QUARANTINE BLOG # 235

November 20, 2020

👉  This piece has nothing to do with the sign posted above (it might be viewed as reference to yesterday's blog).  Two news items were released yesterday from cruise lines for which we sail indicate that your favorite bloggers will be on dry land for some time yet to come.

Carnival Cruise Lines has extended its suspension for cruises into 2021, with February 1 being the earliest possible date.  The company says meeting the new CDC guidelines for return to sail is proving more difficult and time consuming than was originally thought.  When Carnival returns to service, they expect to have 16 ships in service in the U.S. in 2021.  In 2019, Carnival had 27 ships sailing in the U.S.

Holland America Line is preparing for a gradual restart and is said to be moving six cruise ships toward the U.S. citing positive signs and a new conversation around the return to service.  A news release said, “Following in-depth discussions with the CDC, other government agencies, and medical and science authorities, we have decided to start moving six Holland America Line ships toward U.S. waters over the next several weeks to begin completing the requirements for conditional sailing.” 

👉  COVID-19 continues to affect the work of schools in the local area with schools in Aiken, SC, and Richmond County and McDuffie County, GA being closed through November.  While that is most certainly not a laughing matter, here are some comics and cartoons which put a lighter spin on education:

I read that one and thought of my favorite sixth grader.

👉  On this day in 1982 the UC Berkeley football team, referred to as Cal, won an improbable last-second victory over Stanford when they completed five lateral passes around members of the Cardinals’ marching band, who had wandered onto the field a bit early to celebrate the upset they were sure their team had won, and score a touchdown.  Here is the play: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0fZCCAqoSwY.

Joe Starkey made the call of “The Play.”  He nearly lost his voice as he reported “the most amazing, sensational, dramatic, heartrending, exciting, thrilling finish in the history of college football!”

One commentator on YouTube said, “Inexcusable that no one in the band had the sense to try to make the tackle.  Sometimes you just have to drop the saxophone and take care of business.”

👉  Today is National Peanut Butter Fudge Day.  On June 16th, people across the United States celebrated National Fudge Day.  Just by adding creamy or crunchy peanut butter, the celebration continues.  The yummy taste of peanut butter as the fudge flavor will be the star of the show.  To observe NPBFD, add it to ice cream, pies, and other candies.  Stop by your favorite candy shop or make your own.  Here is a recipe to try https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/22724/easiest-peanut-butter-fudge/, and please bring a piece to 233.

👉  Speaking of Peanuts:

👉  Return with us now to those thrilling days of yesteryear.  Ooops.  Wrong intro.  We were talking a couple days ago about those who sailed under the Black Flag, so let’s once again raise the Jolly Roger https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNoi0v7MUaw.

Captain William Kidd’s best-known voyage was sponsored by some of the most powerful politicians in England, but when the political tide turned against them, Kidd became a liability.

Kidd first appears in 1689 as a member of a crew that stole a ship and sailed it to the English colony of Nevis. Governor Christopher Codrington made Kidd and his men privateers with the condition they split the profits with the governor. No treasure, no salary. Their second mission produced no profit, and hence no pay, so Kidd’s men stole the ship and his loot and sailed for New York. Governor Codrington gave Kidd another vessel, and he set off in pursuit, but he never caught up with the ship.

Kidd decided to remain in New York. His decision may well have been precipitated by meeting Sarah Oort. Foul play was suspected when Sarah and Kidd got a marriage license two days after John Oort died. No charge was ever brought against them.

For a time Kidd was content, but the longing to return to the sea led him into partnership with several prominent business men, members of Parliament, and King William III who reserved a 10 percent share for himself.

Captain Kidd's "Letter of Marquise" authorizing his voyage.

Kidd’s adventure was remarkably unsuccessful until,   almost two years after they sailed from London, they took their major prize. The Quedah Merchant, the Grand Mogul of India’s flagship, had cargo estimated at roughly $2 million today. The Grand Mogul was allied with the East India Company, strongest economic unit in England, and with the capture of the Quedah Merchant, William Kidd threatened their future in Southeast Asia.

Back in New York, Kidd was betrayed to officials who arrested him and sent him to England to stand trial for piracy. Kidd’s trial started in the Old Bailey on May 8, 1701, and was over on May 9. In those two days, he was tried, convicted of murder and piracy, and sentenced to hang. The execution was set for Friday, May 23, 1701. 

Kidd’s journey stopped short of eternity when the rope broke. The hangman got a new and stronger rope, and sent Kidd on a shorter, shattering fall. Thus ended the life of William Kidd. But his story would be transformed into legend.

Contemporary report of Captain Kidd's execution.

One of Kidd’s legacies was the legend of his treasure. Kidd’s “treasure” created a controversy that has continued into modern times. The tale has fed a never-ending stream of rumors about Kidd’s treasure. From his own time forward, searches have been conducted from Nova Scotia to the South China Sea.

On Monday, I’ll give you some clues to possible locations of the treasure.

👉  Today’s close is from Praying with the Psalms, by Eugene H. Peterson.

“For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere.  I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than live in the tents of wickedness” (Psalm 84:10 NIV).

The sanctuary – the place where God’s people meet to sing praises, to renew covenant obedience, to be instructed in God’s word – is filled with the best of associations.  The concentration of memory and meaning that takes place there makes it more desirable than any other place.

Prayer: Lord God, you are the sun and shield.  The light of your Word gives meaning to what I experience, the strength of your presence provides protection against despair.  I thank you for hours of worship when I can listen again to that Word and reaffirm that presence, even in Jesus Christ.  Amen.

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