Guilty Pleasures?

Yes, I'm guilty. And so is my son. Weekly, we are glued to History Channel's, "The Curse of Oak Island." We have been enthralled for going on eight seasons. And at times, we have watched re-runs of them. I know that this reality show might not appeal to just everyone, but it certainly does to us and here are some of the reasons why.

This series is a story of two brothers and their bond, their passion for the lore of treasure, and the great support and mutual respect they show one another. For no other reason, the beautiful morality of these family members is a lesson for us all. Though different in many ways, Rick and Marty are intelligent and wise enough to comprehend and depend upon the individual strengths of their sibling. There is not a hint of competition or division...only unity and harmony prevail in their relationship.

Personally, I love the fact that they are both from my generation. And I also get a kick out of knowing that I, too read the very same article from Readers Digest (published in 1965) that inspired this journey and quest way back when I was a kid. That article about the island on Nova Scotia lured us in with stories of ghosts, pirates, and hidden treasures.

It seems that even a president of the United States was drawn in by Oak Island's mysteries. That was Franklin Delano Roosevelt. His family had been part of excavations there.

Among all the finds from all the digs of this island's history, perhaps the most lore evoking is a stone made from granite whose inscription has been said to read: "Forty feet below, two million pounds are buried." It was found in the Money Pit, 90 feet below land surface in 1804, but mysteriously disappeared in the early 1900s.

And, of course there is the legend of the curse of Oak Island: "The curse, which is said to have originated more than a century ago, states that seven men will die in pursuit of the Oak Island treasure before it is found. So far, six men have perished in their search to find the fabled riches."

https://www.distractify.com/p/is-the-curse-of-oak-island-real

My allure to historic treasures is the connection with the Knights Templar. Aren't we all searching for the Holy Grail?

There are many facets of possibility that have indicated some type of Templar visitation to North America, such as the following artifact found on Oak Island: "A lead cross was discovered near Smith’s Cove. The team then went to Domme Prison in France, where Templar knights were once imprisoned. Religious carvings scattered the wall. Markings included the Virgin Mary, Jesus, and a cross almost identical to the piece found on the island." https://www.history.co.uk/shows/the-curse-of-oak-island/articles/the-top-25-treasures-discovered-on-oak-island-so-far

But, perhaps some of the best treasures from my guilty pleasures via television are members of the team and the specialists aboard who add some spice to the digging. Our favorites are Gary and Jack and Dr. Spooner. If you are looking for a "Booby Dazzler," then leave it to Gary Drayton, the King of Metal Detection and his trusty side-kick, Jack Begley who is always willing to dig deeper for those finds while wearing a contagious smile.

Dr. Ian Spooner: well, I have to adore him because of his surname alone, if for no other reason and his profession! Why? Because my paternal grandfather was also a geologist named William Calvin Spooner, Sr.

I hope you will give this series a chance to draw you in for whatever reason...treasure hunting, history, relationships, values. I know you won't be disappointed. I have found it to be intelligent, morally upstanding, and humorous. I hope they find the monetary gains one day, but the value of history has been priceless. Thank you, Oak Island! P.S. Please dig deeper into the web sites I've posted....they are truly interesting, too.