A few summers ago, we bought a boat. We share it with another family. It’s docked at a lake about 20 minutes from our house, and every weekend and any weeknight we can, we’re on the boat—swimming, skiing, wake boarding, tubing, hanging out. Our marina also has a beach with grills, picnic tables, a water slide, swing set, and sand that is plowed daily to keep it clean and fun for the kids to play in. Oh, and there are new bathrooms with marble countertops in a small building just beside the sand! Our only question is why we didn’t start doing this years ago. It’s a true delight for us all.

But my husband and I have one disagreement that mars this picture: should there be food allowed on the boat? He says no; I say yes. His protest is aesthetic; mine is practical. He is rightly concerned about crumbs and bugs and stains and making our lovely new boat appear like the inside of an unkempt minivan. He forbids eating in his own car and strictly enforces it. [Read more…]