the lil' green 9.9

dreams of freedom from a simpler time

The pump house at the boat launch contained many items including:

• gas cans mixed with oil

• two stroke oil. one jug per fill up

• paddles for the canoes

• life jackets

• oars

• bailers

• marine batteries and chargers

• water skis

• rope

• a map of the lake

Most importantly, it contained my granddad’s old green Johnson 9.9 outboard motor. It was ancient. It was from the sixties. At the age of eight I had fantasies of having that beauty perched on the back of a small aluminum boat - a Springbok most likely.

From shore, I would imagine what my teenage years would look like: Me, on the lake in a springbok aluminium boat powered by that beautiful, industrial green Johnson outboard.

My left hand on the tiller, my right hand on my knee, I’d have it going wide open. The hull bouncing loudly in the chop would sound an alarm to all on shore. There’d be no alarm, just teen age me.

As an eight year old, teen aged me in a boat was the peak of human experience. My hair flowing in the breeze, mirrored shades would hide my eyes. …