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Tale Tuesday: Canadians

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Yes, a new heading. Phil suggested that I try to write more so…

St. John's Frigate Image One
Photo Credit: Government of Canada

I lived in Virginia Beach for a year (July 2001 – July 2002) with my, then, Marine Corps husband. I don’t remember the exact date but, one evening, we happened to be wandering the streets of Norfolk, near Norfolk Harbor. We saw a neon sign in a window of a bar: O’Malley’s. The place was full of what appeared to be sailors but, they weren’t Americans. They were busy drinking and singing Irish drinking songs. The Marine and I did manage to find a couple of empty bar stools, way at the end of the bar, deep into the establishment. The Marine took the very last stool to my left and I tried to position myself into the remaining empty stool. It was a tight squeeze and I began to think to myself… “How in the hell am I going to get my big ass thru that narrow space to get onto that stool?” For the split-second pondering it took, the full-bearded gentleman to my right, turned to me and said “Do you not want to sit next to me for some reason? I know I look rough but…” I immediately jumped in to reassure him that, that was not the case and shared my “OMG, I won’t fit…” fears, out loud, right there in front of God and everybody. He threw his head back and roared. “Have a seat, my dear…and, have drink.” He turned out to be the COTB (Chief of the Boat) of the Canadian Frigate HMCS St. John’s, that was in Norfolk for degaussing. It was a fun evening and that COTB invited us to tour the ship the next day.

Emblem Image Two
Image Credit: Canadian Government

We arrived around 4:00pm and I noticed that a Canadian Frigate really stands out next to American Navy vessels. It’s an odd green color, next to the blue of the American ships and I was told that it doesn’t have any right angles on it. We boarded the ship and asked for the Chief. They retrieved him and he rolled out looking like he’d been on a three day drunk. He was clearly hung over. He called for a much younger seaman to give us the tour of the ship and joined us later.

One neat thing aboard a Canadian vessel is…the bar. They had a beautiful, stained wooden bar and, a full stock of beer and wine. They also had a few women on board, which I found odd, even though women were allowed on board American war ships, beginning in 1994. It was still a rare sight back then.

We were invited to stay for dinner. It was a simple meal for sailing men but, I’m pretty sure that, not many people can say that they dined with the entire crew of a Canadian Frigate…and not been a crew member. It was really cool. I wish I could remember the name of that COTB. He offered me a St. John’s sweatshirt and I declined because I didn’t have any money. I intended to return to the ship with money but, we never made it back. That would have been a cool souvenir.

HMCS St. John’s (Facebook)
HMCS St. John’s (FFH-340) (Military History Fandom)
HMCS St. John’s (Wikipedia)

Christmas Countdown 6.0

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Here’s to the Charlie Brown way of decorating. ~Vic

Charlie Brown Tree Image One
Just a few ornaments.
12-05-2020
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Charlie Brown Tree Image Two
Or, no ornaments at all.
“It’s all fun and games until
Santa checks the naughty list.”

12-13-2020
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Natural Ornament Image Three
Natural ornaments are lovely.
12-13-2020
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Hot Tin Roof Winter Wonderland Image Four
And, if you don’t have snow,
make your own.
Winter Wonderland. Have a beer.
Hot Tin Roof Bar
12-13-2020
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Christmas Countdown 5.0

Shutterbug Saturday: Halloween Local 4.0

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The mood of our country isn’t really conducive to decorating or celebrating. There are a few highlights, here but, our town isn’t showing a lot of Halloween spirit. It’s a complete shame but, I managed to get a few shots. ~Vic

Halloween Local 3.0

Pumpkins In A Row Image One
Pumpkin Row
09-26-2020
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Pipe Skeleton Image Two
The skeleton guy has shoes, now.
10-14-2020
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Skeletons Image Three
I love the bird skeleton.
09-26-2020
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Great Pumpkin Image Four
It’s the Great Pumpkin!
This was on a box, on the ground, at our local market.
10-07-2020
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Gargoyle Image Five
Gargoyle in a local bar.
10-01-2020
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Insurance Decoration Image Six
Local insurance company.
10-07-2020
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Local Insurance Company Image Seven
They did a nice job.
10-07-2020
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Pumpkin Decoration Image Eight
A neighbor’s decoration a block away.
I love the starfish pumpkin.
10-01-2020
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Pumpkin Decoration Image Nine
Lovely decoration.
10-01-2020
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Pumpkin Decorations Image Ten
Lumpy pumpkin.
10-01-2020
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Ghost & Skeleton Decoration Image Eleven
Spooky ghostie & bat skeleton.
10-10-2020
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Glowing Ghost Image Twelve
Glowing ghostie.
10-08-2020
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My Front Yard Image Thirteen
My front yard.
The pumpkin will be carved for Halloween.
10-20-2020
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