A week ago my digital camera died for no particularly good reason. The little green light lit up when I turned it on, but that was all the action I was able to get out of it.

Ever hopeful, I took it into a camera shop. The guy behind the counter grinned as I handed it over. He looked it over pretty good, played around with it, and muttered a couple of "hmmm's" and "now let's see's." Then handed it back to me.

"So what do you think?"

"It's toast."

Now, I could send the thing back to Nikon to be repaired (and I probably will at some point), but then I'd be without a camera for a lengthy period. No can do.

I bought another camera.

Cha-ching. $$$$$. Ouch!

But I was OK with it. It just died and that happens. I least I didn't do anything stupid to cause it's demise.

Unlike last night.

I unloaded the car from last weekend, sorted through gear, did laundry, and started to re-pack with gear for the upcoming multi-sport weekend (hiking in Acadia, kayaking and mountain biking in and around Branch Pond near Ellsworth).

It's a near-continuous process week after week throughout the year that leaves my car, my house and my body in a constant state of semi-disrepair, but I love it and wouldn't have it any other way. "Sleep when you die" a good friend continues to tell me. She's right.

But I digress...

I loaded up the bike gear. Threw in the camping gear. Came back out with the kayaking gear. And for some odd reason, set the duffle bag and paddle down at the back of the car. And left it there.

Blame it on a senior moment several decades earlier than normal. Blame it on the mild post-Jimmy Buffett concert fog still coursing through my head. Blame it on the fact that sometimes I just don't think.

Whatever.

I came out awhile later, jumped in the car to go out and see some friends, and started to back out. Yes, I did.

Right over my $249 Werner Camano fiberglass kayaking paddle.

Imagine my surprise when I saw it turn up in front of the car as I rolled down the driveway.

I couldn't help but laugh, though, as I got out to retrieve it and my gear duffle.

Yep, crushed real good. A very nice job if I do say so. "Toast" as they say.

As you might imagine, I didn't waste any time. I put a paddle on 'hold' at the L.L. Bean retail store.

Hey, what's another $249 for a new paddle on the heels of $350 for a new camera?

Cha-ching. $$$$$. Ouch!