We're Getting Things Worked Out--An Update from the Bosun!

As you can see, I'm starting to get the hang of this and relax a little. That may have something to do with the fact that the Admiral and Cap are finding their own grooves. Organizing the boat in the morning, getting underway, finding the right channel in the rivers, talking with tow boat captains and passing their ungainly barge trains, overtaking other loopers in their ridiculously slow trawlers, spotting and slowing down for fishermen in small boats, and docking have all become much more routine. For the most part, the Admiral has even stopped yelling at Cap when we dock though every once in a while it seems she just can't help herself. And, to be fair, she's becoming a much better helms-person but Cap still calls her out on her over steering from time to time. He can't always help himself either.

Cap reported in his blog this morning that we've now had four days in a row on the water without an equipment malfunction. Everybody knock on wood please. From my perspective, that means their blood pressure is a bit less at risk and i can snooze guilt free rather than worrying that I should be providing comfort or distraction.

I'm now pretty sure that foxes, eagles and owls aren't going to get me inside the boat, especially when the door is closed, but . . .

. . . I remain a bit apprehensive about what could happen out in the cockpit.

I do venture out there once in a while, though. And, you won't believe this but, the Admiral thinks I might be silly enough to jump off. Huh, I can tell that's water and, you know what, water's wet! Any self respecting Cat (please remember to capitalize the "C") knows that.

I'm also a lot less worried about food. In Maine and Key West, the Admiral and Cap long ago figured out where to go to purchase my favorite vittles. On this stupid boat, I overhear them worrying about where they might find my favorite brands and which one of them is going to take a marina courtesy car to go find them. However, we've now been at this for almost two months and they haven't let me down yet. Just today, Dad, I mean Cap, came home with a big bag of all my favorite Fancy Feast meals. I'd say we're stocked up for at least a couple of weeks. Whew.

Finally, I'd like to report that the Admiral bought me a life preserver. I have a few things to say about that:

• What an indignity to try it on. Ugh.

• It's about time. Why wasn't this on the list when Cap was spending all that money this summer on safety and other equipment?

• And finally, they sure as hell better not let this boat sink out from underneath me. They'd never hear the end of it from me!

And speaking of the end of it, that's the end, for now.

Very truly yours,

The Commander-In-Chief.