During the first warm day of 2009 my thoughts turned to getting the old 12' aluminium boat out, start up the 1976 Evinrude 6 h.p. motor to see if I can get another year out of it; try to remember where I put the oars, anchor, life jackets, bailing pail; find my fishing gear; change the line which I meant to do over the winter; purchase snap swivels which I meant to do over the winter; dig out Spot's life jacket which I purchased for fifty dollars and he has yet to wear it, then get some help to put the boat on the roof.

I enjoyed a lovely nap instead. Later I painted the above masterpiece which depicts Spot and I after a day of fishing and the absence of the 1976 6 h.p. Evinrude motor.