One of the great aspects of living out in the boonies, as my mother said about where my home is located, is the solitude and wonders of nature that often show up when you least expect. This time of year, the moths, especially the larger species, are hatching in big numbers. I was sitting on the deck and sipping a glass of Jim Beam Honey Bourbon when this Luna Moth fluttered around my head, then landed on my hand. It was fairly cool last night, and I imaging is was a bit lethargic or it would have stayed away from me. It was there just long enough to snap a couple photos.

On another note, I quickly discovered that old farts, such as myself, are not nearly as agile as we used to be. I was out on the boat last Thursday, stopped for some fuel at the local marina and when the kid on the dock handed me a line to tie up with, I assumed is tight at the other end - WRONG! The line slipped another four feet from around the piling just as I leaned back on it to pull the boat closer to the dock. I fell about 4 feet down into the cockpit of the boat, slamming the right side of my chest into one of the bench seats, which resulted in a cracking sound. Yep, I fractured a rib, which really hurt like Hell.

After about a half hour, the pain subsided a bit so I sailed the remainder of the afternoon, drank a few Coors Lights, then motored back to the marina where I store the boat and drove home. No problems! Well, at least until I sat down in the family room recliner and had to cough - BAM! The dam rib bone broke right in half. I saw stars, didn't pass out, though I thought I would, screamed. Carol came down to see what happened, I told her, she suggested that I go to the hospital, which I refused to do. The treatment for broken ribs is just to allow them to heal on their own. Fortunately, I have a limited supply of Hydro-morphone on hand, which helps to ease the pain to some degree, but after four days It's still extremely painful. I put the boat on Craig's List on Friday. As much as I hate to admit it, there's just some things I can no longer, safely do. I guess for entertainment I'll just watch Donny buy and sell arranger keyboards.

Another fun day in Paradise,

Gary