What’s worse than finding yourself up a creek without a paddle? How about out in the Gulf without one? The Gulf of Mexico, that is. At least in a creek, your odds of drifting to shore somewhere nearby are a whole lot better.

If you have read my blog about our recent vacation to the Florida Keys (assusieseesit.wordpress.com) (currently working on new location), you probably know where I am going with this. But if not, I will fill you in on what makes for a great substitute paddle. First of all though, let me say that I do not recommend replacing the paddle, something I think every boat should carry two of (2 – got that Dave?) at all times, but just in case you find yourself adrift with only one, and your ship-mate is hollering at you to find something to paddle with, anything to help their efforts of using the one on board, and to keep from going in circles, I’m here to tell you that a fin works just fine. I found that it was much more work on my arms than a paddle, but it did the job nonetheless. Of course, this would only be an option if you had snorkeling or scuba gear on-board, and fortunately, we did, since we had been out snorkeling.

Perhaps that’s what my husband was thinking all along in order to preserve our precious room aboard, which is fine – should he be the one leaning over the side of the boat pushing at the tide with a dive fin on his hand – but no, it wasn’t  like that. Did I get mad? Oh you bet I did! But I’m an adult, and have been trying to act like one, so it didn’t take me long to realize that I’m responsible for my own well-being and situations I put myself into. Okay, I lied, it took me a while to realize this. Initially, I felt that he should have taken a little better care of me after 20 years of marriage, but why? Where did this idea come from? What’s wrong with me taking care of me? What if he expected the same? I don’t know, but one thing’s for sure – 2 decades after saying “I do,” I continue to willingly play in the mud with him and then get mad when I get dirty. Now whose fault is that?

The fact of the matter is, I have more fun with him – broke down in the middle of a mud pit or stranded out in the Gulf of Mexico – than it’s worth getting upset about. And it is possible to make the upsetting stuff not so upsetting. I mean, who doesn’t love a good story? And that’s what made my paddling do-able – thinking of the story I was going to make of it, which brought on an entire new blog. And by the way, Dave offered to use the fin, and asked me more than once if I wanted to trade, but don’t you know, I had to be the one suffering in this story, so I told him, “No, I’m FINE.” And the poor guy believed me.

It all turned out fine though, and I would repeat the whole trip in an instant. You can read about it on my new WordPress blog – As Susie Sees It (will let you know). And in the meantime, if you’re going out on a boat, don’t forget the paddles! Both of them!

And as always, thanks for stopping by.