24 July 2011 Popcornian Response

I have always been a fan of making popcorn the old fashioned way, heating up a small amount of oil in a pan, throwing in the kernels, and gently shaking the pan until everything is popped.  A few weeks back, on a popcorn night, I fed the dog a couple of pieces of corn, and much to my amusement he loved it, smacking away at every piece I gave him, then begging for more.  A new game was born where (now much to Amy’s amusement) Darcy would hover next to me as I slowly doled out his portion of the popcorn feast.  The mutt has come to enjoy popcorn so much at this point that when he hears the kernels being poured into the pan, he immediately runs into the kitchen and patiently watches me cook it.  I’ve created a monster.

Darcy Dog eating popcorn

After a few intensely busy weeks, this weekend has been surprisingly sedate.  Between yesterday and today we have had maybe twenty visitors total (visitors we didn’t know, that is).  Just two weeks back a day like today would have had the boats out here in droves.  Not that we’re complaining though; how often do you get a warm, sunny day, with light winds, all to yourself on Seguin?

After giving a tour to three folks who showed up early, I lugged some tools down to the boathouse to begin my adventures with fiberglass, working on Dory.  I’m reasonably certain I haven’t worked with fiberglass since I was a kid.  Consequently today was a learning experience in many ways.  For instance, I learned that the folks at West System were not kidding about the “pot life”.  Around nine minutes in, and only half of my resin applied, I was wondering if I had put in enough hardener, when the container got scorching hot & started to smoke, and I had wasted a bunch of resin.  But after a few false starts, and more expensive materials wasted, I had finished 75% of what I was trying to accomplish.  It isn’t the neatest or prettiest job ever done, but I’m pretty sure Dory can be used to break ice now.

Happily we had a return visit from Dave Goodwin & Emily, this time he brought his brother, sister, and sister’s boyfriend.  Also this time, there were no other visitors, so we got a better chance to hang out.      They headed out after a couple of hours, with promises to return one more time before Dave ships out again, and Amy & I had the place to ourselves again.  Dinner, mandolin practice, some reading & writing, and another day on Seguin is done.