“Anyway, what do you think of Memsochette Wallula, Traveler of Many Waters?” I ask expectantly.

Tom nods in approval.  “We’ll have to call her M.W. for short.” 

 Personalizing the canoe gives me great satisfaction.  Like having a puppy for a month without a name, it is inappropriate and awkward referring to our canoe as just an object.  She already displayed character and inspired confidence and I venture to say is showing her personality.  Equal in worthiness to any troller, schooner, tanker, tug, or dog, she has earned and deserves an appropriate name.  We have no bottle of champagne and frankly, I don’t want to break anything on her.  We vow to get some stick-on letters the next time we stop in a town, so she can display her name proudly on her stern.