Ransom

Maybe we could run um through a grinder and make spam out of them! Then toss it over the side to feed the sharks.

^ Neither, 'cause I don't have TV, so haven't seen the two shows in over 15 years. < Useless language classes 102 - two semesters of French. I can now sorta read a French menu, and get 1/4 of French dialogue in movies - other than that, rien! V What makes you the craziest during the holiday season?

With the storm lessening, and the damaged rigging repaired, Ioan was allowed to go below and get some much-needed sleep. One of the Danes showed him to a hammock, then went off to get his own rest. Ioan slumped into the rocking canvass with gratitude. He was dog-tired, and although his clothes were still wet and crusted with salt, the thin wool blanket he threw over himself warmed him, so he was asleep in minutes, too exhausted to speculate on what would happen to him in the days ahead.

As he pulls bodice strings, Africa mumbles under his breath. "Don see why you gots ta put on dis get-up just for eatin' dinner." I hold on to my desk to keep from being pulled over backwards, and suck in air as the bodice gets tighter. I decide the French woman for whom it was intended must have been far more petite than I. But I liked the look of the sky-blue silk, and when Africa was finished, I could tell even he was impressed. I pinned my hair up, then slipped my feet into a pair of satin shoes decorated with jeweled buckles, and prepared to step from the cabin. "How you goin' ta get off dis ship in dos shoes?" He cocked an eye. I lifted my chin. "I'll have you know, I wore clothes like this all the time, before turning...well, taking to sea. I have danced all night in just such a pair, so I'm sure I can make it off the Rakehell without mishap." However, it had been seven years since I'd danced at those balls, so when I tripped over the skirt and nearly fell, I heard a snort of "I told you so" behind me. With a glare at my first mate, and hoisting up the bloody skirt, I made it up on deck. The rest of the crew stood goggle-eyed, then I heard a few snickers. Tunny gave me a courtly bow. "Who'd have thought it. Guess ya can make a silk purse out o a sow's ear after all." He grinned. "I'll show you who's a sow, you crab-faced son of a sea-worm!" Unforetunatly, I'd forgotten that I no longer had my rapier at my side. With an oath, I turned to the rail. I saw it was no raggedy-man who waited for me, but Jacky himself. With another oath, it ocured to me that I had to walk the narrow wooden plank that connected the Rakehell to the dock. With chin high, and trying to retain what dignity I had left, I picked up my skirts, just as I would if crossing a London High Street, and started across, praying I wouldn't trip in my delicate shoes, which pinched my feet someting awful.

Not sure, but I'd say it's been at least 24 - 36 hours since the hurricane hit. So it's probably down to just rain and a bit of wind by now. Safe for ships to come home, and land dwellers to venture out to see what damage has been done. Other than that, no, I don't think we've decided on anything official - unless you want to volunteer to be the PR keeper of the time!

...of the Opera

I deside I'm becoming a little too sticky, and have no desire to become a pyrate torch, so head to the Pub Ladies room to wash up. Since most of the rum soaked into my shirt, I take it off, hold it under the hot water, and rinse, then squeeze all the water out. I jiggle the hand-soap despenser a zillion times, lather up, then rinse and pat dry with paper towels. With a shiver, I put my wet, but no longer rum-soaked or flea infested, shirt back on, then leave the head. Still shivering from the clammy wet shirt, I signal to Ray, "I'll hh have..ve..ve a hhh hot toddy, ppppleeese."

Joe Blow

"Sure, and that's what they all say, once the moment's passed um by." I peer at the soap Jacky holds out. I see the word coconut. "Umm, okay, maybe I changed me mind. Do yer worst...or yer best, depending on how ya want to look at it.

Romeo, Romeo...

"Belay that, Luv, you'll give me a rash with that stuff." Mumblin under me breath, "Pyrates, dense as a post be times." I take a bar towel and wipe the rum off me arms and neck, then toss it at Jacky. "Missed yer chance, mate."

Oh brother!

"Okay, I'll take a few bites of garlic pizza, but that's as far as I'm going to go." I take two or three bites of the stuff, but the little hoppers seem set to stay. Having no desire to be home to fleas, I head behind the bar, douse myself with rum, and watch the little guys abandon ship. With a sly grin at Jacky, I say, "So, Luv, wanna help get this rum cleaned off me?"

Loreena Mckinnet - Drive the Cold Winter Away

Handsome brutes all! From one cat lover to another!

Uh oh!

Now, I wonder what made you pick that quote?

Only one helper? Try sewing - or doing anything for that matter, like reading the paper, laying out patterns, doing artwork - when you have FIVE of the little nosey critters. Try just sitting on the couch to read a book or magazine, with five hairy bodies piled all over you. Reba Domino Phantom Sabine Celeste Oh, and did I mention the greyhound, Zorro? (Cause he's black and has panache)

"Bloody hell, Eyes, did ya have ta bring them little hoppin' creature in with ya?" I notice that Red Cat, Jane, and Jacky are all scratchin' and itchin'. "Least ya could do, mate, is carry a can of flea spray with ya."

That's what I like about the Pub, among a lot of other things. You have a problem with something, people back you up, help you get it straigtened out. As Martha would say - The Pub, it's a good thing!

^ Fish and Chips - although my husband would argue that one! < Enjoying a glass of wine after decorating the house for Christmas V Do the Christmas crowds make you crazy - like they do me?

Yada Yada.....

I deflect Red Cat's spitted bit of fruitcake with me cup, and it pings to the back of the bar. Afterwards, I shake me head. Tin maps "Hecho in Peru?" Jeweled tankards? Better check ta see if those jewels be cubic zirconia, mate. Me thinks this all sounds like a flim-flam. I turns to Red Cat with a grin. "This be not one of your cat-ish games, now, is it? Or is that sand in yer cleavage distractin' ya over much? Maybe we better check all the bits of fruitcake for map scraps, before someone eats one, and we have ta wait a few hours before the map be complete—If it is a map, and not the directions to the nearest WalMart.

I sip my brandy and watch the huddle around Jane as all try to read the "map." The first thing I think of is, "Now why would anyone hide a tin treasure map in a sheep-shaped fruitecake?" I tap Red Cat on the shoulder. "Maybe ya better check the label on that thing and make sure it's not "Hecho in Mexico."

This is to let all in the Pub know that PirateMod has made good their promise to send me the shirt I had ordered so long ago. In addition, they sent along many other "goodies" to make up for all the time and trouble it took to straighten this problem out. I am thrilled with what they sent, and am now a happy camper. Cudo's to PirateMod and Pirate Stumpy for giving me a wonderful early Christmas present. False Ransom