It’s Wednesday here in St. Mary’s and Brenda is cooking away in preparation for the Thanksgiving celebration on Thursday. Cruisers continue to arrive and there are now more than 40 visiting boats in the harbor. As you recall, the locals supply turkey for all comers and those partaking are asked to contribute a dish. Pandora, (Brenda) is bringing one of her signature stuffing dishes. Umm…
This morning we visited a used book store in town that was having a special sale and reception for boaters. As you can imagine, reading is a very popular pastime for folks that spend time afloat so there were plenty of folks shopping. The owner, a very personable young woman, was so enthusiastic and even baked a variety of muffins and cookies. There was even some of her home-made candy. Well, we felt obligated to buy something, and eat her fine baked goods. And buy and eat we did. I think that we purchased ten books. Of course, they were a bargain, but ten? Who knows where we will store them all. Well, we will just have to read them soon and pass them along to others.
Speaking of provisioning, we also made a visit yesterday to a local laundromat and Super Walmart where it seemed like we bought one of everything in the store. Actually, the store was so MASSIVE that even if we purchased one in a thousand items, Pandora would founder under the weight. We brought back plenty and the dink was groaning under the weight of our stash upon our return. Somehow we found a way to stow everything. When it comes to shopping, boaters know that it may be a week or more until the next market, so they tend to purchase as much as they can carry. Pandora’s crew? Yea, we get that.
Today we went for a walk around town and enjoyed the sights. It’s obvious that the town fathers (mothers?) take pride in how things look. There’s even a large banner on one of the bulkheads near the town dock proclaiming in large type “WELCOME TO ST. MARY’S BOATERS”. That’s so unlike many of the places in New England where it seems that they locals would prefer if boats just stayed away.
As you come off of the town dock this is the view. Very scenic. We have been here for three days and it seems that there are men working all day, every day, in keeping the park looking just so. That triangular building in the distance is a band shell. The view of the harbor from the stage is really impressive. I would imagine that an evening concert would be great fun. However, you’d have to bring plenty of bug repellent as the no-seeums here are really out in force each evening. 
The view in every direction is really nice. There are Christmas wreaths tacked on some of the palms along with lights, something that I can’t quite get used to.
There is a really lovely fountain, complete with a sign discouraging wading. The water in the fountain is sparkling clean so wading was an appealing idea.
Speaking of signs, the locals, it seems, want to keep the town clean in more ways than one. There is even a sign stating that profanity is not allowed. For us New Yorkers both me and Brenda, that requires continual diligence and self control. So far, we haven’t been caught in the act by the local “ya’ll be decent now?” patrol. Fingers crossed.
If we find ourselves descending into bad behavior there are plenty of churches that would be more than happy to redeem us. This one, I believe the oldest in St. Mary’s is ready to serve. 
However, if a “profanity free life” life gets too hard to manage. Cindy, the ever colorful bartender, at the Seagles Pub in the Riverview Hotel, the nightly gathering spot for visiting cruisers, stands ready with a supportive and profanity rich environment. 
Ok, it seems that I have beaten that topic to death for the moment so I will move on.
Before I wrap this up, I must include a shot of our newest friend, we’ll call him Picky the Pelican. Our buddy Picky hung around Pandora for quite a while this morning hoping for a handout. I handed out plenty but nothing that he/she was willing to eat. I tried bread, several types, as well as an assortment of cheeses. Alas, noting suited Picky who would scarf up my offerings, swirl them around in his pouch with all the concentration of a sommelier, only to spit them out after careful consideration. Perhaps if I had some fine 2012 Georgian sardines. After a while he left surely muttering in disgust. Pretty cute though, our particularly picky friend, Picky. 
Have a happy Thanksgiving.