Helping the Locals – Part 2 – Ships in a Bottle

I am very fortunate to have so many friends who are very artistic and creative.  Many of them live close by too.  My friend Vallee is one such artistic, creative person.  She is well versed in many different mediums.  Her latest artistic piece was a watercolor of a ship in a bottle.  She sent pictures of it out on Facebook, and as soon as I saw it, I just knew I had to have it.  It really spoke to me.

My dad was a career sailor, living a lot of his life sailing the seven seas.  He was a career Merchant Marine sailor.  The sea was his life and his first love.  (See where I get my love of the ocean and water from?)  Many years ago, while I was backpacking around Europe, I bought my dad a ship in a bottle, as a souvenir from Germany.  My dad has been gone now for 13 years, but I still have that ship in the bottle.  So when I saw Vallee’s picture, I just had to have it.  It makes me think of my dad.

Vallee’s original ship in the bottle.

Two ships in a bottle.

The new ship in the bottle is now proudly hanging on the wall in “my’dad’s room” along with many other ships and seascapes.  The two smaller seascapes are also originals from yet another artistic friend of mine, Carmen.

This is my favorite picture of my daddy.  I had actually bought him a ride on an old fashioned replica of a cutter ship that cruised up and down the coast of California, and we cruised it together.  He was completely in his element.  Ironically, it was gifted like a message in a bottle.  This picture has got to be at least 40 years old, so I apologize for the poor quality of the picture.  I tried to doctor it up as best as I could, but sometimes, you just have to work with what you have.

So not only was I helping a couple of local artists, but I also have great reminders of my dad, the forever sailor.  When he passed away, we gave him a sailor’s funeral, and scattered his ashes at sea.  He will forever be where he belongs and where he loves to be.

Stay safe and stay well Everyone.  ‘Til next time.

Author: ajeanneinthekitchen

I have worked in the restaurant and catering industry for over 35 years. I attended 2 culinary schools in Southern California, and have a degree in culinary arts from the Southern California School of Culinary Arts, as well as a few other degrees in other areas. I love to cook and I love to feed people. View all posts by ajeanneinthekitchen