Darlene's Digest

“A sail, Cap’n! Three points off the starboard bow!” Jack shaded his eyes and he could see it now, a schooner rigged fore-and-aft. This wasn’t a good sign, since schooners were the favored vessels of— “Pirates!” the lookout yelled. “It’s the Zephyr !” “Damnation,” Jack said to himself. It would be just his luck that out of all the pirates in the Caribbean, his ship would come across the Zephyr . The schooner was also flying Cartagenan colors. No doubt the Zephyr carried a letter of marque from the fledgling republic, full of official seals and ribbons, and about as meaningful as a parrot’s chatter. Jack knew this since he had a similar letter of marque. “Cap’n, he’s signaling he wants to parley,” the lookout called. The Zephyr’s gunports were closed, and she looked innocent enough. Plus they had the advantage of the wind while the Jade was on a lee shore. “Haul back, Mr. Rice. We shall see what Captain Sinister wants.” “That pirate’s name is Captain Sinister ? What kind of a name i...

        The tavern in Nassau had no name or sign outside the door, but everyone knew it. Almost everyone. It was a shame the place wasn’t known to any decent brewers, Oliver thought, as he tried to drink some lackluster ale. “I told you to get the rum.” “I don’t have your tolerance for that beverage yet, Captain.” He shifted uncomfortably as she sipped from her own mug. “You keep doing that and he may relieve himself on you out of spite.” “I’m not used to wearing a live animal,” Oliver protested, as the parrot preened on his shoulder. St. Armand looked at Turnbull. “‘Bring him along’, you said, ‘It’ll be good for him to get out and about.’” “I meant Woodruff, not the pa—not Roscoe!” She snickered. “Well, Woodruff, are you enjoying being out and about?” He took another sip of the ale, worried that if he tried to respond he’d break out into a huge grin. He was sitting in a disreputable tavern in the Caribbean, with two dangerous pirates, and a parrot on hi...

I'll be at Satchel's Pizza (1800 NE 23rd Ave., Gainesville, FL) tonight from 6:30 to 8 p.m. for Author's Night, celebrating International Talk Like a Pirate Day with copies of The Pirate's Secret Baby and other piratical novels. Come for the pirates, stay for the pizza!

            “This is what we will work on now, Mattie.  I want you to practice with your slate, and be sure to write your numbers with a clear hand.”             “That’s right, sprat,” said Turnbull.  “If you’re dividing up the booty and your shipmates think you’re cheating or holding back you could find yourself on the wrong end of a blade.”             Mattie’s eyes widened at the hidden dangers of multiplication, and Lydia hoped the twinge behind her own eye would not develop into a full blown headache.  When she’d contemplated being a governess she’d never considered pirates and their economic systems as part of her teaching methodology.                Turnbull and Nash were looking at her expectantly.          ...

Image via Wikipedia I was interviewed by the wonderful Kim Adams over at SOS Aloha for "International Talk Like a Pirate Day".  Kim is a SOS Military Liaison in Hawaii, helping families while their loved ones are serving our country.  Kim's a veteran and a military spouse herself, and knows how important this work is. Hats off to Kim and all the other hard working men and women offering support to our armed forces and their families!