Thanks to those of you who have reached out to inquire about my well being especially Frank (FMD) for keeping tabs on me. Well, I missed this fig season (the why follows) but the mocking birds were happy and will likely be a BIG problem for any future fig seasons. I am certain that I will need a real solution to mitigate the birds.

I recently spent several weeks on temporary duty on one of the Hawaiian islands. No, I am not in the military but I do work with the military for a not-for-profit corporation that supports Uncle Sam. More than half of our time was spent fifty nautical miles off of the coast aboard a naval vessel. We anchored and slept at sea and even celebrated a holiday at sea. It was a uniquely challenging environment given that we worked long, odd hours. It was a beautiful and a once in a lifetime experience (for me) but if it happens again more than likely (99% confidence) it will happen without me. I have a new and greater respect for mariners and submariners.

All is well here. Once I returned from the ship, it took me about two weeks to get my land legs and then several more to return to normal, east coast bio-rhythms. FY12 ended and FY13 started with new projects, new tasking, new team, new customers. Thus very little time to do much of anything: no TLC time for the figs, no time to plant my fall/winter garden. I did make time to coach my son's Pop Warner Football Team who were undefeated (9-0) for the second consecutive season. Hopefully things will slow down soon and my life affords more time to post.

I attached a few photos:

• 01: queen's bath
• 02: waimea canyon
• 04-06: various surface vessels also participating that were built for speed, protecting, and protection; not research like our ship
• 07: 5 knot trolling at sunset, i.e., trailing a fish line (we had eight) behind a slow-moving boat. (1 knot = 5 nautical miles per hour)
• 08: mahi mahi
• my son on the carry (9yo). nice socks by the defender.
  

wow.. welcome back. is that mahi-mahi in the last picutre?

Jimmie

I was starting to think you might have hit the mega millions jackpot and give us the SOL treatment.
Great to see you back.

Welcome back. Happy to see you survive the adventure. 

Welcom back....I usually have to spend 2-4 years a year TDY at some military base.  This year, Whidbey Island...in fact going back next week for a week and then 2 more weeks and Turkey day.

Glad you made it back safe....looks like you certainly have your priorities in line coaching your son.  Time given at this point to your children are far more important that anything else you can ever give them.

Be safe and hopefully next year will be more normal.

Get real, Rafed. If he had won the lottery he'd have you driving him around the country picking up more fig trees from the 48 states, with all that extra cash.

Jon

In that case then I will ask Jimmie to order a double decker RV with a greenhouse on top.
Low pro tires with spinners.

Nice variety of pictures. Thanks for sharing. :)

Jimmie, thanks for posting, Amazing pictures!
Is that your baby boy in the football uniform? 
He has really grown a bunch since I last saw him.
Congrats on a winning season.

Frank

Glad to see you post again, Jimmie.

Thanks for catching us up.

Pete - Yes. Mahi Mahi. It was served grilled and a few of us were lucky enough to have ocean fresh sushi. I know of eight that were caught.

Rafed - If I had hit mega millions, then the F4FFoundation coffers would have received a generous boost.

Jon - Once you get the not-for-profit paperwork completed, I will contribute. I also think a membership model with an annual or bi-annual publication coupled with a yearly "ultra rare cutting(s)" distribution for members only (membership has it privileges) would add value, continue to grow foundation recognition, and start the decoupling of your name from its name.

Frank - Yes. He has grown.

Bass, Alan, Gina, Navid, and Robert - Thanks!

fresh sushi/sashimi right out of the ocean.. haven't had that since i was in korea. i bet that was good.