We’ve been having technical difficulty in getting photos uploaded so I’ve been putting off telling everyone about “Musk Ox” and the wonderful etching that the Moffats presented us with right before we left Newport Beach. I wanted to put up photos but I’ll have to wait on that. For those who don’t recall, the original 1931 owner of Mahdee was Alexander White Moffat (aka “Sandy” and “Skipper” Moffat) and he has quite an extended family that we’ve been in touch with since starting Mahdee’s rebuild.

Banner Moffat (Skipper’s grandson) visited with us in Newport Beach and kindly showering us with good comments about Mahdee and ignoring all the “undones” that we have everywhere! He brought with him two gifts–one for us and one for the boat. Banner gave us Musk Ox, Skipper’s mascot that he kept on each and every boat he owned, including Mahdee. Musk Ox is an Asian porcelain figurine of a happy little Asian man with a fishing pole slung over his shoulder and a fish resting on his back. We were told that the mascot is named Musk Ox because Banner’s father, as a child, could not pronounce mascot properly, thus the name change. We were touched by the generosity of the Moffats to share this wonderful family treasure with us. Musk Ox has been through a lot in his long life and it shows. A little chip here and there; several parts of the hat glued back on; his fishing pole mostly missing. He’s had quite a life on those varied boats, we’re certain. Ah, but little Musk Ox also has a twinkle in his eye that says “lets go!”

And, go we have! We’re thrilled that Musk Ox was able to make the trip up the California coastline with us. His place, for now, is in a wood bin kept high on a shelf in the galley. He resides adjacent the olive and sesame oils, in front of the whiskey and just where he can usually see all that is happening below decks. I say usually because, well, when we’re actually underway Musk Ox is shrouded in a bit of bubble wrap inside a tall Crystal Light Lemonade tube that protects him from coming to harm. He gets to look out and about once we’ve anchored. We’ve started talking to Musk ox quite a bit. Since the passing of our ship’s cat, Beamer, we’ve missed having a “third party” aboard to chat with. I’ll post a pic of Musk Ox once we get our photo uploading going again.

The wonderful gift that Mahdee received that same day in Newport from the Moffats was the first print of an etching by Gardiner entitled “Out of the Fog” and signed “to Mahdee, a taut sheet and flowing seas”; This etching was originally presented to Mahdee on her launch day in April 1931! I’m sure she’s glad to see it again. It is in a very fine frame but Banner reminds us that we should likely have it re-framed specifically to withstand the humid environment aboard a boat should we decide to keep the etching on Mahdee. We will do so, as we’re certain that Mahdee is a bit of a vain lady and she likes having reminders of her fine past here on her bulkheads for visitors to see.

edited to add…a picture of Musk ox