January 16, 2017. Working, But Not Fixed Yet.

January 16, 2017.  Working, But Not Fixed Yet.  I may have turned the corner with my laptop.  It would not start again today.  The computer shop happened to be open, even though it is a holiday.  The tech believes I have a bad ram stick.  He removed it and everything is working.  It is working so well I am having second thoughts about replacing it.  I seem to be doing fine with 8 gigs of ram.  Nevertheless, I told him to order another stick and I'll be back to where I was.  It should be here tomorrow or Wednesday.  If things go well, you won't have to read anymore about my computer problems.  

While we were in town, we went to Harbor Park.  It is on the shipping channel.  It is also a favorite fishing spot for locals.  Evidently, the passage of ships stirs the fish into movement.  A family was fishing along the rocks and caught a sheepshead fish which probably weighed 3-4 pounds.  They seemed content because it was big enough to feed the family for dinner. 

There were about a dozen fishermen lined up on a sidewalk along the channel.  We watched for a few minutes and one of the fishermen caught two large fish.  The first was 38 inches long and the other, 36.  One of the onlookers told us the fish was a black drum.  When the fish was out of the water, you could hear why it is called a drum.  It emits a noise which sounds like a drum thumping.  One of the pictures shows the fisherman inserting the blade of his filet knife into the side of the fish.  As he did, you could hear air escaping from the fish.  He then tossed the fish back into the water.
  
My first thought was that he was killing the fish because it had no value.  Maybe he was using it to feed other marine wildlife.  Not so, said our onlooker.  Fishermen are permitted to keep drum between 15 and 30 inches long.  Smaller and larger fish must be thrown back.  These two fish were longer than 30 inches and were returned to the water.  Our expert told us the puncture heals quickly.  It is necessary because the drum takes in air as it is pulled to the surface.  If it doesn't expel the air, it will die.  So, the fish is stabbed for his own good.  Seems odd to me, but what do I know about drums. 

I finally succeeded in getting pictures of dolphins.  They were swimming ahead of a ship passing through the channel.  They stayed just ahead of the ship as though racing it.  They could have turned away from the ship at anytime but stayed just in front of it for a long time.  They seemed to be in a playful mood as they cavorted in the water.  It was a good way to finish our tour of the park.  

Annie is cross with me.  I am trying to drop a few pounds on this trip.  Usually, road trip calories don't count.  So, the pattern was that I would buy ice cream, cookies, key lime pie and generally eat until I was uncomfortable.  This trip is marked by vegetables, salads, turkey sandwiches and calorie counting.  She has had enough.  She chided me for not buying a key lime pie at the store.  "Why do I have to starve just because you are fat?"

She has a point.  I don't mind if she has a sweet here and there.  However, she is trying to be supportive.  Good woman, that Annie.  

On that note, goodnight.