Wag More

My new motto.

Image: Agatha & Louise

Keys

In the "oh crap" category: Soon after I moved aboard, I was climbing onto the boat and my keys slipped out of my jacket pocket and into the water. It was low tide, and we were able to find them with the use of a large magnet on a rope. Alas, the electronic car remote died, despite all attempts to save it.

Image: Reiner Schubert/Flickr

Swedish Floating Home

I'm liking the beach shack vibe of this Swedish floating home: Light, airy, casual. More here if you can read Swedish.

Images: Skona Hem

The Harbor Community

While I know some people on each of the harbor's docks, my friends are my neighbors; we live on the same dock. We share DVDs, books, gossip, job tips, walks, meals, wine. We feed each other's pets, give rides, loan fans and coats, help each other with repairs. It rocks.

Image: matthew_hull/morgueFile

Sleepless in Seattle Houseboat

Technically, Tom Hanks' home in "Sleepless in Seattle" was not a houseboat, but a floating home.

Image: The Southlake

Sunrise, Sunset

When you live on the water, you're aware of exactly when the sun rises, and when it sets, and the day seems much longer.

Image: siilur/morgueFile

Inspiration: Kitchens

Inspiration for my galley re-do. (No green paint, though.)

Images (top to bottom): Sommarnojen via Remodelista, Daskal & LaPerre via Remodelista, LivingEtc. via Remodelista

Vagabond

Not long ago I ran into DS, who painted my boat before I moved on board. He said, "You look like a vagabond who lives on a boat." First I figured he just meant casual (jeans, flip-flops, linen men's shirt), but then I thought maybe he meant a hobo, a bum? The next time I saw him, I mentioned it, and he said he must have meant "a carefree spirit." Okay then.

Image: CarolinaJG/morgueFile

Houseboats in the Delta

When I was first thinking about buying a houseboat, I found this article in the Chronicle.

Image: Eric Luse/San Francisco Chronicle

Simple White Shelves

I have this thing for simple white dishes on simple white floating shelves.

Image: lovelydesign

How to Decide to Buy a Houseboat

1. Look -- really look -- at your bank statement.
2. See that there's nothing fun listed on it.

3. Because virtually your entire paycheck goes toward rent.

4. And you'll never be able to afford to buy a house/condo in the Bay Area.

5. You don't want to move away.
6. Who wants a house anyway?

7. Remember Mia's floating home.

8. Realize that a boat's pretty cheap compared to other housing. And you could move it if/when you wanted to. And you could live with your own decorating choices, rather than your landlord's. 

Image: eBay

Houseboat on the Nile

There was a great article in the New York Times a few days ago about an Egyptian houseboat and its fascinating owners. (I especially like the cozy cabin/stateroom.)

Images: Shawn Baldwin for The New York Times

Lily the Wonder Dog

Lily's my sidekick. I adopted her when she was five, and for the past eight years, she's gone practically everywhere with me. Since she went blind a couple of years ago, I've become her seeing-eye person. She's the reason I ended up with a Cruise-a-Home -- it's just one level, so it's easy for her to get around.