Tap-Tap-Tap....Anybody Home?

Nope, not here, well soon anyway. Tonight we are doing the Happy Dance. We are on vacation....finally. So what does this mean exactly? Well, for us it means two weeks to explore new places and meet new people, while travelling the waterway on our sailboat.

And let me tell you that this is no straight and easy feat.

You see, our boat is also our tent, if you will. While landlubbers hitch their tent on the back of their car, and head for campsites, we untie the docklines and head out on the water.

We have all of the amenities to survive a vacation off the grid, and this a good thing, since the grid needs a little rest methinks. It just takes a little bit of planning to get us to Nirvana land. We bring our own food and beverages, bottled water, entertainment, clothing for four seasons (this IS Canada after all). It's sort of like packing for a few extra weekends, but not knowing what weather we'll actually experience, so we bring LOTS.

We'll have to stop at the storage and pick up the kayak, and floating chair and 2 telescope chairs.

It sounds like a chore, and in some ways it is, because we repackage things to fit into small spaces, and leave the garbage at home, but once we get everything stowed away, and those docklines are free, so are we. It's a feeling of excitement mixed with anxiety, happiness and hysteria. Freedom from the rat race, the expectations, the demands.

So, I leave you with this picture of My Sweetie. It was taken last year at the Benjamin Islands. Doesn't he appear to be having the most leisurely time in the floating chair?

*the chair is calling*


**if I find a wireless connection somewhere, I'll be able to blog**

I Heard the Sound Of.......

It was a typical sailing weekend. We went to find a sheltered bay, to protect us from winds and waves. Instead of going to one of our usual spots, we decided to try a new spot, which was located near a camp. It was a nice anchorage, big enough so that not many boats could enter.

We settled in for the evening, listening to the sounds of the kiddie campers, singing their campfire songs, and banging on tribe-like drums. It was pretty magical to hear this at night, as the sounds echoed through the forest.

The next morning, we lazed around after breakfast. We were comfy in the cockpit, having breakfast, watching the kiddie campers go sailing in their Pico sailboats and Hobie-cats. While some of the campers were sailing, there were other campers on shore, singing typical camp songs, and once again, banging in unison on the camp drums. The sound of the thumping was again very tribe-like; almost as though these kiddies were going to war or something.

Then we heard it.

One lone voice in the woods.

"No! I don't want to!"

"No! I don't want to!"

When we first heard this, we thought really bad things, like someone was being forced to do something that they didn't want to. With that in mind, we were preparing to go ashore to the camp to see if assistance was required.

Then we heard more.

"I want to go home."

"I want you to come and get me NOW!"

"I don't want to stay here!"

"Get me the F*** out of her....NOW!"

These were the sounds of some poor young, spoiled lady, who desperately wanted to go home. She was either a counsellor, or a camper, we did not know which, but one thing was certain....SHE WAS NOT VERY HAPPY, and did not want to be where she was!

From what we could make out, she was on her cell phone or a pay phone, probably talking to her parents, and the call lasted a good 20 minutes.

We continued to hear these cries from the woods, and wondered when she would be escorted out of the forest and back to civilization (gosh why would someone want to have that?). We also don't know if she ever made it off the island (hello Gilligan?)

What we do know is that eventually, her telephone cries were drowned out by the sounds of the campers, singing their camp songs in loud unison.....and the woods continued to echo with the sound of tribe-like drums.

Word (less) Sunday (almost wordless)

Just thought that I would post this photo (with permission granted from his Pop) of a young relative of ours. After a hard day at play, and in severe need of a nap, he has this habit of gathering all of the nearby pillows, and scooping them all around him.

And then he nods off to sleepy land.

Just too cute for words I think, but I found some anyway.

I can hear y'all saying 'awwwwwwww!'.

(Click on the image to enlarge).

It's My Sweetie's Birthday Today!

Happy Birthday to My Sweetie!

I know that he will eventually read this. He always reads my blog entries, and, at times, he is my Editor. Every writer needs an Editor, and he does an excellent job.

So, this morning, we did the birthday giftie thing. I made him a special card...motorcycle theme. Even BJ made him a card (such a crafty little kitty).

Now, this is the last birthday before he enters the half-century club. Hang on to #49, Honey, and look forward to many more happy birthdays.

On that note, I leave you with some tidbits of information for your special day. Enjoy!

Word of the Day for July 6, 2007
GAUCHERIE - A tactless or awkward act
Example: The mother was embarrassed by the GAUCHERIE of her child.
Synonyms: gaffe, solecism

Positive Quote for July 6, 2007
Perhaps love is the process of my leading you gently back to yourself.

-- Antoine De Saint-Exupery

Daily Motivator for July 6, 2007
It's already yours
You already have what it takes to be anything you want to be, to have anything you want to have, to live the way you want to live. The ability to create the life you desire, is already yours.

Your job is to find that ability, make use of your potential, and take the actions that will lead to the achievement you desire.

It is foolish to wish that you could get something for nothing. Foolish, and quite unnecessary. Because you already have everything you could possibly want, if you will just find it and make use of it.

You won't get something for nothing, and you don't need it anyway. Look inside yourself. Find the value that is already there, and make the most of it. Whatever you truly desire, you already have the ability to acquire. It's up to you to make it happen.

People Born on July 6, 2007
Geoffrey Rush (1951)
Actor who came to the attention of the media when he gave an Oscar-winning performance in the 1996 film, Shine. Rush began his stage career in his native Australia in the 1970s. He starred in a production of "Waiting for Godot" in 1979, with a then-unknown Mel Gibson, and did not make the leap to the big screen until Twelfth Night in 1986. In addition to his critically acclaimed performance in Shine, Rush has also appeared in Twisted (1996), Shakespeare in Love (1998), Elizabeth (1998), Les Miserables (1998), Mystery Men (1999), Quills (2000), Lantana (2001), and Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl. He is also the voice of Nigel in the hit animated film Finding Nemo.

Sylvester Stallone (1946)
Actor who attended beauty school before discovering his true calling. Stallone began his film career as a screenwriter, and struggled for many years in New York before penning the script to the 1976 hit, Rocky. Rocky was the sleeper smash that year, earning critical acclaim and spawning a successful series of sequels. Stallone has since enjoyed a lucrative acting career, starring in films including Rambo: First Blood (1982), Tango and Cash (1989), Lock Up (1989), Oscar (1991), Demolition Man (1993), Judge Dredd (1995), Daylight (1996), Cop Land (1997), Driven (2001) and Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over. In addition to his many talents, Stallone is also a gifted painter.

George W. Bush (1946)
43rd President of the United States. Upon graduating with his MBA from Harvard Business School, Bush served in the Texas Air National Guard as an F-102 pilot, and worked on his father’s presidential campaign in 1988. Before being elected as the 46th Governor of Texas in 1994, Bush was a managing general partner of the Texas Rangers.

Ned Beatty (1937)
Actor who gave a memorable performance as Lex Luthor’s accomplice, Otis, in the first two Superman films (1978, 1980). Beatty began his career in show business on the Broadway stage in "The Great White Hope." His performance did not go unnoticed, for he was soon offered a role in the 1972 film Deliverance. After making his screen debut, Beatty had no trouble finding work. He has since appeared in films including Our Town (1977), Friendly Fire (1979), The Toy (1982), The Big Easy (1986), Back to School (1986), Repossessed (1990), Prelude to a Kiss (1992), Rudy (1993), The Affair (1995), Cookie’s Fortune (1999) and Where the Red Fern Grows (2003).

Della Reese (1931)
Actress and ordained minister whose portrayal of the angel, Tess, on "Touched By an Angel," inspired viewers for nearly a decade (1994-2003). In 1953, Reese moved to New York to embark on a career in music. She was met with success and released the hit singles "And That Reminds Me" and "Don’t You Know." Reese began to host her own talk show in 1969 and joined the cast of the sitcom, "Chico and the Man," in 1976. Reese starred in two other sitcoms, "It Takes Two" (1982) and "Charlie and Co." (1986), before appearing in her first feature film, Harlem Nights, in 1989. In addition to her work on "Touched By An Angel," Reese has appeared in the TV movies "Miracle in the Woods" (1997), "Emma’s Wish" (1998), "The Secret Path" (1999) and "The Moving of Sophia Myles" (2000).

Music History for July 6, 2007
In 1998, Indonesian pop star Iwan Fals gives a free concert in Jakarta. More than 5,000 economically devastated people break out in a riot and charge the stage, hurling bottles and sticks and shoes. Fals barely escapes the mob and flees with his band to a nearby hotel.

In 1998, Acclaimed cowboy singer and actor Roy Rodgers, 86, dies in his sleep at his home in the desert community of Apple Valley, Calif. The 'King of the Cowboys' had been ill with congestive heart failure for some time.

In 1991, Van Halen's 'For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge' debuts at No. 1 on Billboard's pop album chart.

In 1976, The Damned give their performance debut at the 100 Club in London.

In 1971, Trumpeter Louis 'Satchmo' Armstrong dies. He had turned 71 two days earlier. He wins a Grammy in 1965 as Best Male Vocal Performance for 'Hello Dolly,' a Lifetime Achievement Grammy in 1972 and is inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990 as a forefather of rock music.

In 1965, No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit: '(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction,' The Rolling Stones. It is the Stones' first No. 1 single in the U.S.

In 1964, The Beatles' first film, 'A Hard Day's Night,' premieres in London.

In 1937, 'Duke of Earl' Gene Chandler (Eugene Dixon) is born in Chicago. His biggest hit is 'Duke of Earl,' which tops Billboard's Hot 100 for three weeks in 1962.

In 1925, Rock n' roll pioneer Bill Haley (William John Clifton Haley Jr.) is born in Highland Park, a section of Detroit. The biggest hit for Bill Haley & His Comets is the rock n' roll classic '(We're Gonna) Rock Around the Clock,' a No. 1 song for eight weeks in 1955. He is posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987.

HAVE A VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!
XXX

"Middle Age" Meets "Youth"

We were invited to a Pot Lock dinner at a friend's house, a gathering of fitness enthusiasts. We were sitting on the back deck, enjoying the evening. In a neighbouring backyard, four young lads were playing guitars and a bongo drum.

Two different worlds it seemed.

Our hostess decided to ask them to join us later, if they wished, provided they brought their instruments. As the temperature dropped, our little party moved inside. We warmed up various foods, and settled into comfy chairs, and chatted.

"Knock-knock-knock" at the rear patio door.

The young lads were at the back door, armed with instruments, and ready to play. They came inside, hopped up on a couple of breakfast bar stools, and started to play. Our hostess offered them food and drink (mostly beer!).

They started to play. We were instantly hooked on their sound. Their voices all had a distinct quality. Their guitar playing was impressive, and they could pick up each other's musical cues quite easily.

I loved the bongo/drum playing. It has to be one of my favourite percussion instruments. It was more than just accompaniment. It added a whole different dimension. AC/DC never sounded so "funky', to use an old term.

Now, this little concert went on for a few hours. They played and sang. We sat, tapped our toes, clapped.

Then, after awhile, their friends started to arrive. One, two, three, more! Yet, we never felt alarmed. They were an easy-going, relaxed, and thoroughly friendly bunch.

One half of the room with the "youngsters", and the other half with the "oldsters". Quite a sight this must have been. (visions of the hired entertainment for senior citizens comes to mind).

We never heard us referred to as "old', though. Maybe the word "folks', but that was all.

As the evening grew late, a couple of young women arrived, and the time came for the whole group to leave for a party downtown. We all stood up to shake their hands, and thank them for coming and playing. They, in turn, were thanking us for inviting them and for listening.

A splendid meeting of two generations in a spirit of openness, trust, and sharing.

The world could use more of this spirit.