Anchors Away

Today's entry will most likely signal a pause in my postings as my SO and I begin an adventure with our aqua RV. In 2007, we explored a section of Lake Huron, called the North Channel, but since it was our first expedition, we barely scratched the surface of this breathtakingly beautiful area. With tomorrow's foray, we hope to discover even more anchorages, coves, and scenery. Of course, Mother Nature will rule and her reign begins early tomorrow morning. As with all monarchs, we hope for a benevolent rule and blessing, not a harsh or harrowing one as we must cross Lake Michigan.

The first time we made this crossing and trip I was a basket case for days prior to our departure. By the time the actual morning came to leave, I was sleep-deprived beyond belief and had given birth to so many butterflies in my stomach that I could have been a nature sanctuary for caterpillars. I was uncharacteristically disinterested in eating and kept wishing for a big wind to suddenly appear for days, precluding our ability to cross 'the big lake'. As you have perceived, there was no big wind, we did cross and I did survive.

At that time, I could not fathom an almost two-week span without cable television or computer access and I wondered what I would do with my leisure hours. Filling leisure time was surprisingly easy and pleasurable as I read voraciously and maintained a diary that I kept faithfully and wrote, with candor, about my experiences. 2009 finds me a bit more relaxed and confident.

Since two years have passed, I am hoping that more marinas may have internet accessibility.
We do carry a Sprint air card and, hopefully, Sprint has built more Canadian towers. Time will give me the answer to whether I can post on any regular schedule, if at all. I am going prepared with a back-up plan.....a large, spiral-bound notebook, which I will use to manually record daily entries, if necessary. In the event that this scenario prevails, I will have numerous postings to enter on one day when we return to port!

And so, to the readers of this blog, I humbly request prayers for safety and common sense, both on our part and that of other boaters. Plus, a prayer for cooperation from Mother Nature wouldn't hurt, either!

Until we 'meet' again, Ancora Imparo.

Are There Really Grocery Stores in Other Cities?

I have a tendency to forget that, when I am traveling, I might be able to acquire items in other locations that I am accustomed to purchasing in my home area. Thusly, I think and think and then, think some more, about every possible product that I use or consume on a regular basis and proceed to buy enough of each item to last me through a ninety-day Pacific cruise........or so it seems.

My family and SO (in particular) teases me about this personality trait mercilessly, constantly reminding me that "There are grocery stores in other cities."

I'll hear entreaties such as, "Mom, you don't need to take two dozen rolls of your favorite paper towels." or "Dear (nothing good ever follows the word 'dear'), grocery stores will carry zippered food storage bags." I'll catch myself in the act and then tell myself that old-fashioned oatmeal is a common product and I don't need to take a case with me. Of course, it is a different matter when my SO takes more than one of something. Then it is called 'redundancy' and it perfectly permissible.

I'll sign off from today's posting. I have to talk myself out of buying a case of my favorite mayonnaise. Wish me luck!

Ancora imparo

Typing in the Dark

This blog posting may not make too much sense and, for that, I apologize. This urge to create a posting for today is so strong that I am typing in near-darkness, sitting up on top of a bed, legs uncomfortably straight out one minute and the next minute the knees are crossed, trying desperately to find comfort in a very small, cramped quarters. I have now repeated this motion several times.

This is the end to a grand and glorious day spent with friends out on the water, basking in the sun, shopping with no purpose, seeking out a seating position that best captures water spray, being treated royally to a delicious dinner, peeking inside windows of a condo model, and touring two boats that would truly break the bank.

The weather has been unpredictable to say the least. Days that were supposed to be idyllic, with little wind, turned into beasts that tried to blow our activity ideas right out the window. On the other hand, days that were supposed to be 'iffy' came to our rescue.

Who knew what a potluck menu Mother Nature would serve? But then, I did receive an email from TLV last night that made my heart skip a beat. I guess all the stars are lined back up in my area!

Ancora imparo

Putting the Emphasis On the Right Syllable

During my childhood, one of my mother's favorite phrases was, "Put the emphasis on the right syllable". It was an inside joke, of sorts. The kind between mother and daughter where you might wink at each other or look at each other with no word exchange but still know exactly what the other person was thinking. For us, the phrase really meant to say what you mean and mean what you say.

On my walk this morning, as often happens, words or thoughts pop into my head, seemingly for no reason at all. Ideas that are born from my cerebrum, in some tiny, dark speck, much like the speck on the flower in the cartoon/movie, "Horton Hears A Who".

The two words du jour that came to my attention are 'compress' and 'impress'. (Don't even wonder why. I'm scared to find out.)

Just consider how important placing the right emphasis on the correct syllable is. In our language, syllable emphasis is everything.

Take the word compress. If I ask for a compress, more than likely I have injured, strained or sprained some body part and, by requesting a compress I am seeking relief from pain. However, if I mispronounce the word and ask for a compress, I may very well endure terrific pain and end up in a tiny square shape, destined for a landfill somewhere. Same word, BIG difference in meaning depending on how I pronounce the word.

The same can be said for the word impress. If I say I wish to impress another individual, I would be indicating that I want to behave myself, speak with good purpose, dress appropriately and make a favorable impression. On the other hand, if I say I want to impress someone, I would be making a less-than-favorable impression (pun intended) as I leave marks in the skin of the unfortunate person, thereby failing to impress.

The caveat to all of us is to speak with good purpose and enunciate carefully. If we don't, we might very well find ourselves smaller than we desire or branded with a corporate logo in a conspicuous place on our bodies!

Ancora imparo

It's Not The End Of The World

Are you a creature of habit? I am and I freely admit it. Enjoying habits and routines is nothing to be ashamed of - right?

Some of my favorite routines are reading my newspaper and enjoying a cup of coffee, while sitting in my dad's old chair; getting up early, quietly moving about the house, and checking my email; changing my clothes immediately after coming home from a day's work; enjoying the lighted Christmas tree at night in a silent room.

I also have favorite 'comfort' garments that I like to wear, depending on the time of year. All my 'comfort' garments are made of very soft materials, and, for the most part, are all loose fitting, with no constriction whatsoever. There is something about these 'comfort' articles of clothing that at once relax me and mellow me out almost instantaneously.

One of these garments is an old pair of gym shorts that have been washed so many times they feel like velvet to the skin. These gray shorts are modest in appearance and certainly not any 'look' that I would ever want to display in public. I love my old gym shorts..........and I forgot to bring them with me on this trip to my aqua RV. I just discovered this omission in packing and it has been all I can do not to drive five hours south back to home to retrieve them. I've considered calling a friend who has a house key and asking her to send them via overnight delivery, but that is not exactly cost-effective. Besides, that particular decision might prompt my SO to not renew our co-habitation contract for another year.

I guess the bottom line is that my bottom line will not include wearing my old gray gym shorts for a while. I do realize that the world will not end, that I could have much bigger dilemmas facing me, and that there are millions of people in this world who would give their right and left limbs to have a missing pair of gym shorts be their worst problem. I know all this....


So, thank you for allowing me this space to whine just a bit. I'm signing off and going to look up the local post office phone number. Just don't tell my SO! The secret will be ours!

Ancora imparo

WWJD?

I must confess that I am struggling with myself as I try to wrap my mind around a local tragedy that occurred recently.

An extended family is dealing with the grief of losing their matriarch and patriarch by the hand of a man who entered their home with the intent of doing great bodily harm. Not only did he take the lives of these two beloved individuals but he also severely beat their son who was in the habit of routinely checking in on his parents daily.

I do know some of the family members and I suspect this is why this tragic incident has been on my mind almost continually since I learned details about what happened.

I pray for justice to be served, for the family to be comforted by memories and each other as they wrestle with feelings that probably span the gamut from grief, rage, bewilderment, incredulity, despair, anger, and disbelief.

How would I react? Would I not feel that 'an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth' should prevail?

I truly do not understand what purpose this horrible event could possibly have. I am left puzzled beyond comprehension and wondering WHY????????????????????????

Ancora imparo

Nonsense

I am shaking my head in disbelief at this moment. Disbelief that, in this horrid economy where businesses and individuals are struggling to stay afloat, a small business would give me such a hard time about paying my bill.

Allow me to explain.

Approximately four weeks ago my SO and I arranged to have a service provided. The date of service, which was also prearranged, was scheduled for two weeks ago. The service was completed, to our satisfaction, on the agreed-upon date.

Fast forward to this day.

Among my listed tasks is catching up on all bills so that, as we are in and out over the coming days, outstanding statements are paid in a timely fashion, even if that means paying well ahead of a due date.

Having received no bill from this small business, which I believe is a franchise operation, I called the number listed and explained what I was trying to do. The woman answering the phone was very pleasant.....which is a positive trait for anyone answering a phone dealing with the public. Pleasant but quite confused as to what to do about my request. She explained that a bill would have been left in our front door immediately upon completion of the service rendered. When I politely replied that no bill had been left with us, which she seemingly disbelieved, she said she would call me right back.

After ten to fifteen minutes, my phone rang and a different person, in a different location was on the line. After nearly ten minutes of polite questions, one of which was, "Did you sign up for this or did you just go out that morning and ask them to provide this service?", the helpful person could not find our name or address in their system. I told her that, while I was all for getting something for nothing, I did want to pay them. She then replied that she needed to find the original list of homeowners who signed up and she would call me right back. (Keep in mind that I am trying to pay this bill.) After another five minutes or so, she did phone back, saying that she had found the list and she gave me the amount owed. It was as if I had to insist, for well-over thirty minutes, that a service from this company had been provided to my address.

The only conclusion that I can reach is that this company has more business than it can handle and that cash flow is not a problem. After receiving the amount owed, I did ask her, with due respect and politeness, if I could be assured that since they had so much trouble finding me in the first place, how could I know that my payment would be credited to the correct name and address???????

A good question, don't you think?

Ancora imparo