THE PIRATES CODE
Pirate codes have existed since the 1600s! While privateers, from Blackbeard to William Kidd to others, may have been scoundrels in their daily actions—pillaging, pilfering, plundering—they, oddly, treated each other with a modicum of respect. They dealt with each other consistently and fairly. Perhaps even honorably. They established rules of interaction: Methods for splitting their spoils. Expectations aboard ship. Consequences for misdeeds—often harsh, but always evenly applied. Steal from a random sailor? No problem. Steal from a fellow pirate? Lashes!
MY PIRATE’S CODE
- My pirate friends are allowed to be messy. Even disgusting. Pick your nose. I don’t care. Avoid soap and shampoo. No problem. Leave your dirty clothes in a pile and leave your bed unmade. Fine. But…..spill a soft drink on my book or smudge the pages with dirty fingers? A whisk broom to your backside.
- My pirates are allowed to scoff at bad jokes. Roll their eyes at sibling humor. Scowl at corny comments. But…..fail to laugh at MY humor? Eye poke!
- My pirates are allowed to ignore the newspaper, mock poetry, speed-read through textbooks, and even ignore some books altogether. But……quit my books before you have finished? Eyebrow removal.
- My pirates are allowed to complain. To moan. To groan. They can be a little spicy with their words and their opinions. But….speak badly about my novels? Hot sauce applied to your tongue.
- My pirates are allowed to tromp through mud puddles, get grass stains on new jeans, leave strawberry jelly on their faces, let toe-jam collect in stinky clusters on their feet. But….intentionally deface one of my books? Soap and vinegar in your ears.
THE KNOT
One of life’s great metaphors!
When we commit to each other for life, we say we “tied the knot.” When our stomach is in turmoil, we feel “knotted up.” When we profess to be wrapping up a project, or finishing a day’s work, we shrug our shoulders and commit to “tying up a few loose ends.” Another knot!
But REAL knots, non-metaphorical knots, are equally as important. Rock climbers must be expert at tying knots. Secure knots bring them to daunting summits. Sailors and boaters and rowers need knots to guide their way on the sea or to secure their vessels to land. Fishermen rely on simple knots to haul in prize catches. Even preschoolers need knots. They wrestle with blue and green and yellow laces to attach small shoes to small feet.
Do NOT underestimate the value of a good solid KNOT.
