May 11

Well that went by quick.  I'm already sitting out here in Vixen Islands and the hunters have left for the evening. Our turnaround day was just that quick, I turned around and it was over. Barely got to check email and didn't get to visit with very many people. I did however touch base with a few and got to hear that everyone is doing well.  I am much renewed right now after visiting with Byron several different times, my heart is happy.  So excited to realize that he will be here in 10 days to be on the next hunt. YIPPEE....best news ever!  You would think after all these years my heart wouldn't go pitty-pat every time I see him, but it does.  From the first time I saw him when I was 15, I decided he would be mine. It took him a little longer to see his future but that's okay, guys are slow. I can't believe that was 40 years ago.....holy cow, we have gotten old together. And where did the time go?  You get so busy with work and raising a family sometimes you don't get a chance to relish the moments.  Do it now people, whatever phase of life you are in, take a minute and think about the good things in your life and hold them close. I sat behind my desk at work (home) and figured I would die there someday. Would probably be typing away, getting ready to hit the enter key and BAM, on the floor in a dead heap. But, nooooo,I have to travel a thousand miles away or more (I really have no idea where I am), so that I can see another side of life.  And I am seeing new things....the wild wilderness with eagles and whales and grown men dressing up in camo, waders, boots, more camo, gloves, hats and whatever else is hidden underneath all those layers so they can load into a small skiff and head out across the open water to try and spot a bear. I'm still trying to wrap my head around this stuff.
Our two new hunters are from Oregon, bless their hearts. :-)  Fixed them the traditional first meal of Open face roast beef sandwiches baked in the oven with a romaine and mandarin orange salad.  Baked the 5 layer bars this afternoon and they dipped into those as well.  Now I have cheeseburger soup cooking, might as well hit them with the good stuff right off the bat. Sunset won't be until close to 10 so those hunters will soak up every moment of daylight.
So I have a little story to share. Last night I spent the night on the boat, in the harbor, by myself. That was a huge step for me. Cuz I really didn't like the idea of being alone on the boat the whole night.  So after everyone left and I made my phone call to Byron, I went around and locked all the doors. There's the cabin door and the wheelhouse door plus I double checked the top deck hatch to make sure it was securely closed. Now, what else do I need? I decided to take a pair of scissors to bed with me, which I know, may not have been the smartest idea but wait, there's more!  Travis had given me a canister of pepper spray so I thought it was the right time to get it out of the package and put it to use.  As I'm cutting open the package (with my scissors), I realize I don't have a clue how to use this thing. So I stop cutting and read the instructions on the back before I cut them up into little bitty pieces. It says "this canister does not need to be removed from the holster before activating". I'm looking at it, very carefully, turning it around and trying to see the spray hole, can't find it. Continue reading, "slip thumb onto glow-in-the-dark depresser and turn 1/4 turn to the right".  I find the glow-in-the-dark thingamajig and put my thumb on it but I DON'T turn it 1/4 turn to the right. Seriously, you guys really are thinking I sprayed myself, aren't you?  No faith in me, thanks alot.  Back to the pepper spray, I am really trying to find out how, if you turn the glow-in-the-dark thingamajig 1/4 turn (have I made that clear yet?), would the spray come out of the canister and not hit the snap on the holster.  I turn it around and around, actually snap open the holster and look closer but still can't figure it out. What the crap? My son gave me something that's suppose to save my life and dangit, I have no idea if it will work or not. So I figure if someone breaks in, I'll just throw the darn thing at them and shove my scissors up their nose.
Thanks for hanging around with me, going to work on the soup and put my feet up for awhile. Yak later.....dj