vacation
We’re having a ‘yummy’ dinner tonight!
Two years ago in early June, I took my dad up fishing to Alaska at Elfin Cove. The King Salmon were supposed to be running, but they were at least 2-3 weeks late. Out of all the 10+ lodges at Elfin Cove, not one person caught a salmon that week (very disappointing).
We were on a second to last day there, when my dad hooked to what appeared about 25-30 lb. King. He had good fight and we could see it jumping out of the water as my dad began to reel it in. Everyone was excited. Not only was he catching a "King," but he would be the only one to have bragging rights.
About 50-100 yards off the boat, the King came up jumping out of the water. It was beautiful to see and just added to the anticipation of a delicious meal that night. Just as he was coming down, a seal appeared out of nowhere and chomped down on the King leaving nothing but a portion of the head dangling off the line!!
Silence fell upon the boat, followed by loud gasps of disbelief from each of us. The Chicken Alfredo we had for dinner that night was mediocre at best.
Sparks fly in bed!
My wife, Sybil, and I are on vacation in Sedona, AZ. The area is very hot, dry, and has a host of interesting animals, birds, and insects.
We had just finished a rather exhausting day of hiking (code for walking around town) and exploring the beautiful area. We were very tired and both settled into bed for a much needed rest. The room was dark and the steady purr of the air conditioner made the condition just perfect to fall asleep quickly. I had just fallen to sleep when suddenly Sybil screams, pulls her blankets back, jolts up out of bed, and flips the lights on.
"What??!!!!!!" I asked with great concern, as I am ripped from my sleep and jump out of bed ready to fight off any would-be assailant of my wife.
"There's flashing lights in the bed!" she says with great fear.
"Flashing lights?!!!" I ask.
"I think they might be lightening bugs!" she says.
"Sedona doesn't have any lightening bugs."
"Well, something is in there flashing!" she says as she pulls back the sheets slowly with apprehension. "Do you see anything?"
I look carefully. There is nothing. "Now, now, climb back into bed and get some sleep." I advised
Sensing that I am humoring her in a condescending way, she says, "Really! I saw something."
She continues, "Turn off the lights, I'll prove it to you!"
I turn the lights off…..we wait….and wait….and wait………….nothing.
"Get back into bed!" I instruct, still tired, but now wound up.
She climbs back into bed, puts the covers back over herself, and shifts her body back and forth a few times. I flip the light off.
"I wonder if I'll see any more lights?" she says as she pulls her blankets up in the air to peek under her covers.
As she does that, we both see a number of bright sparks and discharge snaps.
"Oh, Sybil!" I groan. "That's static electricity!!!"
Sheepishly, she says,"Oh, I thought they were lightning bugs, at first."
As she sees me roll my eyes, her demeanor changes and she states with certainty, "Of course, I know it's static electricity! Anyone can see that!"
"Good night, dear." I gently say as roll over to go 'back' to sleep.
"Good night!" she states with finality. She settles back down into bed.
A short pause…then a very softly muted mutter, "…they could have been lightening bugs!"