It brings back those months just prior to and after Mom's death - the grinding daily routine of being her caregiver, her outbursts and anger, the shock of her decision to die, making arrangements for her comfort as she died mixed with arguing about changing her will, resentment, legal subterfuge, planning another funeral, and then, an empty, quiet house with 2 cats looking up at me crying, and wondering what had happened to their buddy. Paperwork, hours on the internet looking for a boat to buy, with a couple of trips to see some in Florida, mixed with trying to figure out how to break up a house full of 60 years of accumulated family treasures and junk that no one wanted, and all the time trying to put a good face on everything, but alone with my blues. I don't think my family ever returned to Pittsburgh after the funeral, although my memory may not serve me correctly. Regardless, it was a lonely and depressing time - one highlight being a visit from my ex-gf from Canada who came to help me deal with some of it - rolling up her sleeves, climbing into the dusty attic to hand down box after box, and prodding me to keep moving forward for a few days. I am grateful for her love and help.
But it is a time of blues that is behind me, choosing to look forward now, until my brother's email. Needless to say, it has been a great distraction for the whole week, and will continue until the lawyer I have retained can seek a resolution. It has gutted me, emotionally, and my stomach turns and I wake many times in the night, in a cold sweat and my heart pounding. I feel quilty posting these pictures of celebration when there is such an ominous problem hanging over my head, but the truth is that my birthday was a great distraction for a bit, required me to go leave the boat and be around people, and gave me some hours over several days amongst friends, when my mind was not worrying about what had gone wrong, and what the best course of action would be. I have, as I said, now retained an attorney to sort out the trouble and resolve the problem. Soon, the wolves will leave my brother's door, and he can relax a bit. He was totally helpless and that makes it so much worse for me - to cause my big brother so much grief, and it expanding around him like rings on a pond, moving outward to his wonderful family and the life around him. So, with a certain amount of reluctance, I will post my birthday week for you, and I am sorry for bringing something so negative here.
Follower, Don Feiner wrote to me recently to say that a fellow who's travels Don also follows, is here in St. Martin, and asked me to find him and send along his greetings. It took several days to hunt down s/v Far Star, and when I did, Kennedy was not home, but continued to ride by when I passed that way. I finally found him one evening when I was running some errands, and we had a great chat. I was in a bit of a hurry, and did not accept his several offers to come aboard for a visit with him and his kitty, who seemed so content and comfortable living aboard a sailboat, and we just chatted from dink to deck. I asked if I could snap a couple pictures to email to Don back in Florida, and below is one. Don later emailed me a page from Kennedy's blog or email where he kindly mentions my visit.
My birthday celebration had an impromptu beginning, when, after midnight Thursday night, I mentioned to my Aussie mate, Graham, that I had just turned 57. He went ballistic that I had not told him it was my birthday, and we proceeded to shut down Topper's, where we watch and dance to and sing along with the karaoke each Thursday night. Then we drove up to the Red Piano, in friend Ellison's car where we stayed until it closed, dragging ourselves home about 430am. I finally remembered to snap a pic of Graham, although it does not show his incredible smile and bright, shiny eyes. I have said that after his departure, there will be a big BOOM! here in St. Martin, as the vacuum that is left behind is re-filled with rushing air. He is loved everywhere he goes, always getting or giving a peck on the cheek to the ladies, young and old. He has become such a wonderful friend, and I am so happy that I met him. We will stay in touch for years, I hope.
This is my mate, Ellison, with whom I have had such fun. We had a wonderful, relaxing Sunday together a few weeks ago, when I used my dink as a tugboat, to push him into a dock to re-fill his water tanks and back out again, and he then came to AF to look at my hydraulic troubles, offering the last piece of the puzzle in that repair. He is a mechanic for a charter company, and has crossed the Atlantic several times, once solo. He also served in the US Army, in Iraq, but is not an American. He has a very unique outlook on life. An incredible friend, and also another with a constant smile, cheery greeting with hearty hugs, and positive outlook. Davina originally introduced him to me. Truth is, he hid from my camera so this pic doesn't show his incredible smile.
My birthday celebration had an impromptu beginning, when, after midnight Thursday night, I mentioned to my Aussie mate, Graham, that I had just turned 57. He went ballistic that I had not told him it was my birthday, and we proceeded to shut down Topper's, where we watch and dance to and sing along with the karaoke each Thursday night. Then we drove up to the Red Piano, in friend Ellison's car where we stayed until it closed, dragging ourselves home about 430am. I finally remembered to snap a pic of Graham, although it does not show his incredible smile and bright, shiny eyes. I have said that after his departure, there will be a big BOOM! here in St. Martin, as the vacuum that is left behind is re-filled with rushing air. He is loved everywhere he goes, always getting or giving a peck on the cheek to the ladies, young and old. He has become such a wonderful friend, and I am so happy that I met him. We will stay in touch for years, I hope.This is my mate, Ellison, with whom I have had such fun. We had a wonderful, relaxing Sunday together a few weeks ago, when I used my dink as a tugboat, to push him into a dock to re-fill his water tanks and back out again, and he then came to AF to look at my hydraulic troubles, offering the last piece of the puzzle in that repair. He is a mechanic for a charter company, and has crossed the Atlantic several times, once solo. He also served in the US Army, in Iraq, but is not an American. He has a very unique outlook on life. An incredible friend, and also another with a constant smile, cheery greeting with hearty hugs, and positive outlook. Davina originally introduced him to me. Truth is, he hid from my camera so this pic doesn't show his incredible smile.This terrible picture shows my buddy, Sam, a 34 year old Welsh girl, who bartends at Topper's on Thursday nights. She sings and dances with incredible energy, and is worth the effort to get there and watch. She and I have become buddies, now having gone out after she closes for snacks, a few more drinks, and to shoot some pool. (The man blocking her has an incredible voice, and sings old Sinatra songs very, very well.) Will get a better picture next week, as she is quite the doll, and sure easy on the eyes. But, more importantly, she is another great friend!
Ellison had his camera along that night and snapped a lot of pictures and I hope to borrow his memory card to load some more into my computer to post later. Graham's mate, Dave, and owner of his boat, Hennis, joined us at the Red Piano for champagne and dancing. This sweet little German girl, Jackie, also came along and was part of the celebration, dancing with each of us but giving me more than a few birthday kisses. The picture does not do her justice.
A soiree had been planned since the previous week by Paul and Peggy, here on the French side for my birthday. Claire picked up Bernard and me and we drove up into the hills to their apartment. We were joined by Valerie, a lady whom I met at Peggy's Christmas dinner. Valerie bought me 2 cigars that are hand made here in St Martin. So the birthday 'boy' mugs for the camera. Happy 57th!
Our evening started with an aperitif on the porch. Paul had once again made me his special rum punch, which I love. 
Snapped this just before Claire could get a smile on all the way. Bernard and I shared her as our 'date' for the evening.
Bernard could not resist a chance to mug for the camera with my cigars.
We learned after a bit, that the electricity had been off at Paul and Peggy's apartment for much of the day. So Paul had slaved away without light or a fan in the hot kitchen preparing this feast for me. Such a good friend.
Ellison had his camera along that night and snapped a lot of pictures and I hope to borrow his memory card to load some more into my computer to post later. Graham's mate, Dave, and owner of his boat, Hennis, joined us at the Red Piano for champagne and dancing. This sweet little German girl, Jackie, also came along and was part of the celebration, dancing with each of us but giving me more than a few birthday kisses. The picture does not do her justice.A soiree had been planned since the previous week by Paul and Peggy, here on the French side for my birthday. Claire picked up Bernard and me and we drove up into the hills to their apartment. We were joined by Valerie, a lady whom I met at Peggy's Christmas dinner. Valerie bought me 2 cigars that are hand made here in St Martin. So the birthday 'boy' mugs for the camera. Happy 57th!Our evening started with an aperitif on the porch. Paul had once again made me his special rum punch, which I love. Snapped this just before Claire could get a smile on all the way. Bernard and I shared her as our 'date' for the evening.Bernard could not resist a chance to mug for the camera with my cigars.We learned after a bit, that the electricity had been off at Paul and Peggy's apartment for much of the day. So Paul had slaved away without light or a fan in the hot kitchen preparing this feast for me. Such a good friend.My host - Paul, still dripping with perspiration from the day's cooking.
And hostess - beautful Peggy. She brought out some pictures of their wedding, and believe me, she was knock-out beautiful! And today is beautiful and gracious, and full of charm, and I love to watch her speak as her face is so animated. She is from Belgium. She also showed us pictures of their gorgeous daughter and grandchildren who live there now.
After 1st course of Paul's home made mussel and poirotte soup, we enjoyed this shrimp and rice. Bernard was absolutely amazed that I had never heard of poirotte. He found it incredible, but you know me - no culture or breeding! Turns out that it is almost the 'potatoe' in France, used in many different ways and dishes, but a staple at most meals. When we returned home at the end of the evening, Claire looked it up in a French/English dictionary, and a poirotte is a leek. Shelby, my friend from W. Va. would know what wild leeks are as there is a festival for them near his hometown. But these are not the wild, hot ones.
And hostess - beautful Peggy. She brought out some pictures of their wedding, and believe me, she was knock-out beautiful! And today is beautiful and gracious, and full of charm, and I love to watch her speak as her face is so animated. She is from Belgium. She also showed us pictures of their gorgeous daughter and grandchildren who live there now.After 1st course of Paul's home made mussel and poirotte soup, we enjoyed this shrimp and rice. Bernard was absolutely amazed that I had never heard of poirotte. He found it incredible, but you know me - no culture or breeding! Turns out that it is almost the 'potatoe' in France, used in many different ways and dishes, but a staple at most meals. When we returned home at the end of the evening, Claire looked it up in a French/English dictionary, and a poirotte is a leek. Shelby, my friend from W. Va. would know what wild leeks are as there is a festival for them near his hometown. But these are not the wild, hot ones.Poirotte-
Our main course. Beautiful presentation and delicious.
Bon Apetit!
Paul told me that he had prepared a surprise desert for me. After the obligatory baguette and cheeses (Phew! Some of them really stink but are so delicious!) sauteed banana in sugar glaze and served in this suggestive, phallic presentation with 2 scoops of vanilla ice cream, with a ginger root sauce. Got a lot of laughs, of course, and was delicious.
Our main course. Beautiful presentation and delicious. Bon Apetit! Paul told me that he had prepared a surprise desert for me. After the obligatory baguette and cheeses (Phew! Some of them really stink but are so delicious!) sauteed banana in sugar glaze and served in this suggestive, phallic presentation with 2 scoops of vanilla ice cream, with a ginger root sauce. Got a lot of laughs, of course, and was delicious. The evening ended with a tiny glass of a liquor distilled from apple cider. Tasted like V-2 rocket fuel - what a powerful punch. I cannot thank them enough for this wonderful meal. French chattered all around me, all evening, but I never felt alone. I am so fortunate to have made so many wonderful friends.
Sunday I did not plan to leave the boat at all. Had chores to do and stayed in my 'boat clothes' - torn shorts and dirty, stinky t-shirt. But had to ride in to the store for something, and since I was most of the way there, I drove over to Lagoonies, to find it closed (should get the calendar out and remember these things). Met a Scotsman there who had just arrived in St Martin, and has earned his living on or around the ocean for 40 years. We chatted for quite a bit - is hard for me to walk away from that beautiful brogue! As I was departing, German buddy, Michael pulled in to pick up some ice. I hollered, "Where's the party?" and he said, "Explorer Island. Bring beer and something to cook." A quick stop at a Chinese market for beer, hot dogs and chips, off I went to an impromptu beach party.
Into the jungle we all went to gather fallen wood, coconuts, branches - anthing that would burn to start the charcoal to cook on and for the fire on the beach after dark fell. I came out with cactus stuck to my legs, barbs deep, and blood running down my legs. Gonna have to learn to watch out better.
Friends Bob, Angie, Christine, Paul, Michael were there as well as a large group of familiar faces, but no names to go with them.
Into the jungle we all went to gather fallen wood, coconuts, branches - anthing that would burn to start the charcoal to cook on and for the fire on the beach after dark fell. I came out with cactus stuck to my legs, barbs deep, and blood running down my legs. Gonna have to learn to watch out better. Friends Bob, Angie, Christine, Paul, Michael were there as well as a large group of familiar faces, but no names to go with them.That's German friend, Angie up trying to gather the song books that belonged to the guitar player - an Irish fellow, I think, who was fantastic. We sang along with and danced to some of his music. He has played in a bar in Thailand and is very talented. Taught me to play the penny flute and offered to give me one to keep practicing.
The obligatory beach fire,tended passionately by Angie, who would disappear into the jungle, rustle around a bit in the dark, returning with fallen palm leaves to re-new the blaze.
The obligatory beach fire,tended passionately by Angie, who would disappear into the jungle, rustle around a bit in the dark, returning with fallen palm leaves to re-new the blaze.
No comments:
Post a Comment