Spring is sprung and the tulips sprout,
Is it time to get the kayaks out?
(Doing that should generate doubt!)

This year, Spring arrived early in the Maldonia. During a northeastern Winter marked by paralyzing ice and snowstorms, followed by flooding rains and tree-toppling winds, Maldonia remained a virtual eye in the chain of inhumane chilblain hurricanes. In place of blizzards, we saw flurries, and downstate downpours delivered diminished drizzle to us. Then, a week early, Spring-like weather arrived with Daylight Savings Time, and tulips and teenagers made an early appearance at the mini-park. We had emerged unscathed from the Four Dark Months of the Kayak-alypse, and it seems like it is now safe to return to the river in force … but is it? Continue reading ‘Spring Is Here! OK, What Do We Do Now?’ »

Oscar Wilde:  “All bad poetry springs from genuine feeling.”

Charlie Chaplin:  “Why should poetry have to make sense?”

Now that never-ending winter appears to be heading out the door, I want to give the “in-law” season a proper send-off. Although I like to complain long and loud about the dark months (heck, I like to complain about everything - that’s what curmudgeons do), I will admit that we had our fair share of fun during the last dozen weeks. Somewhat begrudgingly, I will also acknowledge that a proper “thank you for leaving” is in order. So, having a bunch of pictures left over from prior outings, and with Bullwinkle’s injunction to keep words to a minimum fresh in my mind, I have prepared a parting post of pictures and poetry to signal the end of the “glad to see you in my rearview mirror” season. With a tribute like this, winter may never come back again. Continue reading ‘Winter’s Legacy: Piffling Pictures And Putrid Poetry’ »

George Bernard Shaw:  “What is life but a series of inspired follies? The difficulty is to find them to do. Never lose a chance: it doesn’t come every day.”

Casey Stengel:  “There comes a time in every man’s life and I’ve had many of them.”

Mick Jagger:  “It’s all right letting yourself go as long as you can let yourself back.”

Sorry all you Malden Yacht Club fans, but this post is about me. Why? Well, other than the obvious answer “why not,” the reason is a noble one. I’m trying to drum up more viewers so our ratings go up. If the Malden Yacht Club Blog starts getting hundreds of thousands of hits, we can sell advertising, and then spend the rest of our days trying to think of how to spend all that money. But first we have to attract all those viewers. As I see it, there are three prime subjects that could entice readers to a blog. Unfortunately, my brand of humor hasn’t done the trick, and Mrs. Ol’ P will not let me try Tiger’s tricks to tantalize and scandalize, then evangelize the Malden Yacht Club. So that leaves me with the final basic bastion of blog-building bull-spit … and that would be angst. Or, as a worn down and fatigued Dave Matthews might sing at the end of his concert season, it’s time to observe the “Angst Marching.” Continue reading ‘On Turning 65’ »