VERY good lesson, for sure.

That being said, totally off (kinda) the subject, D is a sailor and I long for the day she’s able to take me out on the open water…

What a great adult to have in your life.  I mean, even though you didn’t ACTUALLY ask that question he thought you had and tried to give you an honest answer. I’m sure the answer would have been different if you had been ten, but because you were fourteen he allowed you the dignity and respect of an honest answer.

Sailing is a sense of freedom like no other. Until a few years ago, I’d only been on little vessels, but some friends of mine have a big beautiful sloop, and they’ve been kind enough to take me out with them a few times. I love it. And the mention of gold panning makes me smile. My uncle used to take us panning in the Sierras when I was a girl. He always had to tell me not to drink out of the pan!

Reminds me of those insurance commercials.

“When the minimum is all you really want”

I hate that feeling… being misheard and then having to trivialize what they just said by telling them what you actually said.