Paddle Reflections

… is the name of our team in the Dock Dogs’ “Big Air” competition.   When I registered on-line, I was required to use both of our names.  It was Phoebe who suggested that I incorporate my “real” first name.  Personally, I really have never cared for it.  All my life I have had the old mantra “patience has virtue” thrown at me.   But, I agreed … and, hence, Wyeth has Patience.

So, after five gloriously exciting, touching on a bit of ridiculous (considering how I really got into it) days of competition at the Champlain Valley Fair, I sit here at my desk staring at five blue ribbons that my little pup won.  With three days left of competition, she is currently in first place for the overall longest jump at 18’11″.  We’re taking the day off to rest.  (Actually, truth be told, I’m taking the day off to recuperate – I’m exhausted!)

Dock Dogs offers three competitions, “Speed Retrieve” (fetching the bumper as fast as you can), “Extreme Elevation” (jumping the highest) and “Big Air” (jumping the farthest).   It’s quite the elaborate show.  Staging is erected with a 40′ runway covered in astro turf, as well as a floating exit water ramp … connected to an above-grown 40′ pool with markers.  As if that weren’t enough for a newcomer to the game – add the crowds, the spinning rides, the mooing cows, the noise of the loudspeakers … and, of course, all the other barking dogs.   Just a lot going on.

So, when it came time to compete, one might expect that a nine-month old puppy would get the jitters, right?  Not my girl.   She rose to the occasion.   Each and every time, she bounded up the stairs to the stage, took her “down, stay” position at the longest point of the runway (more distance to gain momentum, I figured) and waited for my command.  With much fervor, she would run towards the pool.  The throw of the bumper.  Off she’d jump, arching skyward to fetch it.  In she’d plunge.

So, what is my role in all of this?  Tossing the bumper as consistently as possible to give her a mark in which to strive.  And, how did I do?  Pretty darn bad, at times.  Twice I threw it out of the pool, almost taking out a little girl at one point;  than asking the same little girl to throw the bumper back into the water so Wyeth wouldn’t be swimming around in circles to find it.

My dog never faltered.  Obviously. She brought home five blue ribbons out of five wave (heat) competitions and is now a titled “Master Dock Dog”!  Clearly, it’s this newcomer who needs more practice.

Our team name certainly is apropos.   Wyeth shows a lot of patience with me …

Just shy of a month ago I first met David and Cathy Houston.  They had arrived at our doorstep on a very busy night and wanted to dine with us.  I informed this terribly handsome couple that the only room I would have would be in a bit – at our service/front counter.   Without pause, they accepted the offer and waited on our front porch, drinks in hand.  In the best of moods.  Just nice, happy, positive folks.   I liked them immediately.

Finally, I brought them in to their little private dining area.   (It’s right up where I “camp out” during a good part of the dinner service – ringing up checks, greeting people as they come, thanking those as they leave.)   Being in such close proximity afforded the three of us to strike up an on-going, albeit fragmented, conversation.    I enjoyed their company so much that night.

Yesterday, I get a call from David.  He shared with me that it was the couple’s 25th wedding anniversary and they would love to join us for dinner … at the front counter!

Six o’clock rolled around and in they walked.  Big hugs.  I showed them a few other available tables but they insisted with staying with their original game plan.   What followed was so sweet.  In David’s hands, he held a square box filled with every card, note or letter that Cathy had ever gave to him since their very first date a quarter of a century ago.    I was really touched watching them peruse each and every one.

I was quite moved by how they still looked at each other with so much love.   How they marveled at their life together.  How much joy they got talking about their kids.

Thank you, David & Cathy, for sharing your special evening with me.  I’m glad, really glad, we’ve become friends.

If you’re planning to visit us, here’s a little tip:  parking on Route 2 is legal.   We suggest parking on the other side of the road, across from The Paddle.

Hope to see you soon!

Center, Kelly & Phoebe

I hardly ever take an entire day off from work.

It’s not because I can’t.  No, it’s because I just simply like being here at The Paddle when we’re open for service.    Last Sunday, however, I made an exception.   I attended the Dragon Boat festival down on Waterfront Park in Burlington.  We “kind of” co-sponsored a team, The DragonMamas, by giving all the paddlers a mellow-yellow Paddle baseball cap.   I was there to cheer for the team, but, especially for Phoebe and Kelly Langston.  (Kelly is a phenomenal individual who works for us despite her extremely busy schedule with nursing school.)

I brought my dog, Wyeth, along.  That was interesting.  Only her second day on a leash and first day at an event with loads of people and dogs – and many other stimuli.   She did quite well, I think.    I even had some help;  some dear friends took over the leash duties while I took photos.   Thanks to Cody, Jen and Debbie!

I ran into several of all our customers, a number of old friends (and some new) and some folks I didn’t really know but recognized me from the Free Press article that came out a week earlier.  The whole day was just cool.   I loved watching Phoebe do her ‘thing’ – after all, she grew up in the Adirondacks paddling guide boats.    Not to mention, how sick she was a couple of years ago …

All in all, I didn’t worry about our restaurant – we were well-staffed with our wonderful and conscientious Paddle Crew.   In fact, I called in only once!   A record for me, I think.

At the end of the day, as Phoebe, Kelly, Wyeth and I were walking up Main Street towards our cars, I thought to myself how nice it was just being out and about.   Really nice.

My last bunny ... and, no, it's not for sale

I made a new friend yesterday.

During brunch, this neat woman asked me if I would consider selling her one of my remaining hand-carved, hand painted bunnies.    I explained that they were not for sale since the artist, an old friend of mine from Wisconsin, retired a few years ago and they could never be replaced.    I further elaborated that over the course of the past couple of years I’ve received a few dozen similar requests.    We struck up a conversation.  She lives part-time here in the Islands and the rest of the year from where I’m from – the eastern shore of Maryland.  She told me that her dad recently past away (July 4th) and how he used to call her “Bunny”.

She wore a kind of short skirt with a print (reminded me of Lily) that my mom wore when she was alive.   She was just a neat person.  I felt an immediate connection.

I asked her if she wouldn’t mind giving my Dad a call when she was back in my hometown – just to let him know I was thinking of him and that she enjoyed our little restaurant.

She said she’d even stop by his newspaper …

After brunch, we hugged ‘good-bye’ with tears in both our eyes.   With her arms wrapped around my bunny (a gift; I couldn’t sell it), she left.

And I felt good.

Hmm …

Wyeth Ray Hotchkiss

you know life’s good when your dog wants to sleep on your feet.

A Song for Phoebe

… on July 31st, you will be cancer-free for two years.  I witnessed your journey through this horrific experience – the grace in which you carried yourself is a testament of your strength.

Every morning that I wake up – with you in my life – is the start of a good day.  Thank you, dearest Phoebe,  for always hanging in there with me.   I  truly feel privileged to be able to call you ‘my best friend’.

All my hope and love for you,

Mandy

Most restaurants add an automatic gratuity on larger parties.   We don’t.   Phoebe and I believe that given the opportunity people will leave appropriate tips based on good service.   It’s a trust a thing.  With that being said, let me share with you a little anecdote.

A little over a month ago, we hosted a wedding dinner here at The Paddle.   It was a great night for both the wedding party (they all had fun, loved our food) and for us.   Phoebe’s preparations came out of the kitchen flawlessly and our servers were on their “A Game”,  for sure.  It just felt like a great night.   When it came time to settle the bill, one of the parties left a rather low gratuity.  We chalked it up to the excitement of the night.   Stuff happens.

Yesterday I opened a package from an unknown sender.   A sweet, apologetic note was inside the box;  we were right – in all the merriment and bidding good-byes, a simple mistake was made in calculating the gratuity.  Along with the note, the balance of what he deemed was an appropriate tip was included and a gift for us -  a lovely loon decoy to be added to our collection that he had seen.    Noting that the loon is his state’s bird, and not the mosquito as many would say, he closed his letter.

I think we’ll go on trusting …

As many of you know, we built a 4′ x 8′ plywood “greeting card” for Grand Isle, Louisiana behind The Paddle.    Lots of folks have stopped by to sign the card and share good wishes and thoughts for the residents of our sister city down there in the deep south.   Well, this is just a “heads up” note that we’ll be taking it down on Sunday, July 11th at 4:00 pm to box it up for shipping next week.  So – if you have been meaning to stop by and haven’t found the chance, don’t delay!   One more day left …

Our relationship with Grand Isle, LA started with the tragedy of Hurricane Katrina.   All five towns of Grand Isle County signed a proclamation declaring September 25, 2006 “Hard Times in the Big Easy” Day.  We helped coordinate a benefit concert, silent auction and BBQ at Knight Point State Park in North Hero and raised $58,000.  Along with the check, our county sent a pre-owned police cruiser and ambulance down to our sister city.  So many nice generous folks up here got involved to help out.

After things settled down a bit, the Grand Isle, LA mayor David Camardelle  and his daughter came up to pay us all a visit.  They had brunch here at The Paddle, in fact!

So, why the giant postcard?   A more then a month ago, I called down to their Town Office and asked what we could do for them.   I was told that they were unable to accept financial donations and volunteer help due to the regulations stipulated by the agreement between BP and our government.  In lieu of that kind of support, we’re hoping that this card – and its sentiment – will bring a little comfort to the folks down there knowing that we care up here in the north.

Last night the nicest woman and her son came in for dinner.   Almost immediately, she asked me about the oil painting of Phoebe that greets all our guests.  She thought it was stunning.  I was a bit busy at that particular moment but I promised I’d come back and share with her the story behind the painting.

Which I did.  I told her how Phoebe had been diagnosed with tongue cancer a little over two years ago … and how our dear friend, artist Peter Miller, painted the portrait for her as a sign of better days ahead.  How he rushed to complete his task before her operation so that anyone seeing it, enjoying it would send good vibes her way.    Her eyes filled up with tears, as mine did.   And then, in walked Peter – larger than life.   Graciously, he introduced himself to my new friend …

Before hugging good-bye, she handed me this note:

Mandy – Thank you for sharing the story of the beautiful portrait of Phoebe.  Obviously Andrew and I were meant to enjoy this exceptional restaurant tonight.  We loved every bite.  All our best to you and Phoebe always – Deb McLean

I hope our paths cross again …