There’s no disputing I had been perfecting the art of lethargy for the past eight months. However, playing soccer, softball, frequenting Cuban eateries and negotiating the parking lot at Publix kept me from becoming totally sedentary. New friends were in abundance there in the Florida Keys; plus, I had internet.
Not any longer. Shimmering aquamarine waters, sweet salt air and continual cushioning breezes are my new home. That’s why I’m here. Now I’d better get used to it.
These islands are lovelier than I recall. But keeping your mind occupied is tricky. Here’s a sample conversation:
We were on the bridge. Watching the sunset. Beers in hand.
Me: “I think the moon will be up in an hour.”
Capt’n: “Yeah. I think it’s full tonight.”
Me: “I thought that was last night.”
C: “Really? What day is it?”
M: “The 31st. I think.”
C: “Is that a Monday?”
M: “Not sure.”
C: “If it’s Monday, it’s full.”
M: “It might be Tuesday.”
C: “Oh.”
M: “Unless it’s Wednesday.”
I was right. Sort of. It was Tuesday. But it was the 30th. The reason I was that close was we’d just left Nassau. I’d seen a newspaper.
I have a theory that’s how “Piracy” started. It’s partially based on me trying to keep my brain from melting. I figure a bunch of fishermen were hanging around with nothing much to do. Maybe they’d been smoking herb. That stuff will give you ideas. A nice looking boat sailed past. Perhaps some women were aboard. They didn’t even have to be pretty. It was the 17th Century. I'll leave what happened next to your imagination. Afterwards, the rapscallions said, “That was fun. We should do it again sometime.” You know how easily habits form. One minute you’re “Henry, the Conch Diver.” The next, “Captain Morgan”.
Surprisingly, the history of Caribbean pirates isn’t that dissimilar. (One version anyway.) “Buccaneer” came from “boucanier,” meat roasters. It seems a bunch of seafarers were hanging around Hispaniola with nothing to do when they noticed a bunch of wild cattle also hanging around. So they killed them, smoked the meat and then sold it to ships that anchored to take on water. At some point they must’ve run out of cows. Sooooooooooo…….
We’ve been sitting idle lately. Rocking in the gentle tidal roll. Listening to the trade winds whistle through. A lot of nice boats have passed by. Some with women aboard, pretty ones. The weather is ideal for outdoor activities, so who knows? It could be just the hobby I’m looking for. But I’ll hold off for now. I have to put some thought into this. I’ve got the time.
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