Watercooler Stories

Florida yachts receive fleet blessing

POMPANO BEACH, Fla., May 26 (UPI) -- The yacht fleet of Pompano Beach, Fla., plied the seas Sunday in a state of grace after its vessels were blessed by a bishop in a centuries-old ceremony.

The armada of pleasure craft gathered along the Intracoastal Waterway Saturday, awaiting the blessing of Bishop Leopold Frade of the Episcopal Diocese of Southeast Florida, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reported. Afterward, the vessels ventured out to engage in a busy long holiday weekend.

"We believe God cares for these people, and we let them know that as part of our blessing," said Frade at the ceremony. "The sea has many perils: bad weather and the boat could break down. Bring them all to harbors of light and peace."

Because traditional blessing of the fleet ceremonies originated in southern Europe and were conducted for desperate fishermen braving perilous tasks, the blessing of Florida pleasure craft may seem a bit silly. But that's not the case, one retired Navy man told the newspaper.

"The sea is a deadly place no matter what type of boat they're on," said Alan Starr, who commands a program for aspiring young sailors in Fort Lauderdale. "So a little help from above won't hurt."

British couple celebrates 80th anniversary

PLYMOUTH, England, May 26 (UPI) -- Britain's longest-married couple celebrated their 80th wedding anniversary Sunday, saying the key to a long marriage is to iron out differences immediately.

Frank Milford, 100, and his wife Anita, 99, of Plymouth, England, settle their arguments every day before going to bed and top each night with a goodnight kiss, the couple told the Mail on Sunday.

"It's our golden rule," Anita Milford told the newspaper. "Couples these days don't last long because they often don't take enough time for each other. There just isn't enough respect -- love is about give and take. Our advice to young couples would be to make time for a little romance every day."

The couple met in Plymouth in 1926 and got married two years later, celebrating their nuptials by taking in a Charlie Chaplin film, the Mail said. They have two children, Marie, 78, and Frank, 73, with five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Anita Milford said there aren't a lot of arguments anymore between her and Frank.

"Not big rows, just the odd cross word," she said. "As far as I'm concerned, it's healthy."

Transgender paratrooper awarded $500,000

LONDON, May 26 (UPI) -- A British ex-paratrooper who had a sex change won nearly $500,000 in damages for humiliation she felt when asked to put on a man's uniform.

The Ministry of Defense forked over the cash to Jan Hamilton, previously known as Capt. Ian Hamilton, in a settlement before the case went to court, The Sunday Times of London reported.

Hamilton said she was seriously embarrassed when asked to show up for an April 2007 medical exam in a man's uniform.

"I have been living as a woman since January, but as far as the army is concerned I am still a man. It would have been humiliating and demeaning for me to turn up for my medical examination dressed in a man's uniform," Hamilton said.

German mom busted for eBay baby ad

BERLIN, May 26 (UPI) -- German authorities say they placed a baby in protective custody after his parents allegedly put him up for auction on the Internet.

The boy's mother insisted it was all a joke when she and the father placed an ad on eBay that started the bidding for the 7-month-old at one euro ($1.55).

The ad offered a "nearly new baby" for sale, Deutsche Welle reported Sunday. The mom said the child was being let go "because it has gotten too loud for me."

Police in Bavaria weren't amused. They started a criminal investigation and ordered the 23-year-old mother to undergo a psychiatric evaluation.