We arrived on 'uhane back in St. Petersburg, Fl on July 8, 2013 which ended our 'almost 5 year' cruise. Our good friend, Rick Sylvester, flew into Cancun, Mexico, to help us bring her across the gulf. We've had an awesome adventure, met some great folks, and visited many beautiful places. Not only have we returned to the St. Petersburg Municipal Marina but we're in the very same slip and are now trying to get re-oriented to living in the States.

I took a month to help with my Dad while in the hospital and am now back here teaching watercolor and drawing classes at the Academy of Art. I'm loving it but just need some more students.

We'll probably be shutting down this blog site soon but wanted everyone that has kept up with us over the years to know that we appreciate your comments and love you all. We're a little sad but happy to be back.

No, we didn't take the boat to Columbia, Missouri, silly. I flew there to visit my dad and brother Bill, Chris, and Molly. Although the first week was SPRING BREAK, we got about 12" of snow. Silly me. I ran outside and made a snow angel and caught a cold. Yikes! ..... Actually, it was worth it. It was fun :)

We've been looking at the snow photos of the recent blizzard in the northeast U.S. on the internet, and here I sit at 8:40 p.m. and the thermometer says 83.3 degrees with 60% humidity. I don't think I'll complain about the heat tonight and just be grateful that we don't have the normal 99% humidity.

We've all heard the common boat names such as Spirit, Dream Catcher, Wind Dancer, etc. Although these are great names, we've run into some interesting and unusual boat names recently. When you read these names below, imagine calling the name three times folowed by my boat name as we do on the VHF radio and try not to giggle or get tongue-tied. For example, for Meow I would say, "Meow Meow Meow, Uhane".

Meow
Dances with Dragons
Breastfed
If Knot Why Knot
Gone with the Wind
Jollywitch
I Yam What I Yam
Big Rock Candy Mountain

You giggled didn't you???? Be honest. Do you have any good ones?? If so, comment below.

'Frankie's Watercolor Funshop with Debbie' is definitely growing in popularity. Today there were fourteen ladies that showed up. I was shocked, delighted, then scrambling to get enough paper and paints for everyone. I still have left over paints from an art supply business that was going out of business back in Florida, so we're using those before they get too old. After 4 years, I'm finally running out of watercolor paper, but not to worry, Cheap Joes and Dick Blick Art Supplies are readily available through the internet. Yippeeee!

The folks here seem to be having a great time, are learning some techniques, and are really tapping into their hidden talents. I have been so pleasantly surprised at the great artwork that they are producing. I really look forward to Thursdays :)