September was one of those months where life seems to decide to set a huge storm down upon you, and all you can do is hold on to the wheel and try to weather it. Ali and I haven’t had much time to think, much less update Bumfuzzle, but we managed to come out the other side of the storm and seas are calming again. So I’m just going to catch us all up at once so we can move on to October.
Our dock cat rescue, Rico, spent two weeks at the vet and we were all happy to get him back.
The plan had been that he’d get healthy with the vet, then we’d get him back and find him a home back in the States, or barring that, the nice lady at Save-a-Gato here in Puerto Rico had offered to take him. We thought we were moving along pretty well with that, but soon realized that despite his time with the vet he was still very sick. He was nothing but bones and constantly leaking out of his back end. He was so sweet, though.
Sadly, we would find out after another trip to the vet that he had leukemia. The first vet we had brought him to a couple of months earlier had done that test, but somehow screwed up the results and told us he had FIV, not leukemia. The second vet had then been under the impression that he just had some stomach issues and had been treating him for the normal stray cat type stuff. Once we got the leukemia diagnosis everyone agreed that it was best for him to be put to sleep. So, sad ending for this hurricane season’s rescue project.
A day after this we got a call that my mom had had an accident at home. She was okay, but needed someone there with her quickly. Ali is our family caregiver and was on a plane the next day. The next two weeks in Puerto Rico were a bit of a blur. I did my best to juggle work, school, cooking, housekeeping, and trying to have some fun. I’m not going to lie, it was hard. There’s no competing with Mama and all she does for us.
One positive to come out of this time was that we nailed down making pizza that the kids actually enjoyed. I swear sometimes these kids aren’t related to me due to the fact that they don’t like pizza, but after whipping up a few of our own we’re realizing that that’s because 95% of pizza place pizzas suck.
Without mama around I was able to set the kids loose on the roof of the building for fun.
Ali was busy taking good care of my mom, and her dog.
I found that being a single father wasn’t nearly as difficult if I just paid the kids to do all the extra jobs.
Beaches are open again.
So things were ticking along reasonably well. My mom was doing better, me and the kids were still eating and showering each day despite Ali not being there, and plans were already in the works for her to head back in a few days. Then Ali called. From an ambulance.
She’d been taking my mom’s car in to get an emissions test done. My mom and the dog were supposed to go with her, but at the last minute they decided there was no reason for all of them to go. Ali drove down the road, but about a mile away realized there was a low tire pressure warning light and check engine light flashing on the dash. Figuring it would be silly to try and go through the emissions test with a bunch of warning lights, she pulled off the road, put the car in park, and called a nearby oil change place to see if they could help her out. She was talking to them when she was hit.
Eight in the morning on a Saturday, on a wide quiet stretch of 4-lane road, a car had slammed into her on the shoulder. She woke up to a lady tapping on the window telling her not to move. Paramedics were there in a couple of minutes. CAT scan and X-rays at the hospital gave her the all clear. We can’t believe how lucky she was, despite how unlucky the entire situation really appears. The car was totalled. Her seat was busted down flat. But she was still buckled up, and had managed to escape with nothing but a strong hit on the head. And, thankfully, Grammy and the dog had stayed home.
She was home a few hours afterwards and by the next night was walking around the neighborhood enjoying the quiet and the sunset over the mountains.
Me and the kids were waking up to pink skies in Puerto Rico.
An unexpected box of goodies arrived from my birthmom, and it really couldn’t have come at a better time. Amazing what a random thoughtful act can do when things aren’t going so well. She had sent this two weeks earlier and it just happened to arrive when it would mean the most.
Thank goodness Ali wasn’t driving the Porsche when she got hit. I’d insert a joke here about how I would have killed her, but it’s too soon for that to land.
Mama made it back, lugging boat parts and many more random goodies. And of course, best of all, herself. Awwwww.
The kids are still taking sailing lessons three times a week and loving every minute of it. The other night after class they came running up super excited. They had been promoted to the advanced class! And with that, we put September in the rear view, and look forward to a much better October.
59 Comments on “Just One of Those Months”
I’m glad Ali and your mom are all right. Now your mom can get a new car and not have to worry about the check engine light. When do you foresee you guys going back onto your boat?
Hi Ron, yup I definitely fixed the check engine light! 🙂 Back to the boat next week, already stocking her up, and getting our projects knocked off. Hoping to get island hopping soon.
That’s a lot of 2020 in one month. I am glad all of the people are on the mend.
Right?! We knew we didn’t want to be in the States during covid and elections – I guess that will teach us. 🙂
Good Lord! Thankfully Ali is alright. My parents live in Tucson and say they have the most dangerous drivers of any state. Former Oregonians.
All those oldies down there. 😉
That could have been so much worse! I’m glad Ali came through relatively unscathed.
You aren’t kidding. If he would have side-swiped me even a little…
Wow! So glad to hear you’re safe, Ali! Life is so crazy and unpredictable and downright scary right now. We have had a very tough month over here as well. The most recent tragedy is that our beloved cat, Zombie was attacked and killed by a coyote in our neighborhood (in coastal Florida?!) a couple of days ago. All of us are shocked and devastated. Stay safe guys and don’t forget to vote! Maybe we’ll at least get one victory out of 2020!
Oh, Maritza, sorry to hear about Zombie. Hopefully the boys didn’t see the attack happen. Already sent our ballots in!
Wishing Ali the quick and great recovery! That joke may have defined Porsche Taste.
So glad Linda and Ali turned out ok. Send our love to all. Guess your Dad was out checking the slough for ducks. Bet you don’t miss sitting out those cold mornings. Stay safe.
Thanks, Sharon. Both of us are healing up good. And Pat might miss those mornings a little bit. Fond memories for him and his dad.
Let’s be done with 2020 already!
Small miracles, let us be thankful…
Whew, crazy month for sure! Really looking forward to the end of 2020. It’s not been a stellar year for us either. Glad to hear that everyone is doing better. I hope Ali doesn’t have any lingering issues from the accident.
Hugs for all the Bums! That picture of Ali all banged up made me cry.
Aww thanks, Mcgker, I’m doing much better.
Ali deserves some spa time! Pamper that mama. Glad she’s ok. Your family is adorbs! Best wishes for a low key October.?
Family time is working fabulously. Happy to be home.
Wow, the biggest problem I think I have seen you have had in since you first started sailing. Glad Ali is okay. Such a shock to all of you I am sure. Best wishes.
Good god, a lot going on. I’m really glad Ali made it through the car accident and is back with you all. I’m glad your Mom is doing better. And I’m really sad that poor baby Rico didn’t make it. RIP Rico. And, what is up with Lowe’s blonde hair in the pic with Ali sitting down with the suitcase? lol!
Thanks, Barbara. And yes little Rico. Happy we were there to give him some loving and an easier couple of weeks. Halloween hair! It’s great right?!
Read all the time, think this is the first time posting!
Wow, what a month! Glad your mom and ali are all ok! Sorry for the kitty!
Keep the posts coming!
Hi Ellen, thanks for posting! Right all that rolled into a single month. Crazy.
God Bless. You have handled it all with aplomb. An example for all of us. 🙂
Yes, Pat and the kids were fantastic. I definitely crashed myself when I got back home.
Glad things are settling down, and here’s to continued healing for all involved. Poor Rico, but also how nice for him to have you all loving and caring for him at the end. Thanks for the update!
Thanks, TG. And that is what I will hold onto as well, that Rico had love, food and shelter when he needed it the most.
So glad to hear you’re okay, Ali. What a shocker to get hit like that! So sad about sweet Rico. That pic of him cuddled in Ali’s lap is so touching. At least he felt some love in his life before it was over. We made a donation to Save-A-Gato in Rico’s name. Perhaps some other Bum followers could do the same. These rescue groups work hard and are usually mostly volunteer. Hoping for a hurricane-free month!
Great idea. I’ve also just made a donation to Save a Gato in Rico’s name.
That is an EXCELLENT idea!
Thanks, Maureen for all the support for Rico and a donation as well. They were really amazing helping me get him help and a home if needed.
Thank you, Barbara. So kind of you!
What a roller coadter of a month! Glad it ended relatively well.
I’m glad you are doing better, Ali.
Thank you, Marion. Much better now.
I saw this on the Bumfuzzle Facebook page: The way to make a donation to Save -A-Gato: Paypal.me/saveagato. Or. venmo@saveagato. I have no connection to this group, but I think it would be such a nice gesture to show our support by making donations in Rico’s name. I’m sure all, no matter how small, donations are appreciated.
Thank you, Maureen!!
So happy everyone is safe and back together again! ❤️
Truly glad to hear Ali is ok.
Now, regarding the 356… I recently “found” my ’67 Porsche 912 Targa (soft rear window) after I sold it for $26,500 and thought I was a genius.
I found it after an auction; it sold for $134,000.00US.
You might want to make sure security and insurance is well taken into account. 356 prices are in silly season.
Tearing up/shock, and smiling/chuckling in the same post! Happy all ended well!
On to better days! Take care!
Whew. In a bad year, that seems like a particularly bad month. Glad to hear everyone ended the month well.
2020 has been hard to deal with. Our church is next Sunday having our first service in the church since March. We have meetings and church by Zoom. So thankful that Ali is ok. Hope your mom is doing well too. Be safe!
Hi Kay, happy to hear about your church. Such strange times. I’m doing great, Linda as well.
Wow! Glad that everything turned out OK in the end. Vayan con cuidado, amigos.
Thank you, everyone. Appreciate the good thoughts coming our way.
And to those that are donating to Save a Gato, many hugs to you from me and Rico. https://www.saveagato.com
Hi you guys!
I am happy to hear everything turned out okay for your Mom and Ali. Cool about the sailing lessons! Fall is here and no Costa Rica for me in Winter.
Keep on keeping on.
Magic
Oh, Magic, sorry to hear no CR for you this winter. Bummer. And the kids liked the sailing so much they did another 12 lessons right after they were finished – onto Super Green Opti Sailing, whatever that means. 😉
Well, never a dull moment for you all. So glad to hear you are all OK. Even Rico is better off thanks to your intervention. Wishing you all the best and looking forward to your next adventures. Best regards, Oliver.
i always feel like such a wuss for worrying about the bums when you don’t post for a while — but in this case, i was right to worry! ali, you are one tough mama. hang in there everyone, and be well.
Thanks, jdp. Everyone on the mend or in better places (my Rico!). October has much less exciting.
They say bad stuff comes all at once. I’d say you’re good for another year or three! Glad you’re all safe, healthy, back together and mom’s ok. Sorry about poor Rico. Sometimes things are out of our control. Safe travels as always.
Ali, you are made of sturdy stuff for sure! Scary photo of you! So glad you came out of that unharmed. All’s well that ends well! Was it the driver who hit you that called the ambulance? We just had a hit & run here in Oregon-the worst state for drivers in our entire trip across the country. Minor damage to the car, no injuries to us, aside from the outrage that someone could be so lacking in personal accountability! Hope future adventures are only fun-filled for you all.
No not the driver, passerbyers that stopped before police and ambulances arrived. Wow hit and run, shoot that isn’t good, glad it was minor. Counting down the days until we head on out again.
So sorry to read about all the misfortunes but so happy, no persons were seriously injured. Glad for the new car too.
And all the goodies you and the kids received as well. Hope the rest of 2020 is much easier on all of you.
I’m so so pleased to read that Ali is okay. What an awful thing to have happened. Clearly Mother Earth is very much in need of Ali’s good heart. Hope it’s around for many decades to come!
So glad Ali is alright, been missing your posts and now I know why. Life can change in an instant. Be safe!
The U.S. Marines say “Semper Fideles” (Always Faithful). The U.S. Navy teases the Marines by saying “Semper Gumby” (Always Flexible).
It would seem the Bums are “Semper Gumby” in action…
I am glad Ali is okay.
Multi-year update:
I am pretty much locked down here in southern California because of the COVID and being in a very high risk category for dying of it if I contract it.
That said, things are beginning to loosen up a bit here.
We will have a group of Naval Sea Cadets coming to Chula Vista this Saturday. We are looking at treating them to kayaking, sailing Hobie Wave Traditional 13 foot catamarans, doing some dockside tall ship familiarization, and possibly taking Schooner Bill of Rights (aka “The Bill”) out sailing for a few hours.
Back in April 2018, I bought a 1971 Coronado 30 sloop for $200; I donated $13,000 of the $20,000 to get the Bill into her biennial overhaul in March 2018, and I was given the opportunity to buy “Thin Edge” because of this. I hasten to add that I had no idea this would happen, as I was unaware of the sloop’s existence.
It is true that “no good deed ever goes unpunished”, and it is equally true that “some good deeds are rewarded in totally unexpected ways”.
It was “as is”, of course, but the previous owner had spent about $35,000 doing a myriad of repairs and upgrades.
In June of 2018, I bought a Hobie Wave Traditional with a trailer and loaned it out to the youth catamaran sailing program. My 8 year old grand nephew Luke was given two sailing lessons by a friend of mine who runs the catamaran sailing program here in Chula Vista.
Luke talked his mother, sister, and brother into forming a study group to earn the California Boater Card so they could start sailing. I offered to buy another Hobie Wave Traditional catamaran; the trailer can easily transport two of them stacked.
“I have created a monster!!” – Doctor Frankenstein
😉
Finally, my niece Nicole gave birth to a baby boy and named him “Eastyn”. This led to me thinking about you Bums and Ouest.
Warning: Horrible pun alert
Rudyard Kipling’s famous poem:
“The Ballad of Eastyn Ouest” begins:
“Oh, Eastyn is Eastyn and Ouest is Ouest,
And never the Twain shall meet,
Till Earth and Sky stand presently,
At God’s great Judgment Seat;
But there is neither Eastyn nor Ouest,
Border, nor Breed, nor Birth,
When two strong kids stand face to face,
Though they come from the ends of the earth!”
And a tip of that hat to Rudyard Kipling and “The Ballad of East and West”.
http://www.kiplingsociety.co.uk/poems_eastwest.htm
And as a coda, I still have Cornell’s cruising routes book and Ouest and Lowe are growing apace.
Should you decide to do another circumnavigation “alredador del Mundo” a la Magellan, let me know.
Best,
Rodger Morris
Hey Pat and Ali! Just wanted to say hello from an old friend.
Mike Olson aka Oly from North Saint Paul.
Hey Oly! Good to hear from you. Just got caught up on FB with you too. Beautiful family! We must have a get-together, the rivals, when we are in MN next. It would be fun.