What Happened

A disclaimer

I want to start by reminding everyone my reason for writing a blog. With sometimes passionate feelings about the direction of this country, I need an outlet for those feelings. A blog provides that outlet. At other times it serves as a diary, I’ve never kept. This entry for the most part falls into that category. This is about me and my family and friends.

I know I’m not a great author, but still I blog.

A month in Maine

I took my 2nd trip in less than a year this in August and early September. Unlike the trip out west, for most of the time away I did not have internet. This trip was to visit extended family. While still recovering from pneumonia. I drove very little on the way to Maine and spent most of the time as a passenger.

While in Maine, I continued my breathing treatments once a day. Monitored my oxygen levels a couple times a day and declared myself fit.

Lobster Feast

Planning for this event began in earnest in January.

Invitations went out in March and reminders in June

The biggest question was how to cook the lobsters. My original plan was to do a fire pit and a real Maine lobster bake. That plan was changed when it was decided we had no place to safely create a large fire. .

The Steamer.

It was important that everyone be able to sit down and eat at the same time. I investigated large steaming alternatives and found a company in Louisiana which made an aluminum steamer for crawdads through WebstaurantStore. After several conversations with the manufacturer. I placed the order. I eventually canceled the order due to supply chain issues they could not promise delivery in time for the planned date.

The next attempt was through a company in Troy, NY. I placed an order for a 4x2x2 on a 2 ft base for a stainless steel steamer. I also ordered a large propane gas burner capable of boiling the necessary water in 30 minutes.

The dance with the seller started immediately for a month the steamer was going to ship the next day. The website was not professional and my friend continues to tell me it wasn’t going to happen. I did some research and felt okay, but still crossed my fingers. About a week before leaving for Maine my sister called and said she had scheduled delivery of the steamer. The delivery was made. I was able to breath again.

Safety Issue.

Now the next problem was how to lift and remove the steamer basket full of food out of the steamer. I didn’t want anybody to get hurt during this step. This task I delegated to a carpenter cousin. He enlisted assistance from his brother.

I left it to them to work out the details. This included an engine lift a stand chains and working out how to not bend the basket. It worked like a charm.

The Event was a success.

The lobster feast as a hit with extended family. Due to COVID we spread tables on the lawn so eating was within family units. We served 5 steaks and fixed 42 lobsters, 42 lbs of clams, 80 ears of corn. No one left hungry and fun was had by all.

We had a lot of help with the setup, preparation, and cleanup. My hope is that we can do this again.

Eash day my health and stamina improved

Throughout the stay in Maine I continued my daily breathing treatments. Many rest stops and a week of mostly rest and I was ready to head home. I love Maine, but the cold gets in the joints. The warmth of the south is welcome most of the time.

We did spend a day on the coast, it rained we did laundry. A day riding around in the mountains and visited a water fall

and saw some antique cars

We stopped in Virginia to visit my sister, who lives in a retirement home. For most of the last year the place has been in lock down. We visited through a window.

We also stopped and visited friends in the Raleigh/Durham area.

It was a long trip home.