For those who knew Kathryn - really knew Kathryn, I hope you find this memorable - for me, it was therapeutic.
I present, the many faces of our Kathryn or as Linda lovingly called her, Katarina.
It started in 2004 when I called the Bridge restaurant in Ft. Myers to secure dock space. I made a deal with the manager, Mickey Ferry - we could dock there & he could stay at the cottage.
It was at the Bridge that I first met Kathryn.
Mick & Kate stayed in the cottage that July for Kate's birthday (as they did for many years thereafter). I was still working, BLUE MAX was on anchor near the house. Everyday that week, Mickey set up a small table & chairs on the sea wall with rum runners & appetizers waiting for me. I was in heaven.
He wanted to pay me for the week - I refused the money - he insisted - I refused - he insisted & so it went. We're both Italian -stalemate - but it sealed our fate of becoming best friends.
The following is a photographic history, through my eyes, of this remarkable woman who survived breast cancer & other obstacles & of our relationship & journeys together.
2004 - Molly & Kathryn in the Keys
2005
2005 - At Fred's - Summerland Key
2005 - At Fred's
2005 - Kate, Mick, W&W @ Fred's
2005 - Kate, Mick, W&W, Sheri & Dave @ Fred's
2006 - In Ft. Myers on BLUE MAX
2006 - With Molly at the cottage
2007 - At the cottage with good friend, Fred
2007 - Kate hard at work
2007 - Ms. Keyz
2007
2007 - Ever attentive
2008 - with Bob at the cottage
2008 - Christmas in Ft Myers - Cory, Wayne & Kathryn
2008 - Kathryn & Santa
2009 - At the cottage
2009 - Girl's cruise - Cindy, Carol, Tina, Laurel, Kate & me
2009 - Happy? ya think? in our cabin
2009 - With Bob in Cape Coral
2010 - Brrrr - @ the cottage fire pit aka 'Mickey's Pit'
2010 - In Cape Coral
2010 @ Mangrove Mamas
2010 - Christmas time @ the cottage
2010 - Leaving for Key West - Lookin good girl
2010 - Grandma & Olivia in Ft Myers Beach
2010 was an exceptional year for us to actually cruise together like never before. Sadly, Mickey was out of work but this time afforded us to proceed with a trip we had been talking about for a very long time. A new engine was installed in 2009 in addition to other major changes. BLUE MAX needed to go on a shake down cruise. Destination - the Dry Tortugas. Lots to do - planning is the fun part...exciting times.
2010 - Driving to the Keys for another adventure on BLUE MAX
2010 - Dressed up cruising to the Dry Tortugas
2010 - Really??
2010 - Underway
2010 - A pleasant top @ Boca Grande on the way to Dry Tortugas
2010 - She was SO good at blowing the conch shell
2010 - Veggin'
2010 - Cuban Chug @ the fort
2010 - Securing the lines- Key West - notice, she's still dressed up
2010 - Civilization @ the Pier House, Key West
2010 - Bath time for Scupper
2010 - Getting Christmas gifts
at the Flea market - Big Pine Key
2011 - Ft. Lauderdale beach
2011 - Dinghy ride with the pups - on the New River - Ft Lauderdale
2011 - Comin' out to the boat
2011 - Christmas in Cape Coral
Mick, Kate, Shannon, Eric, Bob, W&W
2012 - At David's wedding in Naples
2012 - Kate, me & Kari on BLUE MAX
2012 - At the Briny Pub-Ft. Lauderdale
2012 - Dinghy ride on the New River, Ft Lauderdale
2012 - Brunch on Little Palm Island
2013 - Cinco De Mayo - Ft. Myers
2013 - On the merry-go-round - Girl's weekend in St. Augustine
One of my favorite pictures of her
2013 - Flying high in St. Augustine
Just havin' fun
2013 - The little farmer at home
2013 - The original 'Friends' @ Cristof's in Ft Myers
Mick, W & W, Brian, Kathryn & Eric
2013 - Now she's a plumber
2013 - Little Jack & Trixie
2013 - Going sailing on the St. John's River
Kate's still in her PJs
2013 - Staying in a trailer in Green Cove Spgs boat yard
2014 - Yet another girl's trip- Time share on the beach
Freeport, Bahamas
2014 - Water was cold but Kate didn't care
Freeport
2014 - Mimosas anyone???
2014 - Isn't she gorgeous???
2014 - There's just nothing this girl can't do !
At the helm in Black Creek, Green Cove Spgs.
2014 - Trixie helping mom @ the helm
2014 - OOPS
2014 - The gang, & I mean the gang, at the cottage
2014 - Words escape me
2014 - Kari & Kate - Thanksgiving @ Sheri's, Ft. Myers
2014 - Ugh! Sanding the teak - Cape Coral Marina
2014 - Beer thirty - good job on the teak guys
2015 - NO - don't leave us!
2015 - Together again @ Looe Key Tiki Bar- Ramrod Key
She was a free spirit & it was she who gave me the guts to be one too.
I miss you girl.
The other pictures of Kathryn, from 2015 & 2016 were added to the prior blog about Kathryn - 3/17 to 8/6/2016.
