This warm weather takes me back to our boating days. On most weekends, we packed up our two elementary school aged kids—a friend for each—and headed for the Ballard locks.

On one trip, our daughter brought a new girlfriend from school who shall remain nameless. I’ll call her X. When we exited the locks and the boats scattered in all directions, my husband– the two older boys with him on the bridge–pushed full throttle and we headed for Poulsbo.

The two girls were in the cabin with me while I was making lunch. I heard a lot of giggling as they played a game of hide and seek. I was putting the sandwiches on paper plates when I sensed an eerie silence

The next thing I heard was, “Mom, I told X that I give up and she’s the winner but she’s not coming out and I can’t find her!” My heart started racing.. We both called to her and started ripping through closets and bedding. She did not appear. I panicked and called to my husband. When the boat came to a complete stop, X emerged. She was pleased as punch with herself for having caused such a rukus.. X marked a spot on my psyche that will remain forever. Here are a couple of splashes from the boat:

IN DEFENSE OF POWER

Oh, give me a boat with a motor,

As opposed to one with a sail.

Let me glide on the sea perpendicularly—

I hate hanging off of a rail.

Let me breathe in the salt scented air—

OK, so there might be a fume

But I won’t cavort from starboard to port

Being constantly chased by a boom.

Let me pick out a destination

And actually get where I’m going

Anytime that I say to the hour and the day

And to heck with the way the wind’s blowing.

WATER WISDOM

Washington crossed the Delaware

As historical paintings will note,

But even our country’s father

Shouldn’t stand up in a boat.