Laguna Madre Yacht Club Commodore's Ball -- 1/11/2014

Tonight is one of the highlights of my year, when we attend The Laguna Madre Yacht Club's annual Commodore's Ball, held at Isla Grande Beach Resort on South Padre Island.  We see special friends, meet new ones, listen to beautiful music, dance the night away, and enjoy a delicious feast. 

Arriving at 6P, we are greeted by Mike Myers of Sweet Pea and take our name tags.  A second look shows Cynde of Mark 4.1, who sends the eMail notifications of upcoming LMYC events.  It is our first time to meet her and we thank her for the service she performs, even though she doesn't live close enough to attend all socials.

What a delight to find a table with many albums and scrapbooks filled with photos and newspaper clippings telling of club activities in the past.  Mark shares with Herb some stories of his and Lettie's sailing on their Lancer 25, Barco de Marco.  

Beverages of our choice are 
available -- was Herb of Willie's Tug  first in line?  I think Bill has been served, and Marilyn H of Jet Boat is patient.

Instead of the set menu as in the past, this year we are treated to an endless buffet consisting of a variety of fruit, tossed and vegetable salads, carved roast beef au jus, boneless breast of chicken, Nappa Valley Pacific snapper almandine, fried shrimp roasted red potatoes, fresh baked breads and a variety of desserts.  

Could anyone go home hungry?  Comments I hear during the evening are that this is an awesome meal, and hope next year is a buffet, as well.

Many members attend and some bring guests, who are welcomed!

During the business session of the evening, Commodore Chris asks Judge Lynn to swear in the officers for the year 2014.

Music is provided by Keith DiSantis and his many musical instruments.  He delights us with oldies, some of which are "Danny Boy" and "King of the Road."

Guest speaker Wes Thom of Paper Dragon and local service expert whets our appetite and interest in the series of races planned the Spring and Fall.  He mentions the offshore overnight May 17 race, in which he will be involved, and which will set sail for "K" Buoy (20 miles offshore and 36 miles from Port Isabel jetties.  Think of a triangle.)  It is the Texas A&M WX buoy.  Rules are to round it, leave to starboard possibly, and head back home a little after sunrise, so as to cast off and return during the daytime.

Wes selected this time on the full moon, but if WX is bad, the race will be cancelled.

There is a possibility for fast boats to return before sunrise, and it has been suggested to ask Rick to take his TowBoat US to lead them safely through the jetties using range markers.

Hmmm.... sailing all night long....how exciting!

The July 10 event is heading toward the oil rig, passing "K" Buoy, and on to "Hoover Diana," which pumps oil and gas to Louisiana.  Sitting in nearly 4800 feet of water, its anchor lines are seven miles long and begin at the bottom of the rig so as not to be in the way of vessels cruising close by.  Its tender is a 140 foot crew boat with 200 people on board.

Racing contestants are required to furnish proof with a photo of part of their boat with part of the rig showing in the background.  They will return to Port Isabel after the 140 mile cruise of three days -- two nights and three days offshore.  

They must prepare to cook and feed their crew.  The area is good fishing, and anyone who catches, cleans, and eats the fish gets a bonus off the handicap time.

In a recent race John Pinkerman of Sea Gal caught a fish.  Mark and Dee Fryer of Corps Trip  didn't try to fish, were in the lead in a bigger boat, but Pinkerman won due to the handicap.  Mark was on the edge of a squall and saw many turtles, which made it difficult to steer and not hit them.  Pinkerman was in the squall and saw only one turtle.  Wes says they all had a great time!

To make the racing more interesting, prizes will be given.  Miles of Yacht Lady will give a bottle of White Hat Rum to each participant.  Padre Rita Grill of South Padre Island will contribute a $100 gift certificate for dinner, and Pirates Landing in Port Isabel has two $50 gift certificates.

I must say these cruises sound so exciting and almost makes me want to crew on one!

Missing from our group tonight is Tommy Carruth, Life Member #1 and Founding Commodore.  We honor his memory and Herb presents a slide show of photos we have collected, with background music of "Sail on, Sailor" by Jimmy Buffett.

Our hearts wave back to Tommy.

Willie of Willie's Tug,
   and of Walldog, Willie and Jake
   Saturday, January 11, 2014

Christmas Comes Early Today! -- 12/25/2013

There is nothing like spending Christmas with family, and this year it is at the home of Vicki and Joey.  On Christmas Eve we all go to sleep after putting the plate of lime frosted cookies and glass of milk by the Christmas tree for Santa.  Since there is no chimney for Santa to slide down, MeKenzie ties a key with festive red and gold ribbon and hangs it for him to open the front door.

With visions of sugar plums still dancing in our heads, Herb and I are awakened VERY early on Christmas morning by a phone call from Vicki telling us that Santa has come and we should come see what he brought!

I am so proud of MaKayla and MeKenzie, who do well in school and are very interested in learning. Some of the things they asked Santa for were a desk and school supplies.  Santa must have towed a U-Haul behind his sleigh, because he brought what they needed.

Oh, and they got girl stuff, too.  Lots of jewelry to make pretty little ladies happy!

....and purses to carry all the important things they must have with them at all times.  Actually, sometimes they need them just to complete their fashion.

A cup or two of coffee helps to wake up those watching the excitement, because they know who will need to assemble the furniture.

MeKenzie is happy to see that Santa cleaned his plate of cookies.  Now he has energy enough to get to the next child's house.

With euphoria experienced by all, it is time to go to work!  Vicki starts with a chair, but it is not obvious how to put it together.  Directions help!

Herb and Joey tackle a desk.

Did I mention there are many more gifts?  A "Hello Kitty" poster goes on the wall.  I am told it is popular with the younger set, but then I don't get out much!

Success!  Let's see, how many hours did it take?  We are not sure, but it was all fun, breakfast happens at some point, and the girls arrange the separate areas of their room for a very tidy and colorful look.  Pinks, blues, reds, greens, oranges, purples, even grays and blacks.  How cheery!

Makayla's

MeKenzie's
(Map on wall shows states they have visited.)

After we admire their room, we travel to Joey's sister Tammy and Jessie's home for a family lunch.  Herb and I get to meet many new faces, and by the end of the afternoon, we can name each one.

Joey's Mom, Betty (center)

Heather and Seth

To help burn all the calories consumed, Jessie brings out the dominoes.  Guess who the winner of all the games is!!!  The score sheet shows it is Vicki.  Now, note that she uses the instruction sheet to prove she is the winner.

Josey joins the children in their highly competitive game.

In late afternoon we say our goodbyes and return home for a BIG assembly -- the trampoline!  I predict much energy will be expended by the children once it is finished.  Much energy was used to set it up.

With chores all done, we grab our Chicken Foot and Jokers & Marbles games, and settle in to an evening of fun.  We introduce Chicken Foot first, as the dominoes earlier in the day remind us how much fun it is.  

Will Vicki be the big winner again?  She considers a strategic move -- "I could play on this tile....

.....or would it be better on this one???"

The girls get interested when they hear us laugh so much, and now we teach them how to play.  In the photo below I instruct MeKenzie; Dakota has not turned her tiles away from prying eyes and also is about to lose her snack plate off the corner of the table. 

All the girls catch on really fast, and if we were to have a match between them and the adults, I am afraid they would come out on top!

The end to a perfect day is pizza -- pepperoni -- and lots of it!  A friend, Chesnee, joins us for this gourmet meal.

MaKayla, Chesnee, Dakota, MeKenzie

Willie of Willie's Tug,
   and of Walldog, Willie and Jake
   Wednesday, December 25, 2013