Living the life most people just dream about~

Zero Four-Thirty…… still blacker than ole Cole’s A$$ outside and my alarm pings me out of the fitful slumber that I was in. Really struggling to turn my brain off when I lay down at night~~ I rolled out, did my bathroom stuff [at least I didn’t have to pee real bad then]….. and headed out for the first smoke of the very early day. Not enough daylight to see much of anything – so I came in, finished getting dressed and headed out the door to go up toward Blues. The Blues Team was graciously hosting a fund raiser for a young lady that has had a tough road to hoe this past year. One of the things they did, was to smoke a pig – about a 70 pounder. I offered to show up early enough to help get said pig into the smoker. By 05:30 (You know what the 0 stands for in that time frame? OH my God it’s early~! Credit Robin  Williams in Good Morning Vietnam) Done with my piece of what needed done – I came back home and spent the next 45 minutes or so watching one of the most amazing sunrises you’ll ever want to see. I got several good pictures and about half way through the sunrise – I though…DUH — you should do a time lapse video of it……. so even though I missed the first part — I got the last half of it. I think it will probably be to ‘big’ for this web page – so you might have to go to FB to see it….. it will be worth it if you do……..

My Queen and I returned to Blues about 09:30 and started to prepare what we hoped was going to be another big day.  We didn’t miss it by much. The event had a fairly decent turn out. A little different crowd than we’re used to seeing at Blues, more along the LGBT line… but a fun friendly crowd. Music was provided by my favorite performer… Jason Jones… the guy that does the great Johnny Cash impersonation…… The place was officially open at 11:00 and from then until shortly after 18:00, we stayed about as busy as we would have liked, restocking beer coolers and fetching stuff for the bartender (Eddy). The places normally closes at 6:00 pm on Saturday’s…. but it was almost 7:00pm before we finally got everybody out… Soaked with sweat, tired and almost worn out – we bid adieu to the Blues crew and headed back to the condo for some conditioned air. I have already had my shower…… had to – I was too funky to sit and try and write. Now that I am clean and cooled off, my belly is reminding me I hadn’t eaten since about 09:30 this morning….. so I now have some hamburgers working on the stove for me and my bride…. Really looking forward to hitting the sack tonight…. hoping sleep won’t be an issue.

Big day tomorrow — I am shooting pictures and video for a local dive master who has two students working on their Advanced Open Water ticket. I’m looking forward to it. It’s been almost a month since I’ve made a dive and I’m ready to get salty. I think this ‘job’ will be a little more up my alley~! Of course I’ll share pictures with you.

Good night Ya’ll —– Thankx for stopping in~!

Eddy get ‘psyched’ out for the big day~~

 

Another morning waking up to the pressure of what I can only image Hoover Dam has against it – only this is against my eyeballs….. I tried flop and wallering to try to take some of the pressure off, but all I was doing was making myself miserable and keeping my bride awake…… so I finally rolled out and opened the flood gates….. Got done with morning stuff and walked out to burn one and enjoy that gorgeous sun rise…… and lo and behold…. ANOTHER set of tracks…. this one came right up through the center of the previous nights tracks, dropped down into the existing hole and did her thing and then retreated the same path she came in. Number 9~!! I wish I knew for sure she laid eggs….. apparently these turtles will lay a false nest for some reason…… Either way – we should have a beach full of little turtles next month~!

I headed out about 08:30 for my door job…… my Queen dropped me off so she could have the truck for the day. I spent the day working on doors, while she ran an errand for me and then got some pampering done for herself. I have 3 more doors to hang and I’ll be done with that job —- several options waiting for me if I want when they are done. One of these next 3 doors will present a really big challenge….. but I’m up for it [I hope]. I finished all I intended to do today and pinged my bride to ‘come and get me’. She showed up promptly and we headed back to the condo for some of that wonderful conditioned air~!  I cleaned up a little bit and we had a handful of drinks, before we headed up to Blues for more drinks and a bite to eat. I guess my Queen doesn’t want me to get bored…. as she was talking to the local entertainment (while he was on break) and he was lamenting the challenges of finding a drummer on the island. [Apparently guitar players are a dime a dozen] and she promptly spoke up and said that I played drums. It didn’t take him but a couple of minutes to come over and introduce himself, chat a little bit and get my contact information. So—- looks like another possible ‘job’……. I’m not complaining….. I miss playing drums. No – I’ll never be a big star and don’t mind that a bit….. but I do enjoy playing, regardless of my skill level. He said he’d like to get together and  jam a little but and ‘check me out’. I’m good with that. So for those of you counting…. Working around the Blues back yard, construction projects, cleaning boat hulls, underwater photographer and maybe playing drums….. I’m just gonna say I’m retired~!  😉

Big weekend coming up. I’m gonna be up at Blues tomorrow at 05:00 tomorrow morning to help Jim load a pig into the smoker – will go home for a possible nap and something to eat, before we head back up at 09:00 to support another fundraiser at Blues. Sunday, I have a 2 tank dive being tasked as photographer for a couple of guys getting their Advanced Open Water ticket…….. Should be a long, hard but fun, weekend. Of course – I’ll be taking pictures to share with Ya’ll.

Good night Ya’ll —– Thankx for stopping in~!

# 9~!

IMG_7357     <—- Video…. actually more audio of the frogs chirping

The front of our place…. at night~ 

Kinda sounds like I’m naming bands from the good ole days huh ??  😉  Sometime after we retired for the evening last night…. we had another visitor….. guesstimating from the size of the hole and her tracks – I’m guessing she was probably 150 lbs or so  (Turtle # 8)…… I swear — October is going to be hoot watching for little turtles. Really looking forward to playing the role of Guardian to make sure them little hummers get out into the sea safely……. they’re on their own from there…..

Tried to sleep in a little bit again, but still haven’t worked that out yet. Got up followed shortly by my Queen and we sat and sipped coffee while we got caught up on world news and FB news….. It is one of my little treats now a days, to get on FB after I see how much farther the in the toilet this world is getting…. to see the results of my music trivia on FB. It has kind of evolved into it’s own little thing now and it’s fun to share some of the music that constantly spins around in my brain with the folks back ‘home’. If you haven’t checked it out….. I put the first 3 or 4 lines of a song up – and see who can guess the title…… I stump the crowd about once or twice a month… but I have some ‘pros’ out there – so I don’t stump them often….. you’re welcome to join in…….

I took off about 09:00 for my ‘door’ job……. excited to have something to do and make a little money at the same time……. Although I must confess, I had forgotten just how time consuming and tedious counter sinking hinges and drilling knob holes are…… then when you factor in the fact, that absolutely nothing in the house is square, plumb or level……. it adds a whole new dimension to the challenge. It’s all good though….. I’m up for it. I’m drawing on skills I learned 40+ years ago in Civil Engineering while I was in the Air Force…… but they are slowly breaking through the cob webs and coming back to me. Gary has already pointed out additional items to do “if I’m interested” – so this could easily go from a 2 day job – to a while….. we’ll see. I retired for a reason you know~~ 😉

Called it a day after 6 hours (and 5 doors) and came home to my Queen who stayed at the condo to domesticate. I have already been informed, she will drop me off in the morning so she can go get a mani/pedi while I labor away…… I’m glad though – I hate knowing she is ‘stuck’ there at the condo while I’m out and about. I am looking for a car for her to alleviate that issue.

That’s about it boys and girls….. I’m in bad need of a shower, some aspirin and some rest……..

Good night Ya’ll —– Thankx for stopping in~!

View from ‘my spot’ on the couch

Sunsets are pretty awesome too~~!

IMG_7344   <—video

Rolled out this morning, once again earlier than desired….. little Sister shared a tip she uses, so I’ll give that a try, because as of right now, it is all I can do to sit here and type this….. course, having spent about 3 hours longer at Blues than I planned on may have had a teeny tiny bit to do with it  😉  We cut out about 13:00 this afternoon to go look at the door job I was telling you about. Relieved to see most of the doors already have jambs in them, so I should knock them out fairly quick. Setting jambs in a concrete door way is a full fledged pain in the touchas….. trust me…… Left there and went to the ‘local’ hardware store for a 7.1/4″ circular saw…. they had them.. for $ 180.00….. that is not a typo my fellow peoples. I expressed my dis-belief, but to no avail…. $180.00 friggin dollars-!!!!! I got the couple of things I knew the Home Depot didn’t have and took off again for mid island back to Home Depot. I sh*t you not — I got the exact same freakin’ saw at Home Depot for $ 39.99~!!  I was livid~! TRYING to adapt to the messed up culture on this island….. I let it go…. I got my big boy toys (shovel & rake) to work on the beach, my saw and a couple of odds & ends and headed back toward the condo. I had to stop by Blues to pick up my tool bag for tomorrows project and SINCE WE WERE THERE…… figured we’d have a drink or two….BaHAAaaaaa……. a drink or two— that’s some funny sh*t right there……  😉  I did get pulled aside while we were there to help Jim cut a pig apart…. not your everyday bar activity – but hey — I’m always up for something new. The pig is for the big fund raiser on Saturday.  I finished that up and went back to drinkin’~~~~ They had THE most pitiful performer I have ever heard on stage trying to belt out some tunes….. but I managed to mostly ignore him and drank and enjoyed the atmosphere. After about 4 more drinks (and shots) than I should have had….. I snatched up a couple of dozen wings (it was Wing Wednesday after all) and headed back to the condo. My Queen, apparently not being a “wing person” opted to make her something else – so I dutifully sat and shoveled all 2 dozen wings into my gullet — MmMmMm good stuff~!  Belly full… almost too full…… I figured I’d better get you something up here…… So- I’ve had a smoke, made sure there are no new turtles on the beach….. and since I’m about out of stuff to ramble about… so I’m done.   I think I only have one or two new pictures…. so will put up some older ones you may have not seen yet……

Good night Ya’ll —– Thankx for stopping in~!

Entrance into ‘Judith’s Fancy’

Blues

Blues

DCIM100GOPROGOPR3424.

Had my alarm set for 06:30 this morning so I could be up long enough to wake up and do my bathroom stuff before we headed out for our Fish with a Vet meeting…… did I sleep until the alarm went off ??   NOOOOooooooo…. Dammit Emmit…… what do you take or do to ensure a good long, restful night’s sleep ?? This is really starting to get on my nerves……. I mean – I can drink myself into oblivion and get a nights sleep, but I really do find that a bit counter-productive….. ya know?

Anyhow…… we both got up – had a coff of cuppee or two and before long headed out to the New Deep End Bar & Grille sitting on the Tamarind Reef Resort. First time out there for either of us….. nice little place with a good looking little marina right next door. We met out there for a group I joined a while back, called Fish with a Vet USVI. A small but growing group dedicated to providing events and supports for all veterans. The meeting went a lot longer than I thought it should have, but was still a mostly productive meeting, and it is for a good cause. Afterwards my bride and I sampled some of the breakfast items they offered on their menu. I didn’t get my normal pictures of menus and food and stuff as the president of the club and a couple of others hung out to chat while we ate. Angie had French toast and I had biscuits and gravy. Neither meal was brag worthy, but it was hot, filling and neither of us had to cook. Afterwards I snuck out for a cigarette and a couple of pictures to share with you all.

We finally left there and headed across island to the Home Depot for a couple of things for my next project. Didn’t have the wood chisel I wanted without buying a $36.00 set – and I just could not justify that….. so I’ll borrow one from Jim. I guess I got exasperated enough…. I forgot my big boy toys (shovel & rake) so I guess I’ll run to a local store for them tomorrow. We stopped by Blues on the way back to drop off a couple pieces of lumber that I need to finally ‘completely’ finish the build on the fence. Naturally we had to have a drink or two while we were there….. and then a couple of more because it was really hot….. and then a couple of more, just because they were going down really good by that point. 😉 While we were there, Chris Hanley  (https://www.facebook.com/FarchetteHanleyRealEstate/)  showed up for a bite to eat — -if you’ve ever watched the TV show Caribbean Life — he is the realtor the show usually uses when they are filming here. We finally came back to the condo for some conditioned air and get ready for showers and some sleep…… hopefully~~~

Good night Ya’ll —– Thankx for stopping in~!

Buck Island center of picture

Green Cay & Buck Island

Green Cay (Cay pronounced ‘key’)

Jim and Chris Hanley

Chris Hanley from Caribbean Life

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I figured [actually hoped] after the day we had yesterday and not getting in bed until almost midnight…. that I would have rocked a good nights sleep – but it just wasn’t in the cards. I think much like the night after the cornhole tournament… I was too tired…… So we’ll see. My bride was up fairly early as well — we had a cup of coffee and woke up a little bit – before jumping into DD and headed up to Blues to unload the rest of the stuff we had locked inside our truck. We got up there, got everything unloaded and were gone in less than 20minutes. Came back home and I whooped up a nice hot breakfast for us. Eggs, bacon, sausage, hash browns and toast – all washed down with a glass of milk. Took it fairly easy most of the day – watched a movie called JOE with Nicky Cage that left a LOT to be desired. Watched another one that was called Population 436 — weird little movie, but managed to keep us interested. In a messed up kind of way, it reminded me of New Harmony….. almost.

My Queen made up some things called burger bombs for dinner…… ground beef and fixings stuffed inside of a biscuit. I think she may have left them in the oven a tad long, but still pretty tasty. While she was making those, I worked out on the beach a little bit, filling in holes and trying to smooth the beach out a little bit…… using one of our grandkids little shovels and a leaf rake…..makes that task much tougher. Probably gonna swing by Home Depot tomorrow and pick up some big boy toys to finish the task of getting the beach leveled out…… there are worse places to “work”  😉

That’s really about it…… we have a meeting tomorrow morning with the Fish with a Vet USVI organization. It is being held at a bar we haven’t been to yet called The Deep End — we’re gonna go ahead and get there a little early and check out their breakfast menu before the meeting starts. I’m sure they will be recruiting volunteers for the next event this weekend ( a fishing derby)  but once again me and Angie have already been recruited to help out at Blues for a different fundraiser they have going there. So – we have a little running to do tomorrow, hopefully snag a couple of pictures for you, but for tonight, the rest from the rib cook off from Sunday. (there  a couple duplicates as I didn’t load them in any particular order last night)

Good night Ya’ll —– Thankx for stopping in~!

This is a papaya….

Injured in the line of duty…… twice~!  (had to duct tape the bad one)   😉

 

Tried sleeping in a little bit this morning – but that didn’t work worth a crap….. I swear – some nights I think I have the bladder of a two year old…… but hey – what ‘cha gonna do about it ?? Got up to a beautiful sunny day and started my morning routine….. followed shortly afterward by my Queen. Soon got to be 09:30 and we headed out the door for Blues. Today was Krewe de Croix being held out at the big lot next to Eat – the restaurant out at Cane Bay. This was the annual rib cook off – so the big dogs on the island can strut their stuff. We got up to Blues and loaded DD up with tables, chairs, warming trays and everything else we thought we thought we would need for the competition and took off for Cane Bay. Eddy and Deanna were already there setting up the tent, so we unloaded and helped setting up the area.

Jim and Deb showed up a couple of hours later with their ribs…… and Lord have mercy did they have ribs. 14 racks of baby back pork ribs~!  Butter my butt and call me a biscuit ~!! They knocked these things out of the park~!!! I’m talking, falling off of the bone, smack your Momma in the mouth, wonderfully delicious ribs~! MmMmMm…… Dammit Emmit they were good~!

The competition started officially at 15:00 – and at 15:01, the Blues tent was deluged with people in line,  We went through 8 racks of ribs before we could blink real good and it was less than 55 minutes… they were completely out of ribs. It was amazing. Big crowd of folks there to sample some really fine cooking~! Everyone was finally called up for the awards presentation……. Blues was awarded 3rd place by the judges….. not what we wanted to hear, but took the award and happily accepted it……. the most important award was coming up…… Peoples Choice…… you can’t go on what 3 or 4 half drunk judges thought………. With a small fanfare — Peoples Choice was awarded……… wait for it…… Blues Backyard BBQ~! They earned it — those ribs were off the chart good~! We hung out and accepted the many, many, many congratulations. ( and I actually won a bottle of local island vodka in a raffle… yay me~!)  Finally worn down from the day and one or 12 drinks, we loaded up the truck and headed for town. Jim and Deb bought dinner for the folks who hauled everything and helped serve up the ribs. Dinner was so-so…… the company was OUTSTANDING and a good time had by all~! Tired and worn out — I gathered up my bride and headed back for some conditioned air…… as soon as I get pictures loaded — I’m headed for a much needed shower. Would have loved for each and every one of you to have been there to see that gorgeous water, feel that amazing breeze – and to taste those award winning ribs~!  You would have loved it………..

Good night Ya’ll …… Thankx for stopping in~!                                                           (Too many pix to put up on one post – so rest tomorrow)

 

 

Had my alarm set for 07:00 this morning because it was well after midnight before we got in bed from turtle (#7) watching last night…… was looking forward to a night of decent slumber from the activities of the day……. 06:20 I woke and had to take a leak so bad my eye balls were floating….Dammit Emmit~! I knew once I was up – I was up, and I would have to sacrifice that last 40 minutes…. Hate it when that happens….. but I got up and pee’d for what seemed like an hour. You know the old saying…. corn is a crop – a pee is a relief  😉   That out of the way – I went out and took a couple of pix of the mess that is now our beach….. but to me, all those turtle tracks are just plain ole gorgeous…… I stood and looked at all the tracks and watched the sun come up as I enjoyed that first smoke of the day……. truly, a great way to start any day off with~~

Went in and roused my Queen just a bit after 07:00 as she wanted to join me at Blues to finish off the flag project. We had other running to do, so we had our coffee and cigarettes and head out the door shortly before 09:00. We dropped a load of laundry off and headed for Blues. It didn’t take me 15 minutes to make the necessary adjustments to finish the flag pole off. It took 3 different deliveries from the supplier to finally get all the pieces I needed, but they are done now and I love the way it looks…… as does Jim. With that done – I noticed the wood pile for the smoker was much lower than I expected – so I started gathering the tools I needed to cut up some more wood. Because I knew that would take me at least an hour – I told my bride she could go ahead and take off and get the grocery shopping out of the way while I worked on the wood supply….. to which she happily agreed to – a much funner option than watching me sweat my brains out restocking the wood….. I got the wood supply restocked and sat down and inhaled a couple of frosty cold Budweiser’s to help replenish the sweat that poured out of me. Then I had a couple of more while chatting with Jim…. then I had a couple of more while chatting with some friends that came in, as the place was officially open for business by then. I pinged my Queen to check on her as it had been 3 hours by then ( I was figuring an hour and half) – all was well, so I kept drinking and chatting. Starting getting bloated, so I switched to my latest drink – a Screwdriver with a splash of pineapple…… Lord have mercy were them things going down good…….. after about 4 hours, my bride finally showed up. We drank and chatted with lots of folks for a bit. I got talking with a local dive master about another possible “job” opportunity…. more on that later…. and I also picked up a small job hanging some doors for some guys I know. (I have to find something to do besides drink)  😉

Finally came back home for a bite to eat and some conditioned air….. Going to go and support the Blues crew at a rib cooking contest tomorrow and check out a new dive shop while I’m at it. Should be a fun day……. no turtles tonight….yet  😉 I almost forgot….. Happy September the One~th~!!

Good night Ya’ll —– Thankx for stopping in~!

IMG_7157   <—  turtle video

IMG_7158    <— Better turtle video

 

Another lazy day that we wound up doing a lot of nothing~! I actually slept until 07:20…. I was amazed. I got up and did my morning things and settled into checking the news and stuff. My bride slept in an extra hour or so before joining me. Watched some Buying the Bayou and our dose of Judge Judy before turning on a movie. This one was actually a good one – The Hunt for Red October. I had seen bits and pieces of it but never the whole movie. I highly recommend it~! I ordered [and actually got] a pizza. It wasn’t terrible but didn’t scratch that itch. It went good with the movie though. The movie took a lot longer than usual, as the power went out…..again. A pretty common occurrence around here. It is normally only out 10-15 minutes at a time….. today lasted for an hour. AHhhh Island Life… By the time we got power and internet back (we were streaming the movie) and the movie ended – it was already 20:30 here (8:30 pm for you civilians out there) 😉   I was going to get on here and tell you, other than the movie, I didn’t have anything to write about and put up some pictures. I went out to burn one and gather my thoughts when I caught movement in the shadows. I came in and grabbed my flash light and sure enough – we have another turtle~! (#7) I say have, because as I write this, she is still out there doing her thing. We have been watching her and she is now deep into her third nest. My bride is keeping an eye on her while I write this. I watched her during her first two holes and when she crawled around and then started on her third – I figured I’d better get in here and get something written before it turns into tomorrow.

I’m not educated enough to understand yet, if she is actually laying eggs in every hole she digs or not, but will find out. It sure looks like it. Our beach now looks like a war zone with all the holes and turtle tracks. It is amazing to see. We’re supposed to get up early tomorrow to go up to Blues and finish the flag project, as I finally got the correct parts I need to finish it. We also need to get the laundry done and some grocery shopping, so we need to get into bed – but I ain’t going until I’m sure # 7 gets back in the water safely….. So here are the pictures I have of her so far……

Good night Ya’ll —– Thankx for stopping in~!

 

Sorry about missing a post last night…… after a long uneventful day, My Queen and I went out for a celebratory dinner. We were celebrating getting the proceeds from the sale of the house. It meant a lot to us, other than our kids [and their kids] that was our last tie to the main land. It nice to be out from under that now, it frees up a lot more money for us and we may actually be able to start living within our means now, but I’m not holding my breath  😉  We went to the only place on the island that serves Oysters – my Queen’s favorite meal. I don’t particularly care for the place, but hey – ya gotta do what ya gotta do. Angie had Oysters and Crab Legs and I tried the Lobster Bruschetta. Mine wasn’t bad but there wasn’t very much of it, so I ordered some fish concoction that turned out to be filling – which is about all I can say for it. We had our fill of that place and still wanted dessert, so we decided to try out a little dessert bar we have seen, just a few doors down from where we were. It is a wine and dessert bar… and it was fun~! We had a sampler platter of desserts (like Drunken Cheese cake) and a couple of others plus we tried pairing some wines with the different desserts. Now – we are not wine drinkers as a rule – but we gave it the old college try and that was just plain ole fun and it went well~! Now stuffed and full of alcohol, my bride decided we needed to stop at another place and have a chocolate Martini for a night cap. Who am I to say no to my Queen ? So we moseyed over to a bar we knew made a decent Chocolate Martini and had a seat in the ‘lounge’…… I say ‘lounge’ because it was actually a very small couch and 2 chairs sitting just inside the front door, next to the bar…….. We sat and wound up having a couple of Chocolate Martini’s before we finally decided to head back to the condo. None of the places we were at had air conditioning – or any to speak of – so it felt real good to get back into our place.  After we changed, I sat down to share my day with you. Trying to clear the fog of a bunch of drinks, a couple or 4 glasses of wine and a couple of Martini’s…. the fog started getting thick, so I went out to smoke a cigarette and ‘wake up’ a little bit. I came in and for reasons I don’t recall – went into our bedroom for something…. I vaguely remember laying down on the bed and thinking I’ll ‘rest my eyes‘ for a couple of minutes and then come out and get my blog written… BAA-HAA-haaa……. Next thing I know it was 06:15 the next morning…soooo~~ that’s why the blog didn’t get written last night…. my bad…..

Today started out with heavy clouds and sprinkles….. the clouds got thicker and the sprinkles turned into rain – with an occasional flash of lightening and a couple small rumbles of thunder. Other than a couple of random rays early this morning, we have not seen the sun all day~! That is only the second time that has happened since we got here (Jan 15th) – it’s all good though, because the island was desperate for some rain. It was getting dryer than a pop corn fart around here. That is now remedied and I believe we are supposed to be back to full sunshine by tomorrow afternoon.

Well – I’m way over my 500 words…. so I’ll quit here……

Good night Ya’ll —– Thankx for stopping in~!