July 24 2016 dive # 989 & 990

* photo of taken from internet of Folly Cove

July 24 2016 dive #989
We couldn't have picked a more perfect day. 80F with a breeze. It wasn't that oppressive heat we had the day before. Thank God!
As I look at every day as a gift I cherish my good times with my friends . I am blessed that I have spent over 20 something years (23?) as a crew member aboard Easy Diver. I wish it could last forever.
Captain Fred is having some serious health issues. I hope and pray he will be OK and back to his ol' cantankerous self. One day at a time, as they say. One day at a time.
We did have a wonderful day. Fred and Chris were running the show. Pete was present sporting his new "choppers". (and he was quite proud of himself.)
 Kate, Amy and her newbee student were also onboard as well as our pal  Bill L.
We anchored at Folly Cove, which is my favorite site.
The water was calm with a temp of 65F. It was colder at 20 feet. The viz 25 feet. My ears cleared right away. I think because the water was warm and I practice clearing my ears in the morning. (I know it sounds weird but it works) There were lots of cunners, baby moon snails, a huge horse shoe crab, crabs and good size lobsters.
dive #990
I popped back in the water for a second dive. There is something so therapeutic and soul cleansing when you are underwater. I sort just poked around and then I was looking for BillL since he was snorkeling on the surface. I thought I could be a brat and give him a scare but I didn't see him.
We ended the dive with a royal feast. In a combined effort we had all kinds of fruit, crackers, chicken drumsticks, bean salads etc.. I was happy to see the Captain eating too.All good healthy stuff!
Indeed a most spectacular day....

"style..is no fear of death"-Prince

*Kim took this photo of a rainbow after the sky rumbled and rained a bit after we paddle boarded.
A ray of hope?
A person's character is defined on how they handle adversary.
 I am astounded at how pragmatic, take charge and strong my cousin is handling at what faces her.
The first thing she did was took care of her personal business to make sure her husband knew what was going on. Instead of retreating , she went out with friends.
She urged me to go to for screenings and check ups. I finally made an appointment with the "lady" doctor. I haven't had this kind of check up in a decade. I almost backed out again mostly because getting an appointment was a hurdle. I waited 30 minutes on hold just to make a simple appointment. The first appointment I could get is in the fall but at least I made the appointment.
Meanwhile later that day, I talked to my cousin and she said she was on the phone all fucking day trying to schedule appointment for consultations etc... and getting grief from some of the staff that possibly her insurance may not cover the visits and something about getting referrals, blah blah blah. I thought to myself, "are you fucking kidding me?" It's bad enough you get shitty news but now you have to go through this stupid crap as well?" It is psychological torture. There is nothing worse than being stuck on hold listening to "muskrat love' and "please hold...your call is very important to us". It's like being stuck at the RMV. This "system" is obnoxiously ridiculous.
We went to beach for a few hours just to chat and hang out. She had a long sleeve top on, sun hat with a sun umbrella while I was in a bathing suit  with only sunscreen on my nose. She has always been  the smart sensible one.
She had to use this device to measure her breath by sucking on this tube. (Her doctor was concerned about her lung filling with fluid so she had to monitor it) In our typical style we were joking about it in a very ribald way calling it the "Monica Lewinsky". She could barely work it because we were laughing so much. "Moooonica...Mooonica! Oh that guy over there is w-a-t-c-h-i-n-g yoooou!
Despite our joking around we had a very real frank talk. She is honest and realistic. That is rare quality in a person.
I am hopeful that the doctor she picks at Mass general will have reasonable options for her.
Meanwhile, I am here.

paddleboard

* my cousin Kim took this photo of me clowning around on a paddleboard on Lake Gardner.

One the the reasons I love living up by the seacoast is that my cousin lives nearby.
She is always motivating me to do stuff. Over ten years ago when I first moved up here we attended a woman's" realize your dreams" workshop. And of the course  during the event  I was being my usual smart ass self whispering to my cousin, "oooh do you feel 'empowered' yet?" (The word 'empowered" is a word used quite frequently ad nauseum in women's workshops) The bottom line was that we both ended up starting our own pet care services thanks to her giving me the right push!
She (with great patience) taught me Spanish lessons. I would do 'extra credit' assignments making comic strips using spanish. I thought it was hilarious but I think I tested her patience with my juvenile antics more than once. (No doubt I would've been "frog-marched" to the principle office if I were a middle schooler!) The bottom line is when I recently visited Mexico I could speak and understand a bit of the language thanks to her.
We had done yoga together and just recently, zumba. There are certain songs at zumba class we both like and some songs we make faces at each other. When I am with her I am like a thirteen year old brat!
In the summer on hot days, we would head out to Lake Gardner with her dogs and swim outside the designated swimming areas. The dogs loved it as well as we did. We had our own private beach.
A few weeks ago we tried paddle boarding. As you can see from the photo above I was clowning around. I would lift one foot up and salute. I figured out of our group: Kim, Joey and my husband, I would be the one to fall off the board into the drink. Everyone else was careful on the board.
However, my cousin stumbled and fell backwards in the water. It was unexpected and it rattled her.
In addition to keeping an active lifestyle, she was always very good about promoting healthy eating. She bought me a super "super foods" cookbook which I use quite a bit. She would urge me to get regular check ups and "make sure you get your boobs squished". "Are you taking your vitamin D and calcium?"
Last week, she had a bit of a stomach ache and at the same time she said her lungs felt congested perhaps due to allergies. She went to her doctor figuring it would just be something routine. I get a call from her husband saying that she is in the hospital for a bunch of tests. I figure the doctor are just being super thorough. Kim said she felt OK. The doctor kept her overnight and there were more disconcerting tests.
The results were not what we expected.
When she told me what the doctors told her I felt like a mouse on  a glue-trap.
 Shock and disbelief. I was hoping in her usual Jim Carrey style of humor would say, "HA! jus' jokin'!"
But she didn't.
The big "C"
How can that be possible?
fuck fuck FUCK fuck
It is like the paddleboard. I should have fell off not her.
 NOT HER....

"style..you got it"-Prince

As you know I'm an artist.
I bought a pair of black boots at Goodwill for less than a dollar. Oh boy! A project!
I totally reconstructed them. I fixed the soles and added a new insole, and then I repainted them with purple metallic fabric paint.
Painted the heel and toe end with silver metallic paint and added faux jewels. I placed a dove picture from a bird food package in the center of the glyph.
Pissa, eh?
I'll be wearing these at the fashion show in October.

July 3 2016 dive #988

July 3rd 2016 dive #988
Late start for me this year but here I am!
As much as I hate the winter season the summers here in NE are absolutely the best! This was a picture perfect day to be outside-especially on a boat with pals!
Air temp at around 80F with wind blowing from the north. This was my first boat trip this year on Easy Diver.
Fred and Chris were running the show. Andy at the helm and Bill L came aboard to enjoy the sunshine and the company! :-)
Pete was a no show. This was a bit unnerving. He has had been dealing with ongoing health issues so we were worried. Thankfully, later in the day he called saying he had overslept.
As you might guess on a beautiful 4th of July weekend the Annisqwam river was chock-o-block full of boats. We anchored in Folly cove which surprised me that there were only two boats anchored. Regardless, I was grateful that WE anchored here. It was my first dive of the season. Nice and easy.
It was good to see our pal Bill L. He always has good stories and jokes. He had told me the water temp was 65F. Well, he must of been joking! At 20 ft my guage read 48F! At surface it definitely wasn't that cold but boy, what a thermocline! Brrrrrrrr! My mouth was so cold I couldn't move it. Maybe that was a good thing.
The viz was at a good 20 Ft. I saw only a few fish. A pollack and flounder. A moon snail casing.No matter, I was out diving!
It's always good to catch up with friends. Chris and I spotted some beautiful water fowl. I believe we saw (above) a common golden eye.( I really should bring my bird ID book with me) I try to remember what they look like to ID them.
Gotta love this time of year!