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