Lots going on since just yesterday and things are movin' right along.  Contractors got a lot of my back yard cleared preparing for the fill to be delivered shortly.  So things are finally moving forward for our screened lanai and my writers studio.

Weather cleared yesterday and Ray and I did get out on our boat to test it.  It was pretty choppy so we were only out about 20 minutes, but long enough to know we want the boat.  We're doing all the paperwork this morning and then we'll be the official owners.  Captain Charlie came with us last evening as he's a friend of the previous owner and Charlie did all the maintenace on the boat.  Coming back to the dock we saw a pelican caught in a line next to another boat.....the poor thing had his wing caught and was stuck there.  So when we docked, Charlie went over and untangled him.  The pelican didn't even fight Charlie and I swear I heard him saying, "thank you, thank you."  That was so cool and I'm sure glad we came back to the dock when we did.  A sidenote....Charlie is a certified captain and runs airboat and pontoon boat tours out of Cedar Key.  Our last trip out with him and Denise he gave me a crash course in Boating 101.....I learned about the three "R's".....right, red, return and how to read the channel markers.  He's a wealth of information on proper boating and I'm really glad we have him for a resource.  Both Charlie and Denise have offered to go out with us on our maiden voyage......that's how people are here.  So it's comforting to buy the boat and they didn't just say you're on your own now.  I'm sure we'll be calling on both of them for info as we attempt to learn the world of boating.  Right now, I'm tossing around names.   Denise had never named the boat and since they're referred to as females, I don't want her sulking about being nameless.

Today I'll be at the Historical Museum downtown from 1 till 4.  I've been a docent there for about a month now and it's fun meeting different people and sharing my love of the island.  I'm in the Andrews House.  Dr. Andrews was a dentist here on the island in the early 1900's and owned Standard Manufacturing Company.....they made brooms and brushes from the sabal palm and distributed all over the country.  It's fascinating to look at the old machinery that was used to produce the finished product.  The house itself was originally out on Atsena Otie, the closest island to Cedar Key.  Many of the houses there were destroyed in the big hurricane of 1896 but the Andrews House survived and was brought to Cedar Key via barge.  It was put at the end of Second Street next to the broom company.  In 1995 the house was moved to it's present location and lovingly restored. 

Time to move on outta here.....Make it a great Friday and I'll see you tomorrow.........