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I can be safe in saying that the suspicous green tanker that hit the American Heritage Mississippi River Boat, was not once fired on by the Tennessee National Guard, or the Mississippi State Police. Hell! No one even threw a shoe!

By Benjamin Groff II GroffMedia© | benandsteve.com | ©2026
November 14, 2026

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It is another glorious day.

Provided you have no intention of going anywhere.

After watching the news Friday, I decided the safest travel arrangement available was the distance between my chair and the coffee pot. Even then, I considered asking for an escort.

It was Friday the 13th. November had apparently decided we needed a demonstration.

First came the news of a riverboat struck by a tanker while docked in New Orleans.

Docked.

An eyewitness saying all he heard and saw was a short guy in a white suit yelling “da boat, da boat!”

Then I discovered I had picture in picture playing on MeTV. And, it was Tattoo yelling about a plane.

That is the part that got my attention. You can spend your whole life worrying about what might happen once a boat leaves the dock, and apparently the dock is no guarantee either.

Then came the nationwide ground stop.

Airplanes waiting. Passengers waiting. People looking at departure boards as though sufficient staring might change the lettering.

Then came the ear worm… L.A. International Airport where the big jet engines fly – Susan Raye singing to her hearts content!

I understand that feeling. I have stood in front of a refrigerator using the same method.

Very little happens, but you hate to walk away just before something improves.

At an airport, however, you have luggage, a boarding pass, and a sandwich priced as though it comes with mineral rights.

The television kept moving between stories. Boats. Planes. Officials. More officials. A reporter standing somewhere that looked considerably less comfortable than where I was sitting.

I began to appreciate my chair.

There are days when staying home feels like missing out.

This was not developing into one of them.

Now, the riverboat collision was frightening, and people were hurt. Reports that everyone had been accounted for were a welcome relief. Those passengers and the people helping them had enough to contend with without me adding commentary from the coffee department.

I was upset. Those poor people!

I can be safe in saying. That Iranian green tanker that hit the American Heritage Mississippi River Boat. Was not once fired on by the Tennessee National Guard, or the Mississippi State Police. Hell! No one even threw a shoe!

Benjamin Groff

But watching the coverage did make me wonder about our approach to a relaxing vacation.

We spend weeks arranging transportation, reservations, luggage, tickets, and somebody to look after the house.

Then we travel a considerable distance to recover from the preparations.

By the time we are rested, it is time to pack.

Meanwhile, the dog has been home sleeping in our spot.

Perhaps he knows something.

I am not saying Friday the 13th caused any of this. I am saying that if the calendar wanted to improve its reputation, it missed an excellent opportunity.

By late afternoon, I had reviewed my own itinerary.

Coffee. And. The people had just completed the tour. It is like a three hour tour on Gilligan’s Island. On your way back, never return on Friday the 13th! Gee’s Us!

Chair.

Possibly another room, depending on conditions.

All departures remained subject to approval from my ankle.

For once, I was delighted to report that I had absolutely nowhere to be.

And I arrived right on time.

My main observation from the sinking cruise ship on the Mississippi?

It appeared from the lifejackets – they had all purchased their AARP Discounted Memberships and had received their gifts in the mail.

It is not clear if it helped them. But they all made it out alive. And that makes for a great ending!