Lessons Learned: Detail zoom

While exploring the gentle organic curves of the wooden boats tied up to the wharf on Bucksport's waterfront, I took a closer look at some of the details: a mooring cleat on a well-finished pleasure craft or in this instance, a hard-working oarlock at rest in the early morning light.

This simple mechanism serves to hold the oars for rowing while allowing for self-stowage to prevent damage when the boat is moved or stored upside-down on land.

It's easy to tell that this boat is a relied-upon workmate rather than a pampered playmate, which from a distance might not be as apparent. The details give away its true role in life.

The oarlock itself, hanging in its out-of-service position, is rusty and devoid of protective paint. An empty mounting hole indicates that this well-worn veteran isn't the original equipment on this working boat. The tightened and retightened nut to the oarlock's right has compressed and cracked the wood beneath it. And finally the paint, both white and turquoise, shows innumerable hard seasons on the job without relief or replacement.

Myriad stories lie in the details, and to overlook them is opportunity lost.