The Geriatric Pirate

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Four of us neighbors got together to relax and enjoy each other’s company in the evening. Marla had put in a full day of work, and Shawn was tired from a day of hands-on mothering and house-wifering. Connie and I slumped back in our seats, ready for easy, laid-back conversation.

The subjects ranged far afield until we began to talk about our passions. Marla loves being a mechanic for high-end bikes. Repairs that she once would have sent to the manufacturer, she now does in the shop. Connie enjoys creating things that involve sewing, quilting, and handcrafts. She didn’t speak of it that night, but we all benefited from her Pickle Passion last year. As soon as you go near Shawn’s home, you know there is an artist in residence. She is a potter, a painter, and a crafter. I am in awe of these practical talents. I would rather write than sleep, probably making me more sleep-deprived than productive. They kindly pointed out that I put words together to make things. Writers are always in need of supportive friends.

I have no idea how we jumped from appreciating each other’s talents to laughing about our fictional geriatric pirate. Many ideas came from Connie’s corner. Her pirate always paused to change his Depends. Marla was our active model – leaping up to demonstrate how the pirate’s ship would move or how he would make a rescue with a walker. Shawn was drawing the book cover in her head and contributing hilarious dialogue. There was little left for me to do except laugh, which I did with gusto. At the end of the day, our spirits were high, higher than they had been for weeks. No one shot down the idea of our group gathering again to continue the non-writing of our novel. We learned anew that laughter with friends puts air in your lungs and lift in your bones.

Published by Anne Mehrling

I'm a retiree who loves to write about life in the mountains of North Carolina.

Published

35 thoughts on “The Geriatric Pirate”

    1. I’m so pleased to meet you, Deb. Y’all have a marvelous family. I never tire of Faye’s stories. Next time she puts in a picture of you, please wave at me so I’ll know it’s you.

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  10. I wonder if the writer came away with some flesh on the bones of a character for a book? You could help keep the group’s ideas alive that way and entertain either adults or children with the pirate.
    xxx Massive Hugs xxx

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    1. I can’t remember who created the geriatric pirate, but I was definitely not the instigator. I go brain dead after 6:00 pm, that’s how I know I cannot take any credit.

      xxx Hobbling Hugs xxx

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  15. I am an 84 year old Australian. Since 1994 I live in a villa in a complex of 10 villas. Once a week I meet with three neighbours. They are only a bit younger than I am, and we play scrabble and a few games of Rummy. We’ve been doing this for many years. It is a good way to keep in touch with each other.

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      1. Yes, I think at my age these long lasting friendships become more and more important. And living in the same neighborhood does help in this regard. The other day one friend had to come on crutches to our get-together. And another one had her left arm in a sling because of a broken bone. But it could have been worse. We could still be together as usual and play our games! We got to enjoy life for as long as it lasts. 🙂

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