May 21-June 1              North Kingstown, Rhode Island

Plans to return to the boat on May 19 were twice changed by a proposed court date for one of David’s clients.  After canceling, rescheduling and canceling again, we learned the case will not be heard until August (if then??) and definite reservations were finally made to depart DFW on May 21 for Providence, Rhode Island.

We were met at the airport in Rhode Island by the daughter of our good friend and helper, Rupe Bodden, who was enroute home from Honduras where he had purchased a boat for fishing charters.  His lovely daughter was an excellent driver and insisted on helping us load our luggage onto the boat.

All was not good!  The refrigerator was warm again (although the freezer worked well), the icemaker on the aft deck did not work, a bad water leak in the mid-stateroom on the port side of the boat had dampened the bedding of one of the twin beds.  The room was in a shambles as the workmen had not determined the cause of the problem.  Rube’s wife had graciously come and cleaned the interior and we were spared months of dust. 

The heads and the TV worked well so we had the essentials for temporary living on the boat!  On Monday, the water leak was repaired and Scott arrived to repair again the refrigerator which persists in repeatedly freezing the mechanism and stopping the cooling process.  Although this is not “a rocket science” problem, no one has been capable of solving it.  A new refrigerator is not an option as installation would necessitate major dismantling of the entrance to the galley.

David and I soon realized we were both becoming ill with constant coughing and extreme fatigue.  No fever or pain but totally miserable.  On Wednesday, we went to the doctor and learned he had acute bronchitis and I had pneumonia.

Medication was prescribed but we were not in good shape when Blake, Amanda and Winn arrived on Thursday before Memorial Day. Their trip was primarily to attend a shower event for long-time Fort Worth friend, Taylor Van Antwerp who now lives in Connecticut.  They quickly adapted to the situation and cleaned, shopped, cooked and cared for us.  We tried to placate them with fresh oysters, an assortment of delicious seafood and the fantastic ice cream from the renowned shop nearby

The weather was cold and wet for the duration of their visit.  After they Ubered to Boston on Monday to return home, the skies cleared and we enjoyed sunshine.  Unfortunately, they had experienced a difficult visit with sick grandparents and nasty weather but they endured all with their customary graciousness and generosity.  They are always the perfect guests.

Following another round of medication, we began to feel better and the coughing ceased.  David hired Fen Wang, a charming little Chinese woman, to clean the interior of the boat.  Rube returned in time to clean the exterior and the ice maker was eventually repaired.  Now we are ready to enjoy the summer!