My 'work' health insurance Cobra ends this month

My Brain Hurts.

I've spent several days, weeks, months worrying about and studying about Health Insurance.  Any attempt to watch the news makes me break out in a cold sweat hearing about Health Care.  Will Trump repeal and replace?  What coverage is right for me?  How much will it cost?

Back in October i called some Insurance Company's and the guy on the phone told me, "call back later. we are busy now with Medicare."  This time, this month when i called, the lady on the phone told me, "You missed enrollment, it's closed.  You will have to wait till next November to register."

Last week when i drove home to the boat from Arkansas i CALLED the Healthcare.Gov help line.  A nice lady worked with me and we slowly went through a very laborious process of her reading questions and then lengthy disclaimers she "had to read" on each one.  About the time we were almost through with the registration process - my phone lost signal.  I quick called back and got a different lady.  "No she cant talk to you.  We can start over again"  I got mad and hung up.

Today i spent several hours on the computer at Healthcare.Gov slowly working through the forms.  I think i have new healthcare.  They will probably email questions about how i screwed up.

A Pirates Christmas tale

Merry Christmas to all and Fish Fingers to the good kids!

ITS ANOTHER CHRISTMAS MIRACLE.  

I rode my bike a few miles - for exercise - to the tiny town of Rio and found 

Mrs. Peters smokehouse OPEN.

Not in my wildest dreams did I even imagine that it would be open.  I packed an apple and some Lorna Doon cookies in my backpack.  stopped at a tiny deli grocery (the only thing ive seen open today) and bought a drink.  my 'plan' was to ride to Mrs Peters to sit on her picnic tables in the shade and have my snack.  But what to my wondering eyes should appear?  Smoke coming out of the old buildings rear.  O.P.E.N.  I bought 3 small garlic smoked salmon fingers.  (YES they are even better than they sound and better than they look)  Every bite is incredible.  PLUS I bought a smoked Pork Loin Chop for dinner.  (it's now in my backpack where the apple used to sit)  I'll try to remember to get a photo of it before it's gone.  I hope all your Christmas dreams come true!

BUT WAIT THERE'S MORE.  I got back to the marina with a plan to take a shower and head back to the boat for a nap.  I decided to sit in the shade for a few minutes first to cool off from my ride.  There was one old guy sitting there, so I sat with him.  After a few minutes a couple, Mack and Vicki came up and started moving tables.  They were taking all the tables on the patio and re-arranging them.  Dragging chairs around.  We just sat and watched.  It turned out they were using the marina grill and having some friends over to eat.  Yes, they invited us to join.  I had a pork chop with me in my backpack, another Christmas Miracle.  (what are the odds I would be sitting on the patio with a pork chop with me?  Miracle)  Mack cooked some greenbeans and Macaroni & Cheese to go with.  Another couple, Mike and Mary brought a grilled vegetable medley.  It was great!  Peanut butter cookies, chocolate cookies and Pumpkin Pie.  The best Christmas ever! 

I hope you all had a miraculous Christmas.    xo Skip

Christmas Eve Miracle

Last night the Marina hosted a Potluck dinner and movie.  It's a Wonderful Life.  (Mommy, every time a bell rings, an Angel gets his wings.)  I've seen the movie a trillion times and always love it.  It did not disappoint.  

(I identify more with Bert and Ernie than George.)

At the Potluck dinner about 5:10pm a cute older couple walked up and sat down on the boardwalk chairs facing the sunset.  They were dressed up a little 'too nice' for boaters.  Also they chose seats for the sunset and not to be with the group.  So I figured they were visitors and not marina rats like us.  I sat by them to have a chat.  They live in Stuart for 39 years and "enjoy the walk and sunset view here."  Originally from Ireland their accent was spot on and like talking in music.  I didn't ask their age but assume it was 80 something.  They asked to hear my story and I bored them for a minute with - ME.  Then I decided I was hungry, so I offered to 'get them a little plate of nibbles' from the potluck.  They had their own drinks and I fixed them a sharing plate of snacks and dips.  You should have seen them light up.  They sat and oohd and ahhd at the sunset and ate their plate.  I fixed another and did the same.  After a reasonable time and when the sun had set they started to get up and told me they really enjoyed the snack.  Then the Old gentleman surprised me.  He shook my hand and said, "thanks for the food Skip.  I'll see you in Heaven."

"Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it."   - Hebrews 13:2

I like to think of that as an endorsement and not a wish.  Another Christmas Miracle.  I hope your Christmas is filled with Peace and Joy!   xo Skip

One of Santa's elves.  (I'm on the right)

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Merry Christmas.  

May all your wishes come true 

now at the holiday 

and through the new year.

"The Lord giveth,

and the Salvation Army taketh away."

Peace and Joy to you.

From my boat to yours.

- Peg Leg Pirate Skip

FOG and a massive to-do list

Even with the thick fog I see more spider webs, bugs and bird poo.  Lots of bird poo still not cleared.  Last night I found out the solar panels have several massive 'pours' all over.  

(like a bowl of ice cream spilled.)

Add: Clean Deck back onto the list again... 
Merry Chrstmas!  now go clean poo.    - Skip

Home - Stinky - Home

I reported yesterday that all was well.  Well it's not as first thought.  Last night i got in after dark.  I knew / felt a few spider webs hitting me in the face and 'saw' some bird droppings.  Today - in sunlight - i can see an Osprey Disaster area aft.  (the back of the boat is defiled)  He sits atop my mizen mast.  (my boat is ketch rigged, with 2 masts.  A main and then behind it, aft, a mizzen mast)  The Osprey seems to like to catch his fish and then bring them to MY boat to eat.  He then proceeds to DROP everything!  His nasty fresh fish bird poo.  His nasty fresh fish parts.  His nasty leftovers....  Imagine YOU went for Sushi and took home a bunch of leftovers.  But instead of putting it in the fridge, you left it in your car for a week.  Now, smear that all over my deck.  That gives you a good idea how 'fragrant' the aft deck was this morning.  80 degrees and fish parts all over.  Yes, this attracts bugs which attracts spiders, which makes my poor boat unattractive.  So i started the day with a bucket of soapy water and a brush.  It's gonna take a few more passes to get it all.

*I got a BB gun and intend to fight crap with live 'fire.'  It's what Pirates do.       - Skip the hunter

HONEY.... I'M HOME

Prodigal is still floating.  Ahhh the sweet smell of success!  It's 9pm and I'm going to bed.  I'm wiped out from all this driving.

SHORT VERSION:
Monday - leave Searcy, Ark. @ 2pm and drive till 6pm, stopping in Mississippi for the night.  (near Tupelo)
Tuesday - drive through Mississippi, Alabama, and down to Valdosta Georgia.  Choose a horrible hotel for the night and sleep fitfully.
Wednesday - get up early and flee the 'Bates Motel' driving down to Fort Lauderdale, Florida where I left my car October 30th when I flew to the Chesapeake to sail.  Drop off the rental at the airport and take the Tri-Rail shuttle train to the next station for my car, then drive home to the boat.

(I did some research and discovered you can leave your car in the 'Train' parking lot for free.  *except the lot at the airport.  So I left my car in the Amtrak lot closest to the Fort Lauderdale Intl Airport)

*Connect to the three major South Florida airports with Tri-Rail Tri-Rail is the easiest way to travel in South Florida for business or pleasure with direct and convenient bus connections to the Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport, Miami International Airport and Palm Beach International Airport terminals. Fares as low as $2.50, onboard luggage racks on all trains and free parking at all train stations.

NOW IMAGINE MY ANXIETY.  I left it on October 30th and come back December 20th.  Will the car still be there?  (or towed?)  Will it have tires?  Will it start?  It's a bad-ass Rav4.  Who would mess with that?  It was Puurrrrfect.

NOW IT GETS WEIRD.  I drop the rental and go down the parking garage escalator, through the walkway across to the terminal, down to departing area, and outside.  'turn right and walk till you see the two black benches.'  (they could have said look for the Tri-Rail signs?)  I follow these careful directions and sit on the black bench.  Alone.  I watch numerous courtesy buses come and go.  I ask them all, "are you the Tri-Rail bus?"  (no 'you idiot' it says Tri-Rail on it)  After half an hour a lady in an airline outfit arrives pushing a luggage cart.  Natalie.  Nat is decked out in her flight suit.  Complete with pilots wings.  She flew for Southern air, from Baltimore.  But, she quit yesterday and now is going to work for American Airlines.  She sits down on the black bench.  "Hey" I say.  "Are YOU taking the Tri-Rail?  (imagine her big eyed scared look.) 'Yes.'  We visit and find out she's headed north on the train, same as me.  I explain i'm only going one stop and getting my car to drive home to Stuart.  she lives in Jupiter, on my way.  So - AS A CHRISTMAS MIRACLE - I give her a ride home and save her an hour and some cash.  Best of Luck Natalie in your new job and with all the paperwork.  (you know what I mean)

Natalie

Finally 6pm I get to the Marina.  No parking spaces.  No ride out to the boat.  (my dingy and outboard are up on deck - with tons of bird poo and spider webs)  But Matt the Marina dock master got me paperwork for parking and pulled out the marina skiff to give me a lift home.  A long day ends.     I hope you are sleeping in your favorite bed tonight and that I get some great rest.  Finally.       - Pirate Skip

House SOLD - I'm on my way back to Prodigal

 3  Turkeys

 Cherri Coward-Hoag

 Ellen Ruth Walker

Santa Claus

The House S.O.L.D.  We met yesterday with the Title Company, our 2 realtors (RE/MAX *The Hoggard Team) and Dad signed a couple of reams  of paperwork.   Dad is very pleased with everything the Realtors did.  He is so thrilled to be done with it all.  After they finished with the paperwork and left, he was visibly 'in shock.'  he said, "I sure hope they know what they are doing."   (ha ha - he's so funny.)

I'm on my way back to the boat now.  Tonight i'm in Valdosta GA staying at a 'crap-tell' one of the top three worst hotels i've ever tried to sleep in.  (yikes)  Last night I stayed at a Hilton in Mississippi.  But I payed $90 and felt like it was too much $$$.  Now the Jolly-Time Inn at $35 is cheap, but it's also not nice.  (so far it's also not Jolly either)  If I can get out of here safe and without bedbugs I'll be pleased.  IF I get any sleep, that's a bonus.  I'm getting a sort of Bates Motel feel from the place.  They put me way back, in the back, toward the back, of the second building.  It's dark and creepy.  Wish me luck.

 Blood stains on the carpets?

 Zero ART on the walls.  

Bugs on the burn stained desk.

Now i'm not too picky.  I CHOSE this location.  It was purely a price decision.  But i'm thinking maybe it's not my best choice and that perhaps I could have split the difference between $90 and crap?  I can feel bugs crawling all over me and can't wait for a shower and to get out of here!  (nuff said)

 note: fire alarm

 note: cigarette burns on tub

bare wood counter and patched walls

Well, almost enough said....   I gave it more thought.  Maybe I'm proving something to myself?  Seeing if i'm still young enough "to rough it" and make do with whatever.  (is $35 like camping out?)  I've decided i'm not.  I am officially old enough to not enjoy the Jolly Inn.  I DID sleep.  But when I woke up at 4:45a I 'could mentally feel bugs crawling on me.'  (I think it was all in my mind but my mind wouldn't let me go back to sleep)  So I took a very hot - scrub the skin off - shower and dressed quickly.  *I also didn't let my feet touch the carpet.  Last night I stepped on it and the 'moist', sticky, tacky texture was too much!  I can only hope I got the worst room on the property and not the best.   So, my prayer today is that the bugs were all in my head and none in my luggage!

I'm up now and ready to hit the road for home.  First though I drive to Fort Lauderdale airport to return my rental car and 'hopefully' find mine.  (with wheels still on it.)  I left home on October 30th and i'm anxious to get back and resume my life of Pirating.  I heard today that Christmas is coming soon?  I guess I better check on that when I get home.                       - Tired Peg Leg Pirate Skip