After I turned off the computer last night and finally settled into our princess and the pea bed (it has lots of mattress toppers for extra soft sleeping), we were just in the twilight zone when something went thump. I mean THUMP!
I have light controls on my right, so immediately turned on the full monty and Waz climbed out of bed to see what the noise was about. He checked doors etc and came back to bed. I had a hard time getting back to sleep after that...adrenalin, and all that, and running through my my mind the location of anything that might be able to fall down. You get hypervigilant about these things on a boat, because she is a moving beast.
Consequently, it was difficult to open eyes this morning when the alarm went off at 7am. Waz went up to the Marina showers and I came up to do a 'girl's' inspection of possibilities for thumps. I found 'it'! The large roll of Marine Vinyl I had bought on Saturday which WAS standing up against the TV console, was now on the ground. Yes, it was capable of making such a loud thump. Phew! Nice to identify the bogeyman.
So why the adrenalin rush??
Well, having just read an article on one of our online boating magazines about Pirates (YES!) on the Hudson River, NY, and having heard from the locals how theives approach boats in marinas by dinghy or other boat..quietly, in the dark of night (except last night was a full moon!), I have my 'mother's' hearing on. No, not my mother...but the kind of hearing mother's have when they have little kids and hear them breathing at night through thick walls and many doors...that kind.
So, today we have the clunking and thunking of the detailers finishing their job. They are washing the boat down...I'm waiting to see how many leaks we have! none hopefully, but hatches and portholes are the worst for leaks.
I dont like that they stand on our rails. 150-170lb male (they are small Mexican fellows) and work from those. I had already asked them not to, as the railing on the starboard side (right side facing forward) needs to be reseated, and standing on them will unseat them further. I wonder if they even think about the impact they make on the boats they are cleaning?? probably not. They arent being paid to think!
I hope they will be done upstairs in time for Rodney, our Eisenglas fabricator, to come and install the first three sides, as he promised, this morning.
A little excitement too...The lovely 75ft Lazzara motor yact that is often in my photos because she faces the same way as the sunsets, is off to the boat yard this morning. Her hydraulic ram for the duckboard is in need of of replacing.
She is a rather gorgeous girl:)
Where was I, after all that excitement?
We had driven past Helen's Garden on the Main Street of League City, several times in the past couple of weeks...going to or from a business where we were purchasing a part for something or other. Each time we said something to the effect of "we must go there sometimes soon". Well, we did yesterday, and it proved to be the panacea we thought it might be. Gardens are soul food to both of us, and especially when we have cameras over our shoulders. The very act of setting up and taking photos is relaxing and we came away from there feeling uplifted. This garden was created by the husband of Helen (dont remember his name, sorry) who was a local banker and community leader. What a special couple he and Helen were. Their busts and biographies are placed in the middle of the garden (in bronze!). Helen spent much of her time helping the less fortunate, but her main passion was the education of those who otherwise would have had little or none. He created this garden (because it was her passion) for the city. It is an asset that I hope they will cherish. It was good to see young people out there enjoying lunch in the garden, with their parents.
Waz in the garden.
The entry to the garden
Crepe Myrtle is everywhere, but coming to the end of it's season. 
Gorgeous Live Oaks shading the walking path and inviting you to sit on the lovely benches.
How attractive is this?
Helen's bronzebust...you can just see the plaque on bottom left.
Saint Mary's church across the road. Classic!
the Historic Village in the next block down towards the railway lines.
This is called 'Funnel Inn'..all kinds of funky stuff there. I must go back tomorrow and go for 'Tea' which is in one of the shops:)
these tomatoes were just lying on the ground beside one set of stairs...sooo tempted to take them home. I can imagine that nobody else will.
After leaving the village, we literally crossed the street to where we found a fantastic kids playground and a lily pond...a few people out enjoying both. Another serious photographer was there with his Canon camera, and we chatted...as you do!
The pond turned out to not just contain lillies, but hoards of (herds of?) Red Eared Turtles of all sizes.
This baby was about 3 inches long. Very cute!
At first glance, a lilly pond.
these fellas were not moving for anyone. it was about 90F outside at the time.
One of the larger specimens. Anyone standing near the fence got the once-over, but I'm guessing people feed them, so they would all come over to the fence for food. The water was teeming with them.
On the way home, we took a detour (of course). The sign pointing to the One Room School House sent us off in search of same. We took a bit of a tiki tour up and down the grid of 'local' streets and delighted in the huge live Oaks overhanging most yards and the streets. There is no shoulder on the road...instead there are huge drainage ditches. You wouldnt want to drive these roads inebriated!
Built in 1890, this is the One Roomed School House, no part of a slightly larger Historic showcase.
the building on right houses a horsedrawn Fire hose gig. The middle one is where a Summer School is being held... not sure how genuine the building is...and the one on left is a Barber Shop (note the pole) and Ice business.
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