Since 1978 I have been fortunate to sail wooden boats. In 2006 I set out to find a Drascombe Longboat Cruiser for single-handed expedition sailing. This is the continuing story of how it came to be, our adventures, notes on the maritime world and other things I don't want to forget...


Sunday, December 25, 2016

Up Early

Its early Christmas morning and I am up alone. The house is still cold as the furnace catches up with the new day. The girls will get to sleep in and I'll have this time to remember this past week.

I have had a lot of friends checking in. Thoughtful messages, letters, deposits on future artwork and small checks from folks I've not seen in years. Richmond friends have passed along spare house tools. Many of my 'boat buddies' have pledged to rally for a building party when the spring returns.

When I can bring myself to it I have picked through the wet ashes. Found my grandfather's WWI knife and several tools that I used in the '80s when I carved and sold sugar pine fish in Santa Fe. One of the megalodon teeth kept from my work on white shark in South African survived. I hadn't known how much these small things would remind me of the long, rich life I've been fortunate to experience.


Good news... although Annie's sail maker is out of business, their sister shop is still in going in Burlington, Vermont and have all the original accounts and specifications. They have quoted me and new sails are my first priority. Shaw & Tenney have the spar plans but due to cost I will opt to build myself. Friend John has a stash of seasoned spruce that might come into play.

Now I'm selfishly hoping the girls get up soon. Thank you to everyone for your support. And Merry Christmas!


"Seeing If I Still Have It", acrylic on canvas, ©Curtis Bowman 2016




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10 comments:

  1. JimBDecember 25, 2016 at 8:05 AM

    Merry Christmas Curt! I hope all this leads to a new year of great adventures and wonderful new directions you would not otherwise have taken.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Bursledon BloggerDecember 25, 2016 at 8:45 AM

    Curt, Christmas greetings to you and your family - Max (Bursledonblog)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. CurtDecember 26, 2016 at 5:30 PM

      Hope you and yours had a nice Chrismas. I sure did.

      Delete
  3. robert.ditterichDecember 25, 2016 at 3:11 PM

    Very dynamic composition in the painting. One bird looking forward and one looking back. I'm with the one following the wake of the boat.

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  4. steveDecember 26, 2016 at 9:05 AM

    Merry Christmas curt
    Steve
    Arwensmeanderings

    ReplyDelete
  5. dorymanDecember 26, 2016 at 2:10 PM

    You've got a good start on your new year's resolution. Good attitude! You may remember last year when my boat went on the rocks? (if not, it did and it was totaled). No insurance but the help of friends and she's back on the water, good as new. The wreck is just a memory.
    Here's to wishing the same for you.

    Michael

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. CurtDecember 26, 2016 at 5:34 PM

      Thank you Michael for understanding and encouragement. Long live Belle Starr!

      Delete
  6. ClarkDecember 29, 2016 at 7:17 AM

    Happy New Year and we'll be looking forward to hearing about the retrofit of Annie.
    Kent

    ReplyDelete

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