A weekend with the girls, at least 2/3 of them.

We made our weekly trek to OB Friday evening.  Ellie, Sarah, Chelsea & Kieth were already there.  It was off to the pier for fishing.   Hardhead cats and white trout were the victims.  Later we stayed up late(for me) and got ready for Saturday.

We arose Saturday to a beautiful hot day.  We decided on Tacky Jack's for lunch.  The Obama table was ours, Karen even got the Obama chair.  The waitress laughed that he smelled like "Afro Sheen & Fried Chicken"  while he was there,  some said he had watermelon for lunch.  We all had a hearty laugh about it but my faithful readers may not. Its just a joke!!!!  Watched the World Cup and continued at the condo.  Never watched a soccer match in my life but I was mesmerized. 

Later we took Miss Elisa over to Pirate's Cove for cocktails and iced tea.  Between Kieth & I she was loaded to the gunnell.  Good thing it was a calm day.  They all partook of bushwhackers and other libations while I sipped on iced tea.   Years ago I would sit on the deck there, watch the girls swim and drink beer.  These days they drink bushwhackers and watch me drink iced tea.  Life truly does come full circle.

Later that night I took them to the Flora Bama so they could catch a cab home.  My teetotaling ways  have transformed me into a Designated Driver.

Sunday was the normal clean up and trip home.  What a wonderful weekend with my twins.

Brandy is gone.

Yesterday was a very bad day.  Brandy had not responded to treatment by the vet and Karen had to make the heart wrenching decision to put her down.  She went for a last visit and the always necessary paperwork.  Not sure how she managed but she did.  Got her a few chicken strips, her favorite snack.  

I only knew Brandy the last year and a half.   I have always liked dogs but never loved them, with Brandy it was different.  She was a great dog and a great companion for Karen.  I shed a few tears yesterday but nothing compared to Karen.  She is devastated.

Karen will miss her for a very long time.

An Oily Day in OB...

On arrival last night we learned the Pass and all surrounding waters had been closed to recreational boaters.  As much as I don't like it, a good decision to keep us gawkers away. 

This morning we saw the oil firsthand at the beach.  It got worse during the day.  As this moves eastward past Pensacola to Destin more will be impacted and more will become vocal.   This is a bad blow to the economy here.  It has officially impacted me.  Mike at Sam's didn't want any pies until business picks up.  It will be a while.

We took Miss Elisa out to Perdido Bay and Tarkin Bay.  Ran into our friends Wayne & Brian.  Later we went swimming over by Barber's Marina.

Brandy, Karen' Golden Retriever,  has taken a turn for the worse this weekend.  She can't get up by herself anymore.  At 16 years she has had a good life.  We put people in a nursing home, nowhere for dogs to go.  Karen is devastated with this development.

Back to work tomorrow....

Saturday morning we went with our friends Rick & Annie on his new 38' Rampage. It was Rick's first time out and her handled her like the experienced Captain he is. A nice boat that will be enjoyed by the Partains and their guests. Still has his Pursuit for sale, a unique smaller boat, 26'-28' with diesels. It will be a great boat for someone. After lunch we came back to the condo to rendezvous with some friends. They got a better offer so we stayed and watched the rain.

Sunday morning. I went to church but slipped out early, shame on me. The bilge pump on We'll Sea had failed and she had accumulated a good bit of water. Took the boat over to Sportsman, gave the kid a 20 and he lifted her out to drain the water. Ran for 21 minutes. Lots of water. Don helped me get the bilge working again.

Late afternoon we went over to Pirate's Cove. All the locals were there and well lubricated. People were swimming back & forth across the channel. A dangerous thing. Saw a couple doing the dirty deed in the water for all to see. They had attracted quite a crowd. Saw her later prancing around inside the cove. Her Daddy must be a proud Papa...

After a short trip to our fav spot, Ingram's Bayou, we came home, cleaned up and off to Cafe Grazie's for dinner.

NOAA has done us in....

This was to be a long fishing weekend, BP had other plans. NOAA has closed all Federal waters eastward to Navarre. One of the guys at Sportsman has promised a couple of spots in Florida waters. We'll Sea. The weather has not cooperated anyway, high seas and thunderstorms through Monday.

We brought the boat around and went to Lulu's for lunch. The Wharf is on the way. They have a "Please No Wake" sign there. It is not a No Wake Zone and I don't slow down there. I got the one finger salute and had a spirited conversation with a couple of boaters and the guy at the Fuel dock. My temper got the best of me. 2 best lines of the day. A Baldwin County redneck with a mullet told me "Go back to Michigan" WTF??? The fuel dock guy told me he would never sell gas to me. Big hairy deal.

I called the Marine Police and asked about it. It is not no wake, period. I asked them to ether make it no wake of make those guys quit harassing everyone. The officer agreed, said he has made that recommendation many times to deaf ears. Great minds think alike...

Tonite we go to Pirate's Cove for Grayson Capps.