I have been into boats and pre-industrial ships ever since my memory started. The best part of baths was playing with my boats. Even though we lived in the desert in Sagebrush Country, I was still a sailor at heart.
Streams were for boats, my grandmother's goldfish pond with those very scared fish (scared when I was around) was for boats. You name it.

I got into drawing sailing ships when I discovered the world of explorers, which added to the mystique of ships----they were something that you could explore with.

Then, one day I opened a children's history book and saw my first drawing of a Viking ship. I knew I'd died and gone to heaven. All other ships disappeared, and it was all about Vikings and their ships. And exploring, too.

That was my world until I joined the Navy and realized how much it sucked. I loved being at sea, but the Navy was a horror story. On the other hand, I spent all the time in the Orient and surrounding areas, so I got to do a LOT of exploring in jungles, old overgrown WWII defense areas, and the seediest bars in the seediest parts of the seediest town (those were the best).

Later, Vikings reentered my life, and I carved a ship when I was recovering from knee surgery.
A few years ago, I had a prof who was really into genetics. She took one look at me and said, "Well, you've got a lot of Viking in you!" I was surprised. I told her I was half Irish and part Scottish. She said, "The Vikings did a lot of raping. So, there are a lot of Irish folk and Scots who are descended from Vikings." Oh.

The history of the bouncy is another story. It was presented to me as a badge of honor, and I am proud to post it.

Transcribed by Sharnina