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Wednesday, June 6, 2012

The Race That's Not a Race

I know I've told you about my father's sailboat before and how he threw me and my sister off the back to practice rescue drills. What I haven't told you, though, is how one time he kicked us off his boat during a two day regatta. After the first day he wasn't doing so hot and was annoyed as heck, I'm sure, by our incessant giggling, so he left us at the marina the second day of the race and ended up coming in first place, sans crew. I don't sail any more because my husband is afflicted with the worst motion sickness I've ever seen. He gets seasick if he looks at the double rocking chairs at Walmart, for Heaven's sake. I miss sailing, though, and, if Daddy were still alive, I'd like to tie him to the helm of a sailboat (with any number of those knots he was so hellbent for me to learn) and make him to let us crew for him in the "Race That's Not a Race" around Lido Key, Florida. The race begins with a whistle blow and everyone scrambles to get in their boats and navigate the Lido Beach shoreline, Big Pass, Bird Key, the Ringling Bridge and back to the Sarasota Sailing Squadron. Each racer estimates the time it will take to finish the course and those closest to their estimated times are the winners. Watches are not allowed, however, and it's more of a party than a race, anyhow. I know Lee Ann and I would have a blast, and Daddy did loosen up a little bit in his old age. I think, if we cranked up some Buffet tunes and gave him a bottle of rum, he'd be just fine. Race Around Lido This painting is called Race Around Lido, and it's 14 X 14 mixed media on canvas)for Inspiration Avenue and Three Muses)

10 comments:

Carole Reid said...

Ha ha....I have a man who gets sea sick watching kids on swings! My dad was a tugboat operator so we used to go up the Fraser River full speed to the log jetty.
Too bad we don't live closer so we could enjoy some boating without the landlubbers!

LOVE the colours and shapes in Race Around Lido!

Lori Saul said...

Fantastic! Love the energy and the way the eye is led allover the canvas - love your story too. Happy summer Kathy!

Jennifer McLean said...

this is truly beautiful, thank you for sharing. If I weren't a starving artist I'd be begging to purchase it!
Best,
Jenn

Anonymous said...

Wow! Your art is fantastic! Love it all!

Bren Graham Thebeau said...

Loved your stories of sailing.
This piece is just fantastic, what great and unexpected colours, it all just works and beautifully!

Ritva said...

LOVE the colours and shapes in Race Around Lido! Lovely!

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

I got a good laugh from your story and was able to envision that race. I'm sure fun was had by all more than anything else.

I'm a big fan of abstract art, and this one is gorgeous.

Ritu Dua said...

Love the use of vibrant colours ...beautiful !

Kim Collister Studio said...

What a wonderful post. Thank you for sharing your memories and your painting is beautiful. I love the use of your colors and textures.

Geri said...

What a gorgeous piece - I can see why you incorporated it into your header. ♥