Bill and Cathy McArthur Summer/Fall 2004: 12

   October brought clouds, wind, and rain, but not Indian Summer. We began to think about our next trip to the Florida Keys even as we winterized the RV in reaction to morning temperatures in the low 40s. We began a self-guided exercise program at home in the mornings to complement our outdoor activities, which included walking the Atlantic City and Wildwood boardwalks and circumambulating Cape May City. Bill finally got out striper fishing on our neighbor Tom's boat, but no stripers were caught that day. Cathy had a few friends over for a luncheon in the solarium on a typically gray October day. We started running our furnace regularly after getting it serviced for the (hopefully very short) season. Although we have "retired" from our volunteer stint at Friday night Bingo at St. John of God church, we filled in one night when the crew was very short-handed. For several years we have been looking for a two-sided carved fish to hang in the house and finally found one at the Whimsical Mermaid in Cape May. Although the shop owner told us that it was done by a local artist, Bill found a tiny "Made in the Philippines" sticker while hanging the fish using fishing line (appropriately). We like the fish anyway, but are puzzled why the owner decided to lie about its origin; it's not a good way to get return customers.

        Bill and Cathy