Rhapsody

The best fiction has just enough truth to make it plausible

Growing up in Southwestern Florida for Karman was a normal childhood; however, when she related the stories of living on a houseboat, a sailboat, and a greyhound buss converted to a travel trailer people reacted as if she were a very odd person.  The distinctiveness of her childhood made the the unique lady she is today.

In 1969 just as Woodstock was landing half a million youth on New York and America was landing on the moon, the Perkins family was landing on southwest Florida.  Jim, Jan, Karman, and Kara loaded onto a small boat named "The Miss-Fit" just outside of Omaha Nebraska on the Missouri River; they were bound for the Mighty Mississippi turning south for New Orleans Louisiana, into the Gulf of Mexico and east to Florida searching for Jim's father. Jim was a great builder but as a navigator of a great river he had a lot to learn.  Just prior to reaching the Mississippi two barges got in the way and being ultimately too close to each other turned "The Miss-Fit" into little more than driftwood and debris. The quick thinking of the barge hands lifted the little family to safety atop one of the barges; setting them ashore with little more than the clothes on their backs and a picture album that Jan had managed to save.  

Greyhound lines head south and south they headed, their destination Clearwater Florida, that being the last known residence of Jim's dad, they would never find him.  Arrival in Florida was quite uneventful accept that as Jan searched the papers for an apartment and noted the AC on the advertisement she thought this meant "Accepts Children" and was disappointed upon making calls only to find that Air Conditioning was provided and children were not accepted.  

Jim located a job that offered them both a residence and employment as a maintenance man for a resort/marina.  He provided maintenance for the motel and cottages and assisted as a mechanic for boat motors.  Being a jack of all trades was coming in handy for Jim and his family because when something needed to be done he was available and could step up to the plate. This endeared him to his bosses and they offered perks to Jim and his family that other employees did not receive.  

The marina had boats for rent but money was tight; luckily boats for Jim and his family were one of then many perks received.  Jim took his family out on speed boats, sailboats, and houseboats for weekend runs in the off season and learned all he needed to know about navigation, piloting a ship, and keeping a boat afloat.  He was becoming a Captain in his own right and desired to build one of his own.

As much as Jim enjoyed the water and boating was equal to the fear Jan had of the water.  She had no ability to swim and yet loved Jim enough that his desires were met by her agreeing to live on a houseboat full time.  Now to find one.

The search began for the perfect boat at the right price that would make this family a wonderful home giving them the ability to travel the Gulf of Mexico to their hearts desire visiting all the ports along the coastline.  Nothing could be found; but Jim was not to be deterred.  He rented them a small trailer with a large front yard big enough to build a houseboat that would be shear perfection designed by the family for the family.  How could it get better?

Moving into this trailer that was fit for neither man nor beast Jim began to design and build.  Every boat requires a name, a name befitting a lady such as a lady is; she would receive the moniker of "Rhapsody" for the happiness that she brought to Jim's demeanor and face as he nailed each board and sanded her lines to perfection.

As much as he loved his wife and daughter's he loved his "Rhapsody"  and looked forward to moving her to the water.  When she was finished they hired a moving company, paying more than one hundred dollars to have her placed afloat.  Set into the water, breaths were held in trepidation at the minute thought that she just might not.  Jim is a great builder because she floated her first touch to the wetness that awaited her.  The darkened water of the back bay spread to accept her adjoining weight.  

The first trip was a short one so that Jan might have time to gain her sea legs becoming comfortable with being away from dry land.  "Rhapsody" never left sight of land that initial voyage; but would one day move out into the Gulf of Mexico toward Sanibel Island and the exploration of the potential that life had to offer with the freedom of the sea.

"Rhapsody"  was home to this family for four years, being the first home that Karman and Kara would remember in their young lives. Only a move back to Kansas for family reunification with Jim's mom and Jan's dad would make them move.  This move would not last long and a return to Florida would be in order once again six months later bringing about a new adventure. Living on a houseboat in southwestern Florida is nothing unusual; but later in life there would be individuals that thought they were mistreated for not having a home.  Perception from others can change one's opinion of oneself; thankfully it would never have that affect on Karman.

And to Kansas the family moved.......

Author's Note

The beginning of the story with more to come.............

Reviews

[Eddie Phillips]

I like the concept. I would never have thought to write about living on a boat. I am a city boy. Chicago born and raised. I like the way you started this in a way that I could follow and see every detail. I look forward to reading more. You are a very gifted writer.

[Constance Payne]

Thank You for Reading.

[Samuel Dickens]

It seems an unusual lifestyle, but one sure to never be boring.

[Constance Payne]

Thank You for Reading.

[Claire Twinn]

This feels very true, I suspect you have a working knowledge of a family like this. For some life is one long adventure....
We moved off our houseboat when my daughter was three, sadly she has only dim memories of it, but I have lovely memories from that time.

[Constance Payne]

Thank You for reading.