Skip to main content

Polishing the Brass of Life



I know pride is suppose to be a two edged sword but polishing brass puts pride in perspective. Imagine polishing brass that makes the boat look so beautiful when you know you the elements will laugh and tarnish your hard work and you are just going to have to polish again the next day. Now the "smart" person would lacquer the polished brass, right? The experienced person knows that lacquer chips eventually and once applied is a bear to remove.
We have been criticized by some for putting too much energy in to things that guests will never see. Fair enough. I am no doubt trying to make up for some hole in my psyche but there is also a part of me that knows when I have done my best and when I have let myself slide by with my second best. We each make choices every day about how much energy we can put into our lives. Some days more, some days less. These days we seem so busy that taking the time to "do it right" gives way to "git 'er done". It is all a balancing act but I particularly admire folks who take the extra step to make their worlds a little better with out fanfare or anyone else looking on. The lobsterman in the fog hauls only his own gear even though no one can see because it feels right. That is the polished brass of life. Honest, simple, wonderful, heart warming.
Have a great day. Be well. Do Good.

Photo by Tom Haraden.

Comments

Michele B said…
Dear Captain, do not for one moment think that you are putting energy into things that guests never see. Every inch of the Mary Day tells a story of the love and care that is bestowed upon her. I would never set sail on another ship because I know that it would never match her standards. You have spoiled me for any other sailing vessel. Doing the right thing regardless of an audience is being a true ethical human being. I feel honored to be sailing on the MD every year because I know that you went through all that trouble just for me. :)
Unknown said…
Michele has it right on. The Harvey F. Gamage is for sale. Viewing the pictures on the sale web site leads me to believe she (are all boats female even if they are named for a man?) has not seen the loving care that Mary Day has enjoyed.

Popular posts from this blog

Hail Mary

My heart is heavy with sadness as I write this particular blog. Since the beginning of August our dear friend and cook for the last 12 years, Mary Barney, had been struggling with cancer. I have intentionally respected Mary’s privacy and I apologize to you for not sharing any news about Mary’s health sooner. On Monday afternoon Mary passed away very peacefully at home, surrounded by friends and “family”. Her departure was as graceful as the rest of her life. Many people, including Jen, have been doing heroic work to support Mary these last few weeks. Oddly enough Mary was never very excited about transitions though this was about the fastest transition she ever made. And as I struggle to let go of Mary I realize I am terrible with transitions as well. We used to joke about how we liked things just the way they are, thank you very much, so why change what is working already even if it might be less labor intensive. Hard works is its own reward. I used to joke about getting Mary a Cui...

We are Nuts

Good morning everyone. Well I just had to say it before you did. Yes, we are truly nuts. Now we have gone and added one more adventure to our already full lives. As you can see she is some cunnin'. We have named her Colby. We had a sign... literally. We were in the car brainstorming names on the way to get her at WalMart (yes, you heard it right) and there at the Waterville exit was a sign for Colby College. Colby just happens to be dear Mary's alma mater. It is also the name of one of my favorite ledges in Jericho Bay, the Colby Pup. It just seemed to fit just like the way she came to us. Nothing about our Sunday was going to be different than any other except that I just happened to be helping a friend get her generator back in the barn while Jen and the kids met her new puppy Sherman. They fell in love... so easy to do. We called and there were had two pups from the same litter available... no commitments yet. We had been having the long family debate for weeks about the k...

Darkness and Light

Good morning everyone. OK, so this blog does not have a whole lot to do with schooners or windjammers or sailing vacations so if you want to leave now I will not be offended. Today is the winter solstice, as you know, the shortest amount of daylight in our calendar year here in the northern hemisphere. Of course it is the summer solstice on the other side of the equator. So I guess if you wanted to celebrate the summer solstice you wouldn't be at all in the wrong. I would applaud your ability to see outside the box. Map from Wikipedia commons Living and sailing in the mid latitudes (remember, Maine is half way to the North Pole) as we do, we experience a balance that spans a year's time, maybe many years' time. To feel the darkness of winter creeping quietly into our homes is not as bad it may appear from the outside. This is our season to rest... emotionally if not physically. We know it takes more physical energy to live and work here in winter. But when the sun goes down...