ARGHH! We Be Pirates

The pirates visited their Gamma and Grandpa a few weeks ago. Or at least, they became pirates once they got here. I'd been anticipating their visit for weeks. Making plans to keep them busy--more plans, as it turned out, then we had time for. And the weather didn't cooperate for trips to the pool or the lake. But that was okay. Because the pirate costumes I surprised them with were a big hit.

We even prevailed upon Grandpa to don a pirate hat the first day. But it was Gamma with the hat and eyepatch, dagger in hand as we sailed the seven seas from our trusty ship (the front porch). There were endless sea battles with The Beast and Captain Hook. A special call to summon all the friendly pirates to come to our aid. And there was treasure. A chest full of it (minus the lid the first couple days because Gamma is useless at putting things together.) A trip to Auntie Ali's bedroom found it chock full of gold and jewels. (Or beads--how'd she score all the beads? A mother doesn't want to know.) There was treasure to hide from the dastardly Hook and treasure to hunt for when, inexplicably, it had disappeared upon our return. Treasure maps were plentiful but some were easier to follow than others. (Not everyone is a mapmaker.) And always, always there was Gamma providing a running script about what we were doing and why and what we were looking for and what would happen when we found it.

Admittedly, Gamma needed to scale back on some of the more lurid tales once they were linked to extra lights requested at bedtime. But we had a smashing time playing pirates for three days. And when you can keep an almost three and four year old entertained playing the same games for that long, you've accomplished something!

There were also board games (someone needs a bit more practice at sportsmanship!), wagon rides, trips to the playground, feeding the ducks and geese at the park, making crafts in Gamma's school classroom and playing in the bounce house in the backyard.

I had such fond memories of my own visits to my own grandparents that I wanted to make similarly great memories for my own grandchildren. When my first grandson was born, I told my daughter-in-law that I expected him to stay at Gamma's for a week every summer. She got this panicked look on her face and said, "Like when he's nine, right?"

She first sent both boys when they were 1 and 2, LOL. It's amazing how quickly they learn how rare it is to score some time alone :)

There were some flashback memories during the visit, too, of course. Like when I was forced to take them grocery shopping on a two cart trip. A deja vu hour and a half in which I recalled just how my hatred of grocery shopping was born. There was the episode of emptying two bag of chips on the dog's back and smashing the rest of them into the carpet. Of breaking a container of laundry soap on the driveway then running their crocs through them so they'd need washing.

Precious memories, all.

Because something odd has happened since the days I regularly cleaned up those types of messes and juggled making dinner, cleaning and a house full of young children. Things have slowed down. *I've* slowed down. What I remember about when my kids were young is how time flew by. I thought I'd always remember what our daily lives were like then, but now I can only recall moments.

Visits to Gamma's are nothing BUT moments. Each to be cherished and recalled long into adulthood.

The pirates' parents arrived after five days and stayed through the fourth of July weekend. Captain Rylan and First Mate Kasen were ready to go home. And Gamma is already busily dreaming up new ways to entertain them next summer. If I start talking now, maybe I can have their cousin join them.

Do you have special memories of times spent with grandparents? Or are you at the stage in your life when you're making memories for your grandchildren?

Modern Day Pirates

I don't know what it is about human nature that makes us romanticize outlaws. A look at film lists suggests it's not a purely American quality. But for whatever reason people are drawn to the violent among us, even if we have to weave a fantasy about the people, their lives and motives. Perhaps because we're looking through the rose colored glasses of distance, time, or both. But Americans did it with Capone, the James gang, Bonnie and Clyde. . . the list is endless. Films and historical romances certainly have done their part when it comes to romanticizing the pirate.

Admittedly, I find the this version of the pirate to
be. . .well. . .wildly romantic. Maybe because the characters are invariably depicted by hot virile men who any woman in her right mind knows she could be *the one* to make him see the error of his ways. Consider Clark Gable in Mutiny on the Bounty in the picture on the left.


Or the incredible Errol Flynn in Captain Blood:

And of course, everyone's favorite pirate (what IS it about Johnny Depp??? Sigh.) Captain Jack Sparrow in Pirates of the Carribbean:





Somehow, of course our fantasies tend to gloss over the real habits of pirates, which was the business of robbing, raping, pillaging and plundering. Our films and books weave stories of dark heroes with noble causes, or at least deeply flawed men who can be led to do the right thing, if only for their own reasons. They end the story being better men, if not completely changed, for having done something for the greater good.

Recent news shows us something far different. One wonders what Hollywood filmmakers would make of the Somali pirates who have been preying on ships in the Indian Ocean. Somehow they even managed to hold off the US Navy Destroyer sent to assist in the situation.

The reality of modern day pirates comes with sticky issues like terrorists at sea, armed with automatic weapons who will kill the hostages they hold because they lack the moral parameters the rescuers operate within. And if you're like me you watch the news, fascinated in spite of yourself at the complete disconnect as fantasy collides with reality. It's like being transported into history, two hundred fifty years past, when cargo ships and pleasure crafts sailed the seas at their own risk. And there's no way to romanticize the motives and actions of these modern day pirates.

FBI hostage negotiators rush to the scene to bargain for the release of captives. And gangs of pirates come to the assistance of a fellow ship under seige, while the host country offers them asylum and funding in return for a portion of the riches they bring back. Part of me sits here shaking my head, thinking, "You can't make this stuff up."

But in the end, of course, my mind turns to stories. And how we as writers romanticize many things for the enjoyment of readers. When we do it well, our readers close the book and sigh, completely satisfied. But have you ever read a book or seen a movie where reality intrudes on the fantasy? Ever watch a western and wonder what those cowboys really smelled like after a week on the range :) Or think you'd probably want to bitch slap that perky heroine if she lived next door to you? Or strangle the strong silent hero who has to have every word pried out of him? Are you able to completely set aside reality in a really good story?