Today’s post is a slightly odd one, but don’t be put off it’s a pretty amusing story. I have a skin condition called Vitiligo. Vitiligo is caused by the lack of skin pigment melanin and apparently if you have vitiligo you don’t have enough working melanocytes, so not enough melanin is produced causing white patches to develop on the skin or hair. Simple, but if you want to learn more here’s a useful NHS link. 

The reason for this post is that over the past year, more patches have appeared. Apparently stress can cause patches to grow or multiply which might be why I’ve seen three on my tummy in the last six months (#muststaycalm,) but only one of the patches really causes a little concern. My right eyebrow is turning a rather sexy white colour, and in turn the last year I’ve kind of noticed an eye patch appearing. I’m not insecure about my Vitiligo, not at all but I’ve always been terrified of patches appearing on my face and now there is one.

SO, I’ve decided it’s a Pirate patch. A baddass pirate patch, which made me think I should go read treasure Island again, and yes you can all cheer “Fifteen men on the dead man’s chest, yo ho ho, and a bottle of rum,” but I really wish I had gone back to this book sooner. I read a children’s version back when I was ten, along with Dracula (not sure how recommended that is,) and I adored it and eventually went back and read the real tale all over again. There’s something so blisteringly exciting about this beautiful book. The classic adventure story, with Admiral Benbow Inn, who the young, courageous and I assume handsome (Oo Laa Laa,) Jim Hawkins overhears telling terrible tales of hangings, rum, walking the plank, storms, boats and the treacherous Skeleton Island. Meeting the mutinous crew of Long John Silver and the Hispaniola, this is a terrible tale of secrets, killings, dabloons and “PIECES OF EIGHT.” A beautifully swashbuckling tale and one that’s given me a little confidence this week.

Many times I’ve relied on books for inspiration, for comfort, for support in the darkest of times, but never for appearance based confidence. I guess I never thought that a pirates tale would give me a little boost. I’ve attached a photo so you can all have a little giggle (and I know I see it worse than everyone else does,) but my question this week is, which books have given you confidence? A little pick me up and let’s share a little happiness on this fiddly Friday.