Celebrate, celebrate the 4th of July, my 50th post and anniversary on Sunday.
“Guess what?” my father announced in our household one day. “I’ve joined the Tyler Yacht Club.” He joined it when we lived in Tyler, TX. My mother was delighted that he found an outdoor hobby, but probably a little concerned about the “yacht” part. He had it figured out though. He had ordered a kit to build his own sailboat. The kit arrived all the way to Texas from Waterbury, CN, and so towards the end of spring he began building it after work and on weekends in the garage below our house. I would forgo television and watch them into the night dodging June bugs that the overhead light attracted. Them? That boat also forged a friendship between my dad and the kind doctor across the street. Doc became curious about what was going on in our garage and he lent a hand every night until its completion. I was glad Dad had help and the possibility of sailing sooner than later was just fine with me. Doc’s wife became a little concerned when it got to be late in the night. When the phone would ring after 9:00 we knew who it was. “Hello, this is Nell. I just want to remind Doc that he has surgery scheduled early in the morning and he needs to get his rest.” My mother worried, but Dad and Doc were happy in their own world. Doc even joined the Tyler Yacht Club just as a card carrying member…no boat. But he did acquire a plane. Just in time for summer he and the rest of us soon came to enjoy Dad’s boat while Dad enjoyed flying in Doc’s plane.
We all learned to sail that summer. We learned to handle a tiller, move to the other side of the boat rhythmically as the wind changed. We learned that it wasn’t always smooth sailing as we hit a “calm” when there is absolutely no wind and returning to shore seemed endless. Sometimes the wind was very strong and we capsized…sometimes on purpose as it was great fun to splash in the water, sit on the centerboard and right the boat and skittle on through the wake. The boat seemed to determine our future homes. Years later we lived on a canal in FL and then in Houston we lived down the street from a lake where we could launch the boat.
The boat aged and weathered. My parents moved more inland along the Gulf coast and by then I was married. My father-in-law offered to take the boat off Dad’s hands and store it in the barn. Dad agreed. Years after Dad and Papa Charles died my husband put it on the burn pile as it had seen its day. I did not go to the farm that day. I called my mother to let her know the fate of the boat and was relieved that she understood our decision. When my husband came home he was all smiles. The job was done, and I was sad. “You know we still have the rigging, mast and sail,” he told me.
Rick and his ranch partner had a vision. The mast fit perfectly into a piece of pipe B had. B welded the pipe to a fence post by the front gate. “You know if that piece of pipe had not been just right, I don’t know what we would have done,” Rick marveled. I loved my husband so much that day he told me what he and B had fashioned. Every time I look at our mast turned flagpole I love that he re-purposed that steadfast mast. He was just attached to that boat that had occupied space in the barn as his in-laws were to the boat that had sailed lakes and canals.
Another note. Our neighbor across the road has commented more than once that he loves to see our flag waving. And when he doesn’t see it he can “hear” it as the pully clangs against the metal mast/pole. He finds it comforting to hear the sound of our flag waving.

"...and many an eye has danced to see that banner in the sky" Oliver Wendell Holmes, from "Old Ironsides"
My blogging friend Jean in Canada wrote this week about “The American Dream?” In it she reflects “It’s not money, but things like relationships and how you spend your time that drives life satisfaction.” The youtube video called “The Story of Stuff” that she includes in her post is a simple and engaging commentary on valuing our resources. This recent post and her comment to me that her dad’s favorite line is “I have a vision” put me in my chair that swivels and rocks to write this.
I can hear the pulley clanging against the pole. I love that sound. Just as I love the flapping of the flag in the wind. Georgette, this is wonderful. I am glad the mast found a place of honor – both for your Dad and America. May you continue to swivel and rock with a vision. ~ Lenore
Happy 4th of July to you and your family. Wonder where AG will be on the 4th.
What a nice post for Fourth of July. To learn to sail as a kid must have been so fun. Have a great holiday!
Thank you. Happy 4th up your way too. I want to surprise my family with the watermelon gazpacho that you all suggested.
Soooo good – can envision all that you write about as though I’m right there partaking in the scene. Your stories are heartwarming, Georgette – such special memories you have of your life. XO
I want the girls, Aidan, nieces and nephews to know these stories. Thank you for reading, Patrice. I think you could write your life with great warmth, dear friend. You have an amazing family.
Thanks for sharing your sailboat adventures, on and off the water. I know it had to be hard to see the work of your father’s and Doc’s hands come to such an end. What lovely memories. And now, like our star-spangled banner, may they continue to wave.
Thank you for reading, Patti. Another story for the family book. #50 today! Still have a ways to go. Happy 4th of July to you and your family.
This is beyond cool. How did he know how to build it? I knew a guy who built an airplane in his garage. Amazing stuff!
Happy 4th to you!
Dad was an engineer and could figure things out. And Doc was pretty handy too. Maybe they even read the directions LOL Happy 4th of July to you and yours.
Lovely story and tribute. How neat that your Dad’s sailing mast is now serving as a flagpole for Old Glory. Happy Independence Day!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it. Happy 4th of July to you and yours.
Wonderful story. Hobbies can provide a great mental release, especially when you have a demanding career. Despite the late nights, I imagine Doc’s enjoyment from working on the boat with your dad might have helped him in surgery the next day. Happy 4th of July!
And I think his helping Dad with the boat led him to what he wanted to do…fly. Happy 4th to you, too.
What a sweet, wonderful hubby you have. He’s a treasure! Loved reading about your dad and Doc building the boat.
We live right beside a marina, so I know all about hearing the lines clanging against the masts!
You make me laugh as I hear your marina’s cling-clang-clatter. Exactly! Rick has done a lot of very thoughtful things that make him one in a million. Thank you for reading and commenting, and Happy 4th of July to the family under the sunsets and sunrises.
…and we will celebrate our 34th anniversary on July 3 at the lake.
So happy to have helped inspire your post! What a great story–I think our dads could have been great friends — all kinds of crazy adventures together! Have a great Fourth of July! Thanks for the mention 🙂
I think so too. And Happy Canada Day to you. Thank you for reading and commenting.
I really loved this story … and your husband’s and his partner’s wonderful creativity in recommissioning the rest of the sailboat.
As a new citizen, I love to see the flag flying … I especially love to have my little row of American flags flying in the flower bed out front of my house & have heard the boys give directions to others as, “Turn at the house with all the flags, you can’t miss it.” 🙂
Cheers! MJ
I’m smiling as I read..”recommissioning”…I love it! and Rick will too as he was in the Navy for four years. I can’t wait to tell him your comment.
Your flag display sounds delightful and how great your boys use them as a landmark for telling others how to find the house.
Happy 4th of July to you and yours!
The sailing experience with your family will always bring your great memories. It wasn’t just about learning but more importantly, it’s about bonding with family. Best wishes.
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