Shortly after we greeted the Easter sunrise in the church courtyard, we found our numbers increased by one with the arrival of our grandson Droz who joined us for a week. After his departure, Cathy joined her Mom and sisters for a few days to celebrate her mom’s 90th birthday. In the meantime, we helped wind up projects, as we said goodbye to more of our friends. The season is about to come to a close.
Chef Droz with his meal ready to serve Yes, Chef
No ditch digging or electrical projects were on the agenda for Droz’ visit this year. That doesn’t mean he wasn’t busy. He had signed up to be head cook – i.e., chef – at the Wednesday dinner during his visit. Since he was well into a culinary class at school, he rose to the challenge of planning and preparing a meal for 50 people.
No ditch digging or electrical projects were on the agenda for Droz’ visit this year. That doesn’t mean he wasn’t busy. He had signed up to be head cook – i.e., chef – at the Wednesday dinner during his visit. Since he was well into a culinary class at school, he rose to the challenge of planning and preparing a meal for 50 people.
Shopping at Restaurant Depot He had planned the menu before he arrived, so Easter Monday morning was spent preparing a shopping list. There would be Caesar salad, bruschetta,ziti alfredo, and Black Forest Cake for dessert. On Tuesday, we headed out to buy the ingredients to a Restaurant supply store and a few more grocery stores. With the purchases made, Droz dove into preparation that afternoon and all of the next day, assisted by sous chefs Grandma and Grandpa.
Repairmen working on stoves during dinner prep All was going according to plan until Droz detected a gas leak on one of the ovens around lunchtime on Wednesday. The repairman was called, and Droz scrambled to get his baking done – 4 iterations of cake layers in the one working oven. To his dismay, the repairmen arrived as the last cakes had just entered the oven. To fix the problem, they would need to turn off the gas. It was a race, but the cakes finished just as they had to turn off the gas. That was close.
The meal was a big hit. And what leftovers there were managed to disappear over the next couple of days. There were already discussions about maybe a repeat next year. .
The meal was a big hit. And what leftovers there were managed to disappear over the next couple of days. There were already discussions about maybe a repeat next year. .
When not working on the meal, we managed to break away for a few field trips. On Friday, we headed to Clara’s for lunch, followed by a tour of Sweet Pete’s – one of Jacksonville’s home-grown candy makers – complete with a custom-made candy bar, taking the Skyway for an overview of the city and the river downtown. Thursday took us to St. Augustine for the day, touring the fort and the old town on a beautiful, if somewhat blustery, day.
Happy 90th, Mom
The Sunday after Easter, we were surprised by a visit from Cathy’s Mom and 2 of her sisters, Carolyn and Chris, who joined us for Sunday service. They had arrived in St. Simon’s Island GA the night before where the “girls” – Cathy’s mom and her sisters -- gathered later that day for a few days to celebrate Mom’s 90th birthday. With our arrival, the weather turned blustery and gray, but we had a great time relaxing and reminiscing together while we celebrated Mom’s milestone.
The Sunday after Easter, we were surprised by a visit from Cathy’s Mom and 2 of her sisters, Carolyn and Chris, who joined us for Sunday service. They had arrived in St. Simon’s Island GA the night before where the “girls” – Cathy’s mom and her sisters -- gathered later that day for a few days to celebrate Mom’s 90th birthday. With our arrival, the weather turned blustery and gray, but we had a great time relaxing and reminiscing together while we celebrated Mom’s milestone.
And Then There Were 5
While the project work continued, the pace started to slow as more of our members prepared to leave for points north. More staining and painting was done, and at this point, there is almost no bare wood left on campus. Bobbi and Sandy continued Karen’s work on the front pillars, powerwashing them so the rest looked as good as the first few she had done. Don got the surface cleaner working again, requiring a series of new parts, repaired yet another bathroom fixture, a log splitter tire, deck boards etc. And Fred repaired doors, the parsonage AC, and made seemingly endless repairs to the golf carts. In the process, he worked with Jahaziel to help him learn how to keep the carts running and maintained while the Nomads aren’t around. We’ll see how he does.
Dave worked with several members of the church to transition to a new website and calendaring system, and managed to help Pastor Rigo finalize his local pastor application. It may not have required all the creative work of writing the many pages of papers, but his talents were essential in making sure they were submitted for review by the deadline.
Shortly after Droz returned home to go back to school, Fred, Don and Bobbi packed up and headed out. It was still pretty cold up north, but you gotta do what you gotta do.
While the project work continued, the pace started to slow as more of our members prepared to leave for points north. More staining and painting was done, and at this point, there is almost no bare wood left on campus. Bobbi and Sandy continued Karen’s work on the front pillars, powerwashing them so the rest looked as good as the first few she had done. Don got the surface cleaner working again, requiring a series of new parts, repaired yet another bathroom fixture, a log splitter tire, deck boards etc. And Fred repaired doors, the parsonage AC, and made seemingly endless repairs to the golf carts. In the process, he worked with Jahaziel to help him learn how to keep the carts running and maintained while the Nomads aren’t around. We’ll see how he does.
Dave worked with several members of the church to transition to a new website and calendaring system, and managed to help Pastor Rigo finalize his local pastor application. It may not have required all the creative work of writing the many pages of papers, but his talents were essential in making sure they were submitted for review by the deadline.
Shortly after Droz returned home to go back to school, Fred, Don and Bobbi packed up and headed out. It was still pretty cold up north, but you gotta do what you gotta do.
Boat Stuff
With the eventual launch of Orion Jr getting closer, our attention is increasingly focused on getting her back in shape. Cathy finished making all 5 windows for the enclosure (finally!), and then did some stitching on the bimini to reinforce the zippers. With all the sewing work done, the canvas was stowed in preparation to return the mast to the deck.
With the eventual launch of Orion Jr getting closer, our attention is increasingly focused on getting her back in shape. Cathy finished making all 5 windows for the enclosure (finally!), and then did some stitching on the bimini to reinforce the zippers. With all the sewing work done, the canvas was stowed in preparation to return the mast to the deck.
Dave took a drive down to Daytona to deliver our outboards and generator to Blake for servicing. When we went to pick them up, we found out the generator and Nissan 9.8hp were in great shape. However, sadly, our dinghy motor was toast. It had served us well for 11 years, but it wasn’t salvageable. For our trip in May, we figure the oars will get some use, instead. The dinghy’s lights got some attention as well, since they wouldn’t turn on initially. Although Dave managed to resuscitate the all-around light, he ordered replacements for all 3 to be sure we were covered.
As the campground emptied out, we moved the boat to a spot out of the trees, powerwashed the foredeck and washed and waxed the hull. In the process of moving the boat, we tested the trailer lights and brakes. You guessed it. One of the sidelights didn’t work and the brake battery was questionable. More replacements were ordered. Opening up cockpit lockers to stow some new PFD’s, caused a chain reaction of activities which resulted in cleaning both lockers, changing the fuel filter (and ordering a replacement), and restoring the fuel tanks to their operating position.
With still more to do to get the boat ready to go and RV ready to shut down, we decided it was time to go to Universal Studios and see the Wizarding World of Harry Potter – a delayed birthday present for Cathy. The boat stuff will still be there when we return.
As the campground emptied out, we moved the boat to a spot out of the trees, powerwashed the foredeck and washed and waxed the hull. In the process of moving the boat, we tested the trailer lights and brakes. You guessed it. One of the sidelights didn’t work and the brake battery was questionable. More replacements were ordered. Opening up cockpit lockers to stow some new PFD’s, caused a chain reaction of activities which resulted in cleaning both lockers, changing the fuel filter (and ordering a replacement), and restoring the fuel tanks to their operating position.
With still more to do to get the boat ready to go and RV ready to shut down, we decided it was time to go to Universal Studios and see the Wizarding World of Harry Potter – a delayed birthday present for Cathy. The boat stuff will still be there when we return.
Parting Shot
Hemingway couldn’t be left out when everyone gathered in the courtyard before sunrise on Easter Sunday. She found a way to become the center of attention – as always.
Hemingway couldn’t be left out when everyone gathered in the courtyard before sunrise on Easter Sunday. She found a way to become the center of attention – as always.
