Mike and Brenda on "Velsignet"

Last evening as we drove to Marlys and Glen's condo anticipating the Kansas City Chiefs would beat the New England Patriots for playing rights at the 2019 Super Bowl (sob, sob, boo-hoo...the Chiefs were so close!), the full moon hovered in the east over the scenic landscape.  Watching the nail-biting football game together, we took breaks to step out onto the balcony to admire the large orb. When the football game concluded, we gathered our belongings and Mike's parents gave us a ride back to Home Port Marina.  As we gazed up again, it was evident something was happening...there was no longer a full moon. Last night there was a lunar eclipse and when we returned to Velsignet at 10 pm, we watched as the bright full moon became fully shaded by the earth.   Glen told us last evening that Mike's aunts, Pauline and Dorothy, in Red Lake Falls and Hallock, MN respectively, would most likely be watching for the eclipse.  This morning our "other brother" Son Mic...

Last night Mike and I attended an entertaining "Three on a String" concert at the Methodist Church in Gulf Shores, AL.  Being a popular annual event, the house was packed and even though we arrived 20 minutes early, we sat in the back row of this 700-seat capacity auditorium.  Next to me sat a wonderful lady named Ruth from Wisconsin (Ruth--German, married her husband who is Norwegian...hmmm...like Finkenbinder marries a Torgerson.).  Ruth was introduced to Gulf Shores by her sister (who is currently 85 years old and suffering from dimentia) who came here each winter for more than 25 years. Ruth enjoys "simple knitting"--prayer shawls, prayer bookmarks, hats, caps, mittens--all of which are given away to others who need or would appreciate them.  Before the evening's end, Ruth gave me an open invitation to stop by her place at anytime. At the end of our dock in a 65-foot Hattaras (M/V "The Jungle") is a local Alabama couple a bit younger than ourselv...

Brenda wakes one morning this past week to learn that Mike can't find his phone (his phone is his lifeline to Puget Sound Mobile Wash).  He has searched the boat (how many places can one look in 330 square feet of living space?), called his phone (using Brenda's--didn't hear anything ringing on board), and searched the vehicle (that Glen and Marlys loaned us).  In response, Brenda opens her "Find Friends" app on her phone (apparently she keeps Mike on a short leash!) and it reveals that Mike's phone is located at the "The Cove" bar and grille where we'd made a stop the night prior. Because we have plans for lunch with Glen and Marlys and it's already after 10 am (everything takes more time on a boat--yes, even waking, eating, and searching), Mike leaves to do time-sensitive errands and retrieve his phone while Brenda continues to get ready for the day.  Upon his return, he shares that the owner of "The Cove" had his phone (no pr...

Last evening we attended a $10 per ticket "Cody and Friends" concert at the nearby United Methodist Church.  Cody is the church's Director of Worship Arts and "his friends" included some junior high talent on guitars, drums, piano and vocals.  A young woman in 8th grade nailed Tammy Wynette's "You Ain't Woman Enough to Take My Man" such that we're sure she'd do well on THE VOICE! Our week here at Homeport Marina as flown by.  The temperatures were between 35-65 degrees and most days were sunny and pleasant.  Much of our week focused on work (reports, taxes, daily schedules, etc.) and errands (mail, groceries, boat parts, propane, washed clothes) and smaller projects (insenglass treatment, hung a mirror, sewed a tablecloth).  We also took advantage of our location: The sanctuary of the United Methodist Church in Gulf Shores, AL Spent an overnight on Velsignet in secluded Ingram Bay and enjoyed pelicans, blue heron, terns an...

Friday morning—a couple of days ago—we were working on PSMW stuff and doing projects on the boat when we heard a knock.   Bob, a boater who keeps his Hatteras in the Homeport Marina, saw our AGLCA burgee and as a Gold Looper (they completed the Loop in 2008), stopped by to introduce himself.   By 5:15 that same evening on Velsignet’s flying bridge we were enjoying stories from Bob and his wife, Vicki, about their looping experiences (Home in Fairhope, AL; M/V “Si Como No," and have 2 Himalayan cats).     During our conversation with Bob and Vicki, we mentioned our desire to ride our bikes from here to Orange Beach where Mike’s folks are staying, and voiced concern over what we saw was a lack of bike lanes and trails.   Vicki and Bob very kindly let us know that our perceptions weren’t true, that there are an abundance of bike lanes and trails between here and there.   Vicki gave us details about how we would find them.   This weekend we got our bik...