Long long ago in a galaxy far far away a saying was popular among the unwashed masses, “Just keep on keeping on.” It was an off handed way of shrugging off the lunacy that surrounded a time of protests, civil actions, and the violent reactions such sentiments often provoked on the part of those in power. But I'm going to pull it out of the mythology of the galaxy and hang it (figuratively speaking) on First Light's transom.
Next week Deb will be going under the knife to have a plate and screw repair performed on her broken wrist. We have come so far since my days of routinely breaking bones that such an operation is considered a pretty routine out-patient procedure. After that comes three weeks of recovery ending with a wrist that will be nearly 100%. The other option was six weeks in a cast to end up with a wrist that would never work right again. It would seem like a pretty easy decision but the plate and screw option includes a few additional risks that come with any cutting—specifically post operative infections and the complications inherent with any general anesthetic. It was still a pretty easy decision, but not a lightly made one. We have lost several family members to infections post trips to the operating room. Monday will be a tense day. Still...Keep on keeping on.
We will be another month delayed trying to head north. So be it. The dock owners here at Clancy's Marina have room and are happy to have us. Friends we have made here in Oriental have offered transportation and help over and over again. We get invited to various places for various reasons that are fun, give us a chance to be with new friends, and remind us there are far worse places to be than here. We keep on keeping on with help from some truly extraordinary people.
Eventually we will keep on keeping on while heading north. But for today we managed to get to the boat into the town for fuel and and pump out, then back to our pier. Some small improvements are evident in my boat handling skills though the touchdown on the pump-out dock was not impressive. There was no shouting or wringing of hands, so it wasn't that bad. But I still don't have an intuitive feel for how the boat will respond to engine and rudder inputs. The lack of feedback in the hydraulic steering leaves me a little behind the heading changes. I have yet to figure out exactly where the pivot point is on the hull with the shift levers split. And the view from the fly bridge, though one of my favorite things that come with being on a trawler, still has me guessing just exactly where I am in relation to any nearby dock. From the upper helm it looks like the hull is about to bump while people below tell me it is at least six feet away. But, as there was no shouting or wringing of hands at any point during our 0.6 km journey of two touch downs and a bunch of little boat traffic, I am going to claim making some progress toward being a competent trawler driver. Keep on keeping on.
We never lack for gorgeous sunsets
The grand finale of the fireworks show in Oriental NC 2023
No comments:
Post a Comment