Wednesday, 15 July 2020 - I hope an extra three months was enough for you to get your income taxes done on time this year. I had a bit of a scare two days ago when I paid mine. I had to move some money out of my savings account and into my checking account within Wells Fargo. Since it is simply moving from one account to another within the same bank, I thought it would be instantaneous, so I immediately went online to the IRS site and paid my taxes. Guess what. The transaction at Wells Fargo didn't happen. I checked to see if the funds went through for the IRS and the money still hadn't reached my checking account. Panic struck. I thought I was going to be hit with a big penalty for having insufficient funds or for fraudulent transaction through the IRS. I was expecting men in black to bust through my hatch at any moment. The next morning I checked my account again and, luckily the movement of funds within Wells Fargo had occurred at about 2 am, but all the money was still there. I figured the IRS had tried to draw the money out and the transaction had failed. Again, I thought I was in deep trouble. However, luckily, the IRS transaction didn't happen until later on Thursday. I thought all these electronic transfers happened instantaneously. I guess not, but thank goodness.
                    I spent several hours trying to figure out exactly what size shackles I need to use on the new anchoring system. That sounds like it ought to be easy and maybe I over complicate things, but there are several items in the string: anchor, anchor flipper, swivel, and chain. And each one has different size openings. A shackle goes between each one. I have quite a few shackles onboard, but I want stronger ones than the "Made in China" shackles that I already have. I finally ordered some about six this evening. They should be here next Monday.

Thursday, 16 July - Bob Harrington called me on the radio this morning and asked to borrow one of my kayaks to go fish hunting over in Boot Key. It turned out that he and a friend both wanted kayaks and I said he could take both of mine. Unfortunately, it rained a bit today and they never came by to get the kayaks.

Friday, 17 July - I spent much of today on the computer watching a stock come down to the price point at which I wanted to buy it at. There was quite a spread between the bid and the ask. Watching the Level II bid and ask, I noticed a large bid down quite low and thought that might pull the price down. I wanted to get in one penny above him in order to make sure my transaction went through if it did come down that low. The moment I put in my bid, another, a hundred times larger, but at the same price appeared on the screen. I believe the larger order would have priority over my puny order, so I raised my bid by a penny. That larger order instantly matched mine. This happened over and over until we had raised the price 50 cents. At that point, I totally cancelled my order. The large order immediately disappeared, too. The original order that I beat by a penny, in the meantime, raised his bid by 25 cents. I reentered my order at one penny above him again. The huge order that was larger than both of ours instantly reappeared at my price. This time I raised my price by one to five cents each time until we had raised the price by 50 cents. Eventually, my order was filled, but the huge order wasn't, and the total shares sold during that minute were barely over those that I bought. Then the price dropped to the price of the original order that I out bid by a penny. I think I really got manipulated by the system.

Saturday and Sunday, 18 & 19 July - According to the USPS website, my two packages of shackles arrived today. I'll pick them up Monday since I'm at Susie's for the weekend.

Monday, 20 July - When I arrived back at the marina this morning, I swung by the office to pick up my two packages of shackles. Unfortunately, only one was there. I have to hope that someone picked it up by mistake and returns it or that the postman forgot to leave it. I returned to check if it was there about 1 pm, but the postman hadn't been there today and no one has returned it. Susie picked me up at 1:30 to take me the 45 miles to Islamorada for a dental appointment. I'm amazed that people get Novocain shots to have dental work done. I don't and the dentist drilled, scraped and filled three fillings in my mouth for almost two hours. I walked out of there without any soreness or pain of any kind and was totally able to talk coherently, at least as well as, but no better than I normally can, and Susie and I went over to Lorelai Cabana Bar for a margarita and quesadilla before we headed back to Marathon. Unfortunately, we arrived too late to see if my second package appeared at the marina.

Tuesday, 21 July - Russell of the S/V Blue Highway came to the boat at 8AM and taught me quite a bit about the SSB - Single Sideband Radio. As I've mentioned before, it is quite complicated. I checked for the undelivered package again today, then tried over 20 times to call the local post office. They don't answer. I wanted to ask them about the package.

Wednesday, 22 July - I got up a bit early this morning, turned on the SSB, and listened to a bit of the Cruisenheimers Net. I still don't have my "radio ears" tuned well yet. I could hear a lot of it well enough, but had a hard time understanding quite a bit of if. I hope that will come with experience. Stitch, the man doing some sewing for me came by this morning to check the fit of the cover for my life raft case. I can't believe how long he's taking to do this simple project. After he left, I again went to shore to check the mail. No package. I tried the post office again about 10 times. No answer so I called the main post office 800 number about 1 o'clock and got a message that said they'd call me back sometime after one hour. They called about 3. I gave them the information about the missing package and the lady said they'd look into it. At ten minutes till four, I received an email notification from Ebay that BOTH of the packages were delivered today at 1:15. I went and got the remaining package (singular). About 6 PM I replaced the shackles on the new, starboard anchor and started replacing the shackles on the port anchor, but didn't get finished.
                    I see there is a new storm that might be a danger to us that has just formed and been named Gonzalo. It is still off the coast of French Guiana down near South America, has 51 mile per hour winds and expected to head toward the west side of Puerto Rico and Cuba. Only time will tell where it ends up and how much stronger it gets. Right now the Spaghetti Models show it coming right over us. We'll see.

Thursday, 23 July - Wow! It rained almost all day. In all the time I've been here, this has definitely been the wettest spring and summer I've experienced here. In the last couple of days I've collected about 90 gallons of rainwater in my water tank and there's more rain predicted in eight out of the next ten days. Every time I went on deck to try to finish replacing the bow shackles on the anchors it started raining and I'd have to grab my tools and head for the cockpit. Finally, about 6 o'clock this evening it stopped long enough for me to finish. I had a real hard time getting the large shackle on my number two anchor off, but eventually did after getting my largest adjustable wrench out. I finished just before dark.

Friday, 24 July - I ran the Cruiser's Net this morning. With the harbor dwindling in occupancy, I don't know how many were listening, but I believe only about seven people participated in the conversations. It was over in about 20 minutes. Later, I cleaned up and put away the shackles that I removed yesterday...or, at least I tried to put them away. The drawer that I wanted to put them in, with all the other shackles, if totally full. It feels like it is solid iron, about thirty pounds. I got all but the two largest shackles in the drawer but now need to figure out where to put these two that makes sense so that I can find them when I need them in the future. I also checked the level of my diesel fuel. There's enough room in the tank to empty all of my portable jugs into the tank and get them refilled. I'll want to have plenty of fuel ahead of the hurricane that's bound to come this summer or fall. If one comes through and I survive, that doesn't mean that nearby cities will be up and running when I get back from Little Shark River in the Everglades. Later this evening I spent several hours updating some of the links on my weather page on my website. http:Photographers1.com/Weather.html

Saturday, 25 July - Oops! I lost track again and can't remember what I did on this day now that I'm supposed to be writing about it. All I know is that it rained a lot and I caught about 90 gallons with my system of hoses and filter in the last few days.

Sunday, 26 July - I went to Marathon Marina today and bought both diesel fuel and gasoline to top off the tank on the boat and all the jugs on deck. When I did, I got a free 10 lb. sack of ice, which I don't need since I have refrigeration, but though someone else would certainly want it. I started announcing via my hand held VHF as I headed back to the boat that I had free ice and was amazed that no one responded. I finally saw Diesel Don Shuler out on his deck just before I got back to Island Time and gave the ice to him.

Monday, 27 July - I had to make a quick trip to Home Depot today to get some Super Glue, and on the way back stopped to get a loaf of bread. I've seen and heard advertisements for Wonder Bread all my life, but don't remember ever buying any before. I probably won't again. I was amazed at how course it is and how many large bubbles or voids there are in it. Maybe the name comes from wondering why people buy it. I ripped off two patches from the front, port tube on the dinghy today and pressed shoe goo into the fabric where it was leaking. I'll let it cure overnight and put a patch over it tomorrow.

Tuesday, 28 July - I, once again, tried unsuccessfully, to finish patching a tiny leak in the dinghy today. I think it may be leaking less, but can't tell yet. When I finished, I called Susie. She mentioned the storm that is moving north from near South America and wanted to know how it is progressing. I hadn't looked today since I was so busy. It's moving fast and headed straight for South Florida. We may be feeling some winds from it by Friday. I certainly hope it turns to the northeast, but for now it's headed right here. I'm surprised that there is no chatter about the storm on the radio yet. Maybe people aren't aware how fast it is moving. It's so far away and only moving at 25 mph, but it keeps moving 24 hours a day. That's 600 miles each day and it could speed up. So far, it's only a "Potential Tropical Storm" blowing 40 mph, but may ramp up as it moves north and westward. I immediately went on deck and pulled down the deck awning. No matter how well prepared for a hurricane you think you are, there are always last minute things to do. I need groceries, so I ordered them online this evening. It easily took me as long to order online as it would have to go to the store and get them, and it cost at least $50 more. I'll think about doing that before doing it again. Time was a factor, as was the desire to stay away from contamination at the store. I'd sure hate to catch the virus and get Susie sick. The groceries will be delivered to the marina between noon and two o'clock tomorrow.

Wednesday, 29 July - Decision day. With two big storms headed this way, one right after the other, and the first one looking like it is going to run right over us, I spent the morning in turmoil trying to decide whether to anchor in Whiskey Creek or make a run for Little Shark River in the Everglades. The indecision was terrible. Finally, around noon, I realized that although the first storm, #9 or whatever they name it when it turns into a tropical storm, is only supposed to have 50 to 65 mile per hour winds when it gets here on Friday or Saturday, if the second turns out worse and comes here too, there wouldn't be time to move in between them. It sure would have been nice to anchor the boat in Whiskey Creek and go to Susie's for the duration, but that's not going to happen. I finally decided to go to Little Shark River in the Everglades. Almost everyone else is staying put, so I'm probably being paranoid, but I'd certainly hate to get significant damage to Island Time or lose her altogether. I might be alright on the mooring ball, but just because I'm secured well doesn't mean that someone else couldn't break loose and damage my boat. That's what caused most of the damage in the harbor during hurricane Irma. I think I'm pretty well prepared and will be leaving the harbor about 8 or 9 am tomorrow morning. Winds are out of the east at about 15 kts, so the sailing should be good. Best of all, the lobster fishermen aren't supposed to have their pots in the water until the weekend so I shouldn't be having to dodge them all day long. I should arrive at Little Shark River about 5 o'clock. I won't have phone service once I get about 15 miles from Marathon and probably won't have a signal on the VHF once I enter the Everglades. My only hope for communicating will be with the Single Sideband radio, which I haven't, so far, had much luck with. Speaking of luck, wish me well and I'll let everybody know what happened when I get back after this is over. Hurricane season is just ramping up, so this may be a practice run...but for now, life is getting interesting.

            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