A Pirate's Life for Me...

As a kid I always imagined what it would be like to be a pirate. It was a bit of fantasy because my envisionment of pirate life was fairly mild. There were no lost limbs or hanging gallows in my imagined version, just adventures, sun, island scenes, and a few fights to spruce the day up.

Growing older has not changed my extreme fascination with pirates. Actually, I discover I am even more curious as to the lives pirates lived. Today I was reading about Blackbeard who enjoyed a reign of terror from 1716-1718. He fought viciously with six pistols slung across hi chest and smoking hemp cords twisted in his hair. As terrifying as he was, he fell in love with a woman. This woman had gave her ring to another pirate. Enraged, Blackbeard attacked the rival's ship and hacked off his finger. As a gift, Blackbeard sent the ring, still attached to the finger to the woman! The woman fainted and later died of grief. What a way to woo a woman! Not sure he had quite the right strategy!

Today I pondered what my weapons of choice would be as a pirate. One thick sword may be a bit long and cumbersome for someone of my stature. So, instead I would choose two short, light swords that I could use to attack and defend with a sword in each hand. I would also carry a cutlass and a small dagger, with a small pistol stowed in my waistband.