Summer travel about to start....

I'm going to Arkansas to visit Dad.  I've spent lots of time this past week getting the boat ready for any possible future storm that might blow up while I'm gone.  I replaced the old bilge pump.  Used every line aboard to tie up Prodigal.  Removed all windage stuff off deck.  (sails, full enclosure - plastic, bimini top)  That's what's up this week.  I'm packing today and will drive tomorrow.

Last week I also did some bike riding, went bowling and downloaded books on tape to listen to while driving.  Looking forward to my visit.

Some Pirates at the Farmers Mkt

Farmers Market at the Marina ea Saturday

Ken's great form

Manatee

- safe driver Skip

Give me a hand?

I saw a Hand Surgeon today.  

As part of my normal yearly routine i am checking in with all my medical support teams. Last Friday i saw a Rheumatologist about Arthritis pain in my knuckle joints. She confirmed i have arthritis.  (basically said: 'toughen up, you're getting old.')

Today the Hand Surgeon said, 'that my X-ray showed the finger was broken.'  But it's healed and "you had a good outcome."  (my fear was that he would yell at me and want to re-break it, to set it better.)  This all stems from a Softball mishap back in Marathon Spring of 2017.   *LINK

Circa Jan. 2017 

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At that time, in 2017, i could wiggle it and it didn't "feel" broken.  I used an ice pack and aspirin and lots of soreness and cussing.  But in the past year or so, both hands have started to ache from Arthritis and just plain getting old.  So today i finally went to see a Doctor about the hand...  I didnt want it to get worse if there was any treatment available to help slow the decline or lesson the discomfort.  There's not.  I'm Old and plan to get older...

In addition to hands, I saw a Dermatologist last week, to check for any skin cancers.  NONE.  I got an all clear there.  [Plus, YOU are very very lucky that i dont have any photos of me disrobed in a paper gown with the back open!]

Still outstanding:
Primary Care Physician,
Dentist,
Optometrist, and finally
Gastroenterologist for a Colonoscopy.

I'm living the dream.  Just think, retired, Arthritis, broken finger and a Colonoscopy.  Life is a sweet banquet of joy and i'm filling my cup to the brim.  May I please have seconds?  A bigger cup?

- Peg Leg Pirate Skip

Darn Dirty Dinghy Bottom

Another week, another chore. Aint life grand!

This week i did some bike riding.  Watched afternoon storms pile up and shower for our daily cooling in the late part of the day.  I ran across - again - the crew of the Treasure Hunters celebrating finding an old bronze canon.  (John Brandon)  I asked them if I could take their picture, that i wanted to show my friends 'the Treasure Hunters.'  John Brandon spoke up, "we are NOT treasure hunters.  We are Treasure Finders!"  So, it was a typical week here.  Then i finally pulled the dinghy back out of the water and found my menagerie of sea life.  I worked all day out in the sun to get it cleaned.  #Hot.

 Afternoon rain clouds rolling in daily

 Treasure Finders at the Tiki

Florida Girl FJ cruiser

CONCH ala pressure cooker

Conch pounded flat on one side (before / after)

A bowl of Conch

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DIRTY DINGHY BOTTOM - operation forest clear cut.

I dropped the dinghy down into the water on July 10th, so 'if a storm hit' while i was out of town the dinghy and arch would not get damaged.  Then i left it in the water.  (mistake)  This growth is from 7/10-8/15th.  About a month and i grew an entire new aquatic system.  Shrimp, minnows, crabs along with lots of plants and slimy colored goo all together in a Sea Condo under my dinghy.  Yuck!

The SMELL was pungent and unpleasant.  (imagine week old shrimp tail trash)

I hope your bottom is clean!

-Peg Leg Pirate Skip