July 4-July27                  North Kingstown, Rhode Island

We have been increasingly isolated due to a minor illness which left me fatigued and sleepy.  We have canceled twice on lunch dates with Jill and Jerry.  I have recovered with an adjustment in medication and much TLC from my favorite onboard nurse.  We are excited they are coming today and we will go to a favorite restaurant in Matunuk.  Dining out is a rare occurrence as we are wary of exposure to the virus.

I indulged in more Dick Francis mysteries but have also re-read Brunelleschi’s Dome to assuage my “guilt” for frivolous reading choices. Vasari’s Lives is on my Kindle and is a frequent source of enjoyment.  For the acknowledged first art historian, he included a good deal of gossip as well as fact in his narratives.

David completed his aft deck project and the results are amazing!  I have tried for years to bring a shine to the top of the bar area.  I used a vast assortment of chemicals and waxes but nothing was long-lasting.  With careful and meticulous work, David applied a lacquer overlay that provides a professional finish.   I am awed by the results.

Renting a car for our time in Rhode Island has become increasingly expensive.  We hope to return next year and, therefore we decided to buy a car and store it here at the marina when not in use.  By luck, we found a VW at a dealer in Cranston which we trusted to give us a good vehicle.  We love our new car and are happy we are not paying exorbitant rental fees.

News from family and friends continues to be positive so we remain content in our nautical environment.  If Kennedy’s wedding plans remain unchanged, we will return home on August 29 and then back to Rhode Island on September 7.