Vacation Sourcing

If I had my way, I would be thrift shopping every day during vacation. As it was, I was able to visit Fort Bragg secondhand sites on each successive Friday. 

The best of the bunch was the Paul Bunyan thrift shop which featured cookbooks buy 1 get 1 free. Mastering the Art of French Cooking is an automatic $20+ sale. 

There were sewing patterns, and fabric, two finds found most frequently in the wild. This $5 bag of scraps included orphan blocks and pieces. 

Gramma's Attic at the Redwood Coast Seniors Center produced a bag of completed crochet squares. I routinely find this type of handcrafted item there, and they always sell. 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/185982168462

This thrifted patriotic panel may finally spur me to complete a patriotic quilt. I keep tubs of fabric for certain themed quilts such as plaid wovens, Christmas prints, animal-themed fabric, and batiks. 

Fishing was largely unsuccessful as the Mr. caught one, and I caught none. We were circled by a few dolphins but I was unable to capture a good video. 

Finally, these Angelic Messenger Cards priced $2 at thrift were hidden in the books for sale. Yet another $20 bill waiting to be picked up by me. 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/185982143253

It is About Time for that CA Boating Card!

This video was from last month, filmed near Fort Bragg, California. The best part of being on the ocean that day was seeing the Coast Guard practice maneuvers. 

We were fortunate to be out on the boat that day, because the retrofit connection between the motors twisted and failed. The trolling motor prevented the other motor from being turned to the right. The Mr., an experienced mariner, navigated to the dock by reversing and turning to the left. He had to cut the line between the motors. 

We were surprised to find there was no regulatory agency that monitored boat safety. If a part is unsafe and prone to malfunction, there is no one to notify. There are over 600,000 registered recreational vessels in California. 

Another surprise to find is that California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW) requires a California Boater Card. As of January 2022, the card is required for operators 45 years of age or younger. By January 1, 2025, the card will be required for all persons regardless of age. The requirement is phased in as follows.  

California Harbors and Navigation Code Section 678.11(b) contains the following phase-in schedule based on operator age:

• January 1, 2018 – Persons 20 years of age or younger
• January 1, 2019 – Persons 25 years of age or younger
• January 1, 2020 – Persons 35 years of age or younger
• January 1, 2021 – Persons 40 years of age or younger
• January 1, 2022 – Persons 45 years of age or younger
• January 1, 2023 – Persons 50 years of age or younger
• January 1, 2024 – Persons 60 years of age or younger
• January 1, 2025 – All persons regardless of age

There has been no mention of this new requirement from the DBW on social media or the news.

I think this is great because we have seen a lot of bad behavior from boaters that are clueless about navigation rules of the U.S. Coast Guard. 

Last year, I was injured on the boat when another boater decided to pass us heading out of the mouth of the harbor. It is a No Wake Zone, and that is a big No No, not to mention an incredibly stupid move. 

As the other boat passed us, it somehow picked up the line to one of our fishing poles (he passed that close to us). I grabbed the pole but the line cut through deep on my index finger. I let go and then re-grabbed the Shimano pole just in time to save it. The boater blew past us and out onto the ocean. 

Some time later, while out fishing he was heard over the radio, "I seem to be having trouble with one of my motors. I will have to get a tow in from the Coast Guard." Karma is a b***h, my friend. That fishing line must have wrapped neatly around that motor ensuring a very costly mistake. 

For those of you in California, here is the link to preparatory courses to apply for your California Boating Card https://californiaboatercard.com/courses/

Just Call Me Jonah-ette, and a thrifting update

I spent the vast majority of my vacation doing nothing. Nothing being simple things like eating at restaurants, walking the dog, and soaking up sunshine. 

One side perk of being on the ocean was a random visit from a whale. It circled the boat a number of times. The Mr. thought because the boat is red, it stands out from the rest. 

We spent a number of hours trolling for salmon. One silver was caught but had to be released. There will be other fishing excursions over these summer months. 

On to a thrifting update - 

On my return home my fav hospice thrift had bag of fabric, yarn, pool noodles (10 cents ea.) for packing. A pink Ty poodle NWT hitched a ride to my remote office. 

One of the mystery bags of fabric contained two partially completed quilts, some panels, the publication to complete the Chevron quilt, and a plaid woven *sings the words*.

Here is the drawing from kind-of mystery quilter that incorporated the quilt blocks in the corner left. There are templates and fabrics intended for the project. I will need to iron out the quilt blocks.

I note kind-of mystery because pinned to some fabric was a copy of a local real estate agent's Travel Agent Card. She had passed in 2020, and it seemed the estate had been settled because no quilter would willingly give up her stash. 

I will sew together the quilt blocks she provided. Completed quilt tops are quick/easy sales for me on eBay. 

Ending the post with the cutest of the appliqued quilt blocks in this unique project.

I wander, wander who

My regular readers know I visit the North Coast of California quite often.  I believe one of the attractions is the wonder of the ocean.  It can be still or calm and other times it can churn with a violence and fury.  

Continuing on with write31days and the #CY365 photo prompt of "wander."  It feeds to soul to wander along an ocean shore.  I suggest it as therapy for anyone and everyone. 

Trying to compose posts in Blogger lately is like trying to find a match to a missing sock - nearly impossible!

Vlogging my way through July

BlogHer is hosting a vlog festival, this is my entry under the "About Me" category.

"Water" Day 23 of the 30 day photo challenge

Water - Day 23 topic.  Abalone divers heading out of Noyo Harbor, Fort Bragg, California.