People, places and things that interest me | The Houseboat Poet

Random thoughts: ageless (true story)

My new writing spot is on the lower deck at Port Tobacco Marina Restaurant, known to some as the ‘Port’. I was heading down there to write about an author I had the pleasure of meeting the other day, when I had an unexpected surprise.

First off, I often say, “Where ya goin’?” To people, when they are walking past me. Some will answer and some won’t, but those that do answer, we get to spend a short time together in this large life.

Port Tobacco Marina at night

I was walking over to my new spot, when a man asked me, “Where you going?” I found out later his name is Dave and he was refered to as the leader of the pack of three men and one woman. The average age is seventy six and they were out jet skiing.

I was pointing down to the lower deck, when I decided to chat with them for a while instead. I’m normally not in any hurry anyway, so spending time these friendly people was a delight. I told them, “I was going down there to write.”
Dave asked, “You’re a writer?”
I replied, “I’m trying to be.” And chuckled.
I quickly gave them my life story, “My first wife left me and my two sons, when they were two and four. Now they’re in their forties. I raised them in a drinking and drugging environment, till I quit in their teens. I have a lot to write about, my kids, drinking, drugging and women. I just need to learn how to write, so you will turn to the next page of my story.”
Dave said, “Ummmm.”
“I got sick with COPD and lost my house and bought, that houseboat.” I said while pointing to it. I then said, “I haven’t cut my hair since I moved on the boat. I thought the look went with the whole writing on a houseboat scene.”
That’s when one of them mentioned, “We are jet skiing!”
“Cool! On those?” Pointing to my right across the little channel.

Dave is in the ski to the right

The lady said, “Yes.”

That’s the 81 year old youngster on the left and his 76 year old wife on the right

“WOW! That is so cool.” We talked about that for a while, because I was truly amazed at the vigor in this group. I can barely get out of bed and here they’re playing in the water. They paid their bill, while I advertised my little blog site.

Then they headed across the bridge to their powerful little water machines. The oldest youngster is eighty one. I thought I was doing something special by going back to school and trying to become a writer. These guys are truly ageless.

This is the bridge that connects ‘Port Tobacco Marina’ to the ‘Port Tobacco Restaurant’.

Random thoughts: protecting our water ways (true story)

Charles County Sheriff’s Department

I apologize up front for the poor quality of this photo. I have a thirteen mega pixel camera on my phone, which normally takes very good pictures. I believe the bright sky and sun reflecting off the water was the problem.
When I noticed this boat coming through the marina I knew I had to write about it. I didn’t know what, but I knew I was going too.
As I was taking the first couple of pictures the driver stopped and put it in reverse, so we could talk. I told them I was going to blog about this. The cop on the left asked me, “What is the name of your blog?”
I told him, “From my Head to Yours.” He then pulled his phone out and I thought, this is too cool. He’s looking up my brand new blog right here, on the spot. “Type in jfmcdonaldjr.com and that should take you right to it.” I started taking more pictures, to make sure I got at least one good one. Lot of good that did.
We Americans will walk up to complete stranger and thank them for their service, if they are dressed in some kind of military uniform. I go out of my way to do that, all the time. And I tell them as I’m shaking their hands, “Thank you for protecting me, my freedom and my way of life.” Then I leave them to their life, but I make sure they know, I appreciate them, personally.
For the past two years, I have done the same with police officers. I tell them, “Thank you for protecting me, right here where I live at and please be careful out there.” There is no way I could do there job or would I want to try.
It embarrasses me as an American, living in the best country in the world, for the way our men and women in blue are treated. I want them to know I got their back. They deserve every bit of respect we can muster. When I saw these three men in green, on this very powerful machine I rushed to get this picture and to thank them for their service.
When, I use to drink and drug, I tried not cross their paths. However, I often did and sometimes I would get arrested. I never once held any ill will toward them, because I was always the one in the wrong.
As I was walking away, I realized that I was wearing my trusty ole Skin hat. I then turned back to them, raised my hands in the air and yelled, “Hail to the Redskins!” Then left.

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