The Leaves Are Like This...

The scene below has been very common for the past few weeks on this trip.  Some mornings, the water is so smooth it looks like a mirror as Once Around glides through.  Every time this happens I look over at Carrie and smile and say, "The leaves are like this".   She knows exactly what I mean.

Many years ago, even before my bride was my bride, we used to love to water ski.  Did I mention that we love boats?  Carrie and I worked at the time with two great friends, Bobby and Jody.  And, the four of us practically lived on the river.  At about 3:30 each summer day, Jody would run into the office, throw his arms in the air and declare, "The leaves are like this!"  It was our daily weather report.  On a great day, his arms were still, his hands were still, and his fingers moved not a bit.  If his fingers wiggled a little, it indicated a slight breeze, not a problem.  If his hands moved about, we would have to pick and chose our destination, maybe Clarksburg flats.  If his arms waved around wildly, there was no sense in launching the boat that night at all.  We would probably just head for Sonny's Lounge.  But, when the leaves were like this...

...off we would go, to the Sacramento River for a night of water skiing heaven.

Some things you just never forget.