Boy Overboard-Saved!

You know I love books. So much so, that we have opted out of television at our house--for the past 10 years.  Anything for more family time and reading! What you also need to know is that I am married to a movie buff.  In addition, our son is such a visual learner that he has the production studios and ratings of his favorite movies memorized.  Ask him what movie Julie Andrews was in and he'll recite a list including Victor, Victoria.

So, once in a while, I cannot resist sharing a movie that will make you want to jump ship or catch a train or hit the road! Captains Courageous is an oldie but goodie to be sure. It is loaded with character lessons about hard work, honesty, courage, the Bible and heaven. It also fleshes out the cod fishing industry from the perspective of a self-indulged 11-yr old boy.

Why not watch it this summer and visit Gloucester if you're in the Boston area. You could re-stage a tribute to "those who have died at sea" at the Fisherman's Memorial where it was filmed; experience the difference between trawl fishing and open line; visit the Cape Ann Museum ; and be sure to taste of some cod liver oil on Portugese bread!

As all good movies are, Captains Courageous is based on a book by Rudyard Kipling.  One could think of it as a masculine version of The Secret Garden where a pampered, arrogant boarding school brat is miracuously transformed by adversity. 

It is worth joining Netflix!  And I won't say that very often.

For the younger set: Burt Dow Deep Water Man Robert McCloskey's last book will embellish the Jonah ("badluck") reference and reinforce the saltiness of fishermen.

For the grown-ups: Cod by Mark Kurlansky will fill in lots of historical detail.

photo credit:  www.answers.com, www.barbsbook.com