GRENDEL and ME (4/10)
Bernie Moore
“…To Sleep, Perchance to Dream…”
I was talking to Grendel the other day during one of those Halcyon spring days of promise recently. We were on a sortie of the rear perimeter, the second of the morning, (it was that nice out) and like the flora around us Grendel was rejuvenating. He was tracking scent trails around, and when he came to one of particular interest he began to have a splendid wallow, squirming and writhing in the glorious wafts of what I can only guess was a gloriously available queen. This from a cat that thinks a stinky can of fish cat food smells delicious. I could only be grateful that my own senses could not pick up on his delight.
Above his head the forsythia bush was at the precipice of having its little green buds burst into bright yellow petals. In the branches of the trees squirrels were raging about the branches in a frenzied seasonal pursuit. The air was thick with the pungent aroma of earth working out of its cold hardness. I was actually not bundled up in a coat.
We stayed out a little longer that day, who wouldn’t; we might have lingered a bit more but for some young boys walking noisily home from middle school. We are in fenced community near the end of a block that if allowed to extend would tee into a fairly well traveled street. Pedestrians are about seventy yards from where we usually walk. I would think that much distance would make the little G-guy comfortable and safe, but upon seeing anyone there, except women, he scurries home in great trepidation. Yet, if those same people were to walk on our street within ten yards of him, he is not bothered.
“Boo,” I said, “They’re a mile away. Why are you so nervous?”
“Can’t be too careful, Boss. Loud young boys are not always a cat’s best friend.”
“But they’re nowhere near you,” I offered lamely.
“The way I like it. What if I have them on one side and a UPS truck barreling down at me from the other? What then? Thanks, Boss, but one problem at a time. It’s a lot easier do deal with than a bunch.”
“True, true.” How could I, a diver, quarrel with that?
A second stage reg. gets funky just as you reach the reach the deck of the 851. Use the octo, apprise your buddy, and continue the dive? I have. Grendel wouldn’t.
On a night dive one of you lights dies. Notify your buddy and abort? I wouldn’t. Grendel would.
A member of your dive team points out you have a slight bubble trail coming from your first stage. Abort and return? Or continue knowing there are plenty of octos. in the group. I aborted. So would Grendel.
You find on your last dive that your tank has only 1900cf. It’s a 70’dive to a wreck you have been wanting to see for a long time. Plan on a short dive and go for it? I wouldn’t. Neither would Grendel.
You’re diving a wreck with a known current. Not usually a problem since you’re familiar with it, but you notice a really worn fin strap. Grendel wouldn’t.
