Pelicans, pilings, and a Firefly!

Oh, the joys of painting!

I pray each and every one of you gets to find this kind of joy in your work.

Today is day 50!

Oh my!

The morning started easy enough, with me reading the Bible and sending out messages 

to friends here in the states and in Africa.

My morning started at 4am.

Once I'm awake, I'm awake for good.

Except for a nap during the day maybe.

I headed to the studio.

I took some of the heavy weight bags I purchased and cut them after 

sewing a new bottom on the second one.

Fold in half, stitch, then cut, making two bags.

I also drove to Walmart to purchase foam boards to cut and place between the paintings.

I cut the foam boards into 16-inch squares, putting the board on top of the 

painting and under the next piece. 

I managed to pack almost 3 bags full of beautiful works.

I still have a couple to add to one bag, then I have to pack the larger ones together.

We drove back to the store this evening as we needed more romaine lettuce for dinner.

We also got drinks for Chris while he's working outside.

I was picking up more foam boards, but they were damaged.

No parent would pay almost 8 bucks for these things for their kid to use.

I asked for and got a slight discount on them, as it doesn't matter to me that they're bent.

I'm going to cut them up any way.

Came home, made dinner, and decided to go to a local custard place to get a treat.

Neither of us have had any real sugar for two weeks.

So off we went, Chris got a no added sugar, I got the vegan coconut.

They both were quite delicious.

We dropped off scenic 98 to watch the sunset at the Fairhope Yacht Club.

The boats were rocking and Chris got out to look at the new docks the city built in the harbor.

At the end of one of the docks was the prettiest "little" trawler.

The owner came out, and we said we love your boat!

He said I'm going to get laundry, but you can come aboard.

He came back from the laundry, and said his wife wasn't answering the phone.

Give me a minute.

He welcomed us onto the Firefly, a beautiful little live aboard trawler.

We went on the back deck first, with a wonderful dining area.

We went around the port side toward the bow.

We then went back to the dining area and climbed the ladder to the top deck,

rocking in the wave action from Mobile Bay.

We went back down to the dining area, and he opened the sliding doors into the main cabin.

His name is Bobby and her name is Jeanny.

Jeanny greeted us and showed us several parts of the boat.

A compact delightful kitchen.

A large, beautiful living room.

A bathroom that is a dry bath. (most boats are wet baths)

Their bedroom is below the kitchen and a walk-in closet under the bow.

It even has a cellar with a freezer!

So much storage, such delightful touches of the sea in every nook and cranny.

They come from Tarpon Springs, Florida where they run tours and dinner cruises aboard the boat.

They bought Firefly after hurricane Helene last year.

Their house was spared, but it was a close call, so they sold the house.

AND bought a boat! 

Talk about a life pivoting!

They are taking Firefly up to Demopolis for protection from hurricane season.

They plan to go home about December.

After a delightful bit of conversation, we realized we were keeping them from their dinner.

We said our goodbyes and told them if you want to see Fairhope, 

we would be delighted to give them a ride and tour.

We said our goodbyes after Jeanny gave me her number and a card about the vessel.

As we were leaving, Bobby called out, text Jeanny so she'll have your number.

I did, and guess what?

We are taking them to breakfast in the morning and showing them around town.

God certainly placed us in the right area today.

New friends, fellow boaters, and tiny house living....

Great combination!

Pelicans, Pilings, and a Firefly!, Acrylic on wood, 12 inches

Day 50 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2025