Welcome back, Janice! 🎉🎉 Getting all the rest you needed was crucial to recovering. So, glad you're feeling better. :: I remember your accounts of the boat show from previous years. They sound like so much fun! Can't wait to see what you have to share this year. 😎
The photo of Seaweed is gorgeous. She's such a proud little ship.🛥️🥰
Thank you so much for the perfect Get Well card you sent. I took it, and created an ornament for future years. I will show it to you when it is finished. I have to drill a hole in the top so it can be hung -- plus add a couple more coats of varnish.
Last year my friend on Bucky sent a picture of his Christmas set-up showing the stars I have made. In it he had this chunk of wood with bark on the outside edges. I believed he might like something similar decorated with a picture of his boat. Here is a miniature I made for myself of a similar vein: https://www.janice142.com/images/TugboatOrnament.jpg
This is actually from the box my Christmas Tugboat came inside. I cut out the boat and then glued it to one of the smaller wood chunks. It' not fancy however I love it. Baby bought that tugboat in one of those Christmas Village displays sold at Lowes. It is the first (only?) one featuring a boat. Last year I passed along the boat to Cheryl. :)
And thanks for noticing Seaweed. I had her repainted (gunnels aka deck level) upwards in Oyster White paint. It is essentially Hatteras color. I like it because it is not too bright. Very white boats can reflect and make steering more difficult. I do like the spiffy new paintjob.
Last year was one of those not-so-stellar years we all endure from time to time. The "trouble" is that it is really difficult to whine especially as I live on my own boat in Florida! This is a great life and I am grateful.
I have spent a lot of money in 2023 as Seaweed turned 40 last year. What was once good quality after this many years needs updating and replacement. Wires get stiff. The gauge needs to increase as power requirements have increased over the years. Anyway, I am mindful to use Seaweed too -- not just work on her. That is a critical distinction that many fail to consider when working on their boats.
It is silly, but you would be surprised how many men run their boats at the dock for a half hour or more. Running the engine(s) regularly IS important. That said, it is a good idea to drop the lines and take the boat out for a little spin. That's what I do -- at least when I am not sleeping 14 hours a day! :)
Anyway, can you tell that I've missed you?!? I have. Thank you for sticking with me.
Your friend in the south... J.
Another great article, this time about the St. Pete Boat Show. Hope you had a good time. Have missed your stories. Please write more often. CW,
I sent a photo of the little tree with one of your stars on top. There were all the other stars you sent before, but might have been hard to see, so I cropped off the bottom of the photo and enlarged the top. 😄