Christmas has come and gone

[Captain Kidd]

We've had a "different" Christmas. My wife is dealing with the breast cancer. Due to go to the doc on Tuesday and get "marked" for radiation. She's asked me to research pro's and con's beforehand.

One of my two daughters just finished a divorce. Had to deal with schedules etc.

The flu hit us starting the Monday before Christmas. I've avoided it but my wife got it and she's still feeling it after a week. Better though.

I did get a couple things sailing related. I had put on my "list" a couple items. One: volleyball knee pads. It's a little tough crawling around setting up the tent on my boat. This will help. I'll just keep them in the tent stuff sack. I also asked for a portable charger. I got a 60,000mAh battery pack. My younger daughter always gets me a Wooden Boat wall calendar. I enjoy it the whole year long.

Today I came across a Zoleo Global Satellite Communicator on Market Place. I had seen it recommended a few weeks ago on one of Small Craft Tasmania's youtube videos and had made a mental note to check it out. A girl had used hers once on a backpacking trip and was getting rid of it. Retail $150 - she took $100 for it. Might give me (and my wife) a wee bit of security while solo sailing, especially if I get out of cell phone range.

Got to get my wife through radiation and then I'll be planning my 70th birthday adventure. Right now I would say the FL 120 is the leading option although there are many good ones.

I checked my boat today. We had some rain and I wanted to make sure it stayed dry (it did). But I discovered I have an issue with my transom. Some of the fiberglass is starting to come loose! I'm going to have to sand it off and apply some more. It's right down at the bottom where it would be continuously submerged. Definite need to fix.

Now to go play with my new toy.



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[Riley Smith]

Ours was a little different too. For years we have gone to the old house on the beach and hosted a dinner for the  extended family and friends, but this year we went just down the street to my daughter's house. It was so much less work I'm surprised we didn't try it sooner, although the old house has a charm of it's own being right on the Gulf/River. There were still rug rats running everywhere and the food was different and great.
 My one disappointment was that several years ago I got my grandson some K-nect building "blocks" and I had waited until his sister was old enough that she wouldn't destroy them before gifting them. Well, in all the hub-bub I didn't get to build a single thing with them      My prayers for you wife.

[Frank B.]

Ours was a bit different too, but mostly in a good way.  WE DID NOT HAVE ONE TRIP TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM OR EVEN TO THE LOCAL CLINIC THIS YEAR!!!!! We did have to delay one day because of the flu, and one other individual came down with it while here, but the magic (and expensive) drug, Xofluza knocked it out in about 24 hours, so prudent isolation and good weather for outdoor stuff helped control the spread to zero cases.

I don't know about your wife's protocol but so far my salvage radiation has been without issue other than the trip there and back. With regard to "marking" I have these three nice young (enough to be my Grand Daughters) lady medical professionals who seem to take delight in pulling down my britches while I'm on the table to "remark" the targets.   At least they keep the pens in a warm place so I won't jump up when they do it.

The only sailing Item I got for Christmas was the bill from the marina for my quarterly dockage.  Makes me realize I need to downsize so I can keep it at home.

The knee pads are a good idea, I should be wearing them just for crawling around the cabin and cockpit, easier in the cabin these days than walking bent over.  I have a pair I bought when I put in a tongue and groove hardwood floor a few years back, now if only I can find them.......