Rain again. Got a little sanding done before it started, and Roy got the transducer installed. Now all he has to do is wire it up.
Our neighbor, Ron, came over, and Roy gave him the grand tour of the boat. Then we visited Ron's boat. It's steel and has a lot of room in the cabin, but it wasn't designed for cruising. There isn't nearly enough storage space, and the engine is almost impossible to get at.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Wednesday, March 30, 1994 - Haulout, Norfolk, VA
Sunny and cool. Rode my bike to a bank to see if they would cash the check from the B of A. As I expected, they wouldn't. I had to open an account and deposit the check. In a week or so, I'll be able to draw against it. You'd think in these days of computers and high-speed electronic transfers, they could clear it almost instantaneously instead of taking a week.
Was able to get a fourth coat of varnish on the toerails and rubrails. They're starting to look pretty good now. Roy is busy installing the transducer for the new sonar.
By the time we were ready to stop working and eat lunch, it was four o'clock in the afternoon, so we went to the buffet restaurant and ate lupper. Ate much too much.
(This is a lot of work, but will be done soon, honest. Wood boats are pretty, but lots of work.)
Was able to get a fourth coat of varnish on the toerails and rubrails. They're starting to look pretty good now. Roy is busy installing the transducer for the new sonar.
By the time we were ready to stop working and eat lunch, it was four o'clock in the afternoon, so we went to the buffet restaurant and ate lupper. Ate much too much.
(This is a lot of work, but will be done soon, honest. Wood boats are pretty, but lots of work.)
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Tuesday, March 29, 1994 - Haulout, Norfolk, VA
Rainy in the morning, so I took the bus downtown to see if any mail had come in. At long last, the check from the B of A that I had requested weeks ago arrived. It was postmarked March 15th. The Pony Express needs some new horses. Also got some info on ciguatera that I had requested. Remember that weird malady we got last summer from eating barracuda on our way to Key West? A company in California has developed a kit for testing fish for the toxin. It's not available commercially yet, but as soon as it is, we want to get it. One dose of ciguatera is all one ever wants to have. And ours was relatively mild. In extreme cases, it can be fatal. Ciguatera is all over the world and has been for centuries. Freshness of the fish has no bearing on it, and you can't tell by looking at the fish or smelling it or feeling it whether or not it has the toxin. People have gotten it from eating fish in first-class restaurants. Cooking does not remove the poison. A great many different kinds of fish carry it, but the most likely ones are large, predatory fish in tropical waters.
On my way home, I stopped at a Revco and exchanged the stuff Roy didn't want for the kind of Bandaids he did want. Went into a used book store and bought three small books for less than $3. Bought a few groceries at Farm Fresh and returned to the boat.
In the afternoon, the rain quit and the sun came out, but it was too cold and damp to varnish. Roy, of course, continued working on the boat. She's starting to look like her old self again. The planks have been replaced and sealed, and the prow is all smooth and beautiful again. He's even got a coat of primer on the hull. What a difference that makes! The new tracks have arrived, but they can't be installed until I'm through varnishing the toerails.
On my way home, I stopped at a Revco and exchanged the stuff Roy didn't want for the kind of Bandaids he did want. Went into a used book store and bought three small books for less than $3. Bought a few groceries at Farm Fresh and returned to the boat.
In the afternoon, the rain quit and the sun came out, but it was too cold and damp to varnish. Roy, of course, continued working on the boat. She's starting to look like her old self again. The planks have been replaced and sealed, and the prow is all smooth and beautiful again. He's even got a coat of primer on the hull. What a difference that makes! The new tracks have arrived, but they can't be installed until I'm through varnishing the toerails.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Monday, March 28, 1994 - Haulout, Norfolk, VA
Beautiful when I first got up. Sunny and warm, so I started right in sanding, even though rain was predicted. Unfortunately, the clouds soon moved in. By the time I was through sanding, the rain started. Didn't last long, but the weather remained gray, damp, and somewhat cold, so no varnishing. After lunch, I walked to the local post office, Revco Drugstore, and Food Lion. Bought some Bandaids and stuff that Roy wanted, but it turned out that what I thought Roy had asked me to get wasn't what Roy thought he had asked me to get. Anyway, tomorrow I'll exchange it. Bought a bunch of groceries and returned on the bus. Roy continued working on the prow, rain or no rain. Jofian's starting to look like herself again.
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Sunday, March 27, 1994 - Haulout, Norfolk, VA
Rained off and on today. Our next-door neighbor was going to West Marine in the car he'd rented, and he invited us to go with him. We leaped at the opportunity, even though we couldn't think of much of anything we needed from West Marine. Of course, as soon as we got there, its usual magic took over, and we ended up spending $240!
In the afternoon, we took Ron, our neighbor, to the buffet restaurant for lupper. It was extra good today. They even had baked potatoes.
In the afternoon, we took Ron, our neighbor, to the buffet restaurant for lupper. It was extra good today. They even had baked potatoes.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Saturday, March 26, 1994 - Haulout, Norfolk, VA
No rain today, but too cold to varnish. Glad I got three coats on when I did; it's starting to look pretty good.
Roy continued working on the prow, and I worked on stuff inside, such as going through old issues of the SSCA Bulletin for relevant articles. Also went to the grocery store.
Roy continued working on the prow, and I worked on stuff inside, such as going through old issues of the SSCA Bulletin for relevant articles. Also went to the grocery store.
Friday, March 25, 2011
Friday, March 25, 1994 - Haulout, Norfolk, VA
Guess those past two days were just teasers. Today we plunged back into winter -- driving rain, howling gales, plunging temperatures. Everything except snow.
Since I couldn't varnish, I figured I'd go downtown and check the mail, do some shopping, maybe go to a movie. It was still warm when I started out and hadn't begun to rain yet, so I dressed lightly. Almost didn't take a jacket, thinking I'd get too hot. Fortunately, at the last minute, I stuck a light windbreaker in my backpack. Also took my umbrella. Was perfectly comfortable waiting at the bus stop in a short-sleeved top, but by the time the bus approached downtown Norfolk, it was starting to feel chilly, so I put my jacket on. Lucky I did, because when I got off the bus, I was nearly blown away and half drowned. It was all I could do to keep my umbrella up, and I got soaked in spite of it. When I got to the Post Office, there was a big box for me -- about a cubic foot. Trying to carry it AND the umbrella was well-nigh out of the question. I knew it contained the plastic dishes I'd ordered from West Marine, and they couldn't possibly take up that much room, so I opened the box, which was mostly filled with crumpled newspaper, put the dishes in my pack, and threw away the box and newspaper. That made life much simpler.
Roy wanted me to get him some stuff at Boat/US, so I took the bus out Virginia Beach Blvd. I thought Boat/US was this side of the Military Circle Shopping Center, so I kept peering through the foggy window looking for it. Saw E & B Discount Marine Supply but not Boat/US. All of a sudden, we were at Military Circle, so I figured I'd missed it and would have to walk back. I'd dried out on the bus, but as soon as I got off, I was wet and cold again. Went into the mall, bought something at Radio Shack, and ate lunch at Wendy's. Fortunately, before setting out for Boat/US, I looked up its address in a phone book. Ho ho, it was the other side of Military Circle, about six or seven blocks. I could have spent another 55 cents and taken the bus, but heck, what's six blocks? So I plunged back out into the cold wind and driving rain. The six blocks stretched into something like two miles, so I arrived at Boat/US looking like a drowned rat. A cold drowned rat.
Bought the stuff Roy wanted and a can of varnish. Then I started back towards Janaf Plaza, which is across the street from Military Circle. I wanted to see a movie that started at 2:10, so I walked fast, fast, fast. That served the double purpose of keeping me from freezing. My light little windbreaker is neither warm nor waterproof. Was very happy when I arrived at the theater at 2:09. Guess what -- the movie I wanted to see was no longer showing. The only other picture I would have considered going to had started at 1:50. The rest were junk, so I caught a bus back to the yard.
Roy was very glad to see me when I came straggling up. He had been wondering if I'd taken any kind of a jacket and an umbrella. The rain had stopped by then and the wind had died down, but it was still plenty cold. I dried off, put on snugly clothes, and drank some hot soup. Roy bundled up warm and rode his bike to a store. Boy, did it feel good to be warm and dry again!
Since I couldn't varnish, I figured I'd go downtown and check the mail, do some shopping, maybe go to a movie. It was still warm when I started out and hadn't begun to rain yet, so I dressed lightly. Almost didn't take a jacket, thinking I'd get too hot. Fortunately, at the last minute, I stuck a light windbreaker in my backpack. Also took my umbrella. Was perfectly comfortable waiting at the bus stop in a short-sleeved top, but by the time the bus approached downtown Norfolk, it was starting to feel chilly, so I put my jacket on. Lucky I did, because when I got off the bus, I was nearly blown away and half drowned. It was all I could do to keep my umbrella up, and I got soaked in spite of it. When I got to the Post Office, there was a big box for me -- about a cubic foot. Trying to carry it AND the umbrella was well-nigh out of the question. I knew it contained the plastic dishes I'd ordered from West Marine, and they couldn't possibly take up that much room, so I opened the box, which was mostly filled with crumpled newspaper, put the dishes in my pack, and threw away the box and newspaper. That made life much simpler.
Roy wanted me to get him some stuff at Boat/US, so I took the bus out Virginia Beach Blvd. I thought Boat/US was this side of the Military Circle Shopping Center, so I kept peering through the foggy window looking for it. Saw E & B Discount Marine Supply but not Boat/US. All of a sudden, we were at Military Circle, so I figured I'd missed it and would have to walk back. I'd dried out on the bus, but as soon as I got off, I was wet and cold again. Went into the mall, bought something at Radio Shack, and ate lunch at Wendy's. Fortunately, before setting out for Boat/US, I looked up its address in a phone book. Ho ho, it was the other side of Military Circle, about six or seven blocks. I could have spent another 55 cents and taken the bus, but heck, what's six blocks? So I plunged back out into the cold wind and driving rain. The six blocks stretched into something like two miles, so I arrived at Boat/US looking like a drowned rat. A cold drowned rat.
Bought the stuff Roy wanted and a can of varnish. Then I started back towards Janaf Plaza, which is across the street from Military Circle. I wanted to see a movie that started at 2:10, so I walked fast, fast, fast. That served the double purpose of keeping me from freezing. My light little windbreaker is neither warm nor waterproof. Was very happy when I arrived at the theater at 2:09. Guess what -- the movie I wanted to see was no longer showing. The only other picture I would have considered going to had started at 1:50. The rest were junk, so I caught a bus back to the yard.
Roy was very glad to see me when I came straggling up. He had been wondering if I'd taken any kind of a jacket and an umbrella. The rain had stopped by then and the wind had died down, but it was still plenty cold. I dried off, put on snugly clothes, and drank some hot soup. Roy bundled up warm and rode his bike to a store. Boy, did it feel good to be warm and dry again!
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Thursday, March 24, 1994 - Haulout, Norfolk, VA
Another glorious 80-degree day. The boatyard is a beehive of activity--everyone is working on his boat. We got another coat of varnish on the toerails and rubrails and another coat of primer between the toerails and rubrails. Roy also shaped a piece of wood to fill the gouge in the prow from the collision with the buoy.
After supper, we strolled over to 7-11 for a pint of ice cream. What a lovely, balmy evening!
After supper, we strolled over to 7-11 for a pint of ice cream. What a lovely, balmy evening!
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Wednesday, March 23, 1994 - Haulout, Norfolk, VA
What a terrific day! Temperature went all the way to 80! Clear, sunny, beautiful. Perfect varnishing weather, so I put another coat on both toerails and rubrails. Roy started painting the area between the toerails and rubrails. He has also removed the old sail tracks and ordered new ones. The old ones were in such bad shape, Roy could break them into pieces with his bare hands. We could have had a real disaster in a strong wind.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Tuesday, March 22, 1994 - Haulout, Norfolk, VA
Dry today, but windy and cool. Went downtown to get my mail. Hooray! It was there. What a relief! Even got the mail-in form to renew my driver's license. I was hoping I'd get that. The International Permit I got last week isn't valid without a current driver's license, and mine was due to expire next month. Sent the form in immediately. Now I'm all set for another couple of years.
Also got the bill for my Kaiser premium, so I paid that up for the rest of the year. Made another payment on my Visa card. I want to get all my bills paid in full before we leave. There was a strange bill from Radio Shack for "Training Support" in Ft. Worth, Texas, on January 28th. Hey, I haven't been in Ft. Worth for more than forty years, and I've never received either training or support from Radio Shack. So now I have to write them a letter.
Was very happy to receive the Medicare form for the CAT scan I had last July. Kaiser has been holding up reimbursing me, because I hadn't sent them that form. I didn't submit a claim to Medicare at the time, because I'd assigned my benefits to Kaiser, so I thought they'd do it. Anyway, I should have a refund coming of nearly $650. That will come in handy.
Roy has replaced all three of the planks, so Jofian is starting to look like herself again. I'm sure she feels a lot better. She must have felt terribly embarrassed, with her sides open and her ribs exposed for all the world to see. And I feel a lot better, no longer looking at daylight shining through the bow.
Also got the bill for my Kaiser premium, so I paid that up for the rest of the year. Made another payment on my Visa card. I want to get all my bills paid in full before we leave. There was a strange bill from Radio Shack for "Training Support" in Ft. Worth, Texas, on January 28th. Hey, I haven't been in Ft. Worth for more than forty years, and I've never received either training or support from Radio Shack. So now I have to write them a letter.
Was very happy to receive the Medicare form for the CAT scan I had last July. Kaiser has been holding up reimbursing me, because I hadn't sent them that form. I didn't submit a claim to Medicare at the time, because I'd assigned my benefits to Kaiser, so I thought they'd do it. Anyway, I should have a refund coming of nearly $650. That will come in handy.
Roy has replaced all three of the planks, so Jofian is starting to look like herself again. I'm sure she feels a lot better. She must have felt terribly embarrassed, with her sides open and her ribs exposed for all the world to see. And I feel a lot better, no longer looking at daylight shining through the bow.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Monday, March 21, 1994 - Haulout, Norfolk, VA
Rainy and cool today, so couldn't do any varnishing. Wrote letters and worked on tax returns. They're all done now, except for the California returns. I'm hoping Kathy mailed me the forms.
Our neighbor in the boatyard rented a car for a week and offered to take Roy to the store, so off they went. In due course, Roy returned with three gallons of paint, some other stuff, and an empty wallet. So he grabbed some more money and took off for another store. He wanted to get some new tracks to replace the old ones but couldn't find any. His neighbor wanted to get an anchor to replace the one that was stolen, but he couldn't find one at a price he could afford, so they came back empty-handed except for a couple of small cleats that Roy bought.
Our neighbor in the boatyard rented a car for a week and offered to take Roy to the store, so off they went. In due course, Roy returned with three gallons of paint, some other stuff, and an empty wallet. So he grabbed some more money and took off for another store. He wanted to get some new tracks to replace the old ones but couldn't find any. His neighbor wanted to get an anchor to replace the one that was stolen, but he couldn't find one at a price he could afford, so they came back empty-handed except for a couple of small cleats that Roy bought.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Sunday, March 20, 1994 - Haulout, Norfolk, VA
The first day of spring was just the way it should be: warm, clear, sunny, absolutely beautiful! Roy finished sealing the cracks where he'd dug out the rotting wood, and I varnished both toerails and both rubrails!
Managed to reach Kathy on the phone. She mailed my mail yesterday
-- after listening to my message. Fortunately, she sent it priority mail, so with luck I'll get it Tuesday.
In the evening, we walked to the buffet restaurant and ate another feast.
Managed to reach Kathy on the phone. She mailed my mail yesterday
-- after listening to my message. Fortunately, she sent it priority mail, so with luck I'll get it Tuesday.
In the evening, we walked to the buffet restaurant and ate another feast.
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Saturday, March 19, 1994 - Haulout, Norfolk, VA
The wind blew like crazy all night and part of the morning. It was out of the north, so it was pretty cold, but then the wind calmed down, the temperature climbed, the sun shone, and it was a glorious spring day.
I rode the bus all the way downtown (an hour's ride each way) to get the mail, but my box was completely empty! That was really disappointing. I have a lot of important mail that I need to get right away. Last weekend, Kathy told me she'd mail it Monday. I hope it didn't get lost. Tried to phone her, but just got her machine.
Roy found a lot of rotted wood in the deck at the top of the rubrails. It's like that all the way around the boat. He dug out the rotted wood and poured in epoxy and something else to seal it. Sure lucky he found it.
I rode the bus all the way downtown (an hour's ride each way) to get the mail, but my box was completely empty! That was really disappointing. I have a lot of important mail that I need to get right away. Last weekend, Kathy told me she'd mail it Monday. I hope it didn't get lost. Tried to phone her, but just got her machine.
Roy found a lot of rotted wood in the deck at the top of the rubrails. It's like that all the way around the boat. He dug out the rotted wood and poured in epoxy and something else to seal it. Sure lucky he found it.
Friday, March 18, 2011
Friday, March 18, 1994 - Haulout, Norfolk, VA
A little rain in the morning, but by afternoon, it was dry and sunny and fairly warm. Finally got my bike put together. Rode it to a grocery store I hadn't been to before and bought half a gallon of pineapple-orange juice. The wind was very strong against me going, but I sure had an easy ride back.
Roy got one of the planks in! Jofian already looks better.
Roy got one of the planks in! Jofian already looks better.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Thursday, March 17, 1994 - Haulout, Norfolk, VA
Happy St. Patrick's Day! When I was a kid, I always liked St. Patrick's Day, because it meant my birthday was just one month away.
The lumber arrived around noon, and Roy immediately started shaping, bending, and twisting a plank to fit the contours of the boat. It's a very difficult job, especially without a steamer, but if anyone can do it, Roy can.
I finished sanding the starboard toerail and then went downtown to check the mail and various other things. Got tax forms for Roy and the corporation. Also got an International Drivers Permit from AAA. Picked up some groceries at Farm Fresh on the way home.
The lumber arrived around noon, and Roy immediately started shaping, bending, and twisting a plank to fit the contours of the boat. It's a very difficult job, especially without a steamer, but if anyone can do it, Roy can.
I finished sanding the starboard toerail and then went downtown to check the mail and various other things. Got tax forms for Roy and the corporation. Also got an International Drivers Permit from AAA. Picked up some groceries at Farm Fresh on the way home.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Wednesday, March 16, 1994 - Haulout, Norfolk, VA
Roy is still sanding the hull. He is delighted with the facilities here. He has said over and over that this is the easiest place to work on the boat he's ever been. Instead of impromptu scaffolding of loose planks and sawhorses, he has a portable metal platform that goes up and down, so he can adjust it to any height he wants and move it to any location he wants. In addition to water and electricity, the yard supplies compressed air. Roy had thought he was going to have to buy his own air compressor. The yard even lends him tools for free if he wants them, but they're not in very good condition, so he prefers to buy his own.
I started sanding the starboard toerail in the morning. Went to the nearby grocery store and bought a couple of things. After lunch, I went wild-goose-chasing for Roy. He needed some more of the special sanding discs he uses. I walked about three miles and checked at several stores. Found plenty of normal, run-of-the-mill sanding discs but couldn't find the kind Roy wanted. Finally, I came to a large building-supply store that had everything under the sun. To my joy, they had the type of disc Roy wanted. Found out they're called "hook-and-loop" sanding discs. To my disappointment, they didn't have the right size. They had 5 inch with 5 holes. Roy wanted 4 1/2 inch with 8 holes. Bought a package anyway, figuring half an inch could be trimmed off the circumference. It was getting late, so I took the bus back. Roy said the discs were fine, and he could use them just the way they were! Wow! But he still wanted to go over to HQ Builders Supply and see if they had the kind that fit his Ryobi sander. We thought HQ was in Virginia Beach, so we were going to take the bus there. It would have been a long ride, so I said I'd phone first and find out if they had the discs. When I looked up the number in the phone book, I was surprised and delighted to see there was an HQ store right over here on Little Creek. I'd been within a few blocks of it when I'd turned around. Phoned them and lo! they had the Ryobi 4 1/2 inch sanding discs. Hooray hooray!
We showered, ate supper, and caught the 7 o'clock bus to Granby and Little Creek. HQ is HUGE! Roy was a kid in a candy store. Bought three packages of the sanding discs, and also bought a chain saw, an electric planer, a file to sharpen the chain saw blades, some knobs, and a few other things.
We'd missed the 8 o'clock bus back, so we had to wait for the 9 o'clock bus. It was cold and windy out, so we went to a nearby mall and sat inside on some benches. At ten to nine, we zoomed out to the bus shelter and caught the bus. A very successful trip, even if Roy is now broke.
I started sanding the starboard toerail in the morning. Went to the nearby grocery store and bought a couple of things. After lunch, I went wild-goose-chasing for Roy. He needed some more of the special sanding discs he uses. I walked about three miles and checked at several stores. Found plenty of normal, run-of-the-mill sanding discs but couldn't find the kind Roy wanted. Finally, I came to a large building-supply store that had everything under the sun. To my joy, they had the type of disc Roy wanted. Found out they're called "hook-and-loop" sanding discs. To my disappointment, they didn't have the right size. They had 5 inch with 5 holes. Roy wanted 4 1/2 inch with 8 holes. Bought a package anyway, figuring half an inch could be trimmed off the circumference. It was getting late, so I took the bus back. Roy said the discs were fine, and he could use them just the way they were! Wow! But he still wanted to go over to HQ Builders Supply and see if they had the kind that fit his Ryobi sander. We thought HQ was in Virginia Beach, so we were going to take the bus there. It would have been a long ride, so I said I'd phone first and find out if they had the discs. When I looked up the number in the phone book, I was surprised and delighted to see there was an HQ store right over here on Little Creek. I'd been within a few blocks of it when I'd turned around. Phoned them and lo! they had the Ryobi 4 1/2 inch sanding discs. Hooray hooray!
We showered, ate supper, and caught the 7 o'clock bus to Granby and Little Creek. HQ is HUGE! Roy was a kid in a candy store. Bought three packages of the sanding discs, and also bought a chain saw, an electric planer, a file to sharpen the chain saw blades, some knobs, and a few other things.
We'd missed the 8 o'clock bus back, so we had to wait for the 9 o'clock bus. It was cold and windy out, so we went to a nearby mall and sat inside on some benches. At ten to nine, we zoomed out to the bus shelter and caught the bus. A very successful trip, even if Roy is now broke.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Tuesday, March 15, 1994 - Haulout, Norfolk, VA
Really WARM today. Went to 73! Supposed to cool off tomorrow, though.
Roy dug out the blue wagon, and I trundled the dirty clothes to the laundromat, about two blocks from here. Very nice laundromat. The equipment is arranged modularly, so each customer has her own area, with four washers, four dryers, and a folding table. That really makes it nice. No bumping into other customers or fighting over carts. You don't need a cart, because everything's so close. The prices are reasonable, too: $1 to wash and 50 cents to dry. Almost everything got dry in one go-round. Just the jeans and heavy towels needed a little more drying. The arrangement for paying for the washers was one I'd never seen before. Instead of putting the quarters directly into the washer, you put them into a machine that issues a plastic ticket; then you put the ticket in the washer.
In the afternoon, I sanded the port toerail. Roy is still sanding the hull. He also rode his bike to a lumber yard and bought the lumber he needs. Got African mahogany at $5.50 a board-foot. They're going to deliver it for free.
Yesterday when I was walking, I noticed an IGA grocery store not far from here, so I went over there this evening. The store is larger and nicer on the inside than it looks from the outside, but their prices are at least 20 cents higher than at Food Lion. This store is a lot closer, so I'll go there when I'm in a hurry, but the rest of the time I'll continue going to Food Lion.
I've been learning a new programming technique. (New to me, that is.) It's called "event trapping". Had a hard time getting it to work on my computer, but I think I've finally got it figured out.
Roy dug out the blue wagon, and I trundled the dirty clothes to the laundromat, about two blocks from here. Very nice laundromat. The equipment is arranged modularly, so each customer has her own area, with four washers, four dryers, and a folding table. That really makes it nice. No bumping into other customers or fighting over carts. You don't need a cart, because everything's so close. The prices are reasonable, too: $1 to wash and 50 cents to dry. Almost everything got dry in one go-round. Just the jeans and heavy towels needed a little more drying. The arrangement for paying for the washers was one I'd never seen before. Instead of putting the quarters directly into the washer, you put them into a machine that issues a plastic ticket; then you put the ticket in the washer.
In the afternoon, I sanded the port toerail. Roy is still sanding the hull. He also rode his bike to a lumber yard and bought the lumber he needs. Got African mahogany at $5.50 a board-foot. They're going to deliver it for free.
Yesterday when I was walking, I noticed an IGA grocery store not far from here, so I went over there this evening. The store is larger and nicer on the inside than it looks from the outside, but their prices are at least 20 cents higher than at Food Lion. This store is a lot closer, so I'll go there when I'm in a hurry, but the rest of the time I'll continue going to Food Lion.
I've been learning a new programming technique. (New to me, that is.) It's called "event trapping". Had a hard time getting it to work on my computer, but I think I've finally got it figured out.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Monday, March 14, 1994 - Haulout, Norfolk, VA
A little rain in the morning, but by afternoon it was sunny, windy, and brisk. Great day for a walk, so I walked over to the beach, which is just a few blocks from here. The wind was blowing about 25 knots out of the northeast, so the surf was really rolling in, and the bay was full of whitecaps. A Navy ship was going back and forth, and a few freighters were heading out to sea, but I didn't see any sailboats on the water. The beach had fine, smooth sand with few rocks or shells. In the summer, it would be a great place to swim, but right now, the water's a mite cool.
There are lots of marinas around here, and they're all full of boats. This is a good place for boats, because it's so well-
protected. It would be a fun place to go Royaking, too. Don't know how I'd get my Royak off the boat, though, much less back on.
There are lots of marinas around here, and they're all full of boats. This is a good place for boats, because it's so well-
protected. It would be a fun place to go Royaking, too. Don't know how I'd get my Royak off the boat, though, much less back on.
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Sunday, March 13, 1994 - Haulout, Norfolk, VA
There's a really nice buffet restaurant a couple of blocks from here, so we went there for lupper. It's ten times better than Sizzler and even better than Ponderosa. They have just about everything you can think of to eat, not just salads and soup but all kinds of cooked vegetables and baked potatoes and meat and fish and chicken and turkey and desserts of all kinds. What a feast! We ate until we couldn't hold another bite, and we'd barely sampled a smattering of items. Everything was delicious, too.
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Saturday, March 12, 1994 - Haulout, Norfolk, VA
Another clear, crisp, beautiful day. Went downtown to get the mail and bought a bunch of groceries on the way home.
It's still too cool to paint or varnish, but next week is supposed to be warm. Roy has been sanding and sanding. He'll probably get the new planks Monday. A guy he met here has offered him the use of his pickup truck. That's really nice. Roy will probably get mahogany planks; teak is outrageously expensive.
It's still too cool to paint or varnish, but next week is supposed to be warm. Roy has been sanding and sanding. He'll probably get the new planks Monday. A guy he met here has offered him the use of his pickup truck. That's really nice. Roy will probably get mahogany planks; teak is outrageously expensive.
Friday, March 11, 1994 - Haulout, Norfolk, VA
Beautiful day! Sunny and clear, but windy and brisk. It feels so good to be out in the fresh air instead of cooped up in an office with no windows.
West Marine has the most incredible customer service policy. Years ago, Roy bought 300 feet of anchor rode (line) at a West Marine in Oakland. He had it on a spool and never used it. A few weeks ago, he unwound it and found a poorly spliced section in the middle. Since this line would only be used in storm conditions, we certainly didn't want something that might pull apart. This morning, we took it back to West Marine in Hampton. Roy didn't have a receipt, he wasn't even certain he'd bought it at West Marine, he wasn't sure if it was 250 or 300 feet long, and it's been years since he bought it in another part of the country, yet the manager unhesitatingly gave Roy 300 feet of brand new rode, no questions asked! Now that's real service. That's the kind of service that keeps customers going back to West Marine year after year. No wonder the company's growing. Originally, they were just in California, then they opened some stores in Florida, and now they're expanding up and down the East Coast. Their policy is obviously paying off. Roy alone has spent tens of thousands of dollars at various West Marine stores.
In order to get to West Marine, which is across the bay, we needed a car. This marina's brochure said they had a loaner car, so I went to the office to see if we could borrow it. Unfortunately, the loaner car is defunct, so Mrs. Cobb loaned us her personal car! She is so nice. And she kept insisting we use her shower, so we finally did so.
It's a very nice shower, and we feel a lot better.
In the afternoon, I walked around and got acquainted with the neighborhood, as I'd been wanting to do all week. There's a small shopping center a block from here, but no grocery store. I bought a new pair of shoes at a bargain price and then walked to the Food Lion a mile or so away. Grabbed some vegetables, checked out, and got to the bus stop in plenty of time to catch the bus back.
What a pleasure it is walking in these new shoes! My old ones were half a size too small, so my poor toes kept bumping against the end. Now my toesies have plenty of room, so they're happy.
West Marine has the most incredible customer service policy. Years ago, Roy bought 300 feet of anchor rode (line) at a West Marine in Oakland. He had it on a spool and never used it. A few weeks ago, he unwound it and found a poorly spliced section in the middle. Since this line would only be used in storm conditions, we certainly didn't want something that might pull apart. This morning, we took it back to West Marine in Hampton. Roy didn't have a receipt, he wasn't even certain he'd bought it at West Marine, he wasn't sure if it was 250 or 300 feet long, and it's been years since he bought it in another part of the country, yet the manager unhesitatingly gave Roy 300 feet of brand new rode, no questions asked! Now that's real service. That's the kind of service that keeps customers going back to West Marine year after year. No wonder the company's growing. Originally, they were just in California, then they opened some stores in Florida, and now they're expanding up and down the East Coast. Their policy is obviously paying off. Roy alone has spent tens of thousands of dollars at various West Marine stores.
In order to get to West Marine, which is across the bay, we needed a car. This marina's brochure said they had a loaner car, so I went to the office to see if we could borrow it. Unfortunately, the loaner car is defunct, so Mrs. Cobb loaned us her personal car! She is so nice. And she kept insisting we use her shower, so we finally did so.
It's a very nice shower, and we feel a lot better.
In the afternoon, I walked around and got acquainted with the neighborhood, as I'd been wanting to do all week. There's a small shopping center a block from here, but no grocery store. I bought a new pair of shoes at a bargain price and then walked to the Food Lion a mile or so away. Grabbed some vegetables, checked out, and got to the bus stop in plenty of time to catch the bus back.
What a pleasure it is walking in these new shoes! My old ones were half a size too small, so my poor toes kept bumping against the end. Now my toesies have plenty of room, so they're happy.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Thursday, March 10, 1994 - Haulout, Norfolk, VA
Finally finished all the work Heide left for me. She's back in Boston, so she can't give me any more.
Went over to the post office to see if there was any mail, but there was nothing except Manpower's paycheck for last week. Ate a sandwich at Yorgo's Bageldashery and then went home. Still rainy and cool.
Went over to the post office to see if there was any mail, but there was nothing except Manpower's paycheck for last week. Ate a sandwich at Yorgo's Bageldashery and then went home. Still rainy and cool.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Wednesday, March 9, 1994 - Haulout; Norfolk, VA
Pouring rain today. Coming down in buckets. Roy worked on the boat anyway. He's removed the damaged planks. Poor Jofian looks so pathetic with her sides open and her ribs showing.
I nearly finished today, but there's a little left, so I'll have to go in for a few hours tomorrow.
Stopped at the grocery store again, but this time I made sure I got out to the bus stop on time. The bus came zooming along so fast, I was afraid it was going to pass me by, but at the last second, the driver saw me and stopped.
I nearly finished today, but there's a little left, so I'll have to go in for a few hours tomorrow.
Stopped at the grocery store again, but this time I made sure I got out to the bus stop on time. The bus came zooming along so fast, I was afraid it was going to pass me by, but at the last second, the driver saw me and stopped.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Tuesday, March 8, 1994 - Haulout; Norfolk, VA
Guess I should have known Heide would come up with a lot more work for me. I had hoped to finish in a few hours today, but now it looks as if I'll be lucky if I finish tomorrow. Anyway, it's cold and damp, so I couldn't varnish even if I weren't working.
On my way home, I stopped at the grocery store for a few groceries. Missed the next bus, so I walked, thinking I'd beat the bus (they run every half hour), but it passed me when I was a block from the end of the line, so I walked all that way with two bags of groceries for nothing.
The people at the boatyard are very nice, and the rates are reasonable. We even have a movable flight of stairs for getting on and off the boat, instead of having to climb a ladder. What luxury! The only problem is the restrooms--or lack of them. We can use the restrooms in the office when it's open, but that's only 8 to 5, Monday through Saturday. What are we supposed to do on Sunday? And the only shower is in the owner's home. Even though Mrs, Cobb keeps urging us to use it, both Roy and I feel uncomfortable with the idea of going into someone else's home to take a shower. By the time we leave this place, we're going to be in sorry shape.
On my way home, I stopped at the grocery store for a few groceries. Missed the next bus, so I walked, thinking I'd beat the bus (they run every half hour), but it passed me when I was a block from the end of the line, so I walked all that way with two bags of groceries for nothing.
The people at the boatyard are very nice, and the rates are reasonable. We even have a movable flight of stairs for getting on and off the boat, instead of having to climb a ladder. What luxury! The only problem is the restrooms--or lack of them. We can use the restrooms in the office when it's open, but that's only 8 to 5, Monday through Saturday. What are we supposed to do on Sunday? And the only shower is in the owner's home. Even though Mrs, Cobb keeps urging us to use it, both Roy and I feel uncomfortable with the idea of going into someone else's home to take a shower. By the time we leave this place, we're going to be in sorry shape.
Monday, March 7, 2011
Monday, March 7, 1994 - Haulout; Norfolk, VA
What a beautiful spring day! The temperature went all the way up to 77!
I wanted to go downtown first thing in the morning to get the mail and go to the bank, but the guy in charge of haulouts told Roy it would be eleven before we could get hauled out, because there were two boats ahead of us, so I hung around until eleven. They still weren't ready for us, so I waited another hour. When they weren't ready by 12:15, I decided I'd have to go anyway, because it takes an hour to get downtown by bus, and the bank closes at two, so I took off. An hour after I left, they finally hauled the Jofian out of the water. Somehow or other, the eight men managed to do it without my assistance.
As soon as the boat was securely propped up on land, Roy began sanding the paint off the hull so he could see the damage from the ice on the Potomac. It was even worse than we had expected. Not only is there a big chunk gouged out of the prow, there are also big cuts along the sides. Roy has a big job ahead of him.
The Virginian-Pilot wants me to work one more day. I had promised I would, so I'll go in tomorrow, but that's it.
I wanted to go downtown first thing in the morning to get the mail and go to the bank, but the guy in charge of haulouts told Roy it would be eleven before we could get hauled out, because there were two boats ahead of us, so I hung around until eleven. They still weren't ready for us, so I waited another hour. When they weren't ready by 12:15, I decided I'd have to go anyway, because it takes an hour to get downtown by bus, and the bank closes at two, so I took off. An hour after I left, they finally hauled the Jofian out of the water. Somehow or other, the eight men managed to do it without my assistance.
As soon as the boat was securely propped up on land, Roy began sanding the paint off the hull so he could see the damage from the ice on the Potomac. It was even worse than we had expected. Not only is there a big chunk gouged out of the prow, there are also big cuts along the sides. Roy has a big job ahead of him.
The Virginian-Pilot wants me to work one more day. I had promised I would, so I'll go in tomorrow, but that's it.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Sunday, March 6, 1994 - Norfolk, VA
Got up at five, intending to leave at six, but as usual we fiddled around and didn't get going until seven. It was a beautiful day, but pretty windy on the bay. Nevertheless, we made good time and got to Cobb's Marina about eleven. Unfortunately, I misread the bus schedule, so we missed the bus by ten minutes. We had planned on taking the 11:30 bus to Norfolk, eating at Yorgo's Bageldashery, and getting to Scope Arena in plenty of time for the circus at 1:30, but the buses only run once an hour on Sunday, so when we missed the 11:30, we would have had to wait until 12:30 for the next one, which would have gotten us downtown after the circus had started. We tried to walk to Chesapeake Boulevard, where we could have taken a different bus, but after walking a couple of miles, we decided it was too far, so we called a cab. Also bought some chicken nuggets at McDonald's. To my surprise, the cab arrived in ten minutes. We ate the nuggets while we were riding. Got to the arena at 1:15, so that gave us plenty of time to find our seats and get settled. The circus was a terrific spectacle of sight and sound. I could have done with less sound, but it was fun anyway.
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Saturday, March 5, 1994 - Norfolk, VA
Another lovely spring day. Roy spent most of the day working on the boat and then went for a little bike ride. I went to the Post Office to see if there was any mail, but there was only a card saying I'd have to get my mail at the counter, because it was too large to fit in the box, so I won't be able to get it until Monday. Also went to the library and the grocery store.
Well, this is our last day here at Waterside Marina. We're really going to miss it, especially the great showers.
Well, this is our last day here at Waterside Marina. We're really going to miss it, especially the great showers.
Friday, March 4, 2011
Friday, March 4, 1994 - Norfolk, VA
Much warmer today. Starting to feel like spring. Up north, though, they're still buried in snow. We keep congratulating ourselves for leaving New Bedford when we did.
Did the laundry in the morning. After lunch, we walked over to a chart store and bought a million dollars worth of charts. Now we've got to go! We have a huge planning chart of the entire North Atlantic and harbor charts for Bermuda, the Azores, and three ports in England -- Falmouth, Plymouth, and Poole (where Jofian was born; I wonder if she'll remember.) We also have a fairly large-scale chart of the English Channel and a chart of the passage from the Azores to England. Also bought "Sailing Directions" for the English Channel.
Did the laundry in the morning. After lunch, we walked over to a chart store and bought a million dollars worth of charts. Now we've got to go! We have a huge planning chart of the entire North Atlantic and harbor charts for Bermuda, the Azores, and three ports in England -- Falmouth, Plymouth, and Poole (where Jofian was born; I wonder if she'll remember.) We also have a fairly large-scale chart of the English Channel and a chart of the passage from the Azores to England. Also bought "Sailing Directions" for the English Channel.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Thursday, March 3, 1994 - Norfolk, VA
Wow, does it feel good not to have to get duded up and go to work!
I'm not taking any more jobs unless they're super fantastic.
This is the third day for my ad, and still no responses.
March is living up to its reputation of coming in like a lion. Blew like crazy all day. We even had a little blizzard, but it didn't last long. The tide was extra high; the floating dock was more than a foot above the stationary dock. And the river was full of white caps. But tomorrow's supposed to be sunny and warm.
I'm not taking any more jobs unless they're super fantastic.
This is the third day for my ad, and still no responses.
March is living up to its reputation of coming in like a lion. Blew like crazy all day. We even had a little blizzard, but it didn't last long. The tide was extra high; the floating dock was more than a foot above the stationary dock. And the river was full of white caps. But tomorrow's supposed to be sunny and warm.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Wednesday, March 2, 1994 - Norfolk, VA
What a downpour last night and all day today! We completely filled our water tank with good rainwater and then filled two five-
gallon plastic jugs. If we'd had more containers and a place to put them, we could have collected a year's supply of water. And what delicious water--so much better than city water.
Well, I made it. On Monday, when I looked at the mountain of work on my desk, I thought I didn't have a chance of finishing it by Friday, but here it is Wednesday and it's all done, plus some extra stuff. I was essentially finished by two o'clock, but I managed to fiddle around a couple more hours. By four, I'd even run out of fiddling, so I left.
gallon plastic jugs. If we'd had more containers and a place to put them, we could have collected a year's supply of water. And what delicious water--so much better than city water.
Well, I made it. On Monday, when I looked at the mountain of work on my desk, I thought I didn't have a chance of finishing it by Friday, but here it is Wednesday and it's all done, plus some extra stuff. I was essentially finished by two o'clock, but I managed to fiddle around a couple more hours. By four, I'd even run out of fiddling, so I left.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Tuesday, March 1, 1994 - Norfolk, VA
The Hampton Roads Computer News came out this morning with my ad in it, but so far the phone hasn't exactly been ringing off the hook.
I was surprised when I got to work this morning and found out Heide had returned to Boston last night and won't be back in Norfolk until next Monday. Talked to her briefly on the phone and found out what she wants me to do. There's a very real chance I'll be able to finish tomorrow. I've completed the guides, the videos, and the newsletters. Only the directories are left, and there aren't many of them. I'll sure be glad to have time again to do the things that need doing for the three of us--Roy, Jofian, and me.
I was surprised when I got to work this morning and found out Heide had returned to Boston last night and won't be back in Norfolk until next Monday. Talked to her briefly on the phone and found out what she wants me to do. There's a very real chance I'll be able to finish tomorrow. I've completed the guides, the videos, and the newsletters. Only the directories are left, and there aren't many of them. I'll sure be glad to have time again to do the things that need doing for the three of us--Roy, Jofian, and me.
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