How Do You Explain This?

Well, it’s a long story.

To begin with—it’s a Chesapeake Light Craft Chester Yawl…yawl in the sense of a workboat attached to a ship, not a sail rig. Sold as a kit, comes from the same company, and is assembled in the same way, as my venerable CLC Wood Duck kayak, which was built in Rockport, what, 12 years ago? Although called a Chester yawl, it is really a Whitehall pulling boat, a design that has been in service since the time of square-riggers. These boats were used to ferry the captain and other officers to shore when the ship came to anchor in a foreign port. Best rowing boat ever designed, if you exclude racing shells.

This one was built in Sheboygan by a retired doctor, a meticulous and painstaking craftsman, though not much of an outdoors person. Beautifully made, with several custom flourishes; a work of art, designed for water but almost never actually touching it.

So, what’s it doing here in Whitewater? With the Covid situation in Ontario going from bad to worse, we had begun to fear that the border would remain shut another summer, and it was getting hard to think of another summer without any boat whatsoever. Sue said check Craigslist for a used kayak, which I did. But instead of a kayak, I found a Whitehall pulling boat, for just about the same price.

The builder turned out to be a nice older gentleman, but a very poor businessman. The asking price, which I paid in full, amounted to less than the price of the kit, equipment, and trailer—and that leaves out the nearly 200 hours of skilled labor that went into construction. I could turn around and sell the boat tomorrow for three times what I paid for it—but of course, there’s no way I would do that. Can’t wait to go rowing!

Mostly Boxed In…

…but not yet wired. (BTW, it’s hard working with twisty two-by-twos.)

Perfect spring day. First cutting of the grass, or, as they say in the old country, first mowing of d’ lawn ( á la Unkie).

A Thursday…

…similar to, though distinct from others.

Out for breakfast in Milton—adventuresome travelers that we are. Then a round or two of sewing and fence building. Right now, as I type, a pumpkin pie is being assembled right behind me.

Strait is the Gate…

…perhaps.

Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.
—Matthew 7:14 KJV

Especially youse deers and runny-babbits, who have done a number on the backyard cedars and the patio garden tulips.

Chilly (actually cold) gray day—but not bad for gatekeeping.

Rhubarb Up…

…but temperature down, and now too cold for spring to make much progress.

Work continued on fencing in the garden. And, nice chat with a few out-of-country Manitoulin property owners who are all thinking that by mid-summer those of us vaccinated, tested, and in compliance with all protocols should be permitted access to our properties. Here’s a link to a letter (echoing our thoughts) from the Georgian Bay Association.

Sales Meeting…

…with Tom and Mary, at their place in Fort.

They have sold about 80 copies so far, mostly through their long-established personal networks. Success is inspiring. Per aspera ad astra.

Above, the old water tower in Fort Atkinson—almost as old as the famous Whitewater tower. Fort’s tank was decommissioned some years ago, but water in the Whitewater tower is still flowing through taps in town, including ours.

Home Made Tamales…

…in Cedarburg, along with an outing to Port Washington.

Birds Singing…

…in the dark
—Rainy dawn.

Chicago style hotdogs overlooking Williams Bay. Material purchased to complete perimeter of fence around the garden.
Haiku by Jack Kerouac.

Sun Showers…

…making for an archetypal spring day.

And, in the wisdom department…
• The trouble with learning from experience is that you never graduate.
• Keep looking until you see something.
• If you don’t change directions, you’re going to end up where you’re headed.
 • The trick to success is to know when you have enough and then stop to appreciate it.

Pleasantly Damp

Early morning rain, mid-morning rain, afternoon rain—all welcome, but still enough dry time for walks and bike rides.

Carry -out dinner across the street with our little neighborhood, thoroughly vaccinated, pod.

A Little Rain…

…a little spring cleaning.

A big year for violets

Garage cleared, scraped, swept, hosed, dried, and rearranged. Ten minute downpour thirstily soaked up by the parched land, and now everything greening rapidly.

Hot and Dry

Pax and I watered some of the growing things around the yard.

Walnuts

That, along with a walk or two, voting, and some errands, pretty much sums things up.

As of now, all members of the extended family over 10 are vaccinated. Phew.

Near Miss

A few flashes and several distant rumbles last night—enough to worry Pax—but ultimately, no rain.

Several storm windows swapped for screens. Catfish for dinner, and then basketball.

Easter Picnic…

…with Becca, et al.

Sumer Is Icumen In

Definite transition from chilly to very warm.

Nies team here until after noon, though I had to leave for about 2 hours to man a table at an event for the Grocery Company. Need I mention world famous waffles? Made today entirely by Ellie and Maddie.

Overnighters

James, Ben, Maddie, Ellie, and Bri here while Becca recuperating at home from tonsillectomy.

Easter egg hunt, baking, biking, back yard play, etc, along with dinner featuring honey baked ham.

One Year Later

Last time we met with friends Bob and Cathy was in March, 2020, at Yerkes Observatory. We were new to the idea of masks and social distancing. Today, a long walk to view sculpture in a park and then on the way home a stop for a Guinness at McNally’s(on the patio).

For dessert after lunch we had homemade Dutch baby.

The Last of March…

…blowing away on a cold north wind.

But the daffodils remember warmer days and know better days are coming.

To Cedarburg to connect up with Abby, Katy, and Will as they swept down from their northern spring break for Will’s casting call.

Wildlife Sanctuary…

…right here in the back yard. When we sit out on the back patio of an evening we share the space with sparrows, juncos, downy woodpeckers, chickadees and cardinals. Not to mention squirrels, our resident chipmunk, and the occasional rabbit, at a distance.

Earlier today, a gaggle of white pelicans on the Rock River.

A wonderful bird is a pelican.
His bill will hold more than his belican.
He can take in his beak.
Food enough for a week,
But I'm damned if I see how the helican.

—Ogden Nash

Turn The Compost…

…and hang on to your hat.

A mostly enjoyable semi-hemi-bi-annual chore, always interesting. The most amazing thing is the contrast between the vast input and the very different and very small output three years later.

In the wind department—another vast blast, but this time from the direction just opposite of yesterday’s gale, and, being from the south, bringing the warmest temperature in many months.