If your family is like mine, you'll understand...
I remember getting my new boat (new to me) all it needed was some TLC; nothing a good scrub down couldn't cure. My wife and I went about pulling everything that wasn't nailed down off the boat: sails, musty cushions, life vest, anchors and a whole array of other items.
When we were done cleaning her (the boat), she was once again shiny and loved. I remember my wife commenting something like; "I can believe the boat had so much space to hold all that junk". We both vowed then and there to keep her pristine and clean.
As our old girl (the boat) reached her thirties she started to signs of her age growing musty and dull. She (the boat), like ourselves had reached middle age and had silently begun to become comfortably fat. Two children and dogs had come into her life bringing an array of toys from Barbie to Ken that had inadvertently been swept under the bench. As the children grew older so did the size of their toys. Now there was an array of inflatable devices, boards of all sizes, diving gear and cds. Even the dogs had their array of toys, treats and blankets to keep them warm and cozy during the days spent at sea.
It wasn't just the children and dogs in her life that had made her put on weight. My wife and I had brought more than our share of things too. We had extra, extra of everything from towels, sunscreen, clothing and some cans of food that that must have been there for years. There were candles, flashlights, sunglasses and more - I'm telling you we could have opened a store. I looked at my wife and ask, "How did we cram so much into her over the years"?
Our old girl (the boat) wasn't to be left out either. She had old and new toys alike, from boat fenders, boat fender covers, winch covers, hatch covers, Bimini, spare lines, and even extra spare lines. She (the boat) even had a whole colossal of sails for different weather, and lets not for get the cleaning supplies and polish (rarely used). As she (the boat) grew older and our family grew the cleaning, scrubbing and polishing all became matters of haste. The cleaning supplies quickly gathered dust, always in the back of your mind to clean once underway. A good cleaning she would get, but only on special occasions when someone new would come out to play.
I'm sure you understand as parents, grandparents and casual observers from afar: its chaotic to watch a family make a mad rush from the car. You see: I (DAD, HUSBAND and CAPTAIN) always planned to arrive early to beat the heat and avoid the traffic. But most of all, I wanted to find parking at the yacht club that didn't involve a backbreaking hike. Never once has my plan to arrive early been seen: wife, kids and dogs...what more can be said?
As you herd your family (don't forget the dogs) onto the boat you're probably dragging the dreaded cooler pilled high with everything but the kitchen sink with last minute items balance precariously on top. Piling everyone, dogs, supplies and something to eat on the boat gives you little time to clean except for a quick sweep. Tempers start to fray in the morning heat as you push, pull and kick; cramming in more and more junk into the old girl (the boat) as she somehow manages to keeps from bursting at the seams.
With a billow of smoke and belch from below, you shout the command to cast of the line. There is a scurry of activity as the wife and kids (don't for the dogs) take up their places at the stern and the bow. At last you clear the port wall, its time to give the command to raise mail sail. This is followed by grunts as the sails start to rise flapping loudly in the wind as winches do their thing. Suddenly there is a lurch as she (the boat) catches the wind. It’s been awhile since you've been out to sea, but a few gybes later things start to simmer down and you can hear the children's excited laughter. Standing firmly behind the wheel as the wind whips your hair, you smile bravely at your wife and give a knowing nod. For a brief moment (its like time stood still) giving us a moment to reflect and appreciate life.
Then the moment is broken as she (wife) gives me a smile then wanders down below. You can see her (wife) below folding and touching things as she makes this familiar boat her nest..."god how lucky can one man be"?
You give a quick look up over the decks, taking not of your surroundings as you scan the horizon in search for more wind. Then, as if by magic a goddess (wife in a bikini & sarong) appears with a drink and a naughty wink before going back below. Its not long before she come back out on deck with a feast: it’s not important if it’s a sandwich or steak, because you know your early morning tantrum has now been forgiven.
Finally, you calm down and really look over your boat. There have been many good years and memories she has shared with you and your family. She's added numerous electronic devises...all to make her appear younger, more sophisticated and worldly. In reality, outside of her loving family she requires very little except sails, engine (temperamental) and some good old TLC. As the summer draws to a close, we bring her out of the water for annual check-up and a good scrubbing. Once again we vow to keep her pristine and clean.
Has your old girl gotten fat too?
I remember getting my new boat (new to me) all it needed was some TLC; nothing a good scrub down couldn't cure. My wife and I went about pulling everything that wasn't nailed down off the boat: sails, musty cushions, life vest, anchors and a whole array of other items.
When we were done cleaning her (the boat), she was once again shiny and loved. I remember my wife commenting something like; "I can believe the boat had so much space to hold all that junk". We both vowed then and there to keep her pristine and clean.
As our old girl (the boat) reached her thirties she started to signs of her age growing musty and dull. She (the boat), like ourselves had reached middle age and had silently begun to become comfortably fat. Two children and dogs had come into her life bringing an array of toys from Barbie to Ken that had inadvertently been swept under the bench. As the children grew older so did the size of their toys. Now there was an array of inflatable devices, boards of all sizes, diving gear and cds. Even the dogs had their array of toys, treats and blankets to keep them warm and cozy during the days spent at sea.
It wasn't just the children and dogs in her life that had made her put on weight. My wife and I had brought more than our share of things too. We had extra, extra of everything from towels, sunscreen, clothing and some cans of food that that must have been there for years. There were candles, flashlights, sunglasses and more - I'm telling you we could have opened a store. I looked at my wife and ask, "How did we cram so much into her over the years"?
Our old girl (the boat) wasn't to be left out either. She had old and new toys alike, from boat fenders, boat fender covers, winch covers, hatch covers, Bimini, spare lines, and even extra spare lines. She (the boat) even had a whole colossal of sails for different weather, and lets not for get the cleaning supplies and polish (rarely used). As she (the boat) grew older and our family grew the cleaning, scrubbing and polishing all became matters of haste. The cleaning supplies quickly gathered dust, always in the back of your mind to clean once underway. A good cleaning she would get, but only on special occasions when someone new would come out to play.
I'm sure you understand as parents, grandparents and casual observers from afar: its chaotic to watch a family make a mad rush from the car. You see: I (DAD, HUSBAND and CAPTAIN) always planned to arrive early to beat the heat and avoid the traffic. But most of all, I wanted to find parking at the yacht club that didn't involve a backbreaking hike. Never once has my plan to arrive early been seen: wife, kids and dogs...what more can be said?
As you herd your family (don't forget the dogs) onto the boat you're probably dragging the dreaded cooler pilled high with everything but the kitchen sink with last minute items balance precariously on top. Piling everyone, dogs, supplies and something to eat on the boat gives you little time to clean except for a quick sweep. Tempers start to fray in the morning heat as you push, pull and kick; cramming in more and more junk into the old girl (the boat) as she somehow manages to keeps from bursting at the seams.
With a billow of smoke and belch from below, you shout the command to cast of the line. There is a scurry of activity as the wife and kids (don't for the dogs) take up their places at the stern and the bow. At last you clear the port wall, its time to give the command to raise mail sail. This is followed by grunts as the sails start to rise flapping loudly in the wind as winches do their thing. Suddenly there is a lurch as she (the boat) catches the wind. It’s been awhile since you've been out to sea, but a few gybes later things start to simmer down and you can hear the children's excited laughter. Standing firmly behind the wheel as the wind whips your hair, you smile bravely at your wife and give a knowing nod. For a brief moment (its like time stood still) giving us a moment to reflect and appreciate life.
Then the moment is broken as she (wife) gives me a smile then wanders down below. You can see her (wife) below folding and touching things as she makes this familiar boat her nest..."god how lucky can one man be"?
You give a quick look up over the decks, taking not of your surroundings as you scan the horizon in search for more wind. Then, as if by magic a goddess (wife in a bikini & sarong) appears with a drink and a naughty wink before going back below. Its not long before she come back out on deck with a feast: it’s not important if it’s a sandwich or steak, because you know your early morning tantrum has now been forgiven.
Finally, you calm down and really look over your boat. There have been many good years and memories she has shared with you and your family. She's added numerous electronic devises...all to make her appear younger, more sophisticated and worldly. In reality, outside of her loving family she requires very little except sails, engine (temperamental) and some good old TLC. As the summer draws to a close, we bring her out of the water for annual check-up and a good scrubbing. Once again we vow to keep her pristine and clean.
Has your old girl gotten fat too?
