Workboats

Saturday was a fun-filled day thanks to an excursion to the Northern Neck that included pit stops at Merroir and the Tides Inn, where I took some pictures of these boats.

A friend I haven't seen since the days of rotary phones and 8-track cassettes came for a brief visit from Florida.

During the meandering, I was pleasantly 

surprised to discover Mathews County's own Peggy moored at the Tides Inn.

The weekend was great, but it's back to the races again this week.  Tonight after work and my 100-mile round-trip commute, I race to Daughter's cross country banquet.  Tomorrow after work and another 100 miles of driving, I race to Daughter's physical therapy appointment (to strengthen a knee that she injured a while ago). Wednesday I'll put in another 150 miles round trip as I race to Norfolk for Son's pre-op appointment.  Thursday is the feeding frenzy of Thanksgiving, and by Friday I'll be ready for the sanatorium a break.

Hope all is well in your world and that your week involves minimal to no racing.

Boats III

These were taken from the boathouse at J&M Marina in Deltaville.

This workboat's captain evidently can't be tamed.

He's untamed, and he's unashamed to admit it. 

Opposite Wild Bill's boat sits Miss Kristina.

Kristina looks like she has the potential to have fun, but she's just so tied down right now.

Instead she gazes wistfully at Wild Bill's boat.

These last two shots have nothing to do with the unfolding story of Wild Bill and Kristina.

Just some empty baskets stacked neatly in the corner.  Waiting patiently.

The End.

Have a great weekend.

p.s. If you live in or near Mathews, come out to the high school tonight for the girls' basketball games.  JV starts at 6, and varsity is at 7:30, and we need overzealous enthusiastic crowd participation and support.

Boats

These were taken on Saturday evening, towards the end of what started as a very hectic day.

Daughter had to travel several hours to an invitational cross country meet, which meant that she had to be alert quasi-awake, fed and delivered to the high school by (gulp) 5:00 a.m. (Translation:  I woke up at 4 to fix her breakfast.)

Son had to take the SATs, for which he's taken prep classes, practice tests and done just about everything except consult personally with the test developers to improve his score.  He had to be quasi-awake alert, fed, moderately caffeinated (half a cup of black coffee) and out the door by 7:00 a.m.

In other words, Saturday started off worse than a normal school day.

There was nothing normal about any of it.

Things vastly improved, however, for everyone.  Daughter's race went OK in spite of oppressive heat. Son said his test was brutal (his exact word), but now it's over and done with.  I was able to enjoy a relaxing afternoon and evening over on the Northern Neck with someone I wouldn't know if not for this blog.

I'm still not working the paying job due to the government shutdown, however that doesn't mean I'm not working busy.  Somehow things feel more hectic than usual.  I'm not sure how that's possible, but there you have it.

What's happening in your neck of the woods?

Boats II

These are some shots of a few boats out of water near the railway on Tangier Island. 

This one was on a trash heap.  

Tonight Son and Daughter return from their week-long adventure in New York City. Yesterday Son texted to report they'd sampled some delectable Venezuelan cuisine.  Daughter reported separately that it was beastly hot.  (I wasn't sure whether she was talking about the Venezuelan cuisine or the NYC temps, but I suspect it was the latter.)

I'm so thrilled they've had this opportunity to experience (and navigate mostly on their own with the help of a good friend) a place so vastly different from where they've grown up.

I love that they're exploring the world.

When I was a kid here in Mathews, I often made lists of things to do.  Not like today's lists which include chores.  No, this was just an at-a-glance list of options for whiling away the day--a day which did not include much in the way of entertainment options.

A typical list might include:

1.  Ride Thunder (the pony).

2.  Turn the barn into a haunted house.  (Why not? Isn't this #2 on everyone's To Do list?)

3.  Ride bikes.

4.  Explore.

That last one was always my favorite.  It still is.

Boats

When the boat ride to Smith Island was cancelled due to low participation, I went to Tangier Island instead.

Other than a brief shower crossing the bay, the weather was perfect.

The day was as perfect as the weather, and it was a nice distraction for me since Son and Daughter are still in New York visiting relatives, seeing Broadway shows, eating good food and exploring a whole new world on their own.  I'm picking them up from Richmond's bus station Tuesday after work and can't wait to hear about all their adventures.

Click here for the first of several posts from last year's trip to Tangier. It's a unique destination and a great day trip from Reedville.


How was your weekend?

Workboat

This boat lives over at Locklies Marina in Topping.  

This week is weirder than usual an unusual one here in the Chesapeake Bay household:  Son is at Radford University attending Boys State all week, leaving Daughter and I wondering what on Earth we are going to do when he leaves next year for college.  We both rely on him for so much, from companionship (for her) to everything! help! I miss him! serving as a sounding board and helping the technically challenged (that'd be me).

Usually in the evenings as I am loading photos and typing this silly blog, he's within earshot streaming reruns of Parks and Rec or some other comedy over Netflix, and my concentration (such as it is--wait, is that something sparkly? It is!) is always interrupted by his laughter, which I absolutely love.

Anyway, enough of my sentimental blathering. He's fine and is enjoying a great opportunity.  Daughter and I are also fine and will have some quality time together.

But we really can't wait until Saturday when he comes home.

Merroir

Saturday afternoon  my friend BHE and I went to Merroir for lunch.

Although chilly, it was otherwise a beautiful sunny day.

One thing I like about this place other than the food and the location is they've outfitted their porch area so you can sit out there and not freeze to death.  Plastic and heaters are involved. 

I love the outdoors but hate being cold.  One reason is because I have Raynaud's (click here to find out about it).  Even in the summer time something as simple as handling frozen food or just being in an air conditioned environment can trigger an episode. My fingers go numb and turn all sorts of strange colors.

I mean strange.

But none of this has anything to do with Merroir, whose porch was delightfully warm even on this cold day.

Although the specialty of the house is oysters, I had shrimp and grits and BHE had a crab cake that was a work of art.

It was a great way to spend a sunny Saturday afternoon.

Now it's Monday.  Back to work.

I'd much rather be sitting on the porch at Merroir.