Lions and tigers, definitely not. But bears, apparently so.

I always take with a grain of salt the times someone tells me that they saw something on Ocracoke which hasn't been documented as being here, or just logically shouldn't be here. One example is deer. Every so often, someone will say they saw a deer. My response is always to smile, while inwardly thinking "I'll believe that when I see it myself". Maybe it's possible for a deer to swim the 5 miles across Hatteras Inlet, but I'm betting it doesn't happen very often.

So the first time someone told me that there was a bear on the island, I didn't think there was any truth in it. The first person I heard it from said they had seen a sign warning that there was a black bear in the area, not actually a bear. I thought maybe the sign was a prank or joke of some kind.

Turns out I was wrong. There have apparently been several sightings of a black bear, including one by a National Park ranger. So the rangers have, indeed, posted signs around the island letting people know about the unique visitor.

Fish House Update

If you've been wondering about the status of keeping the last remaining fish house on Ocracoke open, here's the latest news. Hyde County agreed to loan the Ocracoke Working Watermen's Association (OWWA) the $325,000 needed to purchase the building, and they have secured a line of credit from Eastern Carolina Bank for the additional funds needed for renovations, equipment, etc. This is great news for the over 30 fishermen members of OWWA, who now have a place to bring their catch, and for everyone (residents and visitors alike) who likes fresh seafood. The next time you are on the island, stop by the Ocracoke Seafood Company (which is the retail operation of OWWA) and buy some fish, shrimp, clams, or whatever is available that day!

Bloody pirates!

I went to see Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End on Sunday. When you live on Ocracoke, going to see a movie (especially one that is nearly 3 hours long!) is pretty much an all day affair. It took nearly 8 hours - left at 1:30 to make the 2:00 ferry to Hatteras, drove to Avon for the movie at 3:30, shopped at Food Lion (never go to Hatteras without a cooler!), and ended up on the 8:00 PM ferry back to Ocracoke, arriving home just before 9:00.

It was worth it, though. The movie was great entertainment. No, it's not as good as the first one, of course (none of them ever will be). But it's pure fun nonetheless. Go see it for an escape from daily life!

Working holiday weekend

For many people (in the US, anyway), today was a holiday - a day off from work. The Post Office and banks were closed. Here on Ocracoke we had many visitors for the long weekend who enjoyed taking advantage of their extra day without labor. For the residents, however, it was a work day like any other in "the season". I managed to get away from work duties for a short while today, and took a bike ride. As I was pedaling home, I saw some ladies I know from church. Just to make conversation, I asked "did you enjoy the holiday weekend?". One lady chuckled and said "yes, even though I had to work!" We all nodded in understanding. That's just one of the realities of living and working in a place that people love to visit. I don't think most people mind, since that hard work is what enables them to stay here, and that - of course - is well worth the effort!

For a good cause

I bought a necklace with a diamond circle pendant last night. I think I got a good deal, too (at least I paid about $85 less than I was told was retail value, I have no idea whether what I was told was accurate or not). But even if I paid too much for it, I didn't mind. Where on Ocracoke, you might wonder, did I find such a thing? And why would I not mind overpaying for it? I won the necklace (and a couple of other items) at the auction held last night to raise funds for the Ocracoke Volunteer Fire Department (OVFD). It had been donated by Kay Jewelers for the auction, which was only one part of the event held to benefit this worthy cause. Before the auction there was a pig pickin', and after the auction, a dance. The barbecue was delicious, the auction successful (and highly entertaining), and the dance I'm sure was great (I left after the first few songs, as it was late and I was getting tired).

I was told today that the entire event raised approximately $30,000 for OVFD, which is excellent but unfortunately doesn't make a huge dent in the need for approximately $1M to purchase a new truck and construct a new building (the current one is old, has been flooded multiple times, doesn't have enough room for all the trucks, and is not big enough to hold a ladder truck which is also needed since houses are being built higher (off the ground) and taller in recent times than they have been in the past).

If you can help, please consider donating to OVFD next time you are on the island. One fun way to do so is to play Bingo, which is held on Wednesday nights at the Fire Hall during the summer.

Good news?

I received the following in an email today:

Dr. Beach (Stephen Leatherman) will be on Ocracoke in June to announce the beach that has made Number 1 on his annual list of top 10 beaches. While I am not saying that Ocracoke will be named Number 1, I am told that Dr. Beach always makes his announcement from the beach that he has chosen to be Number 1 that year!

This will be a big media event with satellite feeds around the world. The North Carolina Division of Travel and Tourism is working with the National Park Service and others in Hyde County to make this a successful event. As it unfolds, I will try to keep you posted, but mark your calendars for June 8 and if you can’t be on the island with us that morning, turn your television on for the morning news!

This could be good news or bad news, depending on how you look at it. Of course, we don't know for sure that it is news at all, and we won't know until Dr. Beach makes his official announcement.

But let's say that Ocracoke is picked as the number 1 beach this year. Many people would say, "that's great!" - it's free publicity for the island, which will lead to more visitors and therefore more business for the many family owned and run establishments here. Some would say "oh, darn" - it's free publicity for the island, which will lead to more visitors and therefore more busy-ness.

And then there's the fine print: once a beach is selected as #1 on Dr. Beach's list, it is retired from the list for several years. That would make the "that's great!" people sad, and the "oh, darn" people happy.

Everyone here knows, of course that Ocracoke has the best beaches. It's just a question of perspective in determining whether we want everyone else to know or not!

Sailing and snacking

I went for a sail on the Miss Ocracoke today. (Okay, it wasn't literally a "sail", since the Miss Ocracoke is not a sailboat...but I was feeling alliterative again today, and somehow "cruising and crunching" just didn't sound quite as good as the title I settled on instead.) Anyway, the boat ride was an appreciation event for the people who volunteer at the school. The teachers brought a large selection of wonderful snacks, and we munched and chatted as Steve sailed us out to Teach's Hole. It was a lovely, needed break in the middle of a long day (well, a string of long days really!)

I always enjoy seeing Ocracoke from the water, and sailing in to Silver Lake for a view of the homes and other buildings around it from the opposite side from what I usually see. There's a metaphor in this, about looking at things from a different angle when life has got you stressed, exhausted, or just plain down in the dumps. It certainly lightened my heart for a few minutes to leave everything that has been stressful recently, and just watch sunlight on water. Here's wishing that you also have (or can find) the thing which brings you peace in the midst of sometimes-hectic life. A visit to Ocracoke is that thing for many people. If that's what it is for you, hope you can come out here soon!

As Jimmy Buffett puts it (yes, I'm a Parrothead):

Well I hope you understand
I just had to go back to the island
And watch the sun go down
(Sit and watch the sun go down)
Listen to the sea roll in
(Listen to the sea roll in)
...
Listen to the nightbird cry
Watch the sun set die
Well I hope you understand
I just had to go back to the island

Flotsam and jetsam

It is always interesting to see what washes up on the beaches around here. Today I saw what was left of a beach chair (just part of the frame and a scrap of the plastic material which had formed the back and seat).

Another interesting thing I've seen recently is a pile of shells, rocks, and other small debris in the back yard. I vaguely remember reading somewhere (can't remember where) that there is a type of bird which builds piles of items of this sort as a way to attract a mate. I haven't seen a bird near the pile outside my kitchen window yet, but I will keep an eye on it.

New music

A couple of days ago, I finished writing a review (for the Ocracoke Observer) of the new CD by Coyote. If you don't know, Coyote is Marcy Brenner and Lou Castro who live here on Ocracoke. They are just two of the island's many wonderfully talented musicians. Lou is also my guitar teacher, and Marcy is one of my good friends. Marcy and Lou have been playing together for 6 years, and married for nearly 4. They have previously released two CDs: Coyote Live from the Outer Banks and Home to Me. The new one is called Another Year Blooms, and it is excellent. I have listened to it many, many times in preparing to write the review, and I love it more each time I hear it. The songs are wonderfully memorable and singable: they have sweet phrases and lovely melodies that stick with me, and come to mind fairly frequently. They have been a calming influence in the midst of my recently-crazy life!

The CD will be available starting June 1st in island shops, and also online at soundsiderecords.com. I highly recommend buying a copy!

If you are on the island this summer, you can see Marcy and Lou live. Here's their performing schedule (and schedules for music on the island in general) -
- Rumgagger (Captain Rob Temple and Fiddler Dave of Molasses Creek) - Tuesdays at Deepwater Theater
- Coyote - Tuesdays and Sundays at the Jolly Roger with Martin Garrish & Friends
- Ocrafolk Opry - Wednesdays at Deepwater Theater (including Coyote, Molasses Creek, Captain Rob & Sundae, and many others)
- Molasses Creek - Thursdays at Deepwater (Lou will appear with them sometimes)
- Coyote and Noah Paley - Fridays at Deepwater Theater (new show!)

And don't miss the Ocrafolk Festival (June 1 - 2) if you can help it!

Links of interest:
Coyote
Molasses Creek
Soundside Records
Deepwater Theater Calendar
Noah Paley
Ocrafolk Festival

Flickering lights

I just got back from my salt water walk. When I was out on the soundside beach, I saw two types of flickering lights. The first was from the TV in a nearby rental cottage - I could see the moving quality of the light indicating that it wasn't from a lamp or overhead fixture. Then, I noticed light moving on the beach, down a bit from where I was standing. There were two people out for an evening walk, with flashlights. I bet they were enjoying finding the ghost crabs, which freeze in place when you catch them in a flashlight beam.

Of the two types of flickering light I saw this evening, I recommend enjoying the second! (Not that there's anything wrong with TV per se, but if you have a choice between watching the boob tube and walking on the beach on a clear evening, under a quilt of stars and a sliver of moon, it does seem like a pretty simple decision.)

Triple digits! and why I love wind

This is my 100th blog! Yes, I know that's really not that many in the grand scheme of things, but it does put me "in the triple digits" as they say. And since it will be a looooong while before I get in the quadruple digits, I'm excited about 100!

The wind picked up quite a bit today, late in the afternoon. It was a lovely warm, still day until about 4:00-ish when it started getting windy. Not annoying, "free microdermabrasion on the beach" windy, but windy nonetheless. Some wind is usually a given constant around here, so we're used to it. But sometimes wind can be frustrating - it makes it difficult to bike around (except when the wind is at your back, of course!), it makes a huge mess out of my long hair (which will be a pain - literally - to brush through later), and it wreaks havoc on my decorative flags (the one currently hanging up really needs to be replaced, as the edging broke down over time and finally had to be removed - it's only a matter of time now before it begins to look really ratty).

Even though it can cause problems, there is one thing I love about wind. I'm sitting here in my living room with the door open, and I can hear two lovely sounds: wind chimes tinkling, and the sound of waves washing up on the soundside beach near where I live (of the two, that's the sound I love better). I hear the wind chimes a lot, but I usually don't hear waves, since there are houses and a good bit of grassland between me and the water. But when there is enough wind, and everything else is quiet at night, I can hear the waves. It's very peaceful, and I enjoy it immensely. I can't hear it in my bedroom, unfortunately. Perhaps I'll sleep in the living room.

Roomful of wisdom

The Assembly of God Church held a luncheon for Ocracoke's seniors (age 65 and over) today. I helped serve, and also delivered lunches to seniors who couldn't get out to attend the event itself. At one point, standing near the dessert table, I looked out across a roomful of gray and silver heads. It was lovely. I thought about how much wisdom and Ocracoke history was stored in the minds of this group, and wished I could tap into it somehow.

Later in the lunch time, I sat next to a sweet lady named Macky. She also volunteers at the school, and is often in the first grade classroom at the same time I am on Friday mornings. Talking with her about the kids reminded me of how much I enjoy spending time with both the youngsters and the elders in the community. I learn much from both of them.

Cold

It suddenly got cold yesterday, and stayed that way through today. It was a good day to stay inside and watch a movie, which is exactly what we did. And we discovered a fabulous little Australian movie called Strictly Ballroom. At first glance, it's a movie about ballroom dancing. But it's actually a wonderful allegory about life, and not living it in fear. It had me smling and crying at the same time. Watch it!

Vivir con miedo es como vivir a medias.

Sudden showers

We have had a string of lovely spring days, with sunny, clear blue skies, and perfect neutral temperatures (warm but not hot). Today was different - overcast and dreary in the morning. It looked like rain. At about 3:00 this afternoon, it suddenly did (rain, that is). It was one of those sudden showers which doesn't announce itself with thunder or begin slowly with a few fat raindrops. One minute it wasn't raining, and the next it was coming down in streams. It wasn't what we Southerners call "cow on a flat rock" pouring, but it was a steady rain.

It matched my emotional state for the day. I have suddenly found myself completely behind again, with more to do than there are hours in the day to fit. Usually, that frustrates me but doesn't particularly upset me. Today, though, it was finally just too much. Every now and then I just felt like crying. So there were sudden showers outside, and on my face.

Don't worry, I'll be fine. After all, no matter how hectic my day is, I still live on Ocracoke! I think I'll go touch salt water now to remind myself of that, and get grounded again. It's currently raining, but I don't mind getting a bit wet. And I will certainly sleep well, since a) I'm exhausted and b) the sound of rain is a wonderful lullaby.

Good night!

Learning from "Eena"

Last fall, a lady named Kristina was vacationing on the Outer Banks with her family, including her young nephew who called her "Eena". They were here, in part, to celebrate his second birthday. Kristina and her family had vacationed on the Outer Banks many times, so she was familiar with the area and had swum in the ocean here before. She had never, however, been educated about rip currents. She got caught in one and unfortunately drowned.

Her family started "The Eena Project" to inform visitors to the Outer Banks about the dangers of rip currents. The project has created brochures, refrigerator magnets, and DVDs to educate people visiting the area (they have provided these materials at no charge to hotels, B&Bs, and vacation home rental companies in an effort to ensure the information gets to as many visitors as possible). I admire their desire to bring something good out of a personal tragedy.

As their website, eenaproject.com so eloquently puts it:
Kristina’s death was tragic and preventable. We do not want any other family to experience what we went through that day. Education on rip currents and water safety can help you have a wonderful vacation here in the Outer Banks.

The website provides a lot of good information, and you can watch the video about Kristina on it. Take a few minutes to learn about rip currents: it just may save your life the next time you visit the island!

Risque business?

I attended a business meeting tonight (well, it was preceded by a potluck and followed by a fascinating presentation, but in between we had an official business meeting, with calls to order, motions being made and voted on, and minutes being kept).

During the course of the evening, several funny things were said which sound risque but actually weren't. Here they are for your enjoyment!

"I found my diaphragm" - me, talking of course about learning to breathe correctly and therefore sing better!

"I am no longer a blog virgin" - Cynthia, talking about the fact that I was the first person to blog about her

And the phrase "natural endowments" was used several times during the business portion of the meeting. We were talking, of course, about the wonderful natural things which exist on the island. What did you think we meant?

There was an extensive discussion during the meeting, followed by a vote which went the opposite way than I voted. Ah, democracy and majority rules. I hope we made the right decision for the long term of the organization we were discussing. So we did get some actual business done, in addition to having odd conversations which sound like they mean something other than what they actually mean.

I enjoyed the meeting thoroughly and laughed a lot (in addition to eating way too much wonderful food - I love potlucks!)

I wish all business meetings were that fun, actually.

Storm debris

Usually, when we have a Nor'easter, or a hurricane passes by the coast, we can expect to see changes in the beach and what is on it. Usually, old shipwrecks already on the island but buried under sand are uncovered, or parts of them are washed up onto the shore. There is one near the Pony Pen dune crossover which I find interesting - it has a small disc on it, marking it as a find by the underwater archeology department of a university (I forget which one). It is funny to see it on land now, when it obviously was submerged when the archeology students located it.

This week, there is debris on the beach as a result of the most recent storm. But it's a bit different than usual. It's styrofoam chunks. A container ship traveling along the coast lost part of its load, which I've heard was ceiling fans. The fans, of course, would have sunk. But the styrofoam packing material floated and ended up here (and along the beach on the islands south of here, too).

Believe it or not, though, this is not the strangest thing I've heard of washing up on the Outer Banks after a storm. Last year, a ship carrying Doritos lost two of its containers, and many bags of the chips were found along the coast. There were pictures in the newspaper of people walking the beach with grocery bags, picking up snacks!

Here's hoping that interesting things "wash up" in your life!

Movie stars

There are some real movie stars in the area right now, filming Nights in Rodanthe, the movie based on the book by Nicholas Sparks. (Richard Gere and Diane Lane, in case you were wondering.) The movie crew has been working on Hatteras Island, and did some shooting on the north end of Ocracoke this past weekend. I don't know whether Richard or Diane have spent any time on the island or not.

I am not a big fan of Nicholas Sparks' books or movies. I did read Nights in Rodanthe, and found it predictable. I would not be planning to see the movie if it had not been shot on the Outer Banks. Since it was, though, I will definitely watch it (although I'll get it from Netflix, rather than paying to see it in the theater), if only to look for the faces and names of my friends who are involved with the production.

Here are the people from Ocracoke (at least those I know of) who will be either in the film, or in the credits:
- Marcy Brenner and Lou Castro (collectively "Coyote") are recording music for the film, and will also appear as musicians in it
- Cynthia Mitchell (yes, my voice coach) is the dialect coach, helping the actors with Southern and Outer Banks pronunciation (she was also the dialect coach for The Butcher's Wife, in which Demi Moore played a woman from Ocracoke, although the Outer Banks footage was shot on Cape Lookout)
- someone else told me that David Tolson provided recorded examples of the Ocracoke brogue speech pattern

Watch for the movie, which will be released in June 2008, according to the Internet Movie Database (imdb.com).

Learning to breathe

I am taking a series of three voice lessons from a lady named Cynthia. The first lesson, we sang very little, instead working mostly on a new way of breathing (from the diaphragm, instead of chest breathing). Today, we worked on that some more, and then applied it to singing. It was amazing! I have often heard about the concept of "breath support" when singing, but never learned how to do it myself. Cynthia is a great coach, and now I have personally experienced breath support and what it can do for my voice.

I have a loooong list of to do items, but I sat around and read a book today instead of doing many of them. This was a form of learning to breathe, too. I need to make sure I'm not only "doing", but also taking the time for just "being", whether that involves listening to the frogs, watching dolphins, lazing in my hammock, or simply sitting still and breathing. It's important - though difficult - to make space for this in our busy lives. But I'm trying, and I hope you will have some luck with doing so too.

A special cemetery

Ocracoke has over 80 cemeteries. Most are small family plots, and they are scattered throughout the village. Some are in back yards, and sometimes individual people are buried under porches, or under or behind bushes or other landscaping. My friend Sundae wrote an excellent article about the cemeteries on the island, which was published in Our State magazine.

There is, however, only one cemetery on the island which, although it is in "some foreign field", can say it will be "forever England". That is, of course, the British Cemetery. The annual memorial service was held today, to honor the British and Canadian sailors who lost their lives when the HMS Bedfordshire sank off Ocracoke on May 11, 1942 after being torpedoed by a German U-boat. Four bodies washed ashore and are buried in the small plot on British Cemetery road.

The cemetery had been cleaned up and was looking its best for the service today, with new plants, memorial wreaths, and the ceremonial Union Jack adding splashes of bright color. The ceremony was, as it always is, sober and moving. I am most affected each year by the reading of the Roll of Honor, the names of all the young men who died on the Bedfordshire. Their ages are always mentioned, too, which is truly poignant. One of the High School students read the Roll today, and the ages of the lost sailors were not much higher than his own.

I noticed something today which I have seen many times before, but never reflected on in any depth. The sign at the British Cemetery says "cared for by the crew of Coast Guard Station Ocracoke". I love this choice of wording. The cemetery is not merely maintained, it is cared for, by these dedicated men and women. It is, as it should be, treated with respect and reverence, ensuring that future generations will remember the sacrifices made for the ideal we call freedom. Let us not forget.


Links:
Our State magazine
British Cemetery Info and picture
More British Cemetery info (old pictures)

Turtles and spiders and frogs, oh my!

To continue my thoughts on being surrounded by animals out here, I had an animal filled day!

This morning, when I went out to feed the outside cats, I got to watch a turtle trekking to the food bowl. I wonder sometimes how many different species are actually eating the cats' food. I see evidence that the snails feast on it too, as they leave their silver tracks all over the bowls and the general vicinity. I know, of course, that the ducks enjoy it, and now there's the turtle too. I suspect the birds munch cat food every now and then, even though there's a bird feeder in the same area.

Speaking of cats: I neglected to provide an update on Savannah after blogging about taking her all the way to Virginia Beach to see the kitty cardiologist. Hope you weren't too worried! She is basically fine. She has cardiomyopathy, but it does not seem to be causing symptoms yet (she still eats, sleeps, and alternately plays with and gets annoyed at Jamie, the same as usual). The vet gave me some meds to give her, which she doesn't mind taking at all since I stick the pill inside a soft treat!

So back to this morning. After watching my turtle friend slowly lumbering toward his goal, I started a day which was anything but slow! It was far too full, and I found myself at 7PM stressed, frustrated and not finished with even half of what I needed to do today. I decided to leave it all for a few minutes and go to Springer's Point. I was incredibly blessed by that choice.

The first animal I saw as I walked through the preserve on the trail was a frog. He was sitting in the middle of the trail, but didn't hop away when I approached. He had settled down in his spot (there was an indention in the sand in which he was relaxing), and had no plans to move anywhere for me or anyone else. Well, perhaps he would have moved for a girl frog!

As I continued down the path, I saw evidence of many spiders living in the area. That is to say, I walked through several spider webs. I always feel bad to ruin the spider's hard work. I wish they would learn not to spin right across the path!

The real feast for my senses started when I arrived at the soundside beach. It was beautiful - the water was absolutely still, the sun was just beginning its descent, and the Schooner Windfall was out for her evening sail. What I noticed most was the quiet. I started singing a song which often comes to heart and mind when I am at peace on Ocracoke, but it seemed too loud in the stillness, so I stopped. I settled on a bench instead, and began to read. After just a few seconds, something made me look up from my book, and I am glad I did. I put my book down, walked to the sand, sat down and just watched.

Over the next few minutes, I ...
- saw a pelican perched quietly on the rocks - and soaring away when something startled him
- laughed out loud at a jumping fish which startled me
- watched an elegant egret looking for dinner
- had a conversation with a crab (it was a bit one sided - he just blinked at me - but I've had conversations with human beings I enjoyed less!)
- wondered what the mystery fish swimming nearby might be - it partially surfaced, sticking out just a fin, repeatedly...looked like a tiny dolphin or shark, but I'm sure there's a more reasonable explanation!
- followed the flight of a swallow which swooped down quite near me
- helped a hermit crab get turned right side up
- listened to tiny waves lapping on the rocks
- gazed at ducks gliding by completely silently
- and, my favorite part, enjoyed my own private dolphin show - there were several just off the point who surfaced playfully over and over again

And, lest you think Ocracoke is paradise, I also got gnawed on by gnats!

(For the highly observant among you: yes, I am feeling alliterative today and it was all intentional.)

As I walked back out of the preserve, I remembered the new information Len (the caretaker) had posted on the sign at the head of the trail. It was a statement that there are snakes (non poisonous) in Springer's Point, who are coming back out of hibernation now that it is warm again. Len also listed several types of animals which can be found on Ocracoke and in the Springer's Point area. I loved the last sentence he wrote: "This is their home...please be courteous." I am blessed to be able to share this island home with all its creatures.

Froggy

I know people who jokingly say "froggy" when they mean "foggy". When mist drifts in off the water and it is difficult to see, one person I know will say "it's froggy out". Tonight, it is truly froggy. There's not a wisp of fog to be seen (it's actually a lovely clear night), but there are hundreds (perhaps thousands) of frogs to be heard. They are in Springer's Point and they are singing and calling to one another.

This proximity to nature is one of the (many) things I love about Ocracoke. A few days ago I watched a crab scuttle away from my toes (I could see him easily in the clear, shallow water at the edge of Silver Lake). There are two lovely black ducks that I have enjoyed seeing on the harbor recently. (And of course there are "my ducks", who have now gotten so used to "sharing" the outside cats' food that, if they find the food bowl empty, they stand outside the screened porch and quack until I put some more in it!) On a walk around the village, you might see seagulls, geese, chickens, a rooster or two, and of course plenty of cats.

Of course all this nature poses its challenges, too. At the Civic and Business Association meeting tonight, we had a discussion about issues with the geese who hang around and make an awful mess near the National Park Service docks. Some people aren't thrilled about the fact that parts of the beach are closed to vehicle traffic each year for plover and turtle nesting. But like so many other things in life, it's important to work to find the right balance and to try to get along. Speaking of turtle nests, I learned tonight that the leatherback nest recently laid on Ocracoke was not harmed by the storm earlier this week.

By the way, our recent Nor'Easter visitor now has a name. Andrea is the first named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season (which doesn't officially start for 2 more weeks, but nature isn't interested in man's time tables!) She has continued heading south and will be wreaking her havoc on Florida in the coming days. She's not officially a hurricane; the forecasters are calling her a "subtropical depression".

Enjoy the nature around you. I think I'll sleep with the windows open tonight, so I can drift off to the sound of frogs singing.

I must be immortal

God has placed me on earth to accomplish a certain number of things. Right now, I am so far behind I will never die.

I saw a cartoon which said that MANY years ago, and it stuck with me. Currently it seems very true of my life! Another very accurate one would be:

I try to take life one day at a time, but lately several days have attacked me at once!

Okay, enough whining. Suffice it to say, I am completely swamped at the moment, and therefore this is the end of this blog. (No, not the entire blog, just today's entry...)

Keeping my streak intact

No, not my "guessing the winner of the latest horse race" streak, my "blogging every day" streak. I was a bit concerned I wouldn't be able to maintain it, when the power went out a couple of hours ago. It had stayed on all day, surprisingly, but of course went off before I took the time to blog! It was only off for about an hour, and we are now back up and running again. We're watching another movie and eating pizza (another good day for that), so with any luck the power will stay on long enough to see how the plot resolves.

It is still pretty windy, and the road at Rodanthe is overwashed. Neither the mainland nor the Hatteras ferries ran today at all, as far as I know. So we are still hunkered down here, but doing fine. No flooding or anything yet. I will keep you posted if it gets any worse (assuming we have power and it is possible to do so!)

A good day to...

...hunker down and watch movies! We are currently watching our second movie of the day, because outside it is cold and VERY windy. There's another Nor'Easter coming, expected to be similar to the one during this same timeframe two years ago (the one I wrote about a couple of blogs ago, which wrecked the OISFT that year).

A couple of days ago, a neighbor and I had a conversation about the fact that "we need some rain", because it has been dry here for several weeks. After we talked, I remembered that the last time I had a chat with someone about the need for rain, we had a minor Nor'easter with PLENTY of rain (i.e. flooding - remember the picture of the ducks in the street?) Now that there's another one coming, I think maybe I should stop having conversations about needing rain!

Here's the current status: both the mainland and Hatteras ferries are shut down until further notice, gusts up to 70 mph have been clocked at the Hatteras Lighthouse, and more wind and rain are expected. I've pasted the text of the latest email from the Emergency Management group below.

Here's the good news: the old timers say that, in years when the spring brings several Nor'Easters, the hurricane season is uneventful. Two years ago, that proved to be true. We had two pretty annoying Nor'Easters, with the related soundside flooding, etc. followed by a calm hurricane season. So hopefully that will hold true again this year!

From Tony Spencer, Hyde County Emergency Management:
I got the statement below earlier from Sandy in Dare County . When I had sent out the first message this afternoon, I had only what was in my head, received verbally from the Newport Weather Office. The info below emphasizes and puts much of it in writing. This storm has the potential to affect our weather for the next few days, settling back South and actually switching over to a warm core, taking on tropical characteristics and becoming a hybrid. With the significant winds expected, with models including even higher scenarios, visitors and residents should collect loose items. Significant beach erosion and ocean overwash may make Hwy 12 impassable in many spots, particular up on Hatteras Island . All of this seems very similar to the major Nor’Easter we had this same weekend two years ago.

From Sandy :
This system continues indicate a fairly intense storm off the Hatteras coast starting Sunday night through Wednesday. High winds and seas will be our problem and because of the duration of the event we can expect some minor/moderate ocean overwash and beach erosion. Very similar to what the Thanksgiving storm brought. Fire services should prepare for ocean front cottage/homes to become isolated during high tides. Power outages certainly possible as winds could exceed 50mph at times. Monitor NOAA weather radio and local news for weather updates.

From: F. Rosenstein at NOAA
Situation remains fairly similar but with increasing confidence of the evolution and track of this system. An unusual setup. Strong high pressure drops southeastward today and tomorrow with surface wave development along the leading edge front. The low will move well southeastward offshore and become a cutoff low vertically stacked with the mid level air flow. This will be down near31N 73W by Monday evening. This low will then slowly move westward with its center near 31N 76w Tuesday evening with a continued NW drift to off the GA/SC coast Thursday and will remain nearly stationary into next Saturday . There is a distinct possibility as seen by some objective parameters that this system could change from cold core asymmetric to shallow warm core symmetric as it move westward. What this means is that it could begin to take on tropical characteristics in which it could evolve into a hybrid
tropical low. Early in the season for this but with models showing this potential and a trend to move back towards warmer waters of the Gulf Stream, it could transition to that. Has happened before. Last time was early May 2001 with one farther eastward off Bermuda .

My preference this morning was a track and set up more along the Canadian model line thru day 5 Thursday and remaining nearly stationary into Saturday.

Weather...
Sunday NE winds increasing to 40 kts continuing Sunday night into Monday.
Tuesday NE 30 Kts, higher offshore. Rain coming onshore
Wednesday NE becoming more E 25-30 Good chance rain
Thursday SE 20-25 Good chance rain
Friday S 20 higher offshore Good chance rain
Saturday S 20 Again coastal rain chances

Strong NE-N winds will force waters south with tidal flooding lower Pamlico Sound . Winds become more easterly and then SE later in the week will keep up above normal tides. Greater tidal flooding west side of the Sound. The usual rough surf. Continued high winds against the Gulfstream flow for days will develop fully arisen seas and will translate very heavy swells to the beachs.

I can pick 'em

For my last few years of high school and my first couple of years of college, I had a string of accurate picks for the winner of the three horse races which make up the Triple Crown (Kentucky Derby, Preakness, and Belmont Stakes). I would look at or hear a list of the competing horses' names, and I would say "(insert name here) is going to win". I was right for about 9 or 10 in a row. I didn't know anything about the horses, trainers, jockeys, or what the bookies were saying about who was expected to win. One name would just jump out at me. It was a bit odd, and my friends would joke that I should start betting on the races. (I didn't.)

In 2004, I picked Smarty Jones and he won. I don't remember who I picked in 2005, although if I remember correctly I was torn between Afleet Alex (who came in third) and Giacomo (who won), and I never decided on one of them. (We can pretend that, had I decided, I of course would have decided on Giacomo!) Last year, I picked Barbaro to win, and win he did. Poor guy had a rough year after that, and after several surgeries, he finally got to go to horse heaven.

Today, John read me just a handful of the names (6 or so out of the field of 20) for the Kentucky Derby. One "jumped out at me" the way they used to, but I didn't say anything at the time. Later in the day, though, I told several people that the winner would be Street Sense.

When race time rolled around, of course we had to watch. There were several people present, and I told everyone again that I thought the winner would be Street Sense. Three-quarters of the way into the race, when I heard the announcer say that Street Sense was running 19th out of the field of 20, I turned to John and said "guess I can't pick 'em anymore." Imagine my surprise when Street Sense came from behind in the last 1/4 mile of the race and won the dang thing! Guess my odd "talent" is working again! I think I know who's going to win the Preakness, too, but during my high school/early college streak, my pick always had to be done on the actual day of the race, so I may change my mind between now and then (or another name may "jump out at me" on Preakness day). We'll just have to wait and see.

I don't think there will be a Triple Crown winner this year. But we'll see about that too.

And, no, I'm not going to start betting on horse races! Or announcing here in advance who I think will win so that you can bet based on my pick, either.

Bonner Bridge replacement - you can help

If you have come to or left Ocracoke via Hatteras island, you have driven on the Herbert C. Bonner bridge over Oregon Inlet. You may not know that this bridge needs to be replaced. Don't panic: it's not going to fall down tomorrow (it has been verified to be safe for traffic), but it still needs to be replaced.

Now here's the surprising part, which you may not know, even if you did know about the need to replace the bridge: this is not a new development. The need to replace the bridge has been known and discussed, literally, for YEARS. Sixteen, to be exact. Why, you ask, has nothing been done? Well, there seems to be a deadlock regarding the two options for replacing the span. There has been much study and even more conversation, but no decision on how to move forward.

A group called Replace the Bridge Now has been formed to educate people about the need to replace the bridge, and encourage the decision makers to choose an option so the project can begin. They have an informative website, and have also printed bumper stickers and rack cards explaining the situation. I received an email from them today (I have pasted it below), which provides a way for you to add your voice to this cause. It is easy to help - just fill out the online form to send a letter to over 10 people, including NC Governor Mike Easley, NC Senators and Congresspeople, an NCDOT representative, and the Dare County Commisioners. You don't have to write anything, lick envelopes, or buy stamps! Please join the many voices encouraging our leaders to ensure that this project does not stall any longer.

Action alert

Thank you for your adding your voice to the chorus of those who are advocating for the immediate replacement of the Herbert C. Bonner Bridge over Oregon Inlet.

We need your assistance today!

A critical date for the project is nearing. On May 23, 2007, the Merger Team (which is responsible for choosing a single option for bridge replacement) meets in Raleigh North Carolina.

It is imperative that all efforts are exhausted in that meeting to reach a decision so that progress on the project is not, yet again, stalled. As you are aware, the issue of replacing the Bonner Bridge over Oregon Inlet has been mired down for over 16 years in debate over various options despite the fact that it has outlived its expected life span by more than 14 years!

Please DO NOT DELAY! Every single voice counts! Our hopes are that locals, non-resident property owners, and visitors will send letters in overwhelming numbers to Raleigh.

Please visit the website today www.replacethebridgenow.com and click on the photo of the bridge where it says ACT NOW! to participate.

Thank you again for your assistance!

Rollercoaster spring

The weather has been like a rollercoaster this spring: the temperature goes up, then it goes down, back up again, then down again, and on and on that way. Today was a down day. It was cloudy and a cool wind blew all day, significantly lowering the temperatures from where they have been for the last few days. Just when I think spring has arrived to stay, it seems to take a hike again and we slide back toward late winter!

The annual OISFT (that's the Ocracoke Island Surf Fishing Tournament) is happening this week, and I suspect the contestants don't mind the weather at all, as long as it is not pouring rain and the fish are still biting! Two years ago, we had an awful Nor'easter during the OISFT which severely hampered the contest. The tent they set up at the Community Center for the Friday evening pig pickin' blew away; well, the frame was still there, but the tent material was no longer on it! The show must go on, though, so they moved the dinner indoors and gave awards anyway, for the day or so worth of fishing that had been done before the weather went downhill. This year, the weather has cooperated (so far), and the number of pounds of fish caught will be much higher than it was in 2005, I'm sure!

Full moon

I walked outside under the full moon for a few minutes, just a few minutes ago. The moon is lovely tonight; it looks huge and closer than usual, and slightly yellow. My friend LouAnn said that this is called the corn moon, so maybe the yellow look is why they call it that. Or maybe it's just something in the atmosphere tonight, or my eyes; who knows?

I heard some distant rumbling thunder as I walked outside, too. I swear it seems that, more often than not, it rains at night here. I guess Ocracoke is Camelot! :)

Berkley Manor update

A reader requested an update on the status of saving the Berkley Manor. That is certainly a current and hot topic around here.

Here's the background:
- Several years ago, a group, called the Berkley Manor Steering Committee (BSC), was formed to attempt to purchase the property.
- This group ended up working with the Trust for Public Land, but there was a need for the community to show some good faith regarding what monies it would provide for the process (for example, if the Trust purchased the property, how would the community gain the funding required to maintain it?)
- The BSC approached then Representative Culpepper with the challenge; he suggested that the community consider an additional occupancy tax (which is a tax paid for lodging, including room rentals (B&Bs, hotels, etc.) and whole house rentals) and use the funds generated for this and similar projects. Currently, a 3% occupancy tax is collected on Ocracoke (Hatteras Island, in Dare County, collects 5% I believe...it may be as high as 6%, which is the maximum allowed). There are two other types of taxes which some counties use for funding of this type: land transfer tax and food/beverage tax (on meals in restaurants, not grocery store purchases). My understanding is that legislation limits the number of NC counties which can apply these two kinds of taxes to only a handful, and Hyde is not one of them. (There is proposed legislation which would enable all 100 NC counties to use these two taxes if they chose to do so, but it remains to be seen whether that will pass into law).
- The BSC worked with the Hyde County Commissioners to request and receive their support for this proposal.
- Rep. Culpepper left and was replaced by Rep. Tim Spear; when Tim took over, he was obligated to follow up on any open items Culpepper had left behind (one of which was the request for legislation enabling Ocracoke to pass an additional occupancy tax of up to 2%).
- Rep. Spear brought the request to the NC House, which passed it into law (SL2006-0128) for Hyde County, and several other counties as well. The legislation requires that 2/3 of funds raised be used for marketing, leaving 1/3 to potentially be used for projects like the Berkley (the final 1/3 must be used for "tourism related" projects, but the Berkley could fall into that category if it were used as a visitor or information center, which had been suggested.

Now here's where it gets a bit fuzzy:
- Depending whom you ask, the lodging business owners (hotels, motels, B&Bs, realty companies, etc.) were or were not asked for their opinion on this proposal to add to a tax which they collect.

One thing is for sure, though: now that they (the lodging owners) know about the proposed tax, several of them are not pleased about it. They have formed an organization (called the Ocracoke Lodging Association, or OLA) and have written a letter requesting that the Hyde County Commissioners pursue a repeal of the enabling legislation.

In the meantime, the Berkley property has remained on the open market, and unfortunately it is now under contract to another buyer. Here's the update printed in the spring Mullet Wrapper:
The Berkley Manor Steering Committee (BSC) met with Mike Nolan, owner of Berkley Manor, on April 4, where he announced that the property is under contract with another party, who is not a public or non-profit entity. Committee members and Mr. Nolan were both disappointed that funding could not be secured to allow this historic property to become the civic, cultural, and recreational center the community has envisioned. Both Mr. Nolan and the BSC expressed their deep thanks to the Trust for Public Land and its Raleigh office director, David Proper, for their enormous dedication and support over the past several years exploring various conventional and innovative funding options. The BSC expressed its hope the new owners will work with the community to keep the historic Manor and its green-space a positive attribute of Ocracoke village.

There are still folks on the island who feel that the additional Occupancy Tax should be passed anyway, as the monies could be used to benefit Ocracoke tourism in other ways and for other projects.

Wow, that was probably WAY more information than you wanted! I just happen to have spent a good bit of time talking with a variety of people about this topic recently, so I had a lot in my head about it. The answer to the next question might not be quite as thorough!