Me and my stray boat

When I was a kid, I was always begging to keep whatever stray dog or cat that followed me home. This was a regular enough occurrence that I can clearly remember at least five different animals that we kept because no owner could be located.

This happened to me:

The other day, a while ago actually, a boat washed up on the neighbors beach. The authorities decided that the neighbor could keep it because there was no known owner.

He assessed it and decided he didn’t want it. We were down looking at where his dock was going to go and he told G he could have it. They discussed the battered bottom and the hole. G said no, too much work. I was like free boat! YES PLEASE!

He later sold it to another guy who came to get it and decided no, and left.

When I was watching the dock being built while the neighbor was out of town. I took a better look at my boat. It’s sooo cute! I googled fixing the hole. It sounded do able. G was a big no. Too much work he said. Barnacles his mom said. I think it’s cute I said.

I like the patina.

Apparently that is not a thing with boats. Boat people want pristine unbattered freshly painted boats with no holes. Go figure.

I promised to do all the sanding and painting and patching myself. I felt like I was eight and bringing home a stay cat or dog again. Please please please can I have this boat?! All adults exchanging that look I remember so clearly, the one that says ‘not a good idea’.

I don’t care! I really really want my boat! It’s about to be my new art project…