Thursday, 10 August 2017 - It was raining, or threatening to do so, this morning, so I really didn't get much done, but this afternoon I went to the library to update some applications on my computer and the charts for my chart plotter. The downloads at this library seem very slow and I didn't get finished before they closed at 6 o'clock.

Friday, 11 August - Most of today was, again, spent at the library printing some files, signing some papers, photographing the papers, and sending them back to their originator as attachments, then updating files on my laptop. It took hours. I don't know why the updates took so long this time. I had, again, intended to finish cleaning the keel on the boat, but ran out of time once more.

Saturday, 12 August - Ahha! I finally got to finish cleaning the hull and keel of the boat today, and I think I did it in record time, mostly because there were very few barnacles, mostly just vegetation or sea creatures that look like vegetation...except on the two grounding plates. Painting them would ruin their ability to conduct electricity so they get way more than their share of all kinds of sea life attached to them, and boy, is it hard to clean them. Basically, I just break off what I can and leave the rest. I don't think they need to be real clean. As long as they are wet, they're grounded, or so I've been told.
                  Previously, when I had cleaned the hull of the boat, I'd get totally covered with the nymphs of barnacles, but the last time they were almost nonexistent. Two days ago and today it looks like they're on the way back. Perhaps there's recently been a spawning season. I assume that means that the next time, small barnacles and their nymphs will be back with a vengeance. Oh well, it was nice while it lasted.
                  There's a city sponsored ice cream party at the city park this evening. I think I'll go cool down.

Sunday, 13 August - Grocery day, a thirty five minute walk to the store, then a five minute taxi ride back. Evening entertainment at Dockside Bar open mic night.

Monday, 14 August - I made up a small batch of paraffin thinned with mineral oil to wax the newly polished brass with and to wax and lubricate other such items as they come along. I, also, planed off the bottom of the door to the forward head. It has been sticking as it tries to shut. I had to do that with the door installed. I couldn't get one of the brass screws to break loose and I didn't want to have the head break off so I'd have to drill it out. I'm amazed how tenacious these brass wood screws are. Later I'll head over to hear Fiddle Rock and have some pizza. I've been trying to raise a couple of people on the VHF radio to join me for dinner, but I guess they've turned their radios off.

Tuesday, 15 August - I put twenty gallons of water in the tank today, patched a couple of tiny holes in two 6 gallon water jugs, worked on the boat and did some reading.

Wednesday, 16 August - I was finally able to make an appointment with the VA clinic in Key West today, for a couple of weeks from now. What a difference from the way things were handled in Salt Lake City's VA, and I know this is just the preliminaries. We'll see how it goes from here.

            Until next time.
                        "Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming "Wow! What a Ride!" - Hunter S. Thompson

                                          Rick