yankee Sage’?”, you ask. Starting in 1995 I ran something like a blog called “The Yankee Sage”, mostly concerning national and Massachusetts politics. So, “Yankee Sailor” was something of a modification of that effort (in addition to being an epithet hurled at me once by an irate bar girl in a WestPac port). The rechristening of this site is merely a return to my roots.

Finally, for those who are interested, the picture in the banner is of Fort Ticonderoga. It reminds me of family roots in that region that go back to the days of New Amsterdam and the spirit of an ancestor who was said to be a member of the Sons of Liberty in Albany, and–almost as important–it facilitates my selfish itch to keep the ordnance in the theme.

After all, I can be selfish once in while, no?

I’m there.

(There’s a BlackBerry app for WordPress!)

Yeah, I’m back.

I tried blogging elsewhere, but it just didn’t feel like, well, home.

So, I’ve resurrected an old brand. More on that in the near future.

Son No. 2 asked me over the weekend if I was on vacation, and when I was going back to work. After my initial surprise wore off, I came to realize just how much time the Navy demanded over the last decade. After all, until a few weeks ago I had been on sea duty for the entirity of their memories (my oldest is approaching ten), and they know no other Navy.

I have also become keenly aware following my recent promotion into the ranks of the senior officer corps that I’m most likely much closer to the end of my naval career than the beginning, and most importantly it’s time to start preparing to move on to other things. And I have little desire for those other things to remain centered on the Navy.

Finally, as my oldest son approaches double digits in age I’ve become more concerned about preparing them to live in the world, and consequently about shaping that world and the broader politics and culture of America. Recent developments in Washington have just added fuel to that fire. I have sensed domestic enemies in our midst before, but they appear now to be in control and consolidating power.

As a result, I believe this blog has run its course; other projects are now more important and enduring.

This is not quite a farewell, however. I will continue to read and participate in the naval blogosphere because it still interests me, but my posting will be less frequent and limited to Information Dissemination and the USNI Blog.

The day job mugged me and it’s been over a week since I posted last. I’ve got some small stuff coming though, so please stay tuned….

…to get the news out. IT problems. Detailing problems. Lots of fires and not enough water. Maybe tomorrow….