Surfcutters story triggered a story from way back in my youth. Mostly about the man that he got to know later in life differently than how he first knew him or though he did.
I think I mentioned from time to time over the years that my father was not one for nonsense. He had a hard life growing up so those were the methods he knew. When he told you to do something, there was no questioning it but more of a I told you what to do, now do it. Worked for me. He was the man of the house or where ever you were with him.
Our good times or fun times for us kids and much of the family were in the summer everyone leased a spot on Pine Island down at the shore on Long Island Sound. Beautiful place in the summer. Nothing on the island could be built to stay so everyone put up tents for the summer. Parents would come out on the weekends or evenings if they had time and us kids, would stay there all summer, catching blue shell crabs, clams, fish and tend to about 5 lobster pots we had just off the back of the island in the rocks. We also caught these little stone or rock crabs to sell or give to everyone to fish for black fish with, along with mummy chugs for fluke, and sea clams for what ever was biting.
In between all that we would water ski, by selling the bait for gas money, then about 50 cents a gallon on the docks, maybe less. We had mostly surf boards we towed behind and a big saucer board, then we had a chair on and see how high we could launch ourselves off a big wake of another boat. We were always banged up, but we still kept doing it.
This one day, my father was watching and says hey; take me out so I can try these water skis. Now my Dad was 6' 5" and one rugged guy but being tall I never looked at him as well balanced for this sport. But hey, one never knows. It was pretty calms waters for there in August and what could it hurt. So we get out there, and about 15 or 20 times he tried it only to fall over right away or shortly after. like I said he was a big man, not fat, all muscle but just tall. He wore a size 15 shoe so he could have skied bare foot I always thought. Then often I got a foot where I didn't need it I was wishing they were smaller feet. Back to the story. After all these times he was getting lets say upset. They had been drinking the usual weekend beers so probably not feeling any pain at the time. That would change!!!! I pulled over next to him. He gave me that, you do as your told stare and says. This time you pull me up, and don't stop until I let go of the rope, your slowing down to early and you
I think I mentioned from time to time over the years that my father was not one for nonsense. He had a hard life growing up so those were the methods he knew. When he told you to do something, there was no questioning it but more of a I told you what to do, now do it. Worked for me. He was the man of the house or where ever you were with him.
Our good times or fun times for us kids and much of the family were in the summer everyone leased a spot on Pine Island down at the shore on Long Island Sound. Beautiful place in the summer. Nothing on the island could be built to stay so everyone put up tents for the summer. Parents would come out on the weekends or evenings if they had time and us kids, would stay there all summer, catching blue shell crabs, clams, fish and tend to about 5 lobster pots we had just off the back of the island in the rocks. We also caught these little stone or rock crabs to sell or give to everyone to fish for black fish with, along with mummy chugs for fluke, and sea clams for what ever was biting.
In between all that we would water ski, by selling the bait for gas money, then about 50 cents a gallon on the docks, maybe less. We had mostly surf boards we towed behind and a big saucer board, then we had a chair on and see how high we could launch ourselves off a big wake of another boat. We were always banged up, but we still kept doing it.
This one day, my father was watching and says hey; take me out so I can try these water skis. Now my Dad was 6' 5" and one rugged guy but being tall I never looked at him as well balanced for this sport. But hey, one never knows. It was pretty calms waters for there in August and what could it hurt. So we get out there, and about 15 or 20 times he tried it only to fall over right away or shortly after. like I said he was a big man, not fat, all muscle but just tall. He wore a size 15 shoe so he could have skied bare foot I always thought. Then often I got a foot where I didn't need it I was wishing they were smaller feet. Back to the story. After all these times he was getting lets say upset. They had been drinking the usual weekend beers so probably not feeling any pain at the time. That would change!!!! I pulled over next to him. He gave me that, you do as your told stare and says. This time you pull me up, and don't stop until I let go of the rope, your slowing down to early and you
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That was a great read George and I hope we get the pleasure of more tales from your past. Loved it ! 