The Magnificent Three

Wow, unbelievable!!!  The Magnificent Three, Mike and Peggy and Winne, have escaped again.  Mikee. with his hack saw in hand. cut their way through the Ice Bars setting them free once more.  The Freeze King attempted to freeze Winne in place, but the Good Fairy God Mother of the South Wind breathed just enough warm air into Winne’s nostrils (carburetor) so that she could roar to life.  So at oh-dark-thirty yesterday morning, while the Winter Hounds were still asleep, they slipped out of the Maine Winter Prison System making a bee line for warmer weather.  Fortunately the Wick Witch of the Northwest has temporarily run out of Snow Demons, however, she is working hard to recruit some more.

By sundown the three of them came slip sliding into their Jerzee hideout where food and Hugs From Grand Children was snuck in.  Winne has made friends with Mr. John Deere Backhoe and may need his help this morning to slide out of the Jerzee hideout before the Warden of the Jerzee Snow Slammer realizes that they are back in his territory.  Their plan is to head Southeast around Washington, D.C. (they know that there is a lot of hot air there) and make their way just far enough south to be out of the reach of the WWNW’s new Snow Demons. 

Now, we’re asking that all of you in the Southeast please face Northeast and breathe heavily sending warmer weather their way (those of you in the southwest please hold your breath as it’s waaay tooo cold over there).  May the Force Be With Mike, Peggy, and Winne.  Hope to see the whites of your eyes real soon – we’ll leave the light on.

Well, “enuf” of that.  Judy and I had another day inside as it was raining and raining and raining yesterday, and then it rained some more.  On top of that, it was a chilly damp day so Judy made me some nice hot chocolate chip cookies, what a woman, while I worked on our portfolios. 

Our 401Ks have returned to 95% their highs so I moved the money into a more “conservative” investment strategy.  I had them invested very “aggressively” which caused them lose almost 50% of their value when the bottom fell out in the fall of 2008.  So, what can I say, hot out of oven chocolate chip cookies and money in the bank, what more can give you a nice warm feeling on a chilly damp day?

Other than that, we spent time reading and just piddling around the house.  Katie and Alex napped off and on, wanted some loving attention every so often, and played with their toys.  They don’t like thunder and they were restless as a couple of those storms passed over head.

Oh yes, I “stood” in my PJs all day long.  Judy felt the need to put on real clothes, but I wanted to remain comfy just in case a nap wanted to sneak on board.  So I guess that’s it for today. 

Be sure to Take It Easy Until Next Time - - - - -

A Stroll Down Memory Lane

It was mid morning and the sun was shining brightly over the South Harpswell shoreline.  There was still dew on the ground with the vibrant smell of a fresh salt breeze permeated the air.  It was the summer of 1959 and we were spending time at Dad and Mom’s good friend’s, Ronnie and Vi’s, summer cottage.

We, my Dad, Ronnie, my brother Mike, and I, were readying the boat for a day of fishing on and around Harpswell Sound, Cundys Harbor, Sandy Cove, Gun Point Cove, Bailey Island, Mackerel Cove and Potts Point.  Dad and Ronny liked to get underway just before low tide so we would be in position when the tides changed as you can catch more fish on an incoming tide.

A cooler was loaded with plenty of beer for Dad and Ronnie along with plenty of Crush Orange Soda for Mike and me.  There were sandwiches as well just in case someone might get hungry.  That would be mainly Mike and I as beer, cigarettes, and fishing would keep Dad and Ronnie occupied for most of the day.

The boat was about a sixteen foot open skiff with an 18 horse power outboard motor attached to the stern.  Certainly not the kind of boat for deep sea fishing, but plenty good enough for trolling in and around the various bays, coves, and sounds surrounding Orr’s and Bailey Islands.  I realize that there are a lot of beautiful places all across this country of ours, but none are any prettier than along the rugged coast line of Maine.

Dad was an avid fisherman and had plenty fishing poles, lures, etc. for all types of fishing.  This time our four fishing poles were outfitted for mackerel fishing.  That meant heavy gauge fishing line with five or six fishing lures strung onto it. 

Being the devoted fisherman that he was, Dad hardly ever returned to shore without some fish.  It was said of him that he could smell the fish and he always had the right equipment on board for whatever type of fish we might encounter during a fishing trip.

Once the boat was loaded and we were all onboard, we made our trek across Harpswell Sound, under the Cribstone Bridge that connects Orr’s and Bailey Islands, and onto Cundys Harbor where we would wet some lines. 

 

From Cundys Harbor we would troll our way back around the point to Sandy Cove, into Quahog Bay, and onto Gun Point Cove. 

We would then fish along the eastern shores of Orr’s and Bailey Islands, round the point at Lands End and cruise into Mackerel Cove.  Once we found ourselves on the east side of Bailey Island we often encountered large sea “rolls”.  One minute you would be on top and could see for miles, the next you were down between the rolls and could only see water all around.  Not necessarily for the “faint of stomach”, if you know what I mean.

From Mackerel Cove we would make our way back across Harpswell Sound toward Potts Point and then back along the shoreline of South Harpswell.  Absolutely beautiful!!!  You can use Google Maps to see a map of the area and follow our trip; just type in “Harpswell, Maine” (we started out from Stover Cove across the Sound from the Cribstone Bridge that connects Orr’s and Bailey Islands).

Now, for the fishing part (and this is not just any fish story).  Remember I said that the lines were outfitted with five or six lures?  Well, as we trolled along we would pick up a few mackerel here and there.  When we reeled in our lines it was not unusual to have two or three mackerel on.  However, should we hit a school of mackerel, which we often did, then we became busier than a one legged sailor in a butt kicking contest.  All four lines would load up with mackerel  as fast as you could get the lines back in the water.  That day we pulled in seventy some odd fish in a matter of fifteen to twenty minutes.

Dad always knew how to find the schools, he just watched the porpoises and followed them to the fish.  The boat would be loaded with fish flopping all over the floor.  There certainly would be fish for dinner that night; if you like mackerel, that is.  It’s an oily fish which is loaded with omega 3’s and good for you, but it needs to be fried just right in order to taste good.  Dad was the man!!!  ‘Twas yummy. 

Dad, mom, and Ronnie are all gone now, but these fond memories will linger on for as long as I live.  Vi still owns the cottage in South Harpswell and hopefully Judy and I will get to see her this summer – that would be a very special encounter for this once young “old salty”.

I hope you enjoyed this little trip down memory lane as much as I did.  Take Care Until Next Time - - - - - -

Brrrrrrr, Grrrrrrr

Today is going to be a PJ day, for sure.  The weather is calling for a “Wintry Mix” which, down here in the Southeast, means a combination of freezing rain, sleet, and just plain cold weather.  The temperatures won’t even get out of the thirties all day so, yep, today is definitely going to be a PJ day.

I’m lucky that my girl friend stayed over last night and is here to enjoy the PJ day with me.  She was up at Oh Dark One Hundred and had the coffee made before I rolled out of bed; good girl, remarkable woman.  Also, I have two little kitties to cuddle in my lap and help keep my knees nice and warm – “Here Kitty, Kitty, Kitty”.  Whoops, they don’t know that they are kitties; “Come here Alex, come here Katie!!”

All I know is that we need to find a campground closer to the equator for the winter.  Lower Alabama just ain’t getting it done.  It appears that the entire United States is getting colder each winter, it must be that Global Warming “thang”.  Winter can be pretty, but it brings cold with it and neither Judy nor I do cold very well.

So, what will we do today?  Well, for one thing, we’ll both probably do some (a lot of) reading.  Judy has her Bible Study to work on and I have my Bible reading to do.  Then we might work on some of our basket weaving endeavors.  Miss Judy has a scarf to make while I have a painting that needs a few additional brush strokes added to it.  Both of us have some “paperwork” things to take care of as well.  And, as always, there’s the routine chores that need to be done. 

Sheesh, before we know it, it will be beddy bye time again and we will not have gotten everything done.  Even on a nasty “stay inside” day we have more than enough to keep us busy.  How, oh how, did we ever find time to w*rk?

Take Care Until Next Time - - - - -     

Winter Is Over (Almost)

A sigh of relief goes up from the northeastern states.  It seems that Punxsutawney Phil didn’t see his shadow, therefore winter will end tomorrow (or the day after).  Not soon enough for our friends locked away in the Maine Winter Snow Prison. 

Mike and Peggy are screaming “Uncle”.  As many of you know, they  had to return to Maine due to the death of a close friend.  Now they are trapped in the Maine Winter System Prison again while Winne sits in the driveway with her tailpipe between her tires.  The mean ol’ Wicked Witch of the Northwest has sent so many Snow Demons to the northeast that things are looking mighty bleak for our part time fulltime RVing friends.  Peggy is asking for all of their friends down here in the Southern parts to send the Fairy God Mother of the South Wind to their rescue. 

Mikee has his hack saw in hand and is looking for his snow chains for Winne so that they make a Prison break and attempt another escape from the clutches of the Maine Winter.  However, the Maine Snow Prison Warden is keeping a close eye on them since they already escaped once.  This time, if they get free again, I’m sure they’ll make a direct run toward the southeast without lingering long in Snow Country; after all, Enuf is Enuf already!!!!!  May the Force Be With You, Mike and Peggy.  You can check out their progress on their blog Maineiacs In Motion.

Speaking of winter storms, we down here in Lower Alabama dodged another bullet.  This huge storm moving from west to east passed over us with only a few thunder showers that lasted a couple of hours.  It was overcast for most of the day yesterday, but the temperatures stayed in the high 60’s.  However, the storm did leave cooler weather behind as it passed over with temps in the high 40’s for today.  At least we’re not shoveling any “Partly Cloudy” out of our driveways.

Judy and I finished off yesterday by going to the Social Hour, having dinner, and watching some television.  I couldn’t seem to get to sleep last night so I got up and watched The Joy Of Painting with Bob Ross which was on at 11:30.  I finally dozed off around one o’clock.

What’s up for today?  Not sure but we’ll think of something – we don’t lack for things to do.  If you’re bored while here at Rainbow Plantation then it’s your fault.  We have fifty some odds events going on every week at the clubhouse plus the Ol’ Ta Do List.

Take Care Until Next Time - - - - -   

Early Start, Late Entry

Wow, here it is 2:30 in the afternoon and I’m just getting around to doing the journal entry.  “Didcha sleep in?”, you may query.  Nope, actually we got an early start on the day.  We arose and decided to get out of the house real early to go to Uncle Wally’s so we could replenish the larder before our other activities kicked in. 

We managed to get home and unload the truck just in time for me to get to my painting class.  Here’s the start of my next painting.

There’s a “Quiet Little Lake” in front of the mountains and a “Happy Little Tree” growing up on the right side of the picture – can you see it?  Probably some clouds will show up along with a lot more trees growing on the mountains and around the lake.  Maybe a cabin will locate itself in the painting as well.  We’ll just have to see what else crops up as the painting progresses.   

By the time I returned from painting, it was time for lunch and then a nap snuck up and hit me behind the head.  So here we sit at 2:30 in the afternoon with the wind blowing and the weather threatening a real downpour.  I thinks me just might go to my Nook and read while Judy is playing on her ‘puter and watching Dr. Oz.

So that’s it for now, see ya tomorrow (morning, I hope).