When Did This Happen? – A Short Novel
1 The Setting
These days of the year are ubiquitously gray. So much so, we cannot really tell what month it is without recalling the actual month; “It’s November now?” Or reciting, “It is now February . .” for there is no apparent difference between the two.
2 As a Kid
We roamed from yard to yard. We knew all the secret passageways; fences with holes, garages with flat roofs to climb across, and trees to leverage travel without touching turf. Barefoot all summer, we could walk over gravel without pain.
3 Little Fish
The water made a swishing sound as the oars gently broke the glassy surface on the lake. A power line crossed the lake above and I recall the silence as we glided under it. I marveled at the progress we made on our little journey along the imaginary center-line of the lake.
4 Bigger Fish
While running with the waves, one moment we are high on the crest of a wave, then as the wave overtakes us, the bow would crash down into the trough with my feet planing on top of the water. The ride was fantastic! If I wasn’t before, I was hooked on boating for life on this trip.
5 There’s Something Happening Here
Much of the northern coastline is wilderness. There are few roads that penetrate the rainforest’s thick trees and underbrush. When finally there, it is gray, wet, and the atmosphere is drizzly even in summer. If luck has it, getting to the coast when the sun is out is like seeing a great gem buffed off and realizing its’ grand beauty.
6 The Coast Highway
While driving that night, God’s moon was shining blue on the fog that caressed the open fields around us. We listened to Neil Young’s song, “Out on the Weekend.” All of that weekend had become a fond memory. “I guess I’ll pack it in and buy a pickup . . . See the lonely boy out on the weekend, tryin’ to make it pay.”
7 Photography and Sailing
From Clipper’s log: “ . . . and the small hatch popped open and a hot steaming plate was passed up through the opening without comment. Hmm. This was to my surprise since I had no idea they were cooking. Furthermore, I was under the impression we were out of provisions. I dug into what appeared to be a bed of rice and something fried. It was fried bananas. Fried Bananas and Rice! ”
