I am gutting our new house and the wife is getting on my case for letting the previous owner leave these old stoves on the property.  They are on a covered porch but definitely have a layer of dust and some rust on them. 

Just curious if it's worth trying to get a few bucks for them or not. 

I was going to make them garden art and put flower pots in the holes.  I was overruled on this one. 

I received a call from another member who wanted to get a dive in on Friday. We discuss several locations and it was still up in the air where we were going to go.  He said he was going to go home and check the waves and weather and get back to me on where he wanted to dive.  So I received a text later naming the location and confirming it was Friday.  I said it has been a little windy but we will make it work.  So I received a call Thursday saying he was staying at a campground on the coast and that he wanted to meet at 7:30 in the morning.  No problem thinking an early start is good if the wind kicks up and it gets nasty we will at least have a few hours in the water.

So I get all set up and dressed and I am still the only one there.  I get this strange call saying where are you and I say I am ready to launch where are you.  He said I am ready to launch where are you.  Well the cell signal wasn't the best and it was cutting in and out, but I am pretty sure I was being cussed out because he was over an hour away. Without naming the flake who tried to blame me for the confusion lets just say he is a bit of a Hammerhead who is at the Simply Fishing event this weekend.   

Oh well, looks like it will be a solo dive after all.  No biggie, but when I was setting up my kayak my fish finder was not working.  I did all the trouble shooting but couldn't get it to work.  So I took it off and went without one. I wanted to try some new locations but had to do it the old fashioned way (like Rob102).  I saw lots of fish, but was really not interested in killing a bunch so I continued exploring.  I found some nice scallops and threw them on my kayak and went back for more.  I somehow pried so hard the bar slipped and pinched my finger in between a scallop and a rock. It screwed my hand up and I could not use it so scallop hunting was done.  Moved to a different spot and found what easily could have been a big brown rock in the middle of a couple other rocks. The color was just a tad off from the nearby rocks so I snuck up and took a peek.  It was a large Lingcod head.  It saw me so I backed off to get a better angle for a good shot and as soon as I did it turned around and came out the other side of the rocks and checked me out.  Oh yeah I could now see its whole body and it was big.  I extended the gun and shot it in the head as it turned away from me and it was off like a race horse.  The spear went all the way through which was a good thing except that it went f'ng crazy and was spinning and swimming into rocks and was able to pull the shaft out with a chunk of flesh left on it. 

I was heart broken as I have lost a couple really big ones.  If the flopper opens do you horse it in and not allow it slack, let it go into a hole and come back with another gun or try to rush it while it is going crazy.  These are the things that raced through my head the second I pulled the trigger.  Well before I could react it was to late. I decided I would try to find it.  I checked all the nearby holes, cracks and ledges.  When I have an epic fail like that I won't shoot any more fish that day and just try harder to retain it next time.  So I finally see a big lingcod laying on the bottom and with all the thoughts racing I jump on it and think I found it.  Except it was a different color and not as big with no hole in his head.  I toss it on the kayak and keep looking.  Normally one ling is enough for me on any given day.  Today I really didn't want to leave this wounded fish around and have to dream about going back until redeeming myself months later (ask BigJim about this).  So I spent hours looking and just couldn't imagine why it was so hard to find.  I was getting close to giving up when I spotted the fat ling head with a hole in it and knew this was it.  I shot it again and pounced on it until I was holding it tightly.  That made for a good day in the end with a 34” and 37” ling combo. 

Still waiting to hear from the other diver to see how many perch he shot at the other location. 

http://doty.norcalkayakanglers.com/catches/2405

On my last trip I somehow punctured my wheeleez and remembered seeing others who posted you could fix it with a soldering iron.  Glad I read that because I would have tried some stupid glue or patch and would have never thought of it.  I ended up having multiple holes which where fixed in less time than it took the soldering iron to heat up.    It's holding air again but just put an iron in my truck so I can fix it away from the house if it happens again. 

Thanks NCKA for those little tips and tricks you learn and post about. 

Anytime in the past I am sure I could navigate a short sale and repairs with no issue.  So we took on the process of buying a home that is currently occupied and the sale was in lieu of foreclosure.  The home owners are working with us so that is a plus. 

We had some major financial blows in the past that removed us from home ownership.  We were renting with an option to buy on the coast a couple years ago but one of the owners died and the heirs sold it out from under us.  I have always been a man of my word and thought the gentleman agreement was enough, but it wasn't.  We had to live in our trailer until we could find something else and since then have had some major issues with real estate agents and those that manage rentals. 

Unfortunately the short sale seemed like the best option for us to get back into home ownership as normal house prices on the coast are out of our price range.  Well the owners bank delayed and delayed and messed with us for the last 8 months before finally approving the sale. 

We had contractors lined up back in the slower months but they are all busy right now.  I have reached out to some local contractors but either don't get calls back or they are busy for months.  The house has some dry rot around the bottom/siding along with some deck repairs and door frame and window ledges that need to pass the pest clearance before Cal-Vet will close the loan.  Looked at other loans but can't make them work and have money left for repairs. 

Kayaking and fishing has been my only way to calm my PTSD symptoms, but this stress has just consumed me.  I thought I was doing better but can't focus, sleep or function right now. 

Mainly I am just venting but also looking for a miracle.  If any of you licensed contractors have the time and or ability to help me get the clear pest report so this property can close please reach out.  (Mendo Coast) Maybe a couple contractors could work together to make the repairs go quicker.  I would be willing to pick up supplies, lump wood or do any non skilled work to make it happen. 

Amazon made their own money making day in the middle of the year.  They are calling it Prime Day and it's today.  Sort of like Black Friday or cyber Monday.

I have not seen anything I have got to have yet but probably will.

Looking to get a truck bed cover that either rolls up or folds into sections.  Preferably sturdy and more secure than not.  I would like to be able to store fishing and diving gear in bed and be able to run into a store or restaurant without always having to eyeball it the whole time.  Needs to not be in the way of the fifth wheel hitch while towing and not taking up bed space when not.  So many choices.  I know if someone wants in they will get in but just want to buy myself a little more time.  Some look cheap and some look like overkill.  Anyone with specific experience please share.  Thanks,  by the way I have a short bed Chevy 2500HD.

I just wanted to wish you all a Happy Easter.  For those that don't believe in God I am not trying to offend and offer you a happy Sunday. 

Took the grandkids (still hard to believe I am a grandfather) to see the Easter bunny yesterday in Ft Bragg and had a great time. 

I woke up wanting to go diving but aggravated an old arm injury and was unable to use my right arm.  It's been hit and miss with good and bad days.  It's so difficult trying to accomplish basic tasks when they hurt so much.  I have two arm braces keeping movement to a minimum but hope it lets up soon. 

I do have a shark shield and pray it works.  If it doesn't and a shark approaches with enough time for me to react would it be wrong to sacrifice my bad arm to save the good limbs or is my pain affecting my thoughts. 

Many have it worse so I am trying to stay positive and will pray for others who need it.  The carrot next to Easter bunny is a local child name Nick who has Cancer and has been through numerous operations and has been sick and in the hospital much of his life.  The wife and I have become bone marrow donors and help support him and his family when we can.  The community came out yesterday and really supported him and his family.  The shirt in the picture they made to support him and others with Cancer.  My pain seems like a prick with a thorn compared to what he has gone through and I will pray for a miracle for him before me any day.