The boys found a orange glow that morning, as they woke.
A day that would live in their memories the rest of their lives.
They started by filling the fishing boat with flats of bottles.
The same boat that wouldn't float a month ago. A piece
of rubber innertube and some silicone and plywood screwed
to the side of the boat deemed it worthy.
Then loading the raft to an equal height.
The Shop teacher would be proud.
Tank and Ton were ass deep in water loading bottle flats as high
as they could stack them. Rodney, Josh, Brent and Brian shagged bottles
to the boat. The plan was to float the whole mess down the stream and
off load them behind the Hinky Dinky. Then Melody, Roxanne and Roberta were
to cash them in, and bring the money to the boys along with a load of
hotdogs, beans and soda. for a big party.
That was the plan anyway, Rodney and Ton sat atop the load of bottles
as they floated down the creek. Brian, Travis and Brent followed with the raft.
The first 100 yards was good poling left and right
as they approached a bend in the creek a sand bar held the boat fast.
The raft dammed behind them. Tank and Josh who had followed on
the banks behind them, jumped in the water to free the boat and raft from the sand.
A task that would take a 1/2 hr and would not be the last portage of the day.
All tolled the 4 mile trip would take all day and then shag the bottles
up the bank, and in the store. The girls wondered why they took so long,
and would help get unloaded.
It prove to be a very long day.
And by days end, everyone decided that the party was in order.
All the supplies were gathered by the girls and loaded in the boat.
Then the boys pulled the boat with a rope back up stream to camp.
The raft was tied off to a tree 'til next day, and all gave a hooyah
to the days work.
Rodney's mom had finally let the cat out of the bag, She told Ed
that it was over, He, in a rage drove down the road, but came back,
She just happened to look out the window and saw him rip up the drive.
Coming out the door he grabbed her by the arm and then as he reached
for her throat. In a blink, Clipper had his arm in his teeth, and with his full
weight pulled him to the ground. Ed, screaming and punching wildly at the dog,
as Clipper continued to growl and bite at him. It was a struggle to get the dog off
of him. "Just get the fuck outta here Ed! ", she screamed. He left but, not after
screaming obscenities as he drove away.
Rodney, I hope you're ok. she prayed that night, Your dog saved me,
He's brave like you. Good night.
Rodney and the gang started a fire in preparation for the dogs and beans.
The girls did the "I'm sleeping over at eachothers house " to avoid detection
and rode bikes to the farm field. It was a great event when the boys counted money.
275.65 divided by7 is 39.37 just shy of the total needed for bikes.
Add that with the money we have in the can 186.35 divided by 7 is 26.62.
The bikes we want are 79.99 we are short 14.00 each.
It was Dooley's bottles plus scrounging for more the rest of camp.
That night the cook out was great, Melody had brought some Boones Farm
Wine from her house, and Tank liberated some beer from his dad's
basement fridge. As the night progressed, the boy's got drunk and tried to
make out with the girls even with the numbers offset.
Rodney and Roxanne, Travis and Roberta, and Thomas and Melody
were the last to be surrounding the fire. I think it was that way, when they all awoke.
snuggled in sleeping bags, in the cabin. Another memory..........
Tune in next time....
Lost is the soul of a boatless man
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Would You?
In the centrifuge of this world, would you dare to elect someone who is suspect?
In a U tube video, In a News Article, Fox or CNN?
Can You be easily swayed by a brief, slightly, a sound bite?
Then you too are the sheep, when will we be led by a Man, A Woman
A Brilliant mind not killed buy what Politics have created?
Does anyone posses the skills to lead, all I see is a dynamic around the
fringe with the brilliant minds to lead, but we have created an environment
where those gifted are shunned or slammed for personal quirks.
Do we have to collapse to achieve a champion? Do we have to be so desperate
that we grasp at the next best thing. Could you possibly have a better idea?
Does the common sense in this nation fall deaf to the odd kid in the class who
thought running for mayor would be cool? Does running for office appeal to
any normal kid? When did leadership politically fall to the faint weak of heart?
I think of our ancestors Scottish Warriors, Danes, Vikings, Normans, Sword wielding men
their wise advisors, and their lead. Are their no brave anymore? Not even a Joan of Arc?
Sorry Sarah, I just didn't see it. Does the populus need to think that a self governed body
is better. State by State? District By Dictrict? Would Arizona get all the guns and Mexicans?
Should we give California and movie rights back to Mexico? I mean they did have it first.
I would gladly give Iowa back to the Lakotas, Fox and Sacs etc. It beats Terry Branstad.
Perhaps The Great Spirit, a knife and arrow would bring prosperity. At least it would be
equal man to man.
In a U tube video, In a News Article, Fox or CNN?
Can You be easily swayed by a brief, slightly, a sound bite?
Then you too are the sheep, when will we be led by a Man, A Woman
A Brilliant mind not killed buy what Politics have created?
Does anyone posses the skills to lead, all I see is a dynamic around the
fringe with the brilliant minds to lead, but we have created an environment
where those gifted are shunned or slammed for personal quirks.
Do we have to collapse to achieve a champion? Do we have to be so desperate
that we grasp at the next best thing. Could you possibly have a better idea?
Does the common sense in this nation fall deaf to the odd kid in the class who
thought running for mayor would be cool? Does running for office appeal to
any normal kid? When did leadership politically fall to the faint weak of heart?
I think of our ancestors Scottish Warriors, Danes, Vikings, Normans, Sword wielding men
their wise advisors, and their lead. Are their no brave anymore? Not even a Joan of Arc?
Sorry Sarah, I just didn't see it. Does the populus need to think that a self governed body
is better. State by State? District By Dictrict? Would Arizona get all the guns and Mexicans?
Should we give California and movie rights back to Mexico? I mean they did have it first.
I would gladly give Iowa back to the Lakotas, Fox and Sacs etc. It beats Terry Branstad.
Perhaps The Great Spirit, a knife and arrow would bring prosperity. At least it would be
equal man to man.
Soda Bottle Kid
Authors Note:
My apologies to my readers for the lapse of story and the
reread produced a character error.
Melody's brothers name is Steven not Chris as portrayed in
an earlier post.
My life continues as hectic as ever and I muddle though
a story that sometimes becomes larger that the boy it is about.
Please accept my humble apologies.
Douglas Botkin
My apologies to my readers for the lapse of story and the
reread produced a character error.
Melody's brothers name is Steven not Chris as portrayed in
an earlier post.
My life continues as hectic as ever and I muddle though
a story that sometimes becomes larger that the boy it is about.
Please accept my humble apologies.
Douglas Botkin
Soda Bottle Kid
Ton crept up behind the barn that morning to see his parents hook up
the boat for their trip to the Canadian boundry waters.
After they left he went back to the camp to tell the boys they were free to campfire
cook and that Camp Wanamaka was officially on.
Rodney let out a whoop of freedom, as did the others , 10 days of unsupervised camp.
"Let's make a fire and cook breakfast", Tank said.
A pile of fire wood and lighter fluid was combined to create a blaze in a hurry.
" My Dad says let it cook down to a red glow to make for good cookin'"
Josh said, but the boy's were too hungry to let the fire go that long and were cooking
hotdogs and trying to fry bologna on a too hot fire.
At the end of the on slaught I don't think it mattered.
The boys cooked all manner of things and kept the fire going.
Marshmellows Hotdogs A frypan produced fried bologna and some eggs
from Ton and Tanks hen house.
Life was good that first day at camp.
A call to meeting was sounded and they all gathered around the fire.
Rodney started with," We must gather our resources and get all the bottles cashed in
by camps end." "That means floating all this, he waved his hand over the flats of bottles,
down Beaver creek to the back of the supermarket and cashin them in, without being detected.
Josh said," and Ol man Dooley's bottles too!!
Rodney turned in astonishment, He stammered "Yeah Dooley's bottles too!!"
The whole gang cheered . Josh looked at him with the encouraging look of a life friend.
Rodney said," Then tomorrow we move!"
He had no idea what was going to transpire in the next few days.
He had no more clue than his mom did, She was working through the reprecussions
of telling Ed that she wanted a divorce. It frightened her like the thought of taking the
bottles from Ol man Dooley's shed, frightened Rodney.
His heart felt in control, but his mind was scattered all over.
The meeting ajourned, The balance of the day was spent making preparatioons for the next
days float down Beaver creek, and the covert operation to Dooley's shed.
That night around the fire, the talk turned to Dooley's mission, and that all great movies involed
a chain gang when it came to moving high explosives, prisoners of war, etc.
The plan was to make a delta force and a chain gang with a diversionary
bottle rocket display if it was warranted. It would be less dramatic, but still had casualties.
Tune in next time to see what happens.
the boat for their trip to the Canadian boundry waters.
After they left he went back to the camp to tell the boys they were free to campfire
cook and that Camp Wanamaka was officially on.
Rodney let out a whoop of freedom, as did the others , 10 days of unsupervised camp.
"Let's make a fire and cook breakfast", Tank said.
A pile of fire wood and lighter fluid was combined to create a blaze in a hurry.
" My Dad says let it cook down to a red glow to make for good cookin'"
Josh said, but the boy's were too hungry to let the fire go that long and were cooking
hotdogs and trying to fry bologna on a too hot fire.
At the end of the on slaught I don't think it mattered.
The boys cooked all manner of things and kept the fire going.
Marshmellows Hotdogs A frypan produced fried bologna and some eggs
from Ton and Tanks hen house.
Life was good that first day at camp.
A call to meeting was sounded and they all gathered around the fire.
Rodney started with," We must gather our resources and get all the bottles cashed in
by camps end." "That means floating all this, he waved his hand over the flats of bottles,
down Beaver creek to the back of the supermarket and cashin them in, without being detected.
Josh said," and Ol man Dooley's bottles too!!
Rodney turned in astonishment, He stammered "Yeah Dooley's bottles too!!"
The whole gang cheered . Josh looked at him with the encouraging look of a life friend.
Rodney said," Then tomorrow we move!"
He had no idea what was going to transpire in the next few days.
He had no more clue than his mom did, She was working through the reprecussions
of telling Ed that she wanted a divorce. It frightened her like the thought of taking the
bottles from Ol man Dooley's shed, frightened Rodney.
His heart felt in control, but his mind was scattered all over.
The meeting ajourned, The balance of the day was spent making preparatioons for the next
days float down Beaver creek, and the covert operation to Dooley's shed.
That night around the fire, the talk turned to Dooley's mission, and that all great movies involed
a chain gang when it came to moving high explosives, prisoners of war, etc.
The plan was to make a delta force and a chain gang with a diversionary
bottle rocket display if it was warranted. It would be less dramatic, but still had casualties.
Tune in next time to see what happens.
Monday, October 3, 2011
Soda Bottle Kid
The boys all gathered around monday noon at the chuch parking lot.
Most of them alone as their parents went about their way to work.
Brent's Mom stayed, Steven checked every one in as instructed,
Name Emergency Phone ETC.but Brent's mom stayed.
Rodney said "Steve go and tell her that the driver is late",
"I had enough I'm not going too"
" You want your 5 bucks "! Tell her or the gigs up. "
Steve slowly went to Mrs Moyers car to tell her that the driver was late.
She said " That's all right I'll wait." Steve gulped as he walked away,
Rodney saw his face and said " don't you give up, he turned an asked who wants a soda?"
All the boys said " me ". And Rodney trotted to the bait store.
Entering the place he bought 7 root beers and motioning to Lenny indicated he was on.
Rodney walked boldly across the lot with a sack full of root beer telling everyone to play it cool.
I got soda an I saw the driver at the bait shop.
He's coming. No sooner than he announced it ,Lenny strolled up his hair tucked up and his hat
pulled down around his head. "Everyone on?" All the boys' who weren't , climbed aboard.
He grabbed Steve by the collar and said " don't want to fuck things up". 'Last chance for Camp",
Lenny bellowed. As he started the church bus He jammed the bus in 1st and the bus lurched forward,
Then they left the parking lot everyone on board. " Oh Shit " Steve yelled as they left the lot.
"Rodney you said we weren't going to steal the bus ".
" Plans change !" ,as they pulled into the street they headed for the back of the high school ,
Rodney told them that everyone was to bail out and follow the tracks to Ton and Tanks
and he and Josh would catch up.
He got everyone out and rode back to the church to park the bus.
Lenny got out and said "What a trip little brother, I hope one day you will lead a greater cause".
" Thanks, Lenny I mean, who else would help a bunch of kids borrow a church bus?"
Josh, got out and Lenny handed him the key, You too man, I mean every great mind needs a
friend, someone to keep him pointed in the right direction. Josh ran off to get the key on the hook
before his old man got home. " Hey Lenny come to the camp fire tonight,"
"maybe in a couple of nights "Lenny said " after you get settled ." I mean you guys aren't
going anywhere are you? And he walked back to the bait shop like nothing ever happened.
Rodney, spun around like he was free, like he had pulled off the greatest caper in the last 20 years.
They would talk about him at school the next 50 years, he made his way to the camp and to a huge bunch of hoots and hollars. Rodney walked up to the camp and, said "
We got away with it so far,Now we have to keep it together".
The boys looked at eachother and agreed on that fact, today was a triumph.
Then they turned to neccesity. Thomas said " I don't know if my parents are gone."
It's cold food tonight, tuna, crackers, chips.
No fire that night, They all revelled in a dark camp.
They huddled close in the old tack shed / bunk house amidst the cases of bottles,
they had worked so hard for. A single flashlight glowed then faded and was out....
"Ton, you think we got away with it?" " Time will tell Rodney ", Goodnight.,.....
Goodnight Thomas.
Rodney lie awake that night too much aware of his life and the days events.
Goodnight Mom, I pray for you , he fell asleep just after midnight.........
Most of them alone as their parents went about their way to work.
Brent's Mom stayed, Steven checked every one in as instructed,
Name Emergency Phone ETC.but Brent's mom stayed.
Rodney said "Steve go and tell her that the driver is late",
"I had enough I'm not going too"
" You want your 5 bucks "! Tell her or the gigs up. "
Steve slowly went to Mrs Moyers car to tell her that the driver was late.
She said " That's all right I'll wait." Steve gulped as he walked away,
Rodney saw his face and said " don't you give up, he turned an asked who wants a soda?"
All the boys said " me ". And Rodney trotted to the bait store.
Entering the place he bought 7 root beers and motioning to Lenny indicated he was on.
Rodney walked boldly across the lot with a sack full of root beer telling everyone to play it cool.
I got soda an I saw the driver at the bait shop.
He's coming. No sooner than he announced it ,Lenny strolled up his hair tucked up and his hat
pulled down around his head. "Everyone on?" All the boys' who weren't , climbed aboard.
He grabbed Steve by the collar and said " don't want to fuck things up". 'Last chance for Camp",
Lenny bellowed. As he started the church bus He jammed the bus in 1st and the bus lurched forward,
Then they left the parking lot everyone on board. " Oh Shit " Steve yelled as they left the lot.
"Rodney you said we weren't going to steal the bus ".
" Plans change !" ,as they pulled into the street they headed for the back of the high school ,
Rodney told them that everyone was to bail out and follow the tracks to Ton and Tanks
and he and Josh would catch up.
He got everyone out and rode back to the church to park the bus.
Lenny got out and said "What a trip little brother, I hope one day you will lead a greater cause".
" Thanks, Lenny I mean, who else would help a bunch of kids borrow a church bus?"
Josh, got out and Lenny handed him the key, You too man, I mean every great mind needs a
friend, someone to keep him pointed in the right direction. Josh ran off to get the key on the hook
before his old man got home. " Hey Lenny come to the camp fire tonight,"
"maybe in a couple of nights "Lenny said " after you get settled ." I mean you guys aren't
going anywhere are you? And he walked back to the bait shop like nothing ever happened.
Rodney, spun around like he was free, like he had pulled off the greatest caper in the last 20 years.
They would talk about him at school the next 50 years, he made his way to the camp and to a huge bunch of hoots and hollars. Rodney walked up to the camp and, said "
We got away with it so far,Now we have to keep it together".
The boys looked at eachother and agreed on that fact, today was a triumph.
Then they turned to neccesity. Thomas said " I don't know if my parents are gone."
It's cold food tonight, tuna, crackers, chips.
No fire that night, They all revelled in a dark camp.
They huddled close in the old tack shed / bunk house amidst the cases of bottles,
they had worked so hard for. A single flashlight glowed then faded and was out....
"Ton, you think we got away with it?" " Time will tell Rodney ", Goodnight.,.....
Goodnight Thomas.
Rodney lie awake that night too much aware of his life and the days events.
Goodnight Mom, I pray for you , he fell asleep just after midnight.........
Saturday, September 10, 2011
20 x 28
Today my son Brock and I poured the slab for my new workshop,
with the help of his friend Alex. It marks the start of building a shop and
no longer renting space in Stuart. A space I have rented for a year plus,
I have constructed 1 boat, for Brocks 30th. An 8 ft Dory Dinghy. ( Ya Mon )
The name of the boat.
I started a 20 ft camp cruiser boat, a long term project,something that requires
a couple of years.
An Entertainment TV thing for Zach, and several other projects for work.
The new space will provide a great place to start many new projects.
I look forward to it.
with the help of his friend Alex. It marks the start of building a shop and
no longer renting space in Stuart. A space I have rented for a year plus,
I have constructed 1 boat, for Brocks 30th. An 8 ft Dory Dinghy. ( Ya Mon )
The name of the boat.
I started a 20 ft camp cruiser boat, a long term project,something that requires
a couple of years.
An Entertainment TV thing for Zach, and several other projects for work.
The new space will provide a great place to start many new projects.
I look forward to it.
Sunday, August 21, 2011
The Soda Bottle Kid
Rodney was on the phone the next couple of days,
It was do or die on the "big fake" as it was now called.
He spoke to Josh, who said it was, in the bag, and he could
get the keys off the hook without being detected.
He spoke to Travis who had made off with a bunch of sweet corn
and tomatos from the garden.
He talked to Ton and Tank, their mom and dad were leaving that
week on a fishing trip in Minnesota.
He talked to Brian, who had got a bunch of canned food
from their basment.
Even the doubting Brent, managed to come up with a bunch of food
and camping gear. He seemed up beat and looking forward to escape.
He called Melody told her to let Roxanne and Roberta know about the fake camp,
and asked her brother to help with the clip board
check-off as they boarded the bus. At first Chris was reluctant to
help until Rodney offered him 5$, "Now are you guys really taking the bus"?
"No, we're pretending to go to camp". " What if your folks don't leave, when
the driver doesn't show"? " You need to convince them that it's okay", Rodney added
After 10 min of going over the plan Chris agreed to do it as long as he wouldn't get into trouble.
Everything was set for Monday afternoon. The boys made a cardboard sign that said
Camp Wannamaka, for the bus window.
Rodney started packing his duffle bag, when it hit him to back up his plan with one more
thing. He went over to Lenny's house, " Lenny I got a favor to ask can you help us"?
The story of what they planned went into detail with the occasional " I see"
and "you did what" from Lenny and finally a " You are something of rebel Rodney
I 'll be glad to help you guys out".
Rodney started to go, when Lenny said", Did you read the paper,
the bottles go up next week, August 1st".
Rodney turned," Don't mess with me, really"?
"I told you not to doubt me little brother", Lenny smiled
"I'll be at the bait shop monday, if you need me."
It was at that point Rodney started to feel confident about
the gang really pulling it off. Everything they had done that summer
to get bikes, to make friends, to plan camp, to build a raft and
take the risk with the church bus.
Rodney was talking with his mom that night,
"Did you pack socks and plenty of underwear"?
" Yes mom, stop worrying," Rodney said
" We're picking up Travis, tomorrow, ok ?", Rodney added.
"Oh, sure, Rodney, I know what you're up to".
Rodney gulped hard, "What do you mean"?
" Growing up without telling me", his mom smiled.
" Oh that!!", Rodney said, "I'll be 13 next week."
"We'll have to celebrate when you get back from camp",
"Sure, rootbeer and fries at the drive-in", Rodney smiled.
" That would be great, better get some sleep tomorrows a big
day", His mom said as she sent him off to bed.
She sat at the table thinking of Rodney off at camp and growing up
and how she needed to grow up too. "Damn it, I'm going to do it,
while he's gone", she said to herself.
Stay tuned in It's going to get good......
It was do or die on the "big fake" as it was now called.
He spoke to Josh, who said it was, in the bag, and he could
get the keys off the hook without being detected.
He spoke to Travis who had made off with a bunch of sweet corn
and tomatos from the garden.
He talked to Ton and Tank, their mom and dad were leaving that
week on a fishing trip in Minnesota.
He talked to Brian, who had got a bunch of canned food
from their basment.
Even the doubting Brent, managed to come up with a bunch of food
and camping gear. He seemed up beat and looking forward to escape.
He called Melody told her to let Roxanne and Roberta know about the fake camp,
and asked her brother to help with the clip board
check-off as they boarded the bus. At first Chris was reluctant to
help until Rodney offered him 5$, "Now are you guys really taking the bus"?
"No, we're pretending to go to camp". " What if your folks don't leave, when
the driver doesn't show"? " You need to convince them that it's okay", Rodney added
After 10 min of going over the plan Chris agreed to do it as long as he wouldn't get into trouble.
Everything was set for Monday afternoon. The boys made a cardboard sign that said
Camp Wannamaka, for the bus window.
Rodney started packing his duffle bag, when it hit him to back up his plan with one more
thing. He went over to Lenny's house, " Lenny I got a favor to ask can you help us"?
The story of what they planned went into detail with the occasional " I see"
and "you did what" from Lenny and finally a " You are something of rebel Rodney
I 'll be glad to help you guys out".
Rodney started to go, when Lenny said", Did you read the paper,
the bottles go up next week, August 1st".
Rodney turned," Don't mess with me, really"?
"I told you not to doubt me little brother", Lenny smiled
"I'll be at the bait shop monday, if you need me."
It was at that point Rodney started to feel confident about
the gang really pulling it off. Everything they had done that summer
to get bikes, to make friends, to plan camp, to build a raft and
take the risk with the church bus.
Rodney was talking with his mom that night,
"Did you pack socks and plenty of underwear"?
" Yes mom, stop worrying," Rodney said
" We're picking up Travis, tomorrow, ok ?", Rodney added.
"Oh, sure, Rodney, I know what you're up to".
Rodney gulped hard, "What do you mean"?
" Growing up without telling me", his mom smiled.
" Oh that!!", Rodney said, "I'll be 13 next week."
"We'll have to celebrate when you get back from camp",
"Sure, rootbeer and fries at the drive-in", Rodney smiled.
" That would be great, better get some sleep tomorrows a big
day", His mom said as she sent him off to bed.
She sat at the table thinking of Rodney off at camp and growing up
and how she needed to grow up too. "Damn it, I'm going to do it,
while he's gone", she said to herself.
Stay tuned in It's going to get good......
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