I'm a slacker. I haven't practiced my guitar in several days (don't tell my instructor!) One thing I've learned in my adult life is that the things I do consistently (i.e. daily) are the ones which have the most effect on me. I would not have expected to become a highly organized, structured person, but the fact that I have been working in jobs which require and reward that type of behavior for years has affected who I am. (Younger readers: keep this in mind when choosing a career!) So the fact that I haven't practiced my guitar means that I'm not going to be very good at playing it any time soon. Incidentally, that's one of the reasons I blog: I like to write, I want to be better at it, and I know that in order to do that I need to do it as often as possible (hopefully daily). Blogging provides a structure for daily writing, and the fact that I choose to write about living on Ocracoke makes it motivating (if you know me, you know I love to communicate about Ocracoke, whatever the medium!)
I don't have a reason for not practicing my guitar for the last few days, but I have a good one for today: it was nearly 75 degrees! I'm wearing a t-shirt and capris, and during the time that I could have been practicing chords, I took a barefoot walk on the beach instead. So at least I have a good reason for being a slacker. Not that I'm encouraging slacker behavior, but when you have an opportunity to walk on the beach barefoot on the last day of November, you should take it! (Unless, of course, you live in Puerto Rico or somewhere else where you can walk on the beach barefoot any day of the year...in that case, you should do the other things that need doing.)
Now I'm going to go practice my guitar. Some days, there are enough hours in the day to both slack off for a while, and still be productive, too. :)
Thursday, November 30, 2006
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
Good things about not being on Daylight Savings Time
Okay, I realize that those of you who know me are absolutely floored at the title of this post. It is difficult to imagine that I could come up with one good thing about not being on DST, let alone multiple! Strangely enough, and believe it or not, I thought of three today:
1. Evenings seem longer.
When you work from home, as I do, it is very easy to work too late. I often just keep working long after I should have stopped. Now, when it gets dark just before 5:00 PM, by 5:30 it has started feeling "late", so I log off and quit working at a more reasonable time. This then makes the evening hours (time for eating dinner, talking with John, hanging out with friends, or watching TV) seem to last longer. (Of course they are not longer, I'm just starting the non-work activities sooner. But perception is powerful!)
2. I often get to see moonlight and stars reflected in water.
Frequently this time of year, my daily ritual of touching salt water happens after dark (before that, I'm stuck at home working, remember!) On nights with very little wind, when the water is flat (Ocracokers call that a "slick cam"), the reflection of the moon and stars in the water makes a lovely, peaceful picture.
3. I hear the church bells more often.
At 6:00 PM each evening, after chiming the hour, the bells at Ocracoke United Methodist Church play 2 or 3 hymns. I enjoy listening to them, but usually miss it. Since I am now quitting work around 5:30, and often heading out to touch salt water shortly after that, I find myself outside at 6:00 and therefore I get to hear the bells. Tonight I sat down on the steps into our home, looked at the stars, and listened to two songs (the first one was Handel's Messiah; I didn't recognize the second). It was a sweet, quiet way to end the day.
So there you have it: even I can come up with a positive way to look at early darkness. Not that I'm advocating ending the use of DST completely, though! I love long lazy summer days, too.
Remember, only when it is dark enough can you see the stars.
1. Evenings seem longer.
When you work from home, as I do, it is very easy to work too late. I often just keep working long after I should have stopped. Now, when it gets dark just before 5:00 PM, by 5:30 it has started feeling "late", so I log off and quit working at a more reasonable time. This then makes the evening hours (time for eating dinner, talking with John, hanging out with friends, or watching TV) seem to last longer. (Of course they are not longer, I'm just starting the non-work activities sooner. But perception is powerful!)
2. I often get to see moonlight and stars reflected in water.
Frequently this time of year, my daily ritual of touching salt water happens after dark (before that, I'm stuck at home working, remember!) On nights with very little wind, when the water is flat (Ocracokers call that a "slick cam"), the reflection of the moon and stars in the water makes a lovely, peaceful picture.
3. I hear the church bells more often.
At 6:00 PM each evening, after chiming the hour, the bells at Ocracoke United Methodist Church play 2 or 3 hymns. I enjoy listening to them, but usually miss it. Since I am now quitting work around 5:30, and often heading out to touch salt water shortly after that, I find myself outside at 6:00 and therefore I get to hear the bells. Tonight I sat down on the steps into our home, looked at the stars, and listened to two songs (the first one was Handel's Messiah; I didn't recognize the second). It was a sweet, quiet way to end the day.
So there you have it: even I can come up with a positive way to look at early darkness. Not that I'm advocating ending the use of DST completely, though! I love long lazy summer days, too.
Remember, only when it is dark enough can you see the stars.
Monday, November 27, 2006
A minor epiphany
I walked to a small sound-side beach area this evening to see the stars and touch salt water (something I like to do every day). While there, I had a realization about a reason I love Ocracoke (one of hundreds, or perhaps thousands, but one of which I had not been conscious before).
I have often reflected on the fact that I get a real sense of the peace of God when I look at wide expanses of water (it has to be oceans or wide sounds; lakes where I can see the other side don't work for me). I experience the ocean as a wonderful metaphor of God : so big that I cannot see or understand it all, yet something in which I can fully immerse myself. So my epiphany this evening was that the reason I feel so safe here, the reason I often feel "watched over" (in a good way: God and/or guardian angels watching me), is because I am completely surrounded by water. (Yes, Virginia, the water does go all the way around the island...) No wonder the peace of God is so prevalent for me here.
Be at peace, wherever you are!
I have often reflected on the fact that I get a real sense of the peace of God when I look at wide expanses of water (it has to be oceans or wide sounds; lakes where I can see the other side don't work for me). I experience the ocean as a wonderful metaphor of God : so big that I cannot see or understand it all, yet something in which I can fully immerse myself. So my epiphany this evening was that the reason I feel so safe here, the reason I often feel "watched over" (in a good way: God and/or guardian angels watching me), is because I am completely surrounded by water. (Yes, Virginia, the water does go all the way around the island...) No wonder the peace of God is so prevalent for me here.
Be at peace, wherever you are!
Sunday, November 26, 2006
Old fashioned evenings
I have recently enjoyed several evenings which felt like they could have happened many years ago. First, I went to a "Flat Cat Cafe" which is a performance by local young (i.e. high school and below) musicians. Typically, they do an electrical, amplified concert, but this particular Flat Cat was an acoustic one. There were several excellent performances, on a variety of instruments including fiddle, piano, and guitar, and a couple of funny songs and dances. It was a showcase of talent, and a preview of the excellent shows to come, as these kids continue to grow their talents.
The next old-fashioned evening was one which most people would have found annoying. During the Nor'Easter storm we had at the beginning of this week, the power went out at about 6:15 PM. It was pitch dark by then, of course! I actually happened to be in a room without windows when the power went off - talk about dark! After finding my way out of there, I fumbled around a bit to find a flashlight. The power stayed off for several hours, so I used my book light to read a book aloud to John (we do that every now and then). The power came back on after a while, but I enjoyed sitting and reading in the dark until it did. I also went out and drove around for a while, and I LOVED seeing Ocracoke without electric lights. Each home had a warm glow in a single window, from the candles or oil lamps the family had lit. I imagined the entire family gathered in that one room, perhaps chatting, reading, competing at a board game, or maybe playing some acoustic musical instruments. That may sound idyllic to you, but I would bet that all four of those things were done somewhere in the village while folks were waiting for the power to be restored.
The third and final "old Ocracoke" evening was this past Friday (11/24). That was the night of the Ocrafolk Festival fundraising concert, which is traditionally held on the Friday after Thanksgiving. There were homemade baked goods available for sale, a raffle for prizes including fig cakes baked that day (using fig preserves made on the island with local figs, of course!), and two and a half hours of wonderful performances by musicians from the island (Coyote, Molasses Creek, Captain Rob and Sundae (and their daughter Caroline), Martin Garrish, and Katie Mitchell among others), as well as some from other parts of North Carolina (John Golden and Catesby Jones). There were also heartwarming and hilarious performances by Jef the Mime and storyteller Donald Davis. It was a wonderful evening of entertainment, and at one point Catesby Jones put my thoughts into words, when he said "if we didn't have the electric lights and this "make it louder" machine, this evening could be happening many - even 100 - years ago. That's the magic of Ocracoke."
I wish I could say that I maintained that sense of a slower paced, simpler life for the next several days, but I have to admit I got wrapped up in Christmas decorating. Specifically, in dealing with the lights on our tree, a decidedly modern challenge! But I'm hoping that, now that the tree is finally up (lit and decorated!), I'll find some quiet time to enjoy that Ocracoke magic again. And here's hoping that you, too, will experience that kind of magic wherever you are. Read a book, play a game with your kids, take a walk, light a candle...make time for life's simpler pleasures during this hectic holiday season. Blessings to you and yours!
To know more -
Ocrafolk Festival: http://www.ocrafolkfestival.org
The next old-fashioned evening was one which most people would have found annoying. During the Nor'Easter storm we had at the beginning of this week, the power went out at about 6:15 PM. It was pitch dark by then, of course! I actually happened to be in a room without windows when the power went off - talk about dark! After finding my way out of there, I fumbled around a bit to find a flashlight. The power stayed off for several hours, so I used my book light to read a book aloud to John (we do that every now and then). The power came back on after a while, but I enjoyed sitting and reading in the dark until it did. I also went out and drove around for a while, and I LOVED seeing Ocracoke without electric lights. Each home had a warm glow in a single window, from the candles or oil lamps the family had lit. I imagined the entire family gathered in that one room, perhaps chatting, reading, competing at a board game, or maybe playing some acoustic musical instruments. That may sound idyllic to you, but I would bet that all four of those things were done somewhere in the village while folks were waiting for the power to be restored.
The third and final "old Ocracoke" evening was this past Friday (11/24). That was the night of the Ocrafolk Festival fundraising concert, which is traditionally held on the Friday after Thanksgiving. There were homemade baked goods available for sale, a raffle for prizes including fig cakes baked that day (using fig preserves made on the island with local figs, of course!), and two and a half hours of wonderful performances by musicians from the island (Coyote, Molasses Creek, Captain Rob and Sundae (and their daughter Caroline), Martin Garrish, and Katie Mitchell among others), as well as some from other parts of North Carolina (John Golden and Catesby Jones). There were also heartwarming and hilarious performances by Jef the Mime and storyteller Donald Davis. It was a wonderful evening of entertainment, and at one point Catesby Jones put my thoughts into words, when he said "if we didn't have the electric lights and this "make it louder" machine, this evening could be happening many - even 100 - years ago. That's the magic of Ocracoke."
I wish I could say that I maintained that sense of a slower paced, simpler life for the next several days, but I have to admit I got wrapped up in Christmas decorating. Specifically, in dealing with the lights on our tree, a decidedly modern challenge! But I'm hoping that, now that the tree is finally up (lit and decorated!), I'll find some quiet time to enjoy that Ocracoke magic again. And here's hoping that you, too, will experience that kind of magic wherever you are. Read a book, play a game with your kids, take a walk, light a candle...make time for life's simpler pleasures during this hectic holiday season. Blessings to you and yours!
To know more -
Ocrafolk Festival: http://www.ocrafolkfestival.org
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
Power from on high
If you haven't heard yet, Ocracoke is currently under a state of emergency. Now, don't get excited...that's not nearly as bad as it sounds. We did have a good bit of flooding in the village from the Nor'Easter storm which came through over the last couple of days. But the reason for the emergency is because of issues with the road "up the beach" as we call it (that means anywhere between Ocracoke village and, oh, Virginia). :) The road on Ocracoke is only partially open due to dune damage (i.e. sand and water on the road), and a 1/4 mile section of pavement is out on Hatteras Island, near Rodanthe. So the Emergency Management control group decided to limit access to the island to residents and essential personnel only. That - combined with the fact that we have had intermittent power on the island all day - created the emergency. There is a generator on the island, which has been run during the day, but the power is "shared" around (i.e. it is on here for a while, then off here while it is on in other parts of the village). All of this reminded me of a journal entry I wrote in May of 2005. Here it is:
During yesterday's sermon, I realized at least one of the reasons I like Joyce so well, as she talked about the truth she had learned from the power outage after Hurricane Isabel. I saw there a kindred spirit, another who observes things and thinks "life is like that."
Her sermon was great. She described the fact that electric power for the island comes from somewhere up the beach and called it "power from on high." Then she talked about how, after Isabel, that power was not available, so the village had to use generator power. Since it was only the locals (there had been a mandatory evacuation for tourists), the generator provided plenty of power for everyone. Then, the following year, Hurricane Alex swept in fast and caught even the meteorologists unawares. There were thousands of tourists stuck on the island, and the power went out again. This time, because of the greater load, the generator could not keep up, and power had to be rationed by rotating it around the island. Life is like that ~ we can handle the ordinary, but when there is a larger load, a bigger burden to bear, we need power from on high. We need the help and comfort that God can provide. One thing I would add to this observation: in life, God's power from on high will never go out: it is always available to us, no matter how severe the storm, as long as we seek Him.
Hope you are safe, warm and dry. Happy Thanksgiving!
During yesterday's sermon, I realized at least one of the reasons I like Joyce so well, as she talked about the truth she had learned from the power outage after Hurricane Isabel. I saw there a kindred spirit, another who observes things and thinks "life is like that."
Her sermon was great. She described the fact that electric power for the island comes from somewhere up the beach and called it "power from on high." Then she talked about how, after Isabel, that power was not available, so the village had to use generator power. Since it was only the locals (there had been a mandatory evacuation for tourists), the generator provided plenty of power for everyone. Then, the following year, Hurricane Alex swept in fast and caught even the meteorologists unawares. There were thousands of tourists stuck on the island, and the power went out again. This time, because of the greater load, the generator could not keep up, and power had to be rationed by rotating it around the island. Life is like that ~ we can handle the ordinary, but when there is a larger load, a bigger burden to bear, we need power from on high. We need the help and comfort that God can provide. One thing I would add to this observation: in life, God's power from on high will never go out: it is always available to us, no matter how severe the storm, as long as we seek Him.
Hope you are safe, warm and dry. Happy Thanksgiving!
Sunday, November 19, 2006
Yard sales and blue glass bottle trees
It has been a month of yard sales in November. There were 2 yard sales on each of the first two Saturdays of the month. We went to all of them, and picked up some good stuff: several books, some holiday decorations, and even Christmas gifts! One of the yard sales on Nov. 4th was hosted by the Ocracoke United Methodist Church, and included lunch (soup and sandwiches). We got there late, so we missed the soup which sounded like it had been delicious. (The sandwiches were still good, though!)
Learning from our mistake, we went EARLY to the one yard sale on Nov. 11th at the other church on the island (Ocracoke Assembly of God) which also included food. They also had soups (including chili) and sandwiches, as well as fabulous home-made dessert items ("bake sale" style). Of course, I had to get several things (it was hard to choose!), and officially get the holiday weight gain process started, LOL.
I noticed at the Assembly yard sale, there were several items which I had seen the weekend before at the Methodist yard sale. It was then that I remembered overhearing a comment at the end of the sale at the Methodist church: as the ladies who had organized the yard sale were packing up what was left, they talked about taking the items to the other church. It was lovely example of the sharing that happens on Ocracoke ~ regardless of denomination or personal beliefs. Another example which comes to mind is the fact that the small Catholic congregation on the island meets in the Methodist Church Rec Hall, since they have no building of their own. We are all God's family, loving and appreciating one another and the beautiful island home with which He has blessed us.
We were late for the yard sale this weekend, because I didn't know about it until a couple of hours after it started. When you live on Ocracoke, you simply must go to the Post Office on a daily basis if you expect to keep up with all that is going on around the village. I had not been there in several days and so had missed the sign announcing this particular sale until Saturday morning at about 10:00 AM (the sale was from 8:00 - noon). Late or not, I wanted to go to this particular sale based on who was having it - Merle, a lovely lady with unique, eclectic taste. I knew I would find something there I would like! And I did, buying several things (a few of which will be given as Christmas gifts).
The first thing I noticed as we arrived at the house (even before I looked at the yard sale tables and products) was a tree with blue glass bottles hanging in it. It made a lovely image, the blue of the bottles contrasting nicely with the green of the tree. The light sparkling on the bottles gave it a festive air, and the soft sounds of bottles tinkling together as the wind blew was as sweet as any wind chime. I commented on it to Merle, and she taught me something I had never heard before. She told me of a superstition which states that "bad spirits" like blue glass bottles, so if they find them they go into them, but then cannot determine how to get back out through the narrow neck. The belief goes on to state that if you hang the bottles outside your home, you will not be bothered by bad spirits. I don't know about that, but the display will certainly look and sound lovely anyway.
Learning from our mistake, we went EARLY to the one yard sale on Nov. 11th at the other church on the island (Ocracoke Assembly of God) which also included food. They also had soups (including chili) and sandwiches, as well as fabulous home-made dessert items ("bake sale" style). Of course, I had to get several things (it was hard to choose!), and officially get the holiday weight gain process started, LOL.
I noticed at the Assembly yard sale, there were several items which I had seen the weekend before at the Methodist yard sale. It was then that I remembered overhearing a comment at the end of the sale at the Methodist church: as the ladies who had organized the yard sale were packing up what was left, they talked about taking the items to the other church. It was lovely example of the sharing that happens on Ocracoke ~ regardless of denomination or personal beliefs. Another example which comes to mind is the fact that the small Catholic congregation on the island meets in the Methodist Church Rec Hall, since they have no building of their own. We are all God's family, loving and appreciating one another and the beautiful island home with which He has blessed us.
We were late for the yard sale this weekend, because I didn't know about it until a couple of hours after it started. When you live on Ocracoke, you simply must go to the Post Office on a daily basis if you expect to keep up with all that is going on around the village. I had not been there in several days and so had missed the sign announcing this particular sale until Saturday morning at about 10:00 AM (the sale was from 8:00 - noon). Late or not, I wanted to go to this particular sale based on who was having it - Merle, a lovely lady with unique, eclectic taste. I knew I would find something there I would like! And I did, buying several things (a few of which will be given as Christmas gifts).
The first thing I noticed as we arrived at the house (even before I looked at the yard sale tables and products) was a tree with blue glass bottles hanging in it. It made a lovely image, the blue of the bottles contrasting nicely with the green of the tree. The light sparkling on the bottles gave it a festive air, and the soft sounds of bottles tinkling together as the wind blew was as sweet as any wind chime. I commented on it to Merle, and she taught me something I had never heard before. She told me of a superstition which states that "bad spirits" like blue glass bottles, so if they find them they go into them, but then cannot determine how to get back out through the narrow neck. The belief goes on to state that if you hang the bottles outside your home, you will not be bothered by bad spirits. I don't know about that, but the display will certainly look and sound lovely anyway.
Saturday, November 18, 2006
Cat in the classroom
I took our kitten Jamie to the first grade classroom yesterday (Friday) morning. The kids waited very patiently (although a bit agitatedly) while I read a story about a kitten, and then I let Jamie out of his carrier. He initially was a bit nervous around the kids, but quickly grew comfortable, letting them pet him and then wandering around the room sniffing everything.
One of the kids, however, was not a fan of Jamie. This young boy has a fear of animals, although he thinks they are cute and interesting. I had observed him last week when Mary Ellen (the teacher) had some family members bring a couple of dogs to visit (that visit was held outside on the basketball court, not in the classroom!), and it was interesting to see how he was torn between his fear and his desire to see the dogs up close.
During our visit, while I was reading a second story to the kids, Jamie jumped up to sit on Mary Ellen's lap. The child with the fear of animals happened to be sitting next to his teacher, but was looking at me and so did not immediately realize that the cat was so close to him. Then, when he did see Jamie, he was somewhat afraid, but did not immediately bolt and run. It was as if he realized, "hey, this cat has been there for a while and hasn't hurt me, so I guess he is okay." This is in line with many recommended methods for dealing with fear by facing instead of avoiding it. I don't know about you, but I have certainly regretted not choosing to do certain things in life because of fear. Sometimes I eventually got around to doing them, once my faith overcame my fear, and some things I have yet to do. I was inspired by my first grade friend, especially by his excitement about what he had accomplished. Hopefully I can turn my inspiration into action!
One of the kids, however, was not a fan of Jamie. This young boy has a fear of animals, although he thinks they are cute and interesting. I had observed him last week when Mary Ellen (the teacher) had some family members bring a couple of dogs to visit (that visit was held outside on the basketball court, not in the classroom!), and it was interesting to see how he was torn between his fear and his desire to see the dogs up close.
During our visit, while I was reading a second story to the kids, Jamie jumped up to sit on Mary Ellen's lap. The child with the fear of animals happened to be sitting next to his teacher, but was looking at me and so did not immediately realize that the cat was so close to him. Then, when he did see Jamie, he was somewhat afraid, but did not immediately bolt and run. It was as if he realized, "hey, this cat has been there for a while and hasn't hurt me, so I guess he is okay." This is in line with many recommended methods for dealing with fear by facing instead of avoiding it. I don't know about you, but I have certainly regretted not choosing to do certain things in life because of fear. Sometimes I eventually got around to doing them, once my faith overcame my fear, and some things I have yet to do. I was inspired by my first grade friend, especially by his excitement about what he had accomplished. Hopefully I can turn my inspiration into action!
Thursday, November 16, 2006
A dark and windy day in the neighborhood
The temperature all day today was wonderful - we still have the door open to let in the fresh air (at nearly 9 PM). Other than that, the weather was not great. It was very overcast and windy all day (there's still a slight breeze, and I am enjoying listening to the wind chimes in the screened porch). It was not, however, as windy as it was on Sunday. We've had a run of windy days recently! The first picture is a view of the sound as it looked on Sunday. The mainland ferries were not running for most of the day, due to the high winds.
Wind-wise, it wasn't that bad today (as far as I know, the ferries kept running), but it was seriously cloudy! Shortly after 2:00, it got pretty dark and I started hearing rumbling thunder. I headed out to enjoy being outside briefly before the expected deluge arrived. It was so dark that the lighthouse was already on, at 2:45 in the afternoon!
After taking a couple of pictures, I went to the library to pick up books to read to the first grade class tomorrow. I happened to actually have my library card with me (a rare occurrence), so I gave it to Jetta at the desk. She chuckled and said that it had been a long time since anyone actually used a card. That made me smile, and started me musing about one of the things I love about living here: the small town community. There aren't many towns left where you don't need a library card to check out a book, your registration card when you show up to vote, or ID to order a drink (well, some people might not need that no matter where they live, LOL). Around here, people know who you are, what you do, and whether you are old enough to drink. It is a wonderful feeling when your neighbors know and trust you.
Islanders also often go beyond mere knowing, to looking out for each other. I experienced this recently when I lost one of the library books I had checked out to read with the first graders. After looking everywhere at home and calling Mary Ellen to confirm I hadn't left it at school (she said she would check the next day), I had resigned myself to paying for the book. Then Mary Ellen called to say she had not found the book in the classroom, but that she had checked with the library and someone had turned it in (and, coincidentally enough, one of the first graders had then checked it out ~ I guess he really enjoyed that story!)
I have no idea where I left the book or who found it, but I am grateful to that person for taking care of it for me. It was a simple but tangible example of the way neighbors treat one another here. I think of everyone who lives on the island as my "neighbor", even those who live all the way on the other side of the village (2 miles away, quite a distance, LOL!)
All this musing reminded me of an editorial my friend Sundae wrote several years ago. In it she talked about the reasons she moved to Ocracoke, and what she loved about the island. It moved me so much that I cut it out and put it where I would see it often. After reading it every now and then for a few months, I had memorized part of it. Sundae wrote that she moved here because she "wanted to be known, to be of use, to be home". I know exactly what she meant. So much of the sense of home I have here is related to being known, to being a part of the community. The world would be a better place if everyone could live in a town where they feel at home, at peace, and accepted. I recommend doing just that, if you can!
Wind-wise, it wasn't that bad today (as far as I know, the ferries kept running), but it was seriously cloudy! Shortly after 2:00, it got pretty dark and I started hearing rumbling thunder. I headed out to enjoy being outside briefly before the expected deluge arrived. It was so dark that the lighthouse was already on, at 2:45 in the afternoon!
After taking a couple of pictures, I went to the library to pick up books to read to the first grade class tomorrow. I happened to actually have my library card with me (a rare occurrence), so I gave it to Jetta at the desk. She chuckled and said that it had been a long time since anyone actually used a card. That made me smile, and started me musing about one of the things I love about living here: the small town community. There aren't many towns left where you don't need a library card to check out a book, your registration card when you show up to vote, or ID to order a drink (well, some people might not need that no matter where they live, LOL). Around here, people know who you are, what you do, and whether you are old enough to drink. It is a wonderful feeling when your neighbors know and trust you.
Islanders also often go beyond mere knowing, to looking out for each other. I experienced this recently when I lost one of the library books I had checked out to read with the first graders. After looking everywhere at home and calling Mary Ellen to confirm I hadn't left it at school (she said she would check the next day), I had resigned myself to paying for the book. Then Mary Ellen called to say she had not found the book in the classroom, but that she had checked with the library and someone had turned it in (and, coincidentally enough, one of the first graders had then checked it out ~ I guess he really enjoyed that story!)
I have no idea where I left the book or who found it, but I am grateful to that person for taking care of it for me. It was a simple but tangible example of the way neighbors treat one another here. I think of everyone who lives on the island as my "neighbor", even those who live all the way on the other side of the village (2 miles away, quite a distance, LOL!)
All this musing reminded me of an editorial my friend Sundae wrote several years ago. In it she talked about the reasons she moved to Ocracoke, and what she loved about the island. It moved me so much that I cut it out and put it where I would see it often. After reading it every now and then for a few months, I had memorized part of it. Sundae wrote that she moved here because she "wanted to be known, to be of use, to be home". I know exactly what she meant. So much of the sense of home I have here is related to being known, to being a part of the community. The world would be a better place if everyone could live in a town where they feel at home, at peace, and accepted. I recommend doing just that, if you can!
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
Pickin' Fish at Stone Rock
I took a walk through Springer's Point Nature Preserve today, and while I was sitting on a bench looking out at the water and chatting with my friend Mary, we both got a very pleasant surprise. A boat came by, very quickly and (I thought) dangerously close to the rocks at the point. At first, we were concerned, but then we realized the waterman was expertly dropping a net into the water. We walked down for a closer look and discovered Jesse Spencer setting what he explained was a gill net, in order to catch as much mullet as possible. He said he didn't mind if we watched and took pictures, and he seemed happy to explain what he was doing. First, he made sure that the net was in place (it created a roughly circular enclosure). Then, using an oar, he "encouraged" the mullet to swim from the center toward the net. How? He slapped the water, the rocks, and the bottom with the oar. I certainly would've swum for cover if I were a mullet!
Jesse then started pulling the net out of the water, removing the fish caught in it, and tossing them into baskets in his boat. In the middle of this process, his cell phone rang, so he jumped into the boat to answer it. The caller obviously asked him what he was doing, to which he replied, "pickin' fish at Stone Rock". I had not previously known the name for this particular area, so it was a treat to learn it. Ocracokers have names for many areas of the island ~ part of their unique vocabulary. I love and savor the slow process of coming to understand the language. As a relatively recent transplant to the island (I have been living here full time for just under 2 years), I still have a great deal to learn.
It was near sunset, and the images of an Ocracoker working on the water as the light changed were lovely and moving. I could also see another fishing boat, and the Schooner Windfall out for a sunset sail on the calm waters of Pamlico Sound ~ other watermen, earning their livings from the bounty and the beauty with which we are all blessed in this area.
One of the remarkable things I noticed while Jesse was working was that some of the mullet jumped OVER the top of the net (out of the water) in order to escape. One also struggled free of the net before Jesse could grab him. Of that one, he said "it weren't his day to meet his maker". I loved the simplicity of that philosophy (and the example of Ocracoke brogue). Some other day, Jesse might get that one. I'm sure he will be back to work the water again, probably tomorrow.
Links of interest/To know more:
Gill net fishing - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gill_net
Ocracoke brogue - get info here: OPS brogue page, or visit the Ocracoke Preservation Society museum the next time you are on the island to watch the video about the unique dialect used by Ocracokers
Jesse then started pulling the net out of the water, removing the fish caught in it, and tossing them into baskets in his boat. In the middle of this process, his cell phone rang, so he jumped into the boat to answer it. The caller obviously asked him what he was doing, to which he replied, "pickin' fish at Stone Rock". I had not previously known the name for this particular area, so it was a treat to learn it. Ocracokers have names for many areas of the island ~ part of their unique vocabulary. I love and savor the slow process of coming to understand the language. As a relatively recent transplant to the island (I have been living here full time for just under 2 years), I still have a great deal to learn.
It was near sunset, and the images of an Ocracoker working on the water as the light changed were lovely and moving. I could also see another fishing boat, and the Schooner Windfall out for a sunset sail on the calm waters of Pamlico Sound ~ other watermen, earning their livings from the bounty and the beauty with which we are all blessed in this area.
One of the remarkable things I noticed while Jesse was working was that some of the mullet jumped OVER the top of the net (out of the water) in order to escape. One also struggled free of the net before Jesse could grab him. Of that one, he said "it weren't his day to meet his maker". I loved the simplicity of that philosophy (and the example of Ocracoke brogue). Some other day, Jesse might get that one. I'm sure he will be back to work the water again, probably tomorrow.
Links of interest/To know more:
Gill net fishing - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gill_net
Ocracoke brogue - get info here: OPS brogue page, or visit the Ocracoke Preservation Society museum the next time you are on the island to watch the video about the unique dialect used by Ocracokers
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