At around 0900, the liquid sunshine stopped. It was replaced by partly cloudy and eventually mostly sunny skies. The temp range was high 70’s to mid 80’s. Winds were light and variable as the cold front moved through.
Comment: The day began with coffee/tea and cereal for breakfast. Everyone enjoyed a second beverage as we listened to the cruisers’ net which started at 0900. Once again, I got the trivia questions correct, but was too slow on the trigger of the VHF radio. Perhaps tomorrow will be the day I win one of those prizes (usually a lunch at the Overseas or a free ride on the Smorgasboat)! We usually fire up the generator between 0730 and 0800 to charge the batteries and the computers and other electrical equipment. Today, the genny ran for about 2.5 hours.
At about 1100 hours, all four of us piled into our two person dinghy for a ride to the West Marine dinghy dock (think clowns in a VW Beetle).We were on a quest to purchase a toilet rebuild kit. It’s time to replace the “O” rings, gaskets and valves on “SUNSHINE’S” marine head. We’ve been looking for the proper kit at each of the West Marine stores ((about 400, it seems) that we’ve visited along the way. This store had the kit… we’re in for some fun this afternoon!
Following our successful foray to the boat store, we were off to the Keys Fishery for their famous Lobster Ruben (over 88,000 sold!). It was as good as ever. While eating, we watched tarpon swimming in the harbor, while pelicans and gulls were begging for handouts.
After an uneventful trip back to the boat, Ed inflated kayaks so he and Marje could take a tour of the harbor. It took some time to figure out how to assemble his Sevylor kayak. The owner’s manual got soaked and was unusable. I was surprised to find that they both had no difficulty in boarding or disembarking. It’s difficult enough to get into and out of a kayak from land; I thought it would be impossible from the boat. They proved me wrong!
While they were kayaking, Anna Marie and I set about the toilet rebuilding project. Three hours later, the toilet was operational. We had four washer leftover… but no leaks. Of course I thought the job was finished at the one hour mark, but leaks caused me to disassemble he whole pump apparatus and reseat the gaskets, washers and “O” rings. As a result of the project, the toilet works better (easier) than ever and there are no leaks.
Due to the extended time it took to complete the project, we had a sandwich and a fresh salad instead of the grilled chicken that had been thawed for dinner. We’ll get to that tomorrow.
At about 2000 hours, the clowns piled into the dinghy for the second time today. We went ashore for showers and Open Mike Night (OMN) at the Overseas Sports Bar and Grill.
We strolled into the bar and took up some vacant seats that afforded a good view of the stage. OMN was postponed due to the football game between the Jacksonville Jaguars and the New England Patriots. Most of the crowd was rooting for the Jags; they were disappointed in the final score (31 to 20New England ).
As always, brother-in-law (whose law?) Ed attracted the attention of one of the already inebriated patrons of the establishment. In fairness to Ed, the lady was more attracted to his shirt that to him. He had on his Texas A&M “Aggies” shirt. Seems this lady also hails from Texas and immediately sensed a kinship with Ed, who quickly explained that he is the parent of an Aggie but he isn’t one himself.
A loud conversation commenced. The lady was accompanying her husband on their boat. She offered that they were heading to St. Maerten. The following is an accurate transcription of the conversation, spoken in very LOUD voices above the sound of the game, that ensued:
ED: Why are you going to St. Maerten?
LADY: For the titties!
ED: What?
LADY: The titties! You know, the titties!
ED: What?
LADY: My husband, he lives for the titties.
ED (in a rather loud voice): You mean “TITS?”
LADY: That’s right, honey (as she leaned over to give Ed a kiss)!
Marje, Anna Marie and I sat there with our mouths agape. We think the two people next to us fainted.
The OMN entertainment immediately followed the football game which could only rank third in entertainment value when compared to the inebriated lady and the OMN entertainment.
We thought the evening would be memorable solely because of the inebriated lady when we noticed one of the musicians taking the stage with what appeared to be an oven broiler pan. Closer inspection confirmed that it was indeed the top to an oven broiler pan (perhaps a Keys adaptation to t
he Appalachian wash board), straight from his mother’s oven! A simple discarded length of string provided a "strap" which he affixed to the instrument and placed around his neck. He held two spoons in his hands. As the music started, he banged the right hand spoon against to broiler pan to beat out the cadence. His left hand provided syncopated rhythms for the songs that followed. Amazingly, "Broiler Pan Man" (BPM) provided good rhythms as he accompanied the more traditional musicians. (NOTE: Weeks later, we heard he is known locally as 
"Hurricane Dave.")Another regular (we dubbed him "Conga Drum Guy" (CDG)) moseyed to the stage with his dog. He played the conga drums while the dog scratched to the music. Can you hear the music now?
Although the entertainment was less than stellar, all of the patrons had a great time. It was a most unusual evening; one that we are finding to be typical of the Florida Keys!
After a short walk back to the dinghy dock, we four clowns squeezed into the dinghy for the ride back to the mother ship, having enjoyed another entertaining day in paradise!
Although the entertainment was less than stellar, all of the patrons had a great time. It was a most unusual evening; one that we are finding to be typical of the Florida Keys!
After a short walk back to the dinghy dock, we four clowns squeezed into the dinghy for the ride back to the mother ship, having enjoyed another entertaining day in paradise!
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