FIRE!

I need to do a bit of catching up- the Wi-Fi signal has been pathetic.  My apologies,,,,





We had our usual Friday Night Pizza Night with Kenny and Fran, and Mamaw
and Paps.  Kenny gave Paps a gift of a new fishing hook...looks like this one will
 hook more than fish.  It's a good thing it was still wrapped in its packaging, or
Paps would have hooked his finger the way he was rubbing on it.  BOYS.

The obscene fishing lure led to obscene chickenfoot.

Frannie managed to tune all of the boy's nonsense out,
and she beat us all by a long shot.  Kenny promised
to take Adolph out on the next fishing trip.  Apparently,
he's already bought him his own personal fishing pole.

On Saturday, Donnie and I went to the Nautical Flea Market at Big Pine Key.
I liked the sign on top :)  Sadly, we're freezing down here.  The cold,
north wind continues to blow.  It's barely in the 60's.

Donnie got a good deal on a sack of #4 circle fishhooks
for yellowtail fishing- only $7.00/100.  He also found
the shackles he needed to finish up the anchor chain
project.  We are good to go now for the Bahamas :)

The big news of the day was that at about 3:00am, one of our favorite
places, "Salty's" burned to the ground.  This is where I get the
delicious key lime chicken sandwich on a pretzel roll.
Not anymore. :(

The thatch roof where the stage and dance floor was
went up in flames- the giant palm trees, too.

We loved going on Thursday nights to hear Gary Bush and his band,
"Just Practicin'".  He would hold open mic night in the second set, and
Donnie often got up to play.  A police officer was explaining to
Donnie that they think the fire started in the motor of the ice machine.

Because of the wind, flying embers caught several charter fishing boats in the
marina on fire, too.  They were completely destroyed.  You could smell
the burnt fiberglass in the air.  Sad.

At least it wasn't like the fire-y crash that occurred on
I-65N at Lafayette, IN, back home today.  That looks
BAD.  And, they got 5 more inches of snow.  No thanks.

While we were at the flea markets in Big Pine Key,
Frannie and Mamaw did the Saturday morning
rummage sales.  Frannie scored on this outfit for
the Cap'n- he looks ready for Duvall Street!

Willis T was laying on the boat to greet us when we got back from our shopping trip.

I was trying to have a conversation with Willis about his
recent choice in friends.  He's been hanging out with a new
buddy, "Izzy"- a two foot iguana that's been loitering
on our dock and in the mangroves.  I tried to explain
that iguanas are pretty shifty, and are not to be trusted,
and he started giving me lip...

When I attempted to scold him for his sassy mouth, he jumped
back up on the companionway and did his best to ignore me.
Typical of him.  Dern cat.

Donnie and I spent the rest of the afternoon and early evening
doing laundry and cleaning the boat.  A clean boat is a happy First Mate!

We're all ready for the first round of boat guests- Brian and Wendy Meek.
It's going to be a busy week- I sure hope the weather warms up for them :)
G'nite, y'all!