It was a water day. When I was living at home I just took it for granted that if I turned on the tap water would come out and if I flushed everything would disappear. Not so on a boat. Water means work. So today in order to take care of the water business, we first had to go look for Jerry, who works for the DPW and ask him to turn on the pump-out station. They had to close the station a couple of weeks ago because of the freezing weather. So Jerry spoke to his boss who said yes, turn it on. Then we had to move the Richard & Arnold, not far, just across the harbor. Tie her up, pump out and then go back to our nice berth at Styron's- Garland / Fulcher Wharf. Great, we're good to go for about another month. When Dave built the foc'sle for me, he put in a septic tank that would hold about 150 gals. We've only had to use the pump out stations on our trip about five times, but it's good to know that those stations are available all along the waterway. Our next job - when we were back at our spot on the wharf - was to put water aboard. Another tank, in the bow, holds about 100 gals. We ran a hose from Mr. Styron's off loading building, to the boat. This process involves hooking up three sets of hoses and pulling it across an open stretch of water. That water is fresh, but only used for cleaning. We have a hot water tank under the sink that produces very hot water. It runs on electricity when plugged in at the pier or heats up the water from the engine when we are underway. I wash dishes, the boat and our bodies with that water. Drinking water is a different process. We buy gallon jugs for cooking and tea. We buy cases of 16 oz bottles for straight water. Last week we ran out of the gallon jugs and I couldn't find any in Oriental so we had to drive about 25 miles to the Food Lion in order to stock up. We bought 10 gallons, I use about 1 gal a day for cooking. Then today I noticed we were out of the 16 oz bottles - I have two bottles left and I drink at least one a day. I think we'll be able to buy these in town at the Dollar General just up the street. It never ceases to amaze me how important water is, how necessary, how precious. It even makes a difference in how the boat feels. Really. With the tank in the bow full of fresh water and the holding tank mid-ship empty, the bow comes down just a little and I can tell the difference when I'm lying in the bunk. It's level. As the water tank goes down and the septic tank fills up there is a change in how the boat sits in the water. We are surrounded by water, but you couldn't drink a drop of it. It looks like chocolate soda. I wouldn't even swim in it. When we are back home at the wharf the water is salt, but that water I can't wait to swim in again. This all leads me to what I've been reading about in the news, poisoned water in Detroit, Flint, and other areas of the country. 70% of uranium mining is done on Reservation (Native American) owned land and the water supply around these operations are contaminated, undrinkable. What a disgrace. This resource is our most precious, without it there is no life. I can't help but think about what water means to us, it is not something I can take for granted here onboard the Richard & Arnold.
In more upbeat news I am working on my next Provincetown mystery. The title was supplied last year by Emily Bunker, who edited the Fishermen's Ball. "Dead Low Tide" - Chief Crowley is faced with another murder. A body is found on the beach with no identification. After discovering who the man is, the chief puts together a picture that points the finger at a man who is suspected of betraying his country during the pre- WWll days in 1939. There is a fishermen (of coarse) who comes into the picture because of his relationship to the prime suspect, but Crowley along with help from Boston Detective C. Shiff soon learns that there is more to the story. Some of the characters have returned to the story, but I hope you won't be disappointed not to see the Diogo's or Davy Souza. James Crowley takes the lead and is the protagonist who must solve the crime.
I don't know when it will be finished. I'm about half way through a first draft. I have the story in my head but not complete on paper. Hopefully out by summer, in time for beach reading.
From the Richard & Arnold's crew "Fair Winds, stay safe, warm and dry."
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