The Funny Pages - Tickle Me Elbow - The Original

[tom]

Woohoo! While wasting some time waiting for the car's tune-up, I found that the local Safeway, maybe a mile away, is now carrying Redbridge!!

No more 9pm or bust BevMo, or further 10pm or bust WhFds while I'm usually working 7p-11p. (Yeah sometimes I pop out)

Now I can actually pick up some beer AFTER work, like a regular human .. .sniff .. ...I . . .I . . (noseblow). . .sorry, I told .. .sniff .. .myself I was NOT gonna cry . .. ..

[Lisa]

Woohoo! While wasting some time waiting for the car's tune-up, I found that the local Safeway, maybe a mile away, is now carrying Redbridge!!

No more 9pm or bust BevMo, or further 10pm or bust WhFds while I'm usually working 7p-11p. (Yeah sometimes I pop out)

Now I can actually pick up some beer AFTER work, like a regular human .. .sniff .. ...I . . .I . . (noseblow). . .sorry, I told .. .sniff .. .myself I was NOT gonna cry . .. ..

Cheers Tommy Boy!

[kareng]

Woohoo! While wasting some time waiting for the car's tune-up, I found that the local Safeway, maybe a mile away, is now carrying Redbridge!!

No more 9pm or bust BevMo, or further 10pm or bust WhFds while I'm usually working 7p-11p. (Yeah sometimes I pop out)

Now I can actually pick up some beer AFTER work, like a regular human .. .sniff .. ...I . . .I . . (noseblow). . .sorry, I told .. .sniff .. .myself I was NOT gonna cry . .. ..

Isn't it great? I live between 2 groceries that have it in the cold case....ready to drink! Cheers!

Do you mind my asking what sort of job you have between 7 & 11? Maybe you should be going for something stronger?

[tom]

Do you mind my asking what sort of job you have between 7 & 11? Maybe you should be going for something stronger?

I'm an elec engr who can't be in a room w/ perfume/cologne/cleanser odors/fumes so I work after hrs.

CFS type bs keeps me from full-time hrs.

[mushroom]

I'm an elec engr who can't be in a room w/ perfume/cologne/cleanser odors/fumes so I work after hrs.

CFS type bs keeps me from full-time hrs.

Well, shoot, there went the obvious answer of 7/11

[elye]

Ptaoughmnnus, you would have a very tough time up here in Ontario, where no alcohol can be sold in ANY retail establishment other than the Beer or Liquour Stores, which typically keep government hours.. Yep, no booze in the grocery stores, drug stores, corner stores. . ...'tis quite heinous, but we are minutes from the Quebec border, where they sell it even in toy stores, methinks. . . ... . ..

[Jestgar]

Travel log

Day1.

A 2 mile hike to the little park where the Pirate picked me up. He wanted to stay in that little bay, but the day was beautiful and I fussed to get going.

And the day continued to be beautiful and we sailed up the coast at a good clip. He kept choosing places to stop, but decided we were moving so quickly that we'd make it all the way to Port Townsend. We sailed most of the way and motored in to the harbor at PT just as it was getting dark.

I was cold.

Very cold.

Very very very cold.

I went below deck and wrapped up in a blanket shivering hard. My feet were numb, my hands were numb, my face was numb. The Pirate made me a cup of tea and turned on the marine weather report. hmmmm. 25 knot winds around midnight blowing towards shore. The Pirate frowns. We can't stay here. I'm so far into hypothermia that I just stare at him. The wind will blow us into shore. We'll be beached. Ok honey. The Pirate goes back on deck and starts the engine. I sit wrapped in blankets drinking tea, then a second cup of just hot water. After a bit my brain returns and I (reluctantly) go back up on deck. The Pirate motors up to a dock tosses out the bumpers (correct term?), leaps over the side and ties up. It's dark, it's still cold, but at least there's no wind.

We walk up the hill to the store and spend quite a bit of time looking at important things like diapers and the price of coffee just to loiter a bit and warm up. Back to the boat and fall asleep.

Day2.

Well, if we leave before the office opens, no point in paying, right?? Yep. I can't see paying $40 when we didn't even use their potties, so 7am and we head out into the Sound again.

[kareng]

Travel log

.

I was cold.

Very cold.

Very very very cold.

Should have brought the cats! Noahs Ark was probably warm!

Thanks for the voyage report.

[Jestgar]

Day2 cont.

The wind is still high and the water is very rough. I'm not nearly as cold having added an additional pair of pants, another long sleeve t-shirt and a hoodie. I am, however, worried about needing to visit cousin Ralph. The Pirate kindly points out the best side of the boat to puke off of.

He's shaking his head saying it may have been a mistake to leave port. .......ok honey......

No sail. He decides that this isn't any fun and we need to find a place to tuck in. He's looking at the maps and the terrain and decides to try anchoring behind a high bluff an hour or so ahead of us. I'm thinking that I'm up for stopping right here in the middle of the Sound, but of course that isn't an option. He motors in to a little indent in the land near Point George and scoots close to the shore. Ah!! No wind. Cousin Ralph will have to wait for another day. He drops anchor close(ish) to shore and we have breakfast and watch the waves kicking up farther off shore.

I think the Pirate took a nap, and I read for a while. Eventually the wind died down and the sun came out. I sat out in the sun (almost 60 degrees!) and read. The Pirate stretched out on the other seat and took another nap.

Steak and potatoes on the barby and a beautiful sunset. Off to bed.

[Jestgar]

Day3.

Early morning (and I'm using that word loosely), the Pirate leaps out of bed and runs up on deck. WTH?? The wind has changed. We can't stay here. but..but...will there be coffee? Yes, I'll make you a cup of coffee. I staggered (actually crawled, since the bunk is in a little hidey hole) out of bed and put on clothes, adding a fleece jacket to the above list. I'm now wearing flannel pants, regular pants, cotton socks, wool socks, two long sleeve Ts, one short sleeve, a cotton hoodie, a fleecie, a rain coat, and a windbreaker. I fell like a little kid in a snowsuit with the arms sticking straight out because there's too much padding to bend. Before I'm even halfway through my coffee, the Pirate has weighed anchor and is under sail. It's 4am. ...we're sailing NOW???.... Sure, we can't stay there. We'll blow into shore. .....Ok honey. Rough crossing. Cousin Ralph is calling my name again. I cower into a little sheltered spot on deck clutching my coffee cup. honey.....could you hand me those rice cakes......

[Jestgar]

Rough most of the way across, but the entrance to the San Juans is particularly bad. Convergence, high winds, outgoing tide. The Pirate's comment is that it's like a washing machine. Salt spray in my coffee. A wave washes over the Pirate's feet. I'm cold. How is this even possible with all these layers?

5 to 7 knots all the way across. The Pirate is yelling at me to do things I've never heard of. If we were snuggled into a warm bed, I'd be okay with this concept, but damp and freezing on a bucking boat with only coffee and rice cakes to power my sleep-deprived brain, I just gape at him blankly. Ah, sail flap. Make the sail smaller. I get that. I'll loosen the rope for you. As long as I can camp right next to the edge....just in case...

We make it through the rinse cycle and he sails into Friday Harbor. Despite a pouring rain, it's beautiful here, and calm. Take THAT cousin Ralph! ....more coffee...?

Coffee and breakfast. I put on another sweater. The Pirate mumbles something about needing to lock up his clothes. He's very cold and wet, having sailed the last hour and a half in a freezing hard rain. He strips down and crawls into bed to nap and get warm. I drape wet socks and jackets around and put on some try wool socks. I snuggle under a blanket on the table (which is folded down to make a sleeping area) and try to read. I would love to sleep, but I've never been able to sleep during the day, so I settle for a second breakfast.

Af

[elye]

Now THAT is great reading! Thanks for this continuing travelogue, Jyessss.....

Okay, so now you're in your snowsuit, huddled on deck trying to keep down your coffee. . . .... .. ... continue. . . ...

[elye]

Gah! ya beat me to it! Okay, back to read. . .. ..

[Jestgar]

Eventually the rain stops, I get warm, and the Pirate wakes up. He takes the dinghy off the boat ("splashes" it) and we cruise into the marina at Friday Harbor. We wander a bit, and find a grocery store. Ever mindful of my dietary needs, the Pirate asks where the gluten-free section is. The kind person says that they only have a few things, but if we go to the OTHER store, it's much bigger and they'll have more. We get some vague directions and set off up the hill. We figure we're getting close, and the Pirate asks an ambulance driver lounging outside the ambulance barn. The guy says "there's the market downtown (yes, we've just come from there) and the store WE use is up there, through those parking lots".

OK, I get this, living on a tourist island myself, the pricey store is close to the docks, the real store is up the hill. We find the store, and it's completely unmarked. If you didn't know it was a grocery store you'd walk right by it. They really don't want the tourists shopping here....

Ah yes, funny how the prices are so much cheaper here. We check out what's available, get some candy Easter eggs, and head back to the docks.

There's a Canadian military (?) ship pulling in so we wander down. Turns out there are actually three of them. Not sure what they're doing, but nobody's raising a fuss, so it must just be patrol boats that frequently come in to give the crew some R&R at Friday Harbor. We also meet Popeye the grey harbor seal that lives around the docks and apparently receives plenty of treats from the tourists and locals.

I've slept badly for three nights, been numb with cold, and I'm tired and grouchy and barely keeping it together. The Pirate found a $1 DVD at the store so after an early dinner of the rest of the steaks and some veggies we snuggle together on the table/couch to watch "Death on Demand". ....I wouldn't recommend it....

The Pirate falls asleep immediately (damn how does he do that? That is SO unfair!) and I watch teenagers ripped to shreds by a possessed ice climber. The movie ends and I crawl into bed. It's 8 o'clock.

[kareng]

Now THAT is great reading! Thanks for this continuing travelogue, Jyessss.....

Okay, so now you're in your snowsuit, huddled on deck trying to keep down your coffee. . . .... .. ... continue. . . ...

I, too am enjoying the travelogue. However, I fear she is leaving the juciy bits out. Its cold and she snuggles in bed with a pirate?

[Jestgar]

Day4.

Up at 6am. It is fricking freezing. The Pirate turns on the 'heater' which means turning on the propane stove and lighting the oil lamp. I stay in bed while he's heating water for coffee, but without a second body it's too cold to stay there. I get up and put on all the clothes and sit under a blanket. It's so cold that I'm snorting steam out of my nose. The Pirate hands me my coffee.

It's a beautiful day, or will be once the fog burns off. Today's plan is head back into town and find the internet cafe.

to be continued.

[elye]

to be continued.

:expectantface:

[tom]

:dittoface:

[curlyfries]

Travel log

Day1.

I was cold.

Very cold.

Very very very cold.

The Pirate motors up to a dock tosses out the bumpers (correct term?), leaps over the side and ties up.

#1) I won't say I told you so, but need I remind you of my facebook comment?

#2) See....I KNOW they should be called bumpers, but that always gets me the evil eye from hubby. Actually, they are fenders. Whatever

[mushroom]

#1) I won't say I told you so, but need I remind you of my facebook comment?

#2) See....I KNOW they should be called bumpers, but that always gets me the evil eye from hubby. Actually, they are fenders. Whatever

Heck, I just calll them tyres. That's the kind of boating I do. (Preferably houseboat!)

[curlyfries]

Gee Jyess......sounds like SO much fun

Pffffttt!

I don't care if there IS a snuggly pirate. I would've ababdoned ship (what day are you on?).....4 days ago!

[Loey]

Hello Dearest Psillies,

I just read my last post and boy did I sound out of it. It sorta made no sense. It's embarrassing . I've been getting off some bad meds so I'm still not 100%. I'm not napping as much and I'm starting to get out of the house. Yesterday I drove for the first time in months (I didn't hit any fences - just a curb). I'm just taking baby steps (and trying not to fall). Superman & I are going to see Joan Osbourne this Saturday and we're meeting a close friend of Rob's and his family for diner before the concert. Superman's having no luck with the job market but he's done an incredible job with our stock portfolio (God bless the Apple stock we had).

Well psilly ones it's time to eat some lunch. I miss you all and will need a few hours to catch up reading the posts. I'm looking forward to being psilly

Much Love,

Loey

[nikki-uk]

I, too am enjoying the travelogue. However, I fear she is leaving the juciy bits out. Its cold and she snuggles in bed with a pirate?

I know, I know!!!., back to reading.....

[kareng]

Hello Dearest Psillies,

I just read my last post and boy did I sound out of it. It sorta made no sense. It's embarrassing . I've been getting off some bad meds so I'm still not 100%. I'm not napping as much and I'm starting to get out of the house. Yesterday I drove for the first time in months (I didn't hit any fences - just a curb). I'm just taking baby steps (and trying not to fall). Superman & I are going to see Joan Osbourne this Saturday and we're meeting a close friend of Rob's and his family for diner before the concert. Superman's having no luck with the job market but he's done an incredible job with our stock portfolio (God bless the Apple stock we had).

Well psilly ones it's time to eat some lunch. I miss you all and will need a few hours to catch up reading the posts. I'm looking forward to being psilly

Much Love,

Loey

I thought you sounded a bit off......Ok more than a bit. Glad your back "on".

[Loey]

I thought you sounded a bit off......Ok more than a bit. Glad your back "on".

You're being polite, Kareng. I sounded like I needed to star in my own version of One Flew Over The Cuckoos Nest. I guess it's my travelogue of returning to sanity. I prefer Jess' travelogue (and I'm sure all of you do as well). One thing that's become a new, healthy outlet is my Kindle Fire. Right now I'm reading Game of Thrones. I loved the first season (and highly recommend it) but there are so many characters and subplots that the book helps me sort it out.

I'm also back to cooking and am looking forward to going to the beach before the tourists take over. I am still lonely here (even with Superman at home). Hopefully the summer will bring our friends up to visit. We'll be going to NJ in July for a few days. If any of you are near to RI remember that we have a nice spare bedroom. It's no longer got a TV (Tony took it to school and will also bring it to his summer apartment). The beginning of his Internship will be challenging. He's having surgery on his ankle and will be in a cast for 6 weeks. We'll have to have his suits made to allow for the cast but be able to be resewn after it comes off. He already began his other Internship at the Providence Hospital for his psychology classes. We realized that we're not going to see much of him anymore. It's bittersweet. He's really becoming a man and taking charge of his life.

Time to get ready for the movies. Sending lots of positive energy.

Love,

Loey