I have always loved books!! It's amazing how the world opens up when you read . . . books can transport you through time and space . . . take you to new places . . . inspire a curiosity like nothing else.
It was through a book that I discovered one of my favorite artists, Wassily Kandinsky, but again, I've sidetracked myself!
Dr Seuss books were my all-time favorites . . . in some ways, they still are. When my dad read them, they truly became magical stories; he gave the characters their own voices (he did this when he read us anything). Now, I can't really tell you which story I loved the best because they're all so good . . . pretty sure I mentioned that ABC book of his that had my name in it . . . so that was cool. His books will come up in future posts because my life was so influenced by Seuss's imagination.
Today's entry is all about One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish . . . how it led to one of my most horrifyingly embarrassing moments!
I also found redemption, but it would come much, much later!
Living in Key West, fishing was a favorite pastime. My dad wasn't what you'd call an avid fisherman (he preferred to spearfish), but occasionally we'd toss a line into the water at my Uncle Fred's house. The cool thing about fishing in the ocean is that you never know what will hit your line; it's really a lot more fun than freshwater fishing (in my opinion).
So anyway, as Dad read this book, he'd tell me all about the fish in the sea . . . the red snapper . . . the green snapper . . . the yellow snapper . . . the blue snapper (as they're depicted in the book . . . at least that's what he told me). That information, combined with actual fishing experience and a very young, malleable mind, led me to believe I had, at one time or another, caught all four colors of that fish! Naturally, I grew up believing that the snapper came in a variety of colors . . . why wouldn't I?!
Flash forward . . . I'm now 21 . . . living in Florida again.
I met this really cute guy who had a really cool boat, and he asked if I liked to fish. I hadn't fished in years, but how could I say no to a really cute guy with a really cool boat? One Saturday morning we set out on our first . . . turned out our only . . . fishing expedition. He was so sweet . . . even baited the hook for me (by 21 most all of the "tomboyishness" had settled into the back of my mind, so I'd turned a bit squeamish).
It was a beautiful day . . . blue skies . . . not a cloud . . . the water was calm and almost glass-like. I'd packed a picnic lunch for us. I was sporting a new bikini . . . wearing my cool Ray Ban sunglasses . . . just like the ones that Naval Aviators wore. I was ready to catch fish!
If you know anything about fishing, calm waters and bright mid-day sun don't really lend themselves to actually CATCHING any fish, but I don't really think either of us cared that day. We chatted while we watched our lines . . . about nothing and everything; not only was he cute, he was funny . . . and a great conversationalist. I could see this was going to go somewhere.
At some point I said . . . trying to impress him with how much I knew about fish . . . "Do you think we'll catch any Blue Snapper today?" My favorite color at the time being blue and all.
He gave me a really funny look and replied "Ummm, what?"
I said . . . again . . . "Blue Snapper. You know, Yellow Snapper, Red Snapper, Green Snapper, Blue Snapper!"
"Well," he started, "there is a Red Snapper. There's a fish some call a Yellow Snapper, but it's not really a Snapper. But there's no such thing as a Blue Snapper or a green one either!"
Now, at this point, I should have just laughed it off and made out like it was a joke, but nooooooo . . . I flashed. I mean, seriously, I'd lived in Key West and had actually CAUGHT these fish!
And so the argument began . . . I was going to stand my ground on this one because he was obviously not a real fisherman.
Day ruined . . . we returned to the boat launch . . . he took me home . . . an uneaten picnic lunch in my hand.
He simply drove away . . . no goodbye . . . nothing.
I called my dad . . . indignant! Dad would reassure me that yes, Blue Snapper were real.
"Hey Dad," I barked into the phone, "remember when we lived in Key West and we caught those Snapper . . . you know, the red, green, blue, and yellow ones?"
"What are you talking about Yo?"
"Seriously Dad, don't you remember those fish we caught when I was a little girl?"
"I have no idea what you're talking about."
"Dad!" Then it hit me . . . Dr Seuss . . . Dad's fun stories . . . everything. I hung up and sank to the floor.
I should have called the guy back and explained, but I didn't. I'd already embarrassed myself enough, and I just couldn't take the ridicule I was so sure he'd mete out.
There was no internet then, so actually checking to see if these fish existed didn't happen. I chalked it all up to a life lesson and went on with my life.
Not long ago . . . and I have no idea why . . . I actually Googled Blue Snapper. Can you believe it? There is indeed a Blue Snapper (well, a Blue-Green Snapper to be exact). It does not swim in the Keys, but it's real!
I only wish I could remember that guy's name so I could call him and up tell him! HE'S the one that blew it that day! And my dad was right after all!!
"I like nonsense. It wakes up the brain cells. Fantasy is a necessary ingredient in living. It's a way of looking at life through the wrong end of the telescope. Which is what I do, and that enables you to laugh at life's realities!" ~ Dr. Seuss
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