Nate’s on this very ship as we speak, and has been all month. He’s due back the end of November (from which is considered an “Underway”). Then sometime in December he’ll have some leave and we’ll be able to get together for Christmas (although, likely not ON Christmas).
U.S.S. Gridley
I’ve had my thumbs in my ears, wiggling my fingers (“la-la-la-la-la”) in complete denial for what comes next. 6-9 months deployment. In likely potentially dangerous…waters.
I remember how over the moon I was when I learned that he and Sandra and Quinn got orders to be stationed here in Washington (after many years in San Diego). But almost immediately after they arrived, Covid hit. We did carefully get together now and then, but not as frequently as we would have. And THIS year has been extremely busy for Nate and the Navy, having several Underways, including one all summer long. THEN, once his deployment is done, they’ll be looking to receiving orders to somewhere else. Possibly very far away.
Denial is my safe place right now.
So much rain, so much dim. Today was relatively dry, but still very dim. And it’s pretty much dark shortly after 4:30pm. And soon it WILL be by 4:30pm. (But come December 21st or so, the days start to get longer! WOOHOO!!)
As I say every single year around this time: “WASN’T IT JUST THE 4TH OF JULY?!!” (When we thought this fucking pandemic was in our rear view mirror…)
It’s Thanksgiving week, and we’re hoping that John will be able to find some nice lobster tails at Costco tomorrow on his way to the Hydroplane Museum. There has been some dramatic progress with that 1979 Miss Squire Shop restoration—they’ve begun painting! And oh my, is that ever an ordeal. (I suspected, but never really knew!) The absolute precise taping off to paint the red. The reveal of the red after some time, and then taping off to paint the brown (John did that himself). Then, the sanding down of all that glossy paint (which makes it look like HELL) in order to make a good foundation bond for painting/spraying on the clear. Which John says absolutely brings back the gloss and POP of all the color. Then, there’s a metallic tape that’ll be applied between the red and the brown (I think) and then the vinyl Squire Shop lettering applied.
This is the original (and how the restoration will look!):
How it looks now:
See the difference with the gloss before sanding?
(The gloss will be back!)
Doing laundry, there is red paint spray on jeans, sweatshirts, socks, and yes, underwear. And no, it doesn’t wash out.
I finished our Book Club book and I liked it! Oh, there were moments of eyerolls, but overall it was a very decent international thriller! And for those who are Louise Penny fans (Gamache!), he actually makes an appearance in the story! I loved that!
I’ve also begun watching “The Wheel of Time” on Amazon Prime. It’s based on something like a 15-book series (which I have not read, but are apparently very popular). It sounded interesting to me, so I decided to give it a try, generally when John isn’t around because I don’t think it would be his thing. The first three episodes dropped last Friday, and now there will be one episode dropping every Friday for the next five weeks. (Grrr. I prefer to binge at my own pace). It’s a fantasy and after those first three episodes, very intriguing! I realize that I am a fan of a number of fantasies, beginning with “Lord of the Rings.” The Harry Potter books are fantasy! Also the Golden Compass trilogy. And I’ve read a LOT of Brandon Sanderson books—he even completed the final couple of books of The Wheel of Time series after the original author died. (I really enjoy his books! He’s the one who also wrote The Rithmatist, a YA book with steampunk atmospherics). It was supposed to be a series, but only one book was written, which is a shame! I’ve been waiting since 2013 for the next installment, which apparently isn’t gonna happen. But anyway. He’s a great and prolific writer. Yeah, there are wars and intrigues, but what makes them so good is his characterization. You really care about the characters people.
I’m currently reading the new Michael Connelly book “The Dark Hours,” the 4th Renee Ballard book. I really enjoy them—she works with Harry Bosch and they make a good team.
And I’m a pumpkin (at 1:30 a.m.) so g’night!
