Captain's Log: Stardate June 24, 2023

From: Cliff Spencer <cliff@alasaw.com>
Sent: Saturday, June 24, 2023 8:52 PM
To: Spencer Sibling Council <spencersiblingcouncil@NETORGFT3720483.onmicrosoft.com>
Subject: Captain's Log: Stardate June 24, 2023

 

Hey ya'll,

 

We've had a great week down here and wanted to give you the update.

 

Velma And I arrived on Saturday afternoon to stormy skies but no rain. We settled in, went swimming and enjoyed the beach until rain started to fall. Sunday was more of the same, with a pretty constant rumble of thunder and off and on rain. The internet was out so we got that added unplugged vacation effect. Barely any cell service either. Bobo was not happy with any of it but Velma and I made the best of it and enjoyed the beach when we could and our books and movies and a trip into town to our favorite, overpriced grocery store, Rouse's. Storms picked up overnight and rain got heavy with lots of lighting everywhere.

 

Monday started off on the same note but with constant thunder rumbling, then bursts of rain and lightning. We still had a successful morning beach swim, got the tent set up with all the chairs and beach toys. We made another trip into town to go to Gulf Shores Building Supply to pick up sand fences and other house supplies. We have an account now there and all of you are set up, so you can order supplies from there as needed and have them delivered. And then of course back to Rouse's because we couldn't resist. We picked up some ant bait traps for the kitchen.  A small army of them was trying to take over.  By that time, Leigh and Scout were on their way down, and the California cousins were in flight. On our drive back we got tornado warnings on the radio. It wasn't long after we got home that the wind picked up, it got just about dark as night and the rain and the thunder and lighting went into full effect. And the wind... Oh lordy the wind was intense. We had flattened all our beach set up and weighted it down pretty well, but the wind got a hold of the new stand-up paddle board we got Leigh for her birthday and tried to take it out to sea. Without internet, and no cell service, I was caught off guard by the severity of the storm. Should have fired up Dad's weather radio. Wind and rain was pounding the house. The doors were being beaten in, only held by the lock hardware. Looking out towards the bay at the flats and sea grasses, you could see sheets of rain carried by the wind, as if they had joined forces into one thing. I was reminded that the power of nature is way stronger than I can imagine.

 

And that was when the wind really got a hold of the new SUP and took it out into the surf. I made a choice, maybe foolish, but I did it, to go out to attempt a rescue(I mean that thing was Leigh's birthday present, brand new, and not cheap!). The good news is... Physical therapy works! Ivy, I'm a believer! After 6 weeks of PT on my knee, I was able to sprint out onto the beach in tornado conditions and rescue that sup from the surf and haul it back in safe and sound. No pain, no problem. Thanks Ivy! Thanks EW!

 

Velma and Bobo and I settled in for the rest of the storm. It died down after a bit, and we were able to reach Leigh and Scout to warn them of the weather and make sure they tracked the storm. This brings me to the leak report and other water issues.

 

Leaks: All good except for two spots. Beach side right first floor. Right hand fixed panel. I think water is coming in from the threshold or under the threshold, filling up the void under the door and then pushing into the interior of that fixed panel, in the corner. It was spurting up like a fountain. I bought some more of the grey Big Stretch caulk, but incorrectly assumed there was a caulk gun here so I can't make the repair. Tom, I'm shoving that off on you and we can't talk strategy later. See pics attached.

 

Bay side upstairs door. Same old leak as before. Don't understand where water is getting in. Tom, we can troubleshoot when you're down there, armed with a caulk gun.

 

The driveway flooding I communicated already. Our timing was great, I had crafted the email asking the Haycraft's and the new owners of the Courthouse to pay more, and was feeling confident but ready for a fight.  I was aware that I was sending this email to two lawyers. I tried to channel Dad's directness, brevity and legal terseness, and knew I was going to have to deal with some follow up. And then Archie's email came and Tom's reply, and I happily backed off and asked for payment in equal 3rds.  The dollar amount difference is not enough to haggle with two lawyers whose day job is to haggle with other lawyers. That is not my day job. The Haycraft's are on board but I haven't heard from the new owner yet. We'll see what happens next week and I'll try to nudge Don H to take on the Oneonta lawyer if he won't cooperate. 

 

We had some very nice renters next door from St Louis. Had fun with them and their dogs, and may have some business connections, you never know. Had some good interactions with Art and Dena Vonwerssowetz (yeah, that's how you spell it). I have their cell numbers and will share. The number we have for them is antiquated. 

 

Storms passed, Leigh and Scout made it down no problem. Tuesday morning was beautiful, cousins made it mid-day, and we had a great time on the beach, the bay, at GS Park, the Florabama, Tacky Jacks 2 and Fort Morgan. Caught carbs, mullet in the cast nets, and explored the bay in the canoe. Leigh's sister Lizzie has been an ocean swimmer for exercise in LA for a few years now and had a great time swimming in our waters, until a confused group from Ohio renting in the Courthouse called 911 on her! We were surprised to see a Sheriff's deputy pull up into our shared driveways, sprint to the sand and lead a group of concerned kids up the beach, ready with his rope/inflatable cannon. Add to that a coast guard helicopter flying overhead. Lizzie's beach swim was cut short by all the commotion. Suffice it to say I don't think they've heard of ocean swimming in Ohio.

 

The Nest thermostats are a great improvement down here, Tom. Thanks for that. We're signed up for the Avalon HVAC maintenance plan and 24/7 maintenance plan for the grinder pump. Seems like that is the way these companies are shifting their service these days, and it may be for the best. We can try it for a year and see how it goes. 

 

I replaced one smoke alarm and tested the others. I bought a 6 pack of them so we have replacements ready when needed. Scout and Velma and I put up an impressive sand fence blockade against the trespassers. I installed a new dryer vent hose as the one Archie valiantly installed gave way and couldn't be reattached. Tom, we need to send you down with a hose clamp from Lowes. I used zip ties but a proper dryer vent clamp will do better.

 

One beach chair gave up the ghost and the seat ripped. It's not that I'm too fat. It was just old and worn out. The Kazaay tent (sp?) is awesome and continues to perform, but may need the fabric part replaced by the end of summer.

 

I'm sure there's more but I'll sign off. Excuse the long essay, but LeighScoutVelma went back today so I've got the house to myself and clearly have a lot to talk about!

 

Love,

 

C

 

 

 

Cliff Spencer, field to studio

205.377.6729 | www.alasaw.com