Kaysyn Saw A "Box" In The Water

Bonnie had been walking the beaches instead of going to breakfast with her friends. She had been feeling strange ever since she got to the airport. She had this feeling that she should be looking for a trunk instead of enjoying her vacation. She racked her brain trying to figure out why she was not only trying to find a trunk but had this odd craving for eggs and biscuits. "Maybe I should have gone with the girls this morning. I could be just plain old hungry."

As she turned to retrace her steps she saw a little girl looking out over the water. She walked up to her and said, "Hello, what is your name?"

The little girl looked up at her and said, "I'm Kaysyn. What is your name?"
Bonnie told her who she was and said, "Where is your mama?" Kaysyn pointed to her mama off to her side. She was watching the two of them and waved as she walked towards them.

Kaysyn loooked and pointed and said, "See that big old box? Why is a box in the water?"
Bonnie looked where the little girl was pointing and said, "I see a little duck. Is that what you meant?"
Kaysyn shook her head and said, "No it's a big old box with ropes on it."

Bonnie was squinting her eyes to try to see the box that the little girl talking about. The sun seemed to be shining so bright she could hardly see.  The longer she looked the more strange she felt. Suddenly she said, "That's me trunk. Arghrr! I have to have that trunk." Kaysyn's mama took her hand and said, "Come along, Honey. I think we need to go back to the car."

From a distance there was an old old woman watching to see what was going to happen. She knew what was in that trunk. Long ago she had told the writer that someday, somehow someone was going to find it. "I wonder if  today is going to be the day."

You Get Your Kicks On Route 66

 The girls all had breakfast together the next day. They had so much to talk about. They loved their home away from home. "Just think we get to spend ten whole days here. No snow, no icy roads, and no comfort food! They all laughed because comfort food like chicken and noodles and pot roasts were a staple in the winter at home. Here the food was fancy seafood, plus they could eat anytime they wanted to too. No clocks to go by. Get up when you wanted and eat when you wanted. They decided that they would start the morning off by going for a walk to see some of the sights.

The girls went to a beach side cafe and did mention that Bonnie didn't seem like herself lately. "She is usually the life of the party when we go on vacation. Have you noticed that she is even talking more like a seafaring sailor than her usual conversation? She said something about going for a walk on the beach and maybe getting some grog and some sea biscuits for breakfast. What is going on with her?"
The other girls just laughed and said that they thought she was overdue for a vacation. After some rest she would be just fine.

Josie had turned down the invitation to go to the Pirate Parade and was enjoying the sun in her comfy pillow. She heard her ringtone on her little computer and went to see who it was. It was Chata inviting her to her party. She said that she was having music and entertainment. She was sure that she would enjoy herself. Well, Josie thought about it and decided that she would find a way to go because she was getting a little bored. She hadn't had a new toy or outfit for over a week.

Spencer had gotten an invitation from Chata to be the M.C. at her party. She knew that he was a good singer and dancer. Oh she was so excited and so was he. Spencer couldn't wait for the party. He loves music.

Out on the road Cowboy and his buddies and the hitchhiking lady had happened onto the old Route 66. They stopped for another rest break. The buildings were old and so interesting. Oh and the smells of the wonderful sandwiches that were being made made them all hungry. But before Cowboy could even get out of the pickup Blu reminded him that he needed to take his medicine for his itchy skin.
"What? No way! I am on my way to Florida. I don't have to put up with that stuff being poked down my throat. Yuk! I probably will get better when I get there. They have wonderful weather down there you know. Let's go look around and see what someone may have dropped that we can sample."

Bodie said, "You know you are supposed to watch your diet." Cowboy replied with a deep growl and jumped out to explore. "Wow! There is a wonderful smell coming from that cafe. Let's check out the parking lot and then get on our way." His buddies and the lady all agreed.

They all had found a good lunch and were back on the road. Cowboy looked in the mirror and said, "Hey guys look what we got behind us. You supposed all those folks are going to Florida? I heard tell those Jeep groups do good stuff for little kids too.. Blu said. "Ruff! I heard about them. They are kind of like those pirates. They raise money for human diseases too. I'm so glad we decided to go on vacation. Bodie agreed. They should make a song about this old highway. You get your kicks on Route 66. I sure am getting a kick out of it. Jim made a low growl in his throat in agreement. "Sometimes I do come up with a good idea." Then all four dogs howled in laughter. Vacations are so much fun.

Horns Were Honking But Pirates Walking The Beach?

Brandon's dad had gotten his mom a new Ranger to help her out on the farm with outside work. It was great for him too. He loves to help outside. They even made a bonfire to burn up all the brush. It was still winter time, but today was a great "outside day." Just as he was getting out of the Ranger to put more brush on the back of it he heard a motor noise. It was pretty loud, he looked up and didn't see an airplane. He looked over at the road and there was the strangest thing he ever saw. An old pickup with four dogs and a lady in it went rumbling by.

Brandon couldn't believe his eyes and jumped out and went to tell his mom. He could hear the horns honking and people waving. "Wow! What a fun day this is. I just love being outside."

Nora and her friends had had a wonderful time after they left the ship that had all of those mischievous elves on board. The rest of their trip had seemed uneventful, but so beautiful. Nora still wanted to go to the Pirate Parade when they got back to the United States. She had succeeded in convincing her friends that it would be fun. They had one last island to visit before their cruise would end. It sounded like so much fun to her. She was telling her friends about it at dinner one evening. They had all dressed up and pirates were the last thing on their minds, but not on Nora's.

"Now listen, guys, when we get on land tomorrow I think we should go see some of these old hotels and things that I have read about. They say that one of them is the original hotel that was built by an old pirate. Her name was Kathleen. Of course, it has all been updated, but I would love to see it. You would love it, I just know you would. This is a chance in a lifetime. History, girls, history!" They groaned but they finally agreed that they would at least go look around.

They did like the beach there and the beautiful flowers and even some interesting little critters that they had never seen before. All of a sudden she heard a scream! "Get that thing away from me! Get it away! It's going to crawl on my foot!"

Oh they all laughed at her. "Such an interesting little trip this is going to be," thought Nora.

Oh Nora, if you only knew just how interesting it was going to be.

Bonnie and her friends had already checked into their condo on the island. "I can't believe how beautiful this place is. We sure got a deal on this vacation. I can't wait to get my swimsuit on and go to the beach. I have had enough winter to last me a lifetime. Of course, I say that every year. I do like the season changes. I had better do some unpacking first. I think that I will hang my clothes in this closet. Oh my, ten days of pure heaven on earth."
As Bonnie was hanging her clothes in the closet she saw the pamphlet that the old man had given her at the airport. She took it out of her pocket and started to read it when she felt the need to seek out a trunk in the condo. "This is weird. I know nothing about a trunk. I have had me the strangest dreams ever since that old man gave me this piece of paper. I'm getting rid of it." With that she threw it in the small trash basket by her bed and continued hanging up her clothes.

If you would have been close by you could hear her mutter, "Sea biscuits and cackleberries, it be the end of me yet, all this talk of pirates, Arrghh, be off with ye or walk the plank!"

She quickly picked up her cocked three corner hat and made her way to the beach to find Lady Kathleen. "It is time to settle a few things. Where oh where, did she put me trunk? No matter; I will find me cousin, the Lady Kathleen."

Sights To See And Adventures Await

The news was out concerning the travelers and the hitch hikers. There was much talk about them far and wide along the route that they were taking to Florida. Snow seemed to follow them no matter where they went and believe it when I tell you that they wanted nothing to do with snow. They wanted warm sun and white beaches. They wanted to be part of the pirate parade and they were on their way no matter what. "Look, there's an old man making a snow angel in his yard. He looks like he likes all that snow. They saw so much snow. "Will it ever end, Cowboy? I can't take much more of this weather. We have been traveling for hours. We need to stop soon. Get my drift?"

It seemed like hours to Cowboy, but they soon found an old barn that looked like a good place to stop and take a break. Even the lady said that she needed to get out and stretch her legs.

Blu made a low noise in his throat, "Look over there. That's a deer, shall we chase it?" His buds said, no; they wanted to get back on the road. So that's just what they did.

On the second day of their travels the weather was starting to get better. It was still cold, but there wasn't much snow. Mouse and Belle were not happy. Their human was trying out a new air fryer and the noise was most annoying. Suddenly they heard a loud noise outside. Mouse ran to the window to see what was going on. "Look, Belle, there goes a pickup with four dogs and a human. I wonder where they are off to? We never get to go anywhere."

If you remember Chata's humom had gone to Florida to the pirate parade and left her home alone. Chata and her friend decided to have a house party while she was gone. Such fun to go shopping! But did they have permission to have a party while she was gone? Oh Oh.....

Josie had heard about the hitch hikers and travelers from a friend of hers in Oklahoma. Bella had sent a message that there was room for more if she wanted to go. Josie told her friend, "No way. I love my warm bed and sunshine. Bella agreed with her little friend and decided to stay home too. They would know soon enough from Jim and his friends if they were having a good time. Maybe they would go next time. They might call Chata to see what her friends at her party had to say. They just might have a girls' trip in their future.

Buddy had turned down the same invitation. It was his first birthday so he wanted to stay home and play with his new toy.

Harley or Hoot as some folks called him was not perfectly content visiting with Grandma Lu at Marleewood. He had wanted a first class airline ticket so he could fly to Florida. However, he had kind of a bad reputation with U.P. S. drivers  and strangers. But Grandma Lu seemed to understand that he always wanted treats close by just like she does. So they were getting to be good friends just on a visiting basis, of course.

Soon the travelers would be getting close to Florida and their long awaited vacation in the sun and warm weather. They were anxious to try the different food that people would drop at the parade. They heard that it was just fantastic. They had never tasted cotton candy or crab cakes. I'm sure an adventure will await them.

Her Love For The Sea Was Greater Than For Gordon

Ladies Kathleen and Bonita were on board their ship headed for their island. They wore smiles on their faces. They once again had kidnapped the mayor and demanded the key to his city. They would not release him until he promised that no child would go hungry and the needy would have clothing and receive any medical help that was available. They accepted the mayor's promise, but said that they would return again the next year to make sure that he had kept his promise.

"We have done a good thing with our wealth, cousin Kathleen. We have built an empire on our island. Can't you just see future generations bringing up their families? I can. I see children swimming in the sea and playing with the priceless parrots, gold, and other things that we have acquired for them and their families. Yes. We have succeeded in our mission. This island that we see approaching is our legacy to not only our family but to their friends and their families as well."

She put down her spy glass and smiled as she thought of the things that she could only imagine in the future. "Yes, life is hard at times, but it is good."

Back in England, Lady Bonita's butler, Gordon, was now the proud owner of her manor; The Taylor House. He had stood by her side while she had lovingly taken care of her granddaughter, little Marlee. "Oh how that woman loved that little girl. I sure hated to see them leave. The house is really quiet now, but Marlee loved the Lady Kathleen as well. She cried and cried wanting whom she called her "cap'n".  It seemed no matter how many fancy dresses and beautiful animals she bought for her all she wanted was to go live with that pirate."

Then he thought of that pirate. Oh how he had loved her. She was from royalty and he was just a butler as was his father and grandfather before him. There was once, though a long time ago when they had shared true love. They had been secretly married.
 Lady Bonita had a hidden trunk in the attic, she also had been buying contraband wine and other things that were against the law from Lady Kathleen, but didn't realize that she was her own cousin. "Oh those were the days, my lady, those were the days." As he softly talked to himself about his one and only love the tears gathered in his eyes and softly said, "Oh how I loved you and our son. Why oh why did you have to raise him as a pirate? I could and never will understand your love for the sea that was greater than your love for me."

Gordon had saved the old trunk that had had papers in it that had revealed the proof that Lexie was also a cousin and was entitled to share in Lady Kathleen and Lady Bonita's wealth. The old photo of their baby boy was so dear to him, but now it would be placed among other mementoes of his past which would hopefully someday fall into his grown son's hands; another member of the royal family.

He Called Her Lady Bonita

As Bonnie looked over the man's shoulder she politely asked if she could read his pamphlet about the parade. He turned to her and she saw the familiar light in his eyes. She was just about to ask him his name when  he gave her a small smile and said, "Here you are, Lady Bonita. Enjoy your vacation."

As she touched the old paper she suddenly felt a bit dizzy and heard strange sounds and music in the background. She looked all around her. She was not in the airport but in an old old motor car with her friends. They were at a parade!

Or maybe they were actually part of the parade. They were holding tiny umbrellas which were called parasols for shading their faces from the hot sun. Their clothes were so beautiful "Oh look at all the ships! They are pirate ships. I think I know just what is going to happen. I think I am going to demand the key to the city or I will kidnap their mayor. Why am I going to do that? I think those are my ships. Why would I own pirate ships? What is happening to me? Who are these people?"
Bonnie could feel the burn of gun powder in her nose and could hear cannons being shot off in the distance. This was real. This was war. She wasn't Bonnie, she was Lady Bonita, dressed as a fierce pirate. She was the cousin of the most feared pirate on the seven seas; Lady Kathleen! Together they were a force to be reckoned with; now and forever.

Once again she and Lady Kathleen would soon be on their way home to the land of peace and beauty. The land that would one day belong to their future generations to love and care for.

Hitchhikers And Travelers All Bound For The Pirate Parade

Almost three thousand miles away from Florida there were three dogs that had decided to run away from home. They were tired of being in the snow and the cold weather. They had heard their humans talking about Florida. They said that Florida was warm and sunny. They said someday they would go on vacation there because of the beautiful beaches by the ocean.
Cowboy said that he would drive because he knew directions much better than his buddies, Blu and Bodie. They didn't care who drove they just wanted a change of scenery. It seemed like to them the only season they ever had was winter. Winter brings snow on their mountain and cold icy winds.

"People say our mountain is beautiful all the time, they just don't know that we need to get out and see the world. All we know is snow snow snow.  Okay, let's get a move on. They humans won't even miss us until we are miles away."

Blu looked out the window and said, "Cowboy, look out! You almost hit that woman! Now I suppose we have to stop. She doesn't have any vehicle. "Good gracious, get in! You're going to freeze to death. Where are you going?" When the lady said, Florida, they asked her if they wanted to go along. She said that sounded like a fun vacation and away they went.

They had traveled a long time. They were now in Missouri and wouldn't you know it, there was a big dog hitchhiking in the snow. "Blu, I didn't think it snowed much in Missouri, said Cowboy. "I wonder what that big fella is doing out here on the road."
Once again they stopped. Jim, the big dog said it was his birthday and he wanted to go on vacation someplace warm. He wanted to know if he could hitch a ride. Of course, they made room in the pickup. So now there were four dogs and a human on their way to the pirate parade in Florida in one old pickup.

While the three buddies, a lady, and a hitchhiking dog were bickering back and forth and barely getting through the snow and ice on the roads there were seven ladies going on a vacation to Mexico. They were going to take a plane from Florida to their island. They were so excited because they were going to a place that had special meaning to one of the ladies; Bonnie. Over the years she had heard from her great grandmother and mother some tales about cousins that were very wealthy. One of them was a lady pirate whom was the original owner of the island that they were going to. Her name was Lady Kathleen. She eventually had traded her pirate garb for gowns of elegance so the stories say..

 She also was told about a cousin to Bonnie's great great great grandmother, Lady Bonita. Her home was called the House of Taylor. She couldn't wait to get there to actually see if any of what she sometimes called 'grannie's tall tales' held any truth. They all were tired of the cold weather at home and couldn't wait to get to the warm sun and beautiful white beaches regardless of the family folklore.
They could already feel the change in climate when they got off the plane.

 They started chuckling and poking each other. "Look at all the pirates. What's going on a pirate convention?" One of Bonnie's friends said, "If there is a pirate convention we should go. You might be related to one of them." Then they all laughed. Who could possibly be related to a pirate?

As they went to the baggage claim there was a man holding a pamphlet that was telling all about a parade in Tampa celebrating a pirate. It was dated 1914..

The Old Pirate Had Been Searching For Years...

The old man said, "Wait here, lad. I need to go to my boat. I think you might like to look at some pictures I have. Will you wait for me?" Justin nodded his head. He could see his dad smiling at him.
While the old man was gone, Justin's dad said, "Why don't you come over here? We can see the parade better." Justin started to tell him about the old man coming back but got distracted and enjoyed all of the fun and great food.

When the old man got back to his boat he searched and searched and finally found what he was looking for. "There you be. I have had these old photos for years. You can hardly tell the likeness if you didn't know for sure, but I think that lad is the long lost grandson of mine that I have been searching for." He put the precious photos in his pocket and walked the long walk back to where he had left Justin. But he was no where to be found. Neither was his dad. "I had a feeling that I took too long. Well, sea biscuits and cackle berries. I'll never be able to find them now in this crowd. But maybe if I hang around the parade area I'll see them again. I certainly hope so. I have so much to tell him."

Of course, Santa and Peanut knew where the two were. They were fine, but completely lost to the old man who would never see them again.

After hours of searching the old bearded man got in his boat and took off for the enchanted island of his ancestors. He needed a rest and some sunshine. Today was just too much heartache. He had been searching for years. This was the closest he had ever come to finding him. In the distance he could hear thunder and it seemed that the wind had picked up. " I guess I had better batten down the hatches. It sounds like a doozy of a storm is on its way."
 Then the old man lay down to rest and let the storm take him and his boat where it may.

Lucky and his humans were almost there. They were going to Florida. "I just love to travel. They say we are going to a parade that has pirates in it. Sounds fun to me. I wonder if anyone we know will be there."

Chata's human had flown clear across the country to see the Gasparilla Parade. The people that dress up like pirates are fun loving for sure, but they also are a very giving and caring group of folks that give their money and time to sick children and many other good and deserving people. She wanted to see for herself what it was all about. After she got there she missed Chata so terribly that she decided to FaceTime her so they could talk. She told her little dog all about the parade. Chata had never heard of pirates before.

The crowds were so thick on the streets that no one noticed that three old old photos had fallen out of the old man's pocket as he returned to his boat. They were stepped on and scattered to the curb. Salt water was distorting the precious history of  Gordon, the Taylor House butler...