Capt. Mark East’s Advice to the Careworn, Confused, Lovelorn and Other Outdoor People

Dear Capt Mark,
I lost my wife a few years ago after an extended illness. And now I’ve really begun to enjoy my own space and company. No one telling me when I have to eat, or why I can’t go fishing on Sunday. My daughter who I adore, a skydiver, is leaving her husband of 15 years (he’s giving up diving) and wants to move in and take care of me. How do I say no, how do I handle this??
Signed, Space Paranoid

Dear Space Paranoid,
By this time you must have some fishing buddy or a guy you know who’ll go along with this story. Tell your daughter he’s thinking seriously of moving in and splitting expenses so you can’t make a decision just yet. Keep wavering on decisions, put her off long enough and maybe she’ll give up. There’s always one bedroom houses and apartments!!

Dear Capt. Sir,
For 15 years this month, I’ve been building an airplane, paid for all the materials and engine, in my garage and I’ve got it almost finished. I had a partner but he gave up years ago. I hope to do final assembly this spring and be flying it this fall. My “ex helper” came nosing around about a month ago (he must have heard I was on the home stretch) and began hinting he’s hoping for some joint flying time. He only had a few hundred hours and I’ve got over 3000 hours involved. I want to say “No Way.”
Signed, Partner Crowded

Dear Partner Crowded,
There’s an old adage of never, ever going into partnership with a friend. In point of fact, “No partners, no partners, no partners, with anyone,” if you want any kind of relationship with anyone except a wife and that institution has less than 50% survival rate. Look at my track score. If I were you, I would tell your “ex” that when you sell the plane, you’d remember him with some cash for helping and thanks.