Friday Funny 04-27/18 (Spring Fling)

I agree!

It's that time of year, when we spruce up our surroundings. I participated last Saturday, in Wrangell Parks, and Rec program, HOP - Help Our Parks. I didn't actually pick up any trash, because... well, you know, I walk with a cane, and I'm leery of uneven surfaces. I manned (womanned, personned?) the sign up table, helped volunteers sign their liability waiver, and pick a place to work. 

The main focus for the day was City Park, which is right next to our marina. The park is on the waterfront, next to a historic cemetery, and community garden, has a playground, covered picnic areas, fire pits, restrooms, and limited camping. With communities doing more with less, it was heart-warming to see more than 40 people volunteering for clean-up jobs. 

My view from the sign-up table inside the main shelter.

Main shelter

I assisted these lovely ladies, who are part of the staff at Wrangell Parks and Rec.

Picnic shelter

Tables, and garbage cans were scrubbed, fire pits cleaned out, grounds raked, brush cleared, damaged areas replaced, and painted. Did you notice the roofs over all of the picnic tables? We are in a rainforest after all, and the cover ensures that your picnic won't be rained out!

Children's playground

Cemetery

The cemetery looks so nice now, volunteers mowed, weed-whacked, scrubbed head stones, replaced a worn bench, and pruned the trees. If I had a friend, or relative resting there, I would be so grateful for the kind attention.

Lunch! This photo was taken before they repainted the walls, they look pristine now.

Lunch was provided for all of the volunteers, grilled hotdogs, potato salad, chips, homemade brownies, and cookies. 

This carved log is on the beach at City Park, it never seems to be affected by the tides. It's a great place to get your tourist photo taken.

Of course.

Now if I could only set up a sign-up table on my dock finger, and have volunteers come and do my spring cleaning on Denali Rose. How cool would that be!?

As always, we enjoy hearing from you, either here in comments or on our Facebook Denali Rose Sailboat page.

Friday Funny 04-20 (Small Town News)

Both good, and bad.

We have about 2200 people here on Wrangell Island, Alaska. It's the smallest community that I have ever lived in, and I've become known in town as, "that person who fell down the stairs last winter". Everyone  has seen me hobble around town on my crutches, and watched me graduate to using the cane. They have all been solicitous of my well being, and always ready to help. 

The gals at the community pool, where I have been doing my physical therapy, have kept a very close eye on me. They have always made sure I don't slip on the wet tile, to and from the pool, and made sure the shower chair is available when I need it. 

Sometimes I'm curious, and ask people how they knew about me, some reply that my friend Katherine at Zak's Cafe had kept them informed about my accident, and progress. (My local press agent?) She found out the ambulance callout that morning had been for me, and we kept in touch during my recovery. She messaged me on Facebook one day while I was in Anchorage, and said, "you know Donna, if you wanted more attention, all you had to do is ask!" 😁

I have encountered the terrific staff of the hospital, and ambulance crew in, and around town, and they always say how glad they are to see me up on my feet, and recuperating. It's kind of funny, I was in such a morphine haze after the accident, I don't recognize them now, but when they speak, I remember their voices. I make it a point to thank them for their excellent care, and attention. 

I know small towns get a bad reputation for poking into each other's business, but, I'm glad to be home, and you couldn't ask for better friends, and neighbors. 

As always, we enjoy hearing from you, either here in comments or on our Facebook Denali Rose Sailboat page.

Friday Funny 04-13 (The Thirteenth!)

We're doing it correctly.

Mariners of all types have superstitions, not just sailors, and most of them are about bad luck. Some of the more commonly know ones:

Bananas onboard bring bad luck.

Setting sail, beginning your voyage on a Friday is bad luck.

No whistling onboard, it will bring stronger winds.

Mickey tempts fate.

Women onboard are bad luck, unless they are naked, and then they bring good luck. (What???)

  The term "son of a gun", came from having children born on the gun deck. I guess that's the outcome from having naked women onboard. If it was a male child, it was considered good luck. 

It's bad luck to trim your hair and nails at sea.

A shark seen following your ship brings bad luck, (duh), but a dolphin brings good luck.

Red hair people are bad luck.

Black cats onboard are good luck, versus land folk, who consider a black cat bad luck.

Tattoos of a rooster, a pig, or a compass rose would bring good luck.

It's good luck to always board a boat with your right foot first.

Changing the name of your boat is bad luck, unless you follow specific rules. 

A popular denaming/renaming ceremony can be read here.  A ceremony can be used as a reason to drink champagne, and have a party. Who would argue with that?

We didn't change Denali Rose's name, because we liked it. If you go to the USCG registry, you'll find plenty of Denali's, but only one Denali Rose. The previous name on record is Yullibee, I'm glad it's been changed, and I hope they did a ceremony. Maybe I'll toss a few coins in the ocean, wear a gold earring, and spit overboard the next time we leave the dock, just in case.

As always, we enjoy hearing from you, either here in comments or on our Facebook Denali Rose Sailboat page.

Friday Funny 04-06/18 (Raising Cane)

Seriously, ouch.

I have graduated to using a cane, and put the crutches away, it's both easier, and harder. I like that I'm not hauling a large metal device around anymore, but I also have to put more weight on the left leg, and have better balance. It's challenging, and it's progress.

I borrowed a cane from my physical therapist, and it's just plain silver metal. If I had to have a cane full time, I would definitely be looking for one that would be my kind of cool. I had no idea there were so many options.

Cane with an interior flask.

Snake canes

Utility cane

You can get canes with any kind of weapon on the inside, with any kind of animal head on top, and in any wood, metal, or plastic.

Pick your preference.

Need a bedazzled jeweled one?

How about a custom color, maybe one for each season.

This one would be great if I lived in "Little Norway, Petersburg".

Perhaps I would choose a nautical theme.

Fortunately, I'm not planning on using a cane for too long, and the plain jane one I have is sufficient enough to help me regain use of my left leg.

Probably the best kind of cane.... candy cane with chocolate.

As always, we enjoy hearing from you, either here in comments or on our Facebook Denali Rose Sailboat page.