Picture this if you will:
I look out of my hospital window; age 12. I’ve just had surgery to remove four adult teeth to avoid braces – they don’t do that any more! I was lonely and I hurt.
My dad had come alone to visit me and he brought me a red covered paperback book!Frankly I was wanting comfort when he left that book for me — no pictures, and it looked boring to me. But then, I had nothing else to do.
T.V. at that time only had 3 channels and nothing was on but soap operas. I had no radio access either, and computers hadn’t been invented. All I had was the window, which would not open. (probably so you wouldn’t jump out to leave or jump to your death, if you were above the first floor, which I was!)
I opened the gift - a very red, very plain, paperback book from my dad, Jack. Picture me sitting in a hospital bed, turquoise blue, baby doll pajamas, mouth sore - all in all
a very restless, unoccupied, 12 year old girl – ugh.
I began reading, the title was “Treasure Island” by Robert Louis Stevenson. Well, I did love his book “The Children’s Hour”. My grandma Mac's old hard back poem book I loved, at least that bode well. Important since the paperback was all red and looked boring as hell to me.
Frankly, I did not want to like the book, what the hell did my dad know about books? It turns out he knew a lot! That was my first surprise. Then I started actually reading the book, what else was there to do but stare out the damned window? But, by the time I had read up to:
“Fifteen men on the dead man’s chest—
Yo-ho-ho, and a bottle of rum!”
I was hooked! A 12 year old boy (my age) was narrating the story because it had happened to him! I’ve loved Pirates ever since! And yes the first part scared the living sh-t out ’o me – shiver me timbers!
I kept reading and after being scared, the boy went on to tell about an incredible adventure, with a treasure chest, and death threats too! Plus one pirate had a real talking Parrot. That book was really exciting and I couldn't put it down! I read until 3:00 a.m. in the morning until I finished it. Damn that was a good read. I’m so glad I read it though although I was resistant at first; I guessed that is what was meant by that old adage ”you can’t tell a book by it’s cover!”
I’ve now sent the book to my grandson who I hope will read it too. We have a strong history together of Red Beard of the Barbary Coast and Grace O’Malley — both were real pirates matey!
This vignette is dedicated to everyone who ever dressed up on Hallowe'en as a pirate – including me. Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum.
I began reading, the title was “Treasure Island” by Robert Louis Stevenson. Well, I did love his book “The Children’s Hour”. My grandma Mac's old hard back poem book I loved, at least that bode well. Important since the paperback was all red and looked boring as hell to me.
Frankly, I did not want to like the book, what the hell did my dad know about books? It turns out he knew a lot! That was my first surprise. Then I started actually reading the book, what else was there to do but stare out the damned window? But, by the time I had read up to:
“Fifteen men on the dead man’s chest—
Yo-ho-ho, and a bottle of rum!”
I kept reading and after being scared, the boy went on to tell about an incredible adventure, with a treasure chest, and death threats too! Plus one pirate had a real talking Parrot. That book was really exciting and I couldn't put it down! I read until 3:00 a.m. in the morning until I finished it. Damn that was a good read. I’m so glad I read it though although I was resistant at first; I guessed that is what was meant by that old adage ”you can’t tell a book by it’s cover!”
I’ve now sent the book to my grandson who I hope will read it too. We have a strong history together of Red Beard of the Barbary Coast and Grace O’Malley — both were real pirates matey!
This vignette is dedicated to everyone who ever dressed up on Hallowe'en as a pirate – including me. Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum.
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