On Friday, we got another one of "those" calls... we lost a dear friend (Joan's best girlfriend, actually) to a very freak accident. A great spirit and a sailor (she owned her own boat). No funeral; no real way for Joan to say good-bye. This loss was another kick in the guts for us. That night, Joan said to me, "I don't want to see or talk to anyone for a while. Take me out on the boat to no place particular." I did just that. We spent most of our time at anchor. She stared at the water, watched dolphins play, felt the movement... and I could see spirit coming back into my girl. We talked, cried, remembered, laughed, and remembered some more. Molly the cat stayed by Joan the whole time; guess she knew Joan needed some extra loving, too.
Our boats have been our escape for many years. Today, it was more than that. We came back renewed. I know many of you can relate. We never know what tomorrow will bring (or if there will be a tomorrow)... hug someone you love today; tell them how you feel; spend some time on the water and feel what it does for your spirit.
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On a different (and brighter) note, we have been back in Texas for just over a week. Wild Blue has gotten a lot of attention since she showed up. We've met several neighbors that have strolled by for a look. I always offer a "tour" of the boat if anyone shows real interest (beyond the many "nice boat" comments). And here's the power of the internet: as we go in and out of our canal (about a half mile), we wave at all the neighbors. The comments have gone from "nice boat" to "Is that the 22 or the 25?" Four different people in the last couple days have told us that they looked up C-Dory on the internet after they saw us go by. I make it a point to tell them about this C-Brats site, as well.
When we added the catboat to our fleet several years ago, there were a lot of "cute boat" comments. I came back with "It is a manly boat, strong and proud :wink: ". There have been a bunch of "cute boat" comments and waves from the women once again; and several who have said, "It sure is smaller than your other sailboat," (the Corsair trimaran). My response: "Only on the outside." The nearly 20' beam and 40' mast height of the tri made it seem large in the canal, I guess. People are surprised when the see the space and livability inside Wild Blue.
And my favorite comment: a neighbor from down the block asked me, "Did you really bring that boat here from Puerto Rico?" :shock: Seems that he talked to another neighbor who we visited with about our time in the San Juans. :roll:
Best wishes,
Jim B.
Here's a look at our new boat card...
Our boats have been our escape for many years. Today, it was more than that. We came back renewed. I know many of you can relate. We never know what tomorrow will bring (or if there will be a tomorrow)... hug someone you love today; tell them how you feel; spend some time on the water and feel what it does for your spirit.
_______________________________________
On a different (and brighter) note, we have been back in Texas for just over a week. Wild Blue has gotten a lot of attention since she showed up. We've met several neighbors that have strolled by for a look. I always offer a "tour" of the boat if anyone shows real interest (beyond the many "nice boat" comments). And here's the power of the internet: as we go in and out of our canal (about a half mile), we wave at all the neighbors. The comments have gone from "nice boat" to "Is that the 22 or the 25?" Four different people in the last couple days have told us that they looked up C-Dory on the internet after they saw us go by. I make it a point to tell them about this C-Brats site, as well.
When we added the catboat to our fleet several years ago, there were a lot of "cute boat" comments. I came back with "It is a manly boat, strong and proud :wink: ". There have been a bunch of "cute boat" comments and waves from the women once again; and several who have said, "It sure is smaller than your other sailboat," (the Corsair trimaran). My response: "Only on the outside." The nearly 20' beam and 40' mast height of the tri made it seem large in the canal, I guess. People are surprised when the see the space and livability inside Wild Blue.
And my favorite comment: a neighbor from down the block asked me, "Did you really bring that boat here from Puerto Rico?" :shock: Seems that he talked to another neighbor who we visited with about our time in the San Juans. :roll:
Best wishes,
Jim B.
Here's a look at our new boat card...