Along with the huge amount of work its taking to set the New Dawn aright, post Rita, I have another long, long list of duties to perform.
The most important of which is thanking my friend Rivrdog for his true loyalty and friendship, as so ably demonstrated in my absence as Rita chased me hither and yon.
Mariners, Marines, Soldiers, Airmen, Coasties......there is a bond which ignores the boundaries of branch, which goes to the core of the brotherhood which is the service of arms.
And it lasts forever, people. For. Ever.
I shall ever be indebted to George for his standing in the gap as the New Dawn struggled against the wind on hier lines, and as I struggled against a seemingly endless litany of burdens as Rita swirled her course through the history of our lives.
This is a public thanks, and only one of literally hundreds which I shall reply to by personal e-mail in the days and weeks to come. So many comments and letters of support.
To each, I owe my thanks and gratitude. And a note to say so. I'll be working diligently to answer each and every one.
To George, I owe the thanks of the readers of Smoke on the Water. On behalf of us all, George, Thank you!
I would be deeply honored, if each of you who reads this please visit Rivrdog's blog, and second my notion of thanks on the comments on this post in which Rivrdog wrapped-up his own Rita reports.
Go now please, and do that.
On a lesser note, I have accepted a decent job offer, and shall start in that position this coming Monday.
As promised, the voyage continues.
That praise is so effusive that it even made this old salt blush.
No one's thanked me like that since the last time I pulled a drowning fisherman out of the river...
It goes without saying that I am also in debt to you, sir, for entrusting me with your cherished blog whilst you were too busy to attend to it's details. I am honored that you gave me that opportunity.
Posted by: Rivrdog | October 04, 2005 at 11:46 PM
Jim, it's great to have you back at the helm. Rivrdog did a WONDERFUL job of keeping the ship afloat and on course while you were gone. Now maybe things will get back to normal around here.
Congrats on the new job ... MG
Posted by: MorningGlory | October 05, 2005 at 03:55 AM
Jim , GoodLuck on your new Job and everything else , Riverdog did a wonderful Job on keeping all updated !!
GoodLuck
Posted by: Tammy | October 05, 2005 at 04:14 AM
Jim... I'm a new reader and you're a new addition to my own blogroll... I've appreciated the New Dawn posts and look forward to reading more of what you have to say...
Congrats on the New Dawn's survival and your new job...
As an aside, I came this way via Baldilocks...
Posted by: Rick | October 05, 2005 at 07:13 AM
Jim,
First off, congrats on the new job.
Secondly, I'll echo MorningGlory's comments re: Rivrdog. He earned a spot on my blogroll because of his tireless devotion to his (and my) friend in need.
Posted by: Jay G | October 05, 2005 at 10:03 AM
I wish you success and prosperity with your new job. As for George, I did give him my thanks...he is certainly deserving of it.
Posted by: Dana | October 05, 2005 at 02:39 PM
Oh Great the news just named a new tropical storm brewing.guess the name ......" Tammy"
Grrrrrr
Posted by: Tammy | October 05, 2005 at 02:59 PM
Poor Tammy, I hope her name doesn't get trashed like Katrina. Ditto what Jay said, Rivrdog - good on ya'!
Mike
Posted by: 308Mike | October 06, 2005 at 10:30 AM
I'm one of those 'only come here once in awhile' lurkers, but I'm glad you and the New Dawn are safe and in tact.
Rivrdog did an excellent job keeping everyone informed, you are lucky to have such a true friend.
Posted by: livey | October 08, 2005 at 09:50 PM