Overheard on the Dock

A lot of people stand and talk about us on the dock. They read the sign (often aloud) and comment on it. Sometimes they say some really goofy things. Today someone said, "Baltimore, Maryland? That's in Boston Harbor."

"Look, Bonnie," Eve overheard a man say to his wife, "I told you: The women are sanding!"

Actually, right now, our captain, our first mate, our engineer and our cook (yours truly) are all women. And actually, it's the guys who are doing most of the sanding. I think it's pretty badass. When our new first mate arrives on Tuesday evening, it will shift the balance, but until then, it's a ship run by women. You should see Cap at the wheel. She handles this boat like it's no big deal.

Off my game
Sometimes - though not often - I wonder if I'm too old for this. I was just really exhausted by lunch time. I think it showed. I heated up sausage gravy for breakfast but forgot it on the stove. The hamburgers I made for lunch were strangely blah and too moist. The sweet potato fries weren't quite cooked through in some places. At dinner, the ribs were good, but overly salty or maybe it was the garlic salt that killed it. Don't try this recipe. The bok choy I bought at the Farmer's Market was too bitter when I undercooked it, but it became impossible to eat once I overcooked it. At least I had made baked potatoes and cooked up some frozen corn... and that's what Cap ate.

I took a nap in the afternoon, so dessert was the first thing to go... I know there must be a way to use more prepared foods and therefore get more rest, but I hesitate to do it. I will find my own way, my own balance between homemade and prepared. I have to, or else I will burn out.

There is a lot to get done before transit. Smith has the wheel off and is putting a coat of varnish on it. Eve is still in the engine room and it's 11 pm. I've been putting off re-starting the stove, and the fridge and freezer will both need to be defrosted on Monday and Tuesday. Still, I'm going to steal away tomorrow to go see my old friend Franzi. I'm looking forward to a brief time away from the boat. Just to get the outside-in perspective. To be, in a way, in my regular life again. Since I'll have a car, I'm also going to use it to make a provisioning run. My budget is for over $500.

Saturday's Menu
Breakfast
Cheddar and jalepeno scones and scrambled eggs
Lunch
Burgers on homemade buns and sweet potato fries
Leftover carrot salad
Dinner
Kansas City spare ribs
Baked potatoes
Corn off-the-cob
Sauteed boy choy
Rye bread