Winch Ahoy
by Steve West on October 24, 2010
The fourth Sunday of each month, a local boating organization offers free sailing to children with disabilities. They're called Chesapeake Region Accessible Boating (CRAB). We've been trying for months to go but stuff happened each weekend. This was the last opportunity of the season so we were determined to go. The weather cooperated and the timing worked out as we got to the marina for the last trip of the day. Olivia was in sailor heaven as she was strapped into a car seat looking chair on the starboard side and the rest of us were free to pick seats on either side of a twenty foot sailboat. The operators of that particular boat (there's five in their fleet) couldn't have been nicer or more accommodating. Olivia was thrilled by the wind and the spray and couldn't have been happier. Lauren was given a turn at the tiller and begged Santa Dad for a boat and a sailing license for Christmas. The only drawback was Olivia being able to reach a winch handle and throw it overboard. I think she wanted to see if it would float like the dozens of crab pot markers we were sailing past. The boat captain acted as if it was no big deal and told me the Bay was probably littered with 100,000 of the things. I felt awkward about it and offered to replace it but he was satisfied with a donation to the organization. Let me be clear though, he expected nothing. I insisted. That's the kind of group they are. It was awesome. So we had a kind of Mastercard commercial of our own. Free sailing - free. Entrance to the park to get to the marina for Free sailng - $3.00. Replacing the winch handle that Olivia threw overboard - $40.00. Seeing Olivia's expression as we pulled into the dock frantically signing "more" - priceless.
Two Replies to Winch Ahoy
Steve West | November 7, 2010
I had similar thoughts. Olivia, you're going to be a millionaire baby!!!
Web Junkie
Steve West scours the Web searching for interest or absurdity and then shakes his head ruefully when he finds it. Read more »
The Mickster = Imelda
Seriously, who needs 80 lbs. of shoes period, let alone for an 8 day trip. I don't change my shoes that often in a five year period. Go »Mean Husband... or Funny Guy?
Since Brenda is home and doing well, I will share yet another reason I will spend ETERNITY IN HELL. At the hospital, after her surgery and recovery, she began to wake up in the room. She was covered in a blanket up to her neck, and as her eyes barely fluttered open and she saw me standing over her caressing her cheek, I said, "Baby, something went wrong and they had to remove your whole body. Go »Where's The Winch?
We took the girls sailing today. Unlike last year, Olivia did not throw a winch handle overboard because of our diligence in preventing it. The sailing is still free because of the heart of the owner who offers this once a month during the summer. Go »Al Jolsen Meets The Handmaid's Tale
Brenda went to a local clothing store which I refuse to name so as not to give them any free advertising. I'm a little pissed at them right now. She bought Lauren some new clothes for school including a new pair of jeans for $15.00. Go »Special Olympics
"Special Olympics athletes are spokespersons for freedom itself - they ask for the freedom to live, the freedom to belong, the freedom to contribute, the freedom to have a chance. And, of all the values that unite and inspire us to seek a better world, no value holds a higher place than the value of freedom." - Eunice Kennedy Shriver Olivia's participation in today's Special Olympics was incredibly uplifting for me and Brenda. Go »
Scott Hardie | November 7, 2010
Sounds like a great time. Is it me or is there money to be made in buoyant winch handles?