It was a ruby that she wore
On a chain around her neck
In the shape of a heart
In the shape of a heart
It was a time I won’t forget
For the sorrow and regret
And the shape of a heart
And the shape of a heart
I guess I never knew
What she was talking about
I guess I never knew
What she was living without
People speak of love don’t know what they’re thinking of
Wait around for the one who fits just like a glove
Speak in terms of belief and belonging
Try to fit some word to their longing
People speak of love
There was a hole left in the wall
From some ancient fight
About the size of a fist
Or something thrown that had missed
And there were other holes as well
In their house where our nights fell
Far too many to repair
In the time that we were there
People speak of love don’t know what they’re thinking of
Reach out to each other though the push and shove
Speak in terms of a life and the learning
Try to think of a word for the burning
You keep it up
You try so hard
To keep the life from coming apart
And never know
What breaches and faults are concealed
In the shape of a heart
It was the ruby that she wore
On the stand beside the bed
In the hour before dawn
When I knew she was gone
And I held it in my hand
For a little while
And dropped it into the wall
Let it go, heard it fall
I guess I never knew
What she was talking about
I guess I never knew
What she was living without
People speak of love don’t know what they’re thinking of
Wait around for the one who fits just like a glove
Speak in terms of a life and the living
Try to find the word for forgiving
You keep it up
You try so hard
To keep the life from coming apart
And never know
The shallows and the unseen reefs
That are there from the start
In the shape of a heart
The boat and engine are ready for the barn now. I made it through another season, the lower unit lube was perfect( no pulling the unit for a seal and shaft job) which was unexpected. A mid season check had evidence of water intrusion. Maybe it was the the washer on the screw, it wouldn’t take much, and changing the lube and using a new washer and taking care to seat it properly seemed to do the job. That’s why the end of season was put off so long, I was dreading what I might find.
The skeg was perfect, not even a nick.
“Unseen reefs” popped into my head while looking at the skeg and reminded me of this Jackson Browne gem. Oh, I hit a reef once, with the whole gang aboard, right at the head of Furber Strait.
Mangled prop, bent shaft, broken skeg.
We limped home and Skip Dufour saved our season trueing the shaft with a hammer and skill in his driveway. That Winter we pulled the lower unit and he did a proper job. Welding the skeg, new shaft , seals, water pump. I made sure from then on to keep a sharp eye for flotsam and unseen reefs. Avoiding the latter is done by not straying too far from the marked channel.
Offshore and on.
With the Holidays swirling around us , and still mired in the troubles that span the rainbow of human pursuits, we all should recognize the need to stay on course. Make a concerted effort to turn down the noise in your head, keep your eyes to the bow, be safe and loving. This is elusive for many who don’t realize the conscious effort required. You have to work at it, every day. I completely understand the effort involved amidst the pain of circumstance.If you are in a good place , spread that balm to others. There are loads of opportunities this season to make it easier for those in a pinch.
I could be writing about the latest mayhem or pressing issue, there is plenty of fodder for sure.
I am going to pass on all that for now.
Mike
Mike
