It's Like a Dream to Me

Book excerpt: Paddy McCarthy was born on October 19th, 1903, nearly two months before the Wright Brothers first flew at Kittyhawk. In "It's like a Dream to Me", 100-year-old Paddy reminisces about the major events that occurred in his life over the past hundred years. From the trials and tribulations of being educated by the nuns to setting out for the "Boston States" in the early 1920's, to avoiding U-Boats during World War II, Paddy experienced it all. Many of Paddy's tales and stories describe a bygone era in Newfoundland's vibrant past. He vividly recalls helping remove bodies from the wreck of the Florizel when just fourteen years old. He also fondly remembers dances and garden parties or "times" as he calls them. It's like a Dream to Me can be considered a time capsule of 20th century Newfoundland life.