Technically, this is not one of my best photos. Its grainy and dark without a lot of contrast. But, I like the mood it draws me into. I feel like I’m in novel, and the ship at sea is on a mission. Its travelling on against the stormy weather, pushing forward against the rough waves. The weather is bad, but the crew pushes on. Whether it is the right or wrong way to move, their determination is in control.
Sailboats fascinate me. The sail reaches toward the sky; as the wind blows the fabric fills and pushes the boat forward. You cannot see the wind nor control it. Captains have piloted ships around the world without the need for fuel. The wind blows you out to sea and you hope that there will be wind to bring you back home. Opposing the sail under the boat is a keel, a giant fin. The keel is what gives the boat its stability-without it, as the wind blows the boat would simply topple over. You know its there and can feel it, but cannot see it. Alternatively, is the power boat. The captain controls the fuel being loaded, controls the throttle and speed, controls the schedule. Everything revolves around the captain and his ability to control the situation.
Forty years ago there weren’t mobile phones. Cable TV was rare with most homes having only a handful of channels. Card playing was a common way to unwind and many sat on their porch just listening to the wind and watching the birds hop through the trees. These days, communication is always at the end of our fingers and we can call upon support in a moment’s notice. We have wrestled to control the situation.