What Dreams May Come.

The next five days should find me back living on Ava Chantel, a small sailboat on the central Oregon coast. New years is but a few days off and then the first weekend of a brand new year begins to unfold.  Exactly four weeks ago I buttoned Ava up. I was heading to surgery the next day and wanted her floating and relatively stink free by the time I got back, about ten days. I was glad I was thorough for it turned out to be four weeks. Not only could I not climb aboard her while using crutches, but storm after storm brought us over double the average December rainfall. 
Two days ago I shed the crutches and safety boot, carefully stretching my foot and leg. I still have a long way to go in the healing process, but it felt really nice to stand on two feet again. Exercising my new freedom I drove to the bay, then slowly walked (in shoes modified by the surgeon) the hundred yards or so to where Ava is mored. She looked just as I had left her, maybe a bit more mold here and there. I pulled her close and climbed aboard. Inside I had to smile. She was safe and dry. I must have found all the food so many weeks ago because there was just the familiar boat smell to greet me. I breathed deeply. 
Yesterday saw me back aboard checking systems, running the engine, thinking of what to do next. When will we sail again? The weather is clearing and now all thoughts are on fair winds and beautiful sunsets.