The joys of pool days...

Well, today found us sitting by the pool - from 4:30 am until, well, just about now. Dear friend Mo came over to hang out and bring club soda reinforcements (the need for this should not be downplayed as club soda is our friend and we were about out). Most of our last club soda stash found itself in John's belly in the form of 'bloody mary lites.' He was on fire with the old bloody mary's again - drank them literally all day and, well, now, if a bit hungover. I just told him that if he couldn't run with the big dogs, he needed to stay on the porch with the puppies. He looked at me a bit bleakly as I handed him aspirin and a club to wash them down.

We had a great day though. We were the hits of the pool as, it seems that no one else thought to bring sunscreen along and we had a bag full. WHY oh WHY would one come to St. Thomas in AUGUST without protection (or sunscreen....). Anyway, we tried to save a few of the poor waifs (yes, bobbi, thanks) but one was already a lobster boy and well on his way to misery tonight...

Entertained an iguana who actually bit my toe (orange toenails with white polka dots must have resembled something tasty to him, or her.). The thing 'about took my toe off at the knuckle' but was, in actuality, a bit of a slight nibble that felt kind of good until I realized what it was! He/she/ it was about 3 feet long and was ok eating the last of our nachos, piece by slight piece. I was pretty close to the sucker at one point, leaning in for a good look when he sort of reared up. Maureen chose this moment to say 'Looks like he might jump' or something to that effect. JUMP? HE CAN JUMP???? WTF! Why didn't you say something about this before???? And, in a moment, he jumped from the ground to the top of the wall which was about 2 feet up! Holy MOLY, who knew the things could jump??? Anyway, all was well as he moved on his merry way. Note to audience: Iguanas will lick a grape jolly rancher but really don't like those candies any more than I do.

Tomorrow, we're hoping to head to Red Hook with Mo in tow to rent the boat. One destination will be St. John where Skinny Legs, the bar, is noted to have the best burgers around. I'm there! John wants to hit Tortola or whatever that other island is and, sadly, St. Croix is not in our future as we can't take the boat there for some reason. I was hoping to see where wee Rita came from but not this trip. We've seen a mess of stray cats but nary a stray dog - lucky for us as I was working on John re: bringing home an older stray, someone around 12 or so (designed to be outtahere within 4 or 5 years), but he's been pretty good about holding steady with 'no more dogs.' So, 'no more dogs' it will be...unless I find one...he he...

Pictures wil be forthcoming once we, well, get around to it. We're on island time, Mon...

St. Thomas Heaven

Well, if my memory for my camera wasn't stuck in John's computer, I'd upload some wonderful photos but it is and I won't!

We got to St. John after a great plane ride during which I bonded with my seat mate - she has a timeshare at the Ritz and is me on steroids! She comes to St. John 4 times a year, this time, she left her husband back at the ranch (he's an exec in big pharma!) while she headed to the islands (mon!) with her 72 year old momma, her sister and 2 nieces. I'm sort of glad she doesn't live closer (she's from NJ and, no, Miss Lowe, she's not a typical 'Jersey girl' - um, not that there's anything wrong with that...). She and I hit it off from the start and ended up the plane ride finishing each other's sentences. She's a jewelry fan so she tuned me into the good stores on the island which I hope to visit on Tuesday. Julia was a blast - can't say enough about her; she kept me totally entertained, and John too. I'm thinking that we'll run back into her during the week when we crash the facilities at the Ritz.

So, we get here and wait an appropriate amount of time in island terms (that's an eternity to a DC girl...1 hour) for our bag which I'd packed chock full of suntan lotion (can't be too cautious), hair gel (can't be too frizzy), deodorant (can't be too smelly) and short dresses (can't be too...never mind).

Our darling friend Mo, an ex-bartender from La Mex who moved here 3 months ago picked us up in her car at the airport and delivered us to our ocean front condo which is da bomb....full kitchen, great breeze, incredible value. Gotta love all that. Anyway, poor Mo only gained 3.5 lbs of Jolly Ranchers, a bag of Werthers, and some cinnamon candies for her troubles. So, John and I did a very quick unpack and hit what we thought was the beach bar only to find it (gasp) closed! So, took a taxi to redhook and hit Duffy's Love Shack for some mojitos and nachos. Just right! Wandered the marina and fell in big love with a Sundancer 32 footer. Just right, again! Beautiful boat to island hop in!

So, I'm sitting here in our oceanfront condo, listening to the ocean's roar. John, poor young dear, is sleeping and it's 8:08! I've got a few hours to go so figured I'd blog for posterity sake.

Oh, didn't finish the story...

So, J-boy and I took a taxi into Redhook, after Duffy's, hit a few more local spots and ended up in a very nice bar where we met a great woman - Michelle, the bartender...all 24 years of her (give me a break)... But, she's a doll and ended up giving us a ride to the local market, where she waited for us to do some power shopping (wine, vodka, you know...the essentials). Michelle dropped us back at our condo and gave us some great lessons in etiquette for the islands (some things, like, for instance, saying 'Good morning, good afternoon or good evening' as greeting - who knew?) We're planning on seeing her again this coming week. She and her fiance are leaving the island next month to hike the entire Appalachian trail, starting in Georgia and working their way up. I'm sure she'll do exactly that - she's a great find.

It's interesting to me how these people come into our lives - I mean, really, I don't know Julia or Michelle from a hill of beans this morning (is that the expression), yet, despite our ages, life experiences and lifestyles, we all really connected. Our souls must have met before - that's what it feels like and, in fact, I'm sure that John and my's soul must have intermingled for countless ages until we found each other again in this lifetime.

Life, dear friends, is enchanting... can't wait to see what tomorrow brings.

Charlies 'Angels'....

Or are these the Devil in disguise?

As you can see, we've been having a blast on Nasmaste II all summer.




We've had plenty of guest visits which both John and I really enjoy. Our 'go-to' spot is usually buzzing over for lunch at Tilghman Island and then a sail back (or visa versa, depending on where the wind blows us). I've gotten much better at sailing, having not yet knocked John overboard. I tried once but to no avail.

John and I are heading to St. Thomas on Saturday for 5 glorious days in an ocean front home. Can't wait! A friend of ours, Mo, one of the ex-bartenders from La Mex, moved down there just a few months ago so we're looking forward to spending some time with an 'islander.' Good friends are covering Gert for me which is so nice. I so appreciate my friends! Amazing people; all of them. Thanks Sophia, Bobbi, Mark (keep your bedroom door locked....), Ruth Ann and Kimmie!

Knowing Gert better....

So, I got this quiz forwarded to me on Facebook. I don't generally do these things but thought it would be fun to have Mom complete it. She sure looks boring by her answers below. I might need to do this quiz too, now that I think of it. The below answers are from dear Gert (my comments are in blue)...

1. Been arrested? N

2. Kissed someone you didn't like? N

3. Slept in until 5:00 PM? N

4. Ran a red light? N (I don't believe it....)

5. Been suspended from school? N

6. Experienced love at first sight? Y (Joe!)

7. Totaled your car in an accident? Y

8. Been fired from a job? N (not fired, laid off - JC Penney)

9. Fired somebody? Y

10. Sang karaoke in public? N

11. Pointed a real gun at someone? N

12. Done something you told yourself you wouldn't? N (don't believe this one either - she says she doesn't want to flunk this test..)

13. Caught a snowflake on your tongue? Y

14. Kissed in the rain? Y

15. Had a close brush with death (your own)? N

16. Seen someone die? N

17. Played spin-the-bottle? Y (In school, we'd play spin the bottle - schools must have been 'looser' back then....)

18. Smoked a cigar? N

19. Sat on a rooftop? Y (and got paddled for it when Bubie found out....)

20. Smuggled something into another country? N

21. Grown your own vegetables? N

22. Broken a bone? N

22. Posed for a racy photograph? N (this one elicited a long 'Noooooooo' - I didn't ask...)

23. Eaten a bug? N

24. Sleepwalked? N

25. Walked a moonlit beach? N

26. Rode a motorcycle? No (this one came out with a long 'I don't think so...my mother wouldn't let me.' Funny thing is my mother won't let me either and now I have a rather large scar on the back of my right leg so I understand this rule now).

27. Dumped someone? N

28. Lied to avoid a ticket? N (I'm thinking Mother Theresa is sitting here next to me and I KNOW that ain't right).

29. Ridden in a helicopter? N

30. Shaved your head? N

31. Made a loved one cry? Y

32. Eaten snake? N

33. Marched, demonstrated, or protested in public? N

34. Buried a pet in the back yard? N

35. Vomited on an amusement ride? N

36. Seriously and intentionally boycotted something? N

37. Been in a band? N

38. Been on TV? N

39. Shot a gun? Y

40. Skinny-dipped? N

41. Gave someone stitches? N

42. Ridden a surfboard? N

43. Drank straight from a liquor bottle? N (hmmm...now I know she's not right as I have a picture, somewhere, of her sucking down liquor....note to self: must find photo)

44. Had surgery? Y

45. Sent back a meal in a restaurant because it wasn't acceptable? N

46. Taken by ambulance to hospital? Y (Sadly, yes...)

47. Fainted? Y

48. Been in handcuffs? N (hmmm...this No was slow in coming...)

49. Donated blood? N

50. Written a love poem? N

51. Eaten alligator meat? N

52. Killed an animal? N

53. Seen a U.S. president in person? N

54. Sneaked into a movie without paying? N

55. Written graffiti? N

56. Still love someone you shouldn't? N

57. Saved someone's life? N

58. Believe in love? Y

Now, since the above quiz seems like I have a quite boring, strait-laced mother, let's make up some questions of our own...

1. Ever cheated in poker? N (hmmmm....)

2. Ever lost more than $1000 gambling? Y

3. Seen Michael Jackson? Y

4. Worked your ass off (this was her helpful entry into the list): Y

5. Loved a dog? Y

6. Put lard on your father's wallpaper board (which, btw, he used in his livelihood...) and use it as a sliding board with your baby brother (who is 91 now): Y

7. Driven a turquoise and white Desoto convertible? Y - sure wish we still had that car...sigh.

8. Know how to answer a bluetooth? Y (hello?).

9. Loved the same man 65.5 year? Y (that love remains today too..)

10. Had a favorite child? Y (didn't ask - didn't want to know).

Out of the mouth of (old) babes...

So, dear Gert and I are sitting here quite early this morning as my 'date' tottled downstairs around 6 am for early coffee. We're in the living room, watching the morning news and on comes an expose about tanning. The piece is documenting how dangerous tanning beds are as they pretty much grill you from the inside out. The newscasters correlate the dangers of tanning with alcoholism, tobacco use, etc.

As the piece finishes up, Mom looks at me and says 'Great. Next they'll tell me to give up sex. I've got one damn thing to have fun with and they'll probably take that too...'

I believe the coffee spurted right out my nose...What a way to start the day.

Here's another Gertie-ism from today:

She's reading the paper and sort of muttering, half to me and half to herself. I start to listen in as some of these 'self' conversations are pretty funny. Newspaper is rattling, she's looking a bit confused over the top of the paper. She comes out with: It's been so long since I've looked at my horoscope that I'm not sure which one I'm in any more.

Scans the paper a bit longer, moves the paper up a bit and says 'I think I moved down a notch...'

Then finally, there's this other one from just today (the woman was on a roll):

I've been riding her a bit about not excusing herself after burping, or, for that matter, any other bodily noise. She's cute as hell - I'll hear her burp in the hallway, say 'excuse me' to no one and crack herself up. Funny. Anyway...

She says to me today 'I have a question. If I'm sitting on the pot and I burp and no one is in the house, do I have to say excuse me?' I laugh and say no. She said 'thank you - I wasted my breath on that one yesterday.'

Doctors, Doctors, everywhere!

Well, we've spent the last two weeks investigating Mom's shortness of breath. We've seen a pulmonologist (useless individual) and a cardiologist (fabulous man). It appears as though her shortness of breath issues are not lung related but may be cardiac - not a surprise given her advanced age and not particularly alarming either as they're periodic and clear fairly quickly.

Our latest travels found us at the pulmonologist who wanted to perform a 40 minute breathing test that was fairly strenuous. Since all signs (including the hospital ER Doctor's assessment during our 4 hour tour of Shady Grove) point to it not being a lung issue, she opted out and off to the cardiologist we go on Monday for a chemical stress test. She had this 2 years ago and it was a breeze so we don't expect any issues.

Took her out yesterday to Butler's Orchard to get fresh veggies for a dinner party tonight. Then, we rambled our way back to the house. One very interesting part of being a caregiver for her is that I see things and do things I normally wouldn't. How many of us are racing to get back to the house to, what? Clean the toilet? Nope, Gert and I frequently wander the back roads, ruminating on who the hell needs ALL that house, watching the teenage boys (11 of em!) playing basketball in a friend's backyard - this was particularly heartwarming as you hardly ever seen kids playing outside these days. They're all addicted to the tv or their gameboy or their computer or...you get the idea.

Anyway, we've been having some pretty good days around here. Mom reports that she's sleeping better even though her bedroom sounds like it's about to take off - I have an air conditioner, an air freshener and a humidifier in there for her. It's like staying in a hotel at the beach by the airport...But, she's happy so that's good by me!

I've recently started writing for examiner.com which is a blast. Here's a few fun articles, especially interesting for the elders among us (yes, I'm counting myself there, having move to Red Hat Society territory just last year):

Elder Fun 101 - Find a local Red Hat Society chapter near to Silver Spring, MD - LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the pic of dear Joe in this one.

Elder Travel 101: Where can I find travel activities?

And, I haven't forgotten the chocoholics:

FRIDAYS ONLY! Get a free Milky Way, M&Ms, Snickers, Dove or Twix chocolate bar!!

Here's my profile - if you care! http://www.examiner.com/x-15629-Silver-Spring-Elder-Care-Examiner

A new boat home...

Well, John and I had a fantastic day on the boat yesterday. I wanted to practice getting out of the slip and heading out for the Bay and, if I say so myself, I had a spectacular maiden voyage. No issues at all, Namaste responded to my fledgling captaining very well, much to my delight (and, John's amazement!). Got out to the Bay and held her steady as John upped the sails and off we went. Got up to 6.2 miles under sail, heeling (leaning over) all the way. Totally loved it! What a great time. Dropped anchor and spent an hour swimming in a jellyfish-free Chesapeake. Water temp was 73.5 and incredibly comfortable.

I got up this morning around 3, which seems to be my normal time of awakening these days. Around 5, snapped the pics of an awe-inspiring sunrise over the marina - tried to wake John but he wasn't having it. The rocking of the boat was too comforting.





We did get a nice walk in over to get coffee at the Java Stop and then continued onto Petey Greene's which is supposed to be open for breakfast - yeah, they open at 11 - ok, maybe not everyone wakes at 3, but really 11?? Anyway, once we found our favorite spot closed, John suggested we head to Chesapeake Beach for breakfast and what a fateful decision it was.

We got to Chesapeake beach and had a great breakfast at the hotel, overlooking the marina. Decided to walk out and talk to a few of the boat owners about rental slip rates for the marina. Long story short (too late), in 3 quick hours, we had already moved the boat to our new marina spot! It's gorgeous and we have an incredible spot, just the second from the bulkhead which means we're out in the Bay at full speed in less than 5 minutes. And the best part of all is that we can take Mom to the hotel, about 100 feet from the boat, get a bay-front room for the night, and get some gambling in too (they have slots there). Really excited about the rest of the summer at our new 'home.' The people we met today were very nice and welcoming - I think we're in for some big fun! And, to top it off, I was up $45 in about 3 minutes on the slot machine before John pulled me away - good move.

Picture to the left was snapped this morning on our walk - in coming home and reviewing the shots, this one cracked me up. It looks like a raven wedding to me...