Dick (next to me) and Jere, (above) are HS Classmates who visited us with their wives on The Rose when we docked in Bristol. It has been 48 years since we graduated but you can tell from the facial expressions that nothing has changed! It is 1961 all over again!

We have always had the 3 oldest grandchildren sleep as a group on The Rose. This year because they are older, we decided to also have them on board one at a time. Sofia volunteered to be the 1st and this is the morning routine. Would you like to guess what Grandma and Sofia are watching so intently on TV? Yes, you're right...cartoons!

The past 2 weeks have been full of activities, including Father's Day, Evelyn's dance recital and a trip to my home town, historic Bristol, RI. The picture above was taken from stern of The Rose looking at Bristol's waterfront. Kenny, a friend and high school classmate, (Class Valedictorian) made the contact that enabled us to have the slip for 2 nights.

Father's Day we all met at the house in Greenville for brunch. Connie was the cook, (see above) and the rest of us pitched in with setting the table and picking up afterward. The grandchildren are getting older and it's enjoyable watching them interact. That's "Grandma" serving the crew.

The Rose had a list of items that needed attention, and Drew our mechanic went to work. He unclogged and relocated the waste macerator. It was inaccessible where it was and the hoses were "tortured" leading to it. He also removed the bow thruster motor which had been failing and sent it out to be rebuilt. The good news? I thought that job was going to require a haul-out. Nope!

The Bilge Buster, (produces ozone to eliminate odor) had long since quit working and was too old to be repaired. But I contacted the manufacturer here in Warwick, RI and he sold us a new one.....at a 20% discount.

In the interim our dinghy seat and back have been rebuilt by The Canvas Lady, (really, that's the name of the business) using Starboard a very durable marine sheet, (board) product to replace the original plywood backing. The foam cushion was also deteriorating badly from water, so that was replaced at the same time. We're having covers made for the dinghy console and seat to protect them from the weather.

We attended our granddaughter's 1st dance recital. Here's a picture of Evelyn in costume.

The Gamma Knife procedure that will eliminate the AVM is scheduled for Friday, 7/10. It is a day-long process with an inpatient stay of one night afterward. He, (Dr.) is confident that he will eliminate the item that caused the aneurysm and that there should be no limitations afterward. I am grateful that level of expertise is available locally, (RI Hospital) and only requires a stay of one night.

Paul & Connie
m/v The Rose, GH37
Bristol, RI

We enjoyed a visit with Uncle Joe & Aunt Karen
who were visiting from Las Vegas.

Celebrated Joshua's 9th birthday! Whew!

Shared Munchkins with our Grandaughter Evelyn

Took a dinghy ride with Gail & Peggy.

And enjoyed a graduation party.

Sometimes people ask what we do all summer? This is just a sample from a couple of weeks worth. We both have large and active families so there are plenty of activities.

Later this month we'll meet with the specialist to make a decision about doing away with the cerebral AVM. I can hardly wait.............................

Paul & Connie
m/v The Rose, GH37

lying Brewer GB North

Warwick, RI

June 9, 2009

For the past several weeks we have been busy with settling into our summer berth here at Brewer Greenwich Bay Marina in Warwick, RI. Our welcome home from boaters on our dock has been, (as always!) overwhelming. It seems like the boating season is officially underway when The Rose arrives.

We have a list of items on The Rose that need attention. The macerator from the waste tank is bound up and needs clearing and relocating to a more accessible location. The fan motor for the head, (bathroom) exhaust fan needs attention and since our arrival the bow thruster is making ominous sounds.

The last item concerns me since I can see a "haul out" looming on the horizon. Drew, our marine mechanic is coming aboard this week to work his magic.

Physically I'm doing fine. I have another scan, (cerebral angiogram) of the malformation scheduled this week and then will probably have the gamma knife scheduled to blast the area and eliminate the blood supply. The scan this Friday is outpatient, while the Gamma Knife will be a short-overnight stay.

Last week we visited our cruising friends Peter & Carolyn who live near Toronto, Canada. We had an enjoyable visit with them and Casey their French Poodle who always remembers us from visit to visit. While we were there Carolyn & Peter hosted a dinner party with friends. What a fun evening! A superb meal with good people combined with the scenery and the Canadian Spring in their back yard.

On the way back to RI we stopped off to visit with Ted & Terry on Berlie Mae, another GH37 like ours. They spend summers at a Marina-Yacht Club in Watkins Glen, NY on Seneca Lake off the NY Canal System. Berlie Mae has been on the market and they have a serious buyer who paid for a survey and has had sea trials, etc. We did a winery tour......it's amazing how much wine we can consume, one small sip at a time. The tour was followed by "Happy Hour" at the yacht club where they spend the summer followed by dinner out. Whew! Ted & Terry are good friends whom we will continue to visit with-regardless of the boat sale.

Due to a scheduling conflict with her Father, (our son Paul), I was able to escort Sofia, our 7 year old grandaughter to her Father-Daughter dance. Connie and Sofia picked out a dress and shoes while I bought a wrist corsage for her. We had a special night together. Having Sofia one-on-one without her brothers around was a rare opportunity that I took full advantage of.

Once we've tended to my medical care, Connie & I will cruise the local area, Block Island, Bristol my home town and nearby waters into Cape Cod. A high school classmate connected me with a slip in Bristol that we can use intermittently. That will allow us to have family and friends aboard more safely than using the dinghy to a mooring in the harbor. I've been out of Bristol since I joined the Navy in 1961 but it has always been my home town.

Enjoy your summer!

Paul & Connie
M/V The Rose, GH37
Brewer Greenwich Bay N
Warwick, RI