Boston Boating Blog

First, Donna and I bought a new home. It is a single family home in Newton. That is right, we have left the perimeter that is Brookline to Newton and I have to say we love our little house. No more noise neighbors above us running around all the time, we have parking in our own drive way and I can actually control my own heat and AC in our house. We LOVE it.

Also, during the buying cycle we decided we wouldn’t do any renovating (yeah, right!). Since moving in we have a new huge master closet and new tile in the house. We all knew it was inevitable.

Also, I now have my chores. I haven’t mowed a lawn since I was 15 but now I do; every other Sunday. It’s actually pretty fun. I think if they would have had IPod’s in 1882 I would have been a much better lawn mower.

That’s all the good stuff. We also have had some tragedy this summer. Donna’s beloved aunt passed away in June. Aunt Betty was a super wonderful woman and will be greatly missed. My cousin’s wife also passed away in June at a young age and leaving two beautiful children (and a great husband). Brenda will too be missed. Lastly, my good friend, confidant, teacher and boat neighbor, Jimmy (Sheamous) Dignan passed as well. At the ripe young age of 62. We will miss Jimmy a great deal too.

So, as you can see, this, combined with the weather and my work travel schedule has taken a bit of a toll on our ability to be on the water.

Now, that said, we have been out a few times. Donna and I have anchored around Peddock Island a few times and have been able to relax in the sun a few times. Also, we went for a ride on the 4th of July with Uncle Herbie, his buddy Jimmy and his wife Sharon. We saw the Constitution turn around in the harbor and then we had a great barb-b-que on the dock. It was a lot of fun. I took some time off on Friday and called up my cousin Eric also. We cruised around the harbor and then shot down to Marina Bay for a delicious steak and cheese sandwich lunch. Probably our best day however was Saturday. Donna, my sister Kim and I took a run out to Stellwagon Banks to see some whales. We were victorious. We saw at least a half doze whales swimming around. Also, our friends Tony and Kathy found us while we were out there. It was a beautiful day. Smooth waters, sunny, and not to hot. On the way home we cruised by Spectacle Island. They had a boa there, “The New Boston” with a bunch of bands playing music from the 70’s and 80’s. It was awesome. We anchored in the harbor near the boat and the island and listened to the music and Donna even took a dip to cool off.

It looks like the summer is starting to turn around and we will have more time to hit the boat. Donna and I have a couple of vacation days where we will go to the boat and hopefully take a trip to P-town. I also have a couple of work events planned and there are a bunch more weekends to come.

So, there it is, the update. I will try to stay on it a bit more and I am experimenting with video this year so hopefully it will be working properly in the blog.

I will close with a tribute to our friends who have passed this year with the Irish Prayer: