The Anecdotal Life Part.78

Variety was the spice liberally sprinkled throughout my week...and oh, lucky me. It started with the realization that I would be able to do more for my boat than merely clean it. I had been watching the guys around me and how they did things and figured that I ,too, could heft a paintbrush to trim up the bottom paint my Mexican pals had been somewhat cavalier about. I could paint the very scratched up boot stripe just above the bottom paint and make it flaming red to go with my spiffy red lines and the name on the back. Putting down that tape's a trick though. In fact, the whole trick. In the process I kept banging into a captain who had, up til this week, been my nemesis. The one, when I was fed up with advice and criticism, I used to call, (privately) "my demented mentor". All of sudden, there he was, just a nice guy, horribly knowledgeable, not as happy as he used to be, working belatedly on his boat. In the middle of it all, I realized I had a friend. Some sort of strange war was over between us; probably one based on, what was in the beginning, a perceived array of exotic differences and mutual bullheadedness. Go figure. It seemed so natural and peaceful. And now, as I go to a new marina, damn it, I will miss him.
Those episodes contrasted violently with the behavior of my cat, Winston, who was systematically decimating the house with his claws. I threw pillows, water, what have you and was getting nowhere. In a desperate admission of failure, I called the neighborhood cat whisperer and begged to have her come and nail Winston for a claw clipping. She came in quietly, ignoring me and softly called for Winston. He slithered up and into her lap, kissed her neatly on the nose and settled down as she cooed him into losing his "nails".
I have to sneak up from behind, jump on him with an enshrouding towel, squash him flat, and just manage to do his ears. There never was any doing his nails. Hers really was an amazing performance. Having watched the Horse Whisperer about three times; this struck me as so very identical. Schmoozing a cat for pete's sake. Well, I learned a lot.
My other piece of luck came when I got an invitation from a dear friend to join a few Prince George's County teachers and parents for a free trip to the O's game in Baltimore, free bus, free food and drink. Free hats and shirts. I couldn't believe it. THEN, oh miracle of miracles, my lifetime wish came true. I wanted to see a team I was rooting for beat those Yankees. Right in front of my eyes it happened already!! Seven runs in one inning! One quote from a former ballplayer fit. " Hit em where they aint." and didn't they just. I screamed myself hoarse, didn't get home til 1:30 a.m., had to get up the next morning to work on my boat. But who cares? It was as a gentleman would say, " All very gratifying."
Copyright: April 21, 2008.