Death Watch

       The last major maintenance I needed for the Goose was an alignment and two new front tires. So I called Camping World in Tallahassee. They don't do alignments; try Sermon's Alignments. Sermon's does alignments, but doesn't sell tires; try Discount Tires. Discount Tires doesn't have 19.5 tires; try GCR Tires. Finally, GCR Tires does both tires and alignments. So I trek to GCR Tires in Tallahassee, 60 miles each way. The tires were wearing because they were not level, vertical, and straight, which required major repair to the steering system to correct. Order parts and trek to Tallahassee the next day. Wrong parts. Order correct parts, wait three days for delivery. Back to Tallahassee. Seven hours while Gracie and I watched television in the waiting room, and the Goose is cured. I got back to the park late last night, and Camp Host Dennis came running out to help me back in and set up in the dark. Nice to know someone was watching for me to get home safely. 

     There is a billboard I pass each way that intrigues me. It’s a man fishing alone at a remote lake. It says “Every drop of moisture you lose, nature finds. TAPP—Think About Personal Pollution.” Really? Is taking a leak in Florida waterways a major issue?

       A new creature from the ocean is scattered along the shore. The Portugese Man of War looks like something manufactured at a plastics plant in China. It’s a strangely-shaped nodular mass of a translucent blue not usually found in nature. I was told they are terribly poisonous. Fortunately after some initial curiosity, Gracie is not at all interested in them.
       One of the workampers, Rodney, was operating a BobCat down on the beach at low tide. There was a dolphin, not more than 12 feet out in the bay, checking out the action. Apparently they are very curious and are attracted to any disturbance. What a magical creature!

     The Primary is over, finally. The negative campaign ads were really annoying.

     My neighbor Lee is visiting his son in California. He will be back tomorrow. I have missed him. Gordon and June, a lovely couple from Ontario, are leaving Saturday for a new spot on the Suwannee. I will certainly miss them. I am more involved with my neighbors here than I have ever been anywhere I have ever lived.
     Baby is declining rapidly. She was unsteady and unable to leap to the table and bed on Sunday, but was still sleeping on the back of the couch and eating and drinking. She even swiped a piece of lunchmeat I had set aside to divide between her and Gracie. Monday she started refusing food, although I eventually talked her into some stinky seafood and gravy catfood and a little half and half. Yesterday she ate catfood in the morning and drank a few sips of half and half, then settled on the couch for the day. By last night she sipped a little half and half, refused food, and curled up on the floor. I wrapped her in a towel and tucked her in beside me in bed and stroked her and told her it was okay to go. She now appears to be in a coma, breathing very shallowly. I hold her periodically, but I don't know if she knows I'm here or not. I hope she knows she is loved and will be missed. Bye to my old Baby.