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From: <Rick.Sylvia_at_ferguson.com> subject: [Paddlewise] "My" Morning Paddle Date: Fri, 30 Apr 2004 09:22:02 -0400 · This archive was generated by hypermail 2.4.0 : Thu Aug 21 2025 - 16:33:37 PDT

Kirk... this will fix you!  Let me tell you about "my" morning paddle
today.

After a fantastic night's sleep with the sweetest of sweet dreams, I
awoke with the French doors open to the yard, and the white silk
curtains gently moving in the clean, crisp breeze.  In the yard, just a
few feet from the bedroom, lay a fawn, watching me rise, and gently
twitching it's ears as if to great me.  The birds sang for me a melody,
as I rose.  I noticed that my wife was missing. Then, as if by cue, the
bedroom door opened, and there she was, holding a tray with a breakfast
fit for a king.

I sat back down on the bed to eat my feast, kept company by a few small
squirrels and Cardinals that perched on the bed posts to watch over me.

Once breakfast was over, I put on some cloths and walked down the hall
to return the tray to the kitchen.  A movement caught my eye thru the
window.  Upon investigation, I realized that my wife was putting my boat
up on the truck rack.  I went out into the yard, and said "Honey, what
are you doing, I have to go to work today".  "No, you don't" was her
reply.  "Your boss called, and since you are such a fantastic employee,
he's giving you a free day to enjoy as you see fit.  I thought you'd
probably like to go for a paddle".

She took the tray from my hands, kissed my cheek, and said "Everything
is ready, and there are snacks in the cooler.  Don't rush back, but when
you return, I'll give you a nice massage and then you can nap in the
hammock until Dinner.  I'm cooking steaks for you."

Well, I couldn't bear the thought of disappointing her, so I climbed
into the truck and began my drive to the put-in.  Not a single car on
the road, and I hit all the green lights.  WOW - how often does that
happen at rush hour!

At the put-in, I was a little disappointed that I had missed the
sunrise, and muttered the fact to myself.  Moments later, the sky
started getting dark, and I was afraid that I'd be rained out, but then
I noticed stars in the sky.  "What's this?" I mumbled to myself.  "It's
like time is rolling backwards, and it's daybreak again".

"It is", came a sultry voice from behind me.  I quickly turned around,
and saw two Mermaids emerging from the water.  "We heard you say that
you wished you could have seen the sunrise, and so, we asked King
Neptune if he would convince his friend the Sun to roll back in time so
that you could have your wish."  Stunned, I just stood there.  The pair
of Mermaids came closer, each one taking me by the hand, and helping me
into my boat.  As I launched, they returned to the water, bidding me
farewell.  "Fear not", they said.  "For we will be your guides, and no
harm shall befall you."

I paddled about a mile out into the glassy Atlantic Ocean, and watched
the sun come up in the east.  What a glorious spectacle of colors it
was!  Nothing before had ever been seen by mortal eyes.  But, alas, I
wasn't alone.  All around me were the dolphin, jumping for joy and
frolicking beside the boat.  I lingered, and joined them in their
childish games, all the while losing track of time and space.  And
suddenly, I became afraid.  My mouth was silent, but my mind was
frantic. I can not see land, and I have left my compass on the shore.
How will I ever find my way home!

The Mermaids, reading my mind, reappeared, each one on either side of my
cockpit.  As they placed their hands on my arm, they said "Fear not.  We
will guide you back to wince you came".  And they gracefully moved to
the bow, each one taking hold of the toggle, and effortlessly swam me
back to the put-in.

"Will I ever see you again", I asked as the bow rolled up on shore.
"Perhaps", they said.  "But remember - though your eyes may not see us,
we will always be with you."  And they effortlessly swam away, repeating
"Bye, bye..... bye, bye...." until they submerged into the pristine
waters.

 As I pulled into the driveway, the kids were ready and waiting to take
down the boat, wash all the gear, and stow it all away.  My wife handed
me a fresh, made from scratch, Mint Julip.  With a smile, she took me by
the hand and silently led me into the house, down the hall and towards
the bedroom.  "I've been waiting for you", she said.  "There's something
else I have for you before you begin your afternoon nap".

Ahhh... opps... that part isn't about paddling and probably shouldn't be
posted here.  You can just imagine my embarrassment for even mentioning
it!!!!!

So, there you are, Kirk.  Oh, and in case you were wondering, it's all
100% true... HONEST!  REALLY!  YOU CAN TRUST ME!  :-)

Rick
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