Third Sunday Home

Good Sunday morning. It is already my third Sunday at home. It's a rainy morning, and every once in a while, the rain falls heavily before returning to a light, gentle rain again. The air coming through my window is cool. It's the perfect morning to write to you. There are so many things that I love about sailing. Being on the water is at the top of the list. I love to be on the water, and when I am home, I take any opportunity to be by the water. Our Brockville family home, where we grew up, was a short distance from the St Lawrence River. From late Spring to early Fall, we would go to Brown's Bay Provincial Park and swim. I love swimming and wish I had more opportunities to go. We used to go every day after our dad got home from work, and in one record year, we reached 110 visits. Yesterday, Lorraine (my sister, best friend, and publisher) and I enjoyed a perfect summer day. We went to visit a friend at a Lake. We packed our swimsuits and my new outdoor chair. We found a perfect shady spot and set up our chairs under an old apple tree. Just sitting there for the afternoon with our friend, getting caught up, would have been perfect on its own, but going for a swim took the experience to the next level of enjoyment. I can't remember the last time I went swimming. Walking into the water brought back the memories. I remembered that the water is always a little cool when you first dip your toes in, but after giving yourself a few moments to adjust to the water's temperature, you can't help but continue walking in and immerse yourself fully. It was a sandy-bottomed Lake, and by the end of the dock, it was nice and deep. When I say I like to go swimming, what I am really saying is that I like to float in the water, treading water. We had the long "floating noodles" securely placed under our arms, which extends the time we can stay in the water. It was heavenly. I didn't want to get out of the water. We chatted and treaded water. It was so relaxing and wonderful. Lorraine reminded me to save enough energy to walk out of the Lake. She was right. When we decided we should return to our chairs under the old apple tree, my legs were a little wobbly when I stepped out of the water. We sat under the tree for a while before deciding it was time to pack up and leave. Swimming in a Lake or River, sitting outside always leaves you with a good tired feeling. It was such a great day. The perfect summer day!

In the first week that I was home I went to pick out a new pair of glasses. It’s always fun. I got two pair and will pick them up next week. For years I have been thinking that I should travel with two pairs of glasses. If I break a pair when I am on the ship I would be lost without my glasses. I always push them securely on my nose before climbing or descending the ladder so they don’t fall into the water. I remember years ago when I was in grade 7. The school got a call that my friend Karen’s horses had gotten out of their field. She asked if I wanted to come and help get the horses back. I loved horses and thought how much fun it would be to help her. However, in the process, I managed to fall off the horse and break my glasses. I went to the optometrist with my parents to get a new pair. In the 70’s it took longer to get your glasses prescription filled. In the meantime, they offered me a pair that fit my lenses. They were the ugliest green colored frames and the kids at school made fun of me until I got my new glasses.

Lorraine and I try to do something special on Tuesdays, Our day off (even on a vacation, you need a day off. to do whatever you feel like). Lorraine loves to play Bingo and I went with her.

My new chair which I purchased. We keep it in the car and I always have a nice place to sit when we stop at a beach or park. I will take an actual picture next time. It’s so comfortable.

This was Lorraine's second time at the Lake with our friend. She had been there a few days earlier. I was invited to go, but had to turn down the invitation. It wasn't easy to turn down an invitation to go for a swim, but I had a deadline for a project. I had been approached to make a little galley video for the cadet program. I was delighted to be asked to do this task because I see the cadets come on board their first ship, and they are sometimes a bit overwhelmed. I was happy to point out details on the video of what they could expect on their first ship. There are two cadets on the CSL Laurentien, and they were happy to participate in my little video production. I had fun filming the video and learned a few things myself. I had asked both the deck and engine cadets the same question, "What they wished they knew before they came on board. I learned from the engine cadet that you can download your videos, games, and music before you join the ship so that it is already stored in your device and doesn't use up your limited internet allotment on board. The deck cadet has a nut allergy and travels with a few EpiPens. She gave me a demonstration of how to administer the EpiPen. It is good information to know. I completed the video at home with high-speed internet and was pleased with how it came out. I mentioned to Lorraine that I was disappointed to miss the afternoon and swim at the Lake, and she said right away that we could go again. We called our friend and set up another visit for Saturday, yesterday. It was as wonderful as I had imagined. I can't believe that I didn't take any photos. I had my camera out and then got distracted. Now I will have to go to the Lake again and take pictures this time.

These are the video clips that I used to make the Cadet “Welcome to the Galley video”. I was happy to put it together and delivered it before my deadline.

I will load a few pictures for you. My plan after sending you this message is to pickle some Jalapenos. I bought the fresh mini jalapenos, and Lorraine brought over the mason jars and new lids, which she purchased at Canadian Tire. This rainy day is the perfect day to make them. I made them for the first time on my last ship, the CSL Laurentien, and they were so delicious. I purchased enough so that I would have enough to take on our Lakeside cottage vacation with our friends. They will go great with the chicken enchiladas that I plan to make for Lorraine's birthday dinner. Enjoy the rest of your Sunday and have a good week.

I really like this simple recipe to make the pickled jalapenos. I will take note of the recipe to share with you in our Premiere Ship to Shore e-magazine. I will use smaller jars for home use and to take on our Lakeside Cottage vacation.