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Monday, February 8, 2016

The fish you didn't catch.

I'm not a fisherperson, never was. I admire people who take themselves out on a river or a lake, rain or shine, cool or warm, and cast off into the unknown for an imprecise return on their investments.
That boat you see in the photo, will cost you as much as a motor home. How much is that, you ask? More than you want to know.
About more than all the fish you will catch, all the vacation outings you can accumulate.
Fishing, like golf and other outdoor activities we count as recreational are meant to distract us from what keeps us from being happy; are meant to take us away to unknown territories where other skills are required to pass the hours; where time has no meaning; where others like you will brag about their endeavors in the days and years before you met, in the times of their lives where luck kissed them on both cheeks.

Yet, our hope remains strong and forgiving.

Tomorrow, or next week, our luck will change, our weight will improve, our finances will resuscitate, and our college bound children will finally get accepted into the school of their choice.

Tomorrow, we will sign up for lessons, purchase better rods on sale, take out a loan for a more reliable motor, cut down our calories by making our own chips and salsa, and then, with genuine enthusiasm we will great the Chinese New Year with a bowl of take out noodles and fortune cookies that will list numbers for good luck which we will parlay into a lottery ticket for the next Power Ball of millions plus.

Thank heavens for our calendar year. Without it, we'd be lost in space, going deeper and deeper into dark holes, wishing the trip would end, somehow. With a calendar, we can start anew, twice. And if we are really curious, and pick up a few ancient manuscripts through our Facebook friends who profess literary literacy, we might learn a thing or two about catching fish in this new lunar year of the Monkey.

As for me, I would not fish even with new knowledge. You see, I know the dangers of shallow and deep waters. But I do wish happy fishing to all fisherpeople out there. May you catch your biggest yet.


9 comments:

L. D. said...

It is a great post to read. I wish you well with your positive realistic attitude. Best wishes.

Diane said...

I am not a fisherwoman either but I did spend one fabulous holiday at Kariba when Zimbabwe was Rhodesia with a friend Tiger fishing. We had a great time. Keep well and thanks for the comments Diane

joeh said...

I don't know whether to be depressed or hopeful. I should probably read this over again.

Rian said...

I would not consider myself a fisherman (or fisherwoman) either, but coming from Louisiana, we did fish. Dad and other family members built a fishing camp out on Grand Isle and we did spend time fishing there. I "loved" to fish... but the camp was mainly for the men, so my brother got to go a lot more than me. I found fishing very relaxing... could sit all day in a boat and just let the world go by. Hurricanes eventually took the camp and no one rebuilt after a while. But I do understand the lure of fishing.

Kerry said...

When I was very small I once caught an inedible fish in a slow moving river, and that was enough for me. I love your post, Rosaria. It is full of meaning.

ellen abbott said...

I find fishing to be boring. hanging out in nature is fun though. my husband used to go fishing with some friends. he hardly ever caught anything and when he did he would joke that 'free' fish cost him about $75 a pound.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Rosaria - I'm not a boat or water person ... and fishing looks boring to me - it isn't I'm sure ... love fresh fish ... but don't ask me to do it! I have spent days by dams - as per Diane at Kariba - but windsurfing, bobbing around on the water .. and generally having a lazy sunny afternoon - cheers Hilary

Sally Wessely said...

As usual, your post made me think. I guess most of us are always fishing for something. Fishing is a sport or hobby or pastime that I began to enjoy later in life. My husband and I have enjoyed many times of going on fishing trips over the years. Unfortunately, we haven't fished in years because now it just seems like too much effort to find the rods, untangle the fishing lines, relearn how to tie the knots, and select the right bait. That too a commentary on our lives together as we grow older.

Maggie May said...

I don't like being on the water or especially in it! However, I do love being near the sea.
I wouldn't personally like to catch fish but am grateful to the fishermen who provide me with my cooked fish.
Maggie x