TIME IS MARCHING ON

To me, it seems like only yesterday, but it has actually been 4 months since Dan passed.  Winter is looming large in my future and I don't know if I am ready for that.  

That power outage two weeks ago has put a bit of a scare in me.  Well, I am the corner house right on # 9 highway which is plowed quite quickly after it snows and I now have a little car with snow tires that seems quite reliable.  I hope I'm ready.  

My kids have helped me get this far and I know that they are only a phone call away.  My son Ken has been out here this week helping me with a few chores in preparation for winter.  

I just find myself very un-sure and un-settled and I am not used to that feeling,  

THANKSGIVING 2019

I definitely wanted to have my family around for Thanksgiving.  so, I invited everyone out and we planned a family get together out here for an early Turkey dinner on Sunday.

So I got busy clearing the clutter out of my dining room.  Bought an 18-pound turkey and cranberry sauce etc. etc...   

Friday afternoon I felt like I was close to being ready for the big family dinner, things were coming together.  I was double checking my todo list while eating dinner around 5:30 pm on Friday night when suddenly the power went out.  Now we have had power outages out here in the past and they never last too long.  A half an hour to an hour at most so I finished my dinner and made an attempt at doing the dishes, but with an electric water pressure pump that did not go that well as the water pressure faded on me. 

So I dug out my iPhone and started playing solitaire.  That kept me entertained for a while, but by 9:00 pm, it was starting to get a little cool, so I decided to go to bed.  "Surely the power will be back on by morning."  and I will still have time to prep my turkey, make my jellied salad and set the dining room up for Sunday.  

I slept right through until 8:00 am, but as I awoke I sensed that nothing had changed.  I had not turned any of the light switches off, so if the power was on the lights would be back on, plus I was feeling quite cool, even under the covers.  

So, it was time to find out what was going on.  My landline was not working and I had killed my cell phone playing solitaire last night, so I headed for the convenience store, to use the phone and call hydro.  As I was pulling out of my driveway I could see why I had no power.  There was a tree from a yard on the north side of our lane. broken and had fallen across the lane and taken out the power lines on the south side of the lane.  The convenience store did not prove to be much help.  They were able to loan me a phone but as I asked if anyone knew the number for hydro, all the guys hanging around having coffee just laughed and of course they were right all I got was a busy signal.  Not wanting to go back to our cold dark house, Sea-Enna and I decided to head for the city.  

When I got to Tracy's, I started emailing all of the invitees for suggestions on how we should proceed.  Should we cancel till next weekend?  The turkey is thawed and in my fridge.  Now that it's thawed shouldn't it be cooked?  Sea-Enna and I also need a place to stay, because we don't want to go back to that cold dark house.  Who knows how long this outage will last?  So, the decision was made, I would drive back to the beach, pick up the turkey and all my contributions to the dinner and come and stay at Jim's till???  And we would have the thanksgiving at his place and deal with the rest when we had to.  And so, our thanksgiving went off without a hitch.  My children were all there except Ken.  Plus all of my grandchildren that could make it.  (Glad I got a chance to see Dayne and Jessica last month.)

Everyone contributed to dinner, hor's d oeuvres and dessert which were all delicious.  And we all had a wonderful visit,  and it turns out my daughter Wendy is going to take her terminally ill sister Tracy Elizabeth on a Caribbean Cruise on November 8th.  Tracy is so excited.  What a wonderful gift.  

Boyd Halliwell, help me out by letting me know when my hydro was back on, on Monday so I was able to head back home.   So, all in all, it was:

A WONDERFUL THANKSGIVING

 

  

THE NEXT STEP IN MOVING FORWARD

I know that many of you have heard my complaints about Dan's truck (Which I inherited.)  I swear that truck hated me. Some days it wouldn't start for me and lately it had taken to locking the doors unexpectedly, either locking me in or out. I had to get into the habit of carrying a spare set of keys.  Well I have taken the next step forward.  I have purchased a car.  

My son-in-law Murray found this one for me.  It's something that is more my size and I don't have to climb up into it.  Plus it is much easier on fuel as well. 

Somehow though I feel bad that I feel like I am inch by inch divesting myself of Dan.  First the boat and now his truck.  I feel like this every time I find something of his, that is of no use to me, and I have to dispose of it.  

IT JUST BRINGS ON MORE SADNESS FOR ME.  

THE THUNDERBIRD IS SOLD

I am so sad to see it go, but it has to be. 

I can not do all the work the boat needs each year, nor can I afford the expenses. It has been 3 months since Dan passed and it is time for me to move on with this new phase of my life, where ever that takes me.  

Part of me wants to carry on with the plans that Dan and I made together, but the other part of me knows that that may not be possible.  So, for now, I will just keep putting one foot in front of the other, keep myself busy and make decisions only when I am sure of what to do.  

I am very lonely, as we always did everything together.  He did not have a separate group of friends he did things with, nor did I.  Not having anyone to tell things to, or share news with or share plans with is the hardest part.  

OH, WELL, I'M SURE I'LL GET THROUGH IT. 

THE THUNDERBIRD IS FOR SALE

THUNDERBIRD

She is a 46 ft. steel-hulled, Pilot House trawler with an economical 471 Detroit 2 stroke Diesel.  

She was custom built into a pleasure craft from a used steel hull and a used engine, by R. J. "Dick" Watt, of Buchanan Marine.  

Length at the Waterline is 42 feet and length overall is 46 feet.  Rebuilt blower, starter and water pump.  

New fuel system, injectors, and all-new fuel pump and hoses.  There is a 55 gal. water tank and an 80 gal. holding tank.  120 gal. fuel tankand a 6 gal. hot water tank.  The hull is 1/4 inch steel and she weighs 14 ton. 

 The rear deck has a comfortable seating area and a propane Bar-B-Q.  Complete with rain covers.

As you enter thunderbird from her rear deck, you enter the Galley.  

This boat has a good-sized galley with a small under counter fridge, a 4 burner gas stove top and a convection oven.  Everything you need to cook and live aboard. 

The Salon and Galley have real solid hardwood floors.  The galley is larger than any other pleasure boat I have ever been on.  

Across from the cabinetry and sink is the galley dinette, which is also large and comfortable.  This Dining area is part of the Galley and is open through the Salon. 

 

 

Then forward of the salon is the Pilot House. that also has a couch, that makes down to a double bed.  The shutters close off to allow for privacy at night.  

Here is a view from the Pilot House through the Salon to the Galley.  

Just off the Pilot House to Starboard is the main "Head"

Then down the stairs and forward of the Pilot House is the "Captains Quarters."  

The Captains Quarters are totally separated and completely private, with its own en suite Head.  

The boat has beautiful woodwork throughout.  This is the Pilot House ceiling.  

The Galley ceiling.  
 

Built-in lockable bar in the Pilot House.  

CD Cabinet & Stereo

She has wide steel stabilizers down both sides of her hull to help mitigate rough water.  

Plus she also has a deep keel that protects her propeller in the shallows.  

Also included in the sale is a 3000 watt Honda Generator, which is handy when out on a cruise of any real length.  

There is also a steel swim platform and boarding ladder for those Lazy Hot Summer Days out on the water.  

Thunderbird is equipped with a 10 ft. dinghy that has a 9.9 outboard.  

 
We have lived aboard this boat for at least 15 summers and cruised to many, many ports on the Red River and Lake Winnipeg.  She is the ideal boat for cruising and living aboard.  


I am asking $35,000.00 but of course, am open to all reasonable offers.  If you would like to check it out call Linda at 204-389-4842 or email ldthacker@icloud.com.  

THANK YOU, THANK YOU.

Well, it has been a very, very busy 3 months.  Dan and I had a number of things planned for this summer including launch the Thunderbird and sell the Thunderbird, two of our children's Birthdays to celebrate in July, and basically seeing to our daughter Tracy Elizabeth's needs with her looming illness as she wants to spend as much time as possible out here at the lake..  But, as they say "The best laid plans. etc, etc."  

I lost my my beloved Dan on June 24th and everything changed, and will remained changed for the rest of my life.  But, as they also say "Life goes on..."   And so, that is what we have tried to do.  With the help of all of my children and the Fire Departments input, we put together a very nice service and buried Dan on July 2nd.  

My children stayed close that first few weeks, and helped me with a number of chores.  We transformed my front porch (a kaos of storage and tools) into the restful sun room that I always wanted out there.   

 

 Then on July 5th we went ahead with the celebration of Tracy Elizabeth's birthday party with Pizza and a campfire. 

 

Then in two short weeks it was my son Jim's birthday as well.  So again we had a get together party and a campfire.  

 

More weeks have passed and I have been dealing with the necessities and the bureaucracies that come with this widowhood thing, and am waiting for the dust to settle. 

 Meanwhile my daughter Elizabeth has taken on the fostering of 3 little orphaned kittens that need mothering until they are old enough for adoption.  They are cute, fluffy and adorable and bring a little joyful distraction into our lives.  

Now I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for all of their kindness to me and my family that has helped us all get through this.  From your  thoughts and prayers to the donations to charities.  And the gifts and plants and flowers, the special notes and cards and letters all so helpful at this time.  Plus the help in so many ways from so many people.  From my children, to friends, to mere aquaintances, as I think of it now, it is bringing me to tears again.  I just want you all to know how much it has all meant to us.   

SO AGAIN I SAY, "THANK YOU", "THANK YOU". 

THE THUNDERBIRD IS BACK IN THE HARBOUR

With the help of many wonderful friends in the marina, the Thunderbird has been launched. 

All it needs now is to complete the spruce up that Dan was working on and some "For Sale" signs.  Thank you so much to Boyd and Gayle Halliwell,  John West and Ed Lawrie for getting it there for me.

There is no way I can keep our beloved boat without "Captain Dan".