Saturday May 26 2007. Second day on the island.

So Mom you can swim right? I asked her this as we were listing and taking on water in the 1956 Chris Craft. I found out later she hadn’t heard me. The day started out as so many of them do here on Cherry Island to sunshine and blue skies, Liz Sr. had already put up the coffee (hazelnut) and breakfast was laid on the table. We enjoyed our coffee and then began our day cleaning the boats and the boat house. Memorial Day Weekend is the weekend that the cottage and boathouse is opened and it’s a cleaning jamboree. Windows are washed, inside and out, porches are swept and outside furniture is hosed down. And spiders, the spiders are sucked into the depths of the vacuum cleaner as the interior of the house is made to shine. The outside is a flurry of activity as well, boat bottoms are being sanded and painted, plants are being planted and the lawn is being groomed. Tony’s sister, Mary, and her family, husband Jack, Lizzy eldest daughter, Jackie second child and eldest son, Matthew youngest son, came for the day to help. The day really was spectacular 80 degrees in the sun and it was inevitable that the boys were going to jump into the river. The St. Lawrence River this time of year is cold, about 50 degrees I would say, and it’s a treat to see the stunned faces of those teenage boys as they bob up gasping from the big splash into the river. They are so proud that they had the first swim of the season on Memorial Day.

Surprisingly we already had one of the boats painted and in the water, the 1956 Chris Craft. We don’t usually have any boats in the water ready to go before June 15th or so. Wooden boats take special care, most importantly they must “soak” in the water for about a week before you can take them out for the first ride. You want the bottom to swell so that it won’t leak. Well in our excitement of having a boat in the water – soaking for 24 hours – we thought wouldn’t it be great to take a cruise out on the river. We planned for a 4:15 departure. I had spent the day cleaning the inside and outside of the boat. I washed down the beautiful wooden walls and deck and then took a dust rag and furniture polish and polished the wood. I scrubbed the decks and hosed them down and windexed all the windows. It was as clean and bright as a new penny. Snacks were readied, chairs were placed on the boat and we loaded up the people. We were 10 in total, a great group for a first cruise. The skies had become overcast a bit and the cold water on the river made for a cool cruise. We enjoyed looking at the homes on the various islands, making note of who already had their flowers in and commenting on the state of homes in general. Everything was looking wonderful. As we made the turn around Bolt Castle suddenly we felt a little ‘off’. Dad, captaining the boat, turned to look at us and noticed we were listing and then looked forward into the galley and saw about 6 inches of water in the boat. He quickly turned the boat toward the docks and headed in. Mean while the kids were all peering into the hold and commenting on how much water had gotten in.

Mary and Liz Sr. were a bit flustered and unsure as what to do. It was at this point I got up and looked into the hold and saw the water as well. You could really feel us listing and the back of the boat was very low in the water. I started handing out the life jackets and told the kids to put them on. As Liz was pacing around I asked her if she knew how to swim, she didn’t comment but continued her pacing. Fortunately Dad and Tony saw the empty slings at Hutchinson's and pointed her straight into the slip. As we were pulling in one of the gentlemen who runs the docks asked us ‘what are your intentions here’ and we replied ‘we are sinking’. He gave us the ok to pull in onto the slings. The boat was gently lifted about 3 inches to start letting the water drain out. We saw in the hold that held the engine had about 2 feet of water! After about 15 minutes the boat was lifted about 6 more inches and we saw water leaking out of the bottom wooden seam of the boat. At least the mystery of where the leak was was solved quickly. Repairs will be made next week and the boat put back in the water to soak ……for at least a week.

The first day on the island

Friday May 25, 2007

Tony took on the task to paint the bottom of the Lyman, every year it gets painted with an oil base metallic paint, copper in color. Tony was just about finished when SPLAT a drop of paint fell in his eye!! He finished up, about 10 minutes worth of work, instead of coming straight up to the house and looked at me and said I think I have a problem, can you fix this? His eyelid looked as if someone put copper eye shadow on it. Also the under rim was totally covered, I was a bit worried that the tear duct was going to be clogged. The contact lens had a bit of the paint on it as well. We all stood around looking at him for a few minutes discussing what to do. No way we could use paint thinner to take it off, we’d burn his eye out. Hmmmm, yup first trip to the hospital – can you believe it. Tony wailed, I don’t want to go to the hospital! Well do you blame him? So we decided a shower and a wash cloth to gently rub off the paint. And you know it worked! It took a good scrubbing in the shower and again the next morning and it was pretty much washed off. Really glad we didn’t have to go to the hospital

Memorial Day Weekend - the ice cream story

OK so here is the first of a few stories: This one is the funniest. When you live on an island - Cherry Island St. Lawrence River, between Canada and NY on the map - you have to think about what you need and how to cart it over. For example - need a new bed? Do you have a boat big enough to get it over. How about a stove or a washing machine. OK those are the big items. How about ice cream? How do you get it from the store, to your car, to the boat, to the island and into the freezer without it melting? Especially when you make the decision to buy ice cream without making the plan first. My father in law wanted an ice cream sandwich one for him and one for Liz Sr., but he didn't know how he was going to keep it cold so he thought - Oh how about I buy 2 half gallon containers to sandwich around the 2 ice creams sandwiches so they don't melt. My father in law is addicted to ice cream so we figured out later that it was a ruse to bring home the sandwiches and extra ice cream!! Nice idea!

Positive Thinking

I am working so hard to get the next sale and it doesn't seem to be happening. I make 25 - 35 calls a day. And now I am going to be going off into a new category - to invorgate me - Homeland Security and Lobbyists. Sounds interesting, yes but I think I may be more excited about the reseach because I can't seem to close anything. My boss said not to worry, that it will all happen at the same time. I have plenty of leads - they just won't close.

I was speaking with a girlfriend yesterday and she said to imagine closing 3 deals this week. Getting the signed contract and seeing how pleased my boss will be. It's all about attitude. I like it. I will go ahead with her approach that I will close something today.

Dinner tonight at Vicki's - I am secretly hoping she will make fried pork chops but I won't ask because it isn't on my 'diet'. Although if that's what she cooks I'll have to eat it.....please please make them!!!

Tony is joining the Civil Air Patrol - first meeting tonight and he is also signing up for Angel Flight. He said it will make him a better pilot. I am sure it will but I also think he really wants to do to someting to contribute to this 'world". He is such a good man and I am very proud of him for making this commitment. You can see what Angle Flight does: www.angelflightamerica.org and what our chapter of the Civil Air Patrol does : www.vawg.cap.gov.

Tennis Tournament

Figures, the minute get even remotely motivated to exercise I am thwarted by the lazy fairy.

I am not sure how she does it but in this instance when I called to reserve the ball machine I was informed that there is a tennis tournament this weekend and the courts were closed.

I have scheduled a fine lunch with Vicki and Sophie for Saturday and am looking forward to that treat.

In the mean time I am beginning preparations for our first flight up to the River. The weather looks typical for Memorial Weekend. 68 high 45 low and good chance of rain. Since the weekend will be spent cleaning out the winter dust I won't worry that I missing time on the dock.

The days of summer

Where are they those days of summer? 70 degrees and overcast here in Richmond. I am ready for the summer. TJ and Lisa are here for a visit. TJ is taking an exam so that he will be licensed to sell insurance here in VA. His Uncle Brian is in the insurance game and hooked TJ up with a company here for a summer job. This is going to be some experience as TJ will be wearing a suit everyday and he will be working on a commission basis. Quite different then painting or moving refrigerators as a summer job.

Lisa has 2 interviews this week for teaching jobs here in the Richmond area and we are so excited for her. I bet she gets both jobs and has the luxury of choosing.

My plan for this weekend is to plant the remaining 200+ plants I bought 2 weeks ago. I hope I get motivated. And let's hope the snake stays away! Also I am considering a bit of tennis. Since I have no partners - Lisa is away for a wedding shower and Vicki is busy it will be just me and the ball machine. That's a pretty good work out as I alternate forehand and backhand so have to keep thinking about hand position and stance.

Next adventure

As I was sitting here sort of Blah, I wondered why do I feel this way? I thought - Ah ha! I haven't planned a trip in a while. So where my next adventure?

Fortunately we have one planned - St. Lawrence River for Memorial Weekend. What a beautiful place to be when it is hot and sweltering in the bowels of Virginia. Of course Memorial Weekend is usually cool at The River but I still love the excitement of getting it open and ready for the wonderful days to come. And come July when the humidity is at it's peak here in Virginia the long cool river on the border of NY and Canada will be my haven.

I found this picture of the Mollica Cottage online. Isn't it great!

The Garden

Ah my sweet sweet garden and lovely flowers. In a mere 60 days I will be eating garden fresh tomatos and soon after zucchini and hungarian hot peppers. I am not sure I can wait.

But look who was waiting for me....

As I was watering my lovely flowers and my sweet garden this slippery thing was watching me....waiting for......dinner?

As I moved in for a closer picture to show my husband that we need to get an exterminator to get rid of bugs, etc. etc. The snake slid ever so nicely into a pipe that leads into the house somewhere. YIKES!!

Now What?

The Graduation

How wonderful to see Lisa finish her schooling and embark on her new life. You remember the life that starts when school finishes. The excitement and impatience of total independence. Creating and living the life you create. At least that's how I remember it.

And so her excitement continues....

After her graduation ceremony, with her Master degree in Education, Lisa noticed she had a message on her phone, she retrieved it and WOW, a call from Richmond county school asking her to call and schedule an interview. Not 10 minutes after she received her diploma BANG a job interview. I love this instant gratification society that these young kids live in - it works!

Ok the back story, Lisa went to job fairs in the area in March, has filled out many applications, etc., and has been trying to get a job here in the Richmond area. It paid off at the best possible moment. I am not sure how much better this day could have been for her, but I am sure she will remember it for the rest of her life.

So the picture if from last year's graduation......I'll post a recent one after I unload them from the camera.