lesson for a cat

Lesson for a cat

A damp drizzle hangs all around,

Winds swirl, leaves scurry across my yard.

Drops fall from my eve patting the ground as they hit,

The bare trees sway in the distance,

Against sorrowful grey skies.

My cat meows.

“It’s cold and wet out there, stay here, my lap is warm.”

She paces, trying to ignore my plea,

I submit, sliding back the door.

Hesitantly, she shakes her paw and steps into the mist,

A drip from above lands on her fur and she reconsiders,

Returning to the din of furnace air rushing through vents.

“I told you.”

We sulk together on the sofa.

Copyright Nathan McLeod 2015

hydro shot

close up eye reflecting the world away,
wet hands gripping slippery skins,
wide panicked gazes.
mid air with flightless wings,
splashed droplets captured, gravity's grip apparent.
fuzzy green and blue backdrops held still in the moment, whisper a siren's song
"come back to me"
an arch and a twist of a hydrodynamic silhouette, prepared for reentry.
"sploosh" the reply.

Copyright:NathanMcLeod 2015

its on

a steady ticktock in my mind marks the tempo.
my body rocking ever so slightly to the rhythm.
weightless to weighted and back again.
shhhhhhhhhhuck it rushes to a stop through guides glinting in the fading sunlight.
unrolled perfection soft upon the surface.
a deep shluurp marked by ringlets of silver.
strip.
a tightness,
a familiar growing vibration,
a shake,
a smile.

Copyright: NathanMcLeod 2015

the river

I could have fished today.
I could have stood, my heart still, waters flowing around me.
millions of caryola colored leaves reflected in deep black pools,
hours of emptiness on deserted stretches of water, burbling over rocks.
heard the king fishers and the ducks, an eagle in the distance,
felt the damp cold through waders and boots and the wind cutting through layers of cotton and nylon.
The tightening of my cheeks against the cold.
witnessed an unseen insect as it struggled for life near the surface, ripples radiating outward, hunger satisfied.
gravel fanned, competitors chased, and territory defended.
hearts won if only for fleeting moments of procreation,
lifeless bodies laying in decay having completed their task.
cleansing crystal clear life rushing toward and away
unending

Copyright: NathanMcLeod 2015

Surf board update

Got the decks down and the basic shape started shaping and finish work now

Unexpected find

This is just an update on the speed liner restoration. I sanded the sects to find that the original varnish was hiding awesome cedar grain dark knot with deep red heartwood and light yellow sap wood. These colors only came to life as I was coating it with smiths penetrating epoxy.  I am very happy with this discovery and I can't wait to ad varnish and creat that fantastic depth of finish that really makes a boat pop

Rope fenders

I searched low and high trying to find a source for rope fenders. I was struggling with the idea of putting plastic between my 10 cotes of varnish and a dock, I think, rather I know varnish looses in that fight. Well, I searched the net to learn a new skill after that and here is the end result. 

I like the end result. I don't know that cost wise others will decide they want nice looking fenders that won't scuff their finish as quickly. For me there is no question that a boat of this age and quality deserves vintage looking fenders   What are you thoughts ?