Safe!

On Saturday K and I took the NJ Safe Boating course at Husted’s Landing. The Coast Guard Auxiliary gave the course in a marina garage. The room was cold and the seating was less than comfortable but it was exciting to be around boaters talking about boats at this time of year when we’re contemplating taking the shrink wrap off and getting back in the water.

Last year NJ implemented new legislation that says if you were born before 1959 that you have through June 2008 to become certified. Because of our advanced years we could have waited till then except for the clause that PWC operators must be certified immediately.

$40 covered 7 hours of power point narration peppered with stories from old salts about the calamities they’d been witness to. Emphasis on there being a price for not following the rules.

What was in that Glass?

Last Sunday we were invited over to Vic & Susan's for dinner. They had previously planned a get together with Jim and Sharon Scanlan so it was the six of us plus all the boys.

Vic, Jim, and I took the kids to the local sledding spot and they had a blast while the 3 of us stood at the bottom of the hill and talked. I wish I had a place to sled like this when I was a kid. It was about 70 ft up a steep incline so you can gather a lot of speed but have to be mindful about your angle/approach to the road.

When we got back to the house K and S were 3 sheets to the wind and having a grand time. It was a good release for K who had spent the day with homework, etc. all the time watching the clock so that we would make it to Chatham at 2. I consumed my share of wine and at some point Vic brought out the long island iced tea.

Jim had some definite ideas on broiling and took over cooking in the Milones newly renovated kitchen producing nicely seared steaks for dinner. Shortly after dinner I noticed that K was missing and Susan let me know that she had retired to the car.

I detached C from sledding in the Milone's back yard and drove home. It was a fun time. Too much alcohol but sometimes...

First warm day

We had a 70 degree day yesterday and I convinced the family to go for a walk after dinner. We made a 20 minute trek down to Exchange Place and stopped into a hotel bar for refreshments before turning around. Beautiful night but today they’re talking snow.

Mike & Jack

Visited my Cousin Mike and his partner Jack over the weekend of 2/24. It was great to connect again. We picked up right where we left off some 17 years ago! I was only there from Friday to Sunday but I got caught up on family news and thawed out in the warm sun after some bitter New York weather.

When we got to the house I met their 2 Maltese Harley and Smokey who can become insistent that the ball be thrown for an endless game of fetch.

Mike works in Ft. Lauderdale and maintains an apartment there but spends his down time in Hobe Sound.

He had never come out to me though I had suspected he was gay. Before the end of the weekend we casually talked about it as though I’d always known. I’m glad there’s no more pretense.

Jack and I are both early risers and so got to spend both mornings together. Loved the Army stories. His latest avocation has been to head the neighborhood community board so I got the dish on the neighbor’s bad behavior and what it takes to keep flora and fauna at bay in a tropical environment.

I had expected to do some drinking and I did but, Mike has given up booze because of prescription meds that he was taking. There was a beer or 2 just to be social and we ate at some great places like Shrimpers and Flanigans.

Saturday night we went to the Vari Asian Crazy Buffet in West Palm with their friend Robert. Mike knew one of the waitresses and was able to get us a seat ahead of others who were waiting in a long line. It pays to have connections.