Pollen-y

It's that time of year - itchy eyes and watery noses are cropping up all around town. The cedar pollen is nearly at its worst (I'm not sure it has peaked yet, although it's getting close). My green Sebring has a yellow look to it, which is definitely a sign that the peak is close, but I don't actually see poofs of yellow dust rising from the trees yet. That's when I know that pollen season is completely upon us!

Hope you're not sneezing, wheezing and dealing with itchy eyes, wherever you are!

Reopening

It's that time of year again, when restaurants and other businesses start reopening for the tourist season. Here's an email I recently received about one such event.

Howard's Pub is opening for the season on Friday, March 12

Serving our Full Menu All Day

Spring Hours: Sunday - Thursday 11:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Friday & Saturday 11:00 a.m. - Midnight

Entertainment:
Friday March 12 Aaron Caswell Band 8:30 p.m.
Friday March 19 Karaoke (Alan Ross Road show with Mike) 8:30 p.m.

Prime Rib on Sunday nights

Daily Lunch Specials

24 Drafts

Nearly 200 Bottled Beers

Sunshine

The last couple of days have been beautiful and sunshine-filled. I found the light very welcome after the dreary, cold winter, and especially after the difficulty and pain of the last few days (not that sunshine can or will erase that, of course). It was a terrific day today to walk on the beach, which I willingly did with my sister and Mom who had come for a long weekend visit. I need to remember to do that when I don't have visitors, too! Perhaps if the weather stays sunny, I will. I am ready for spring!

Finally!

After several months of renovations, the lighthouse has finally been turned back on, a fact which makes me happy. It's funny how something which is no longer "necessary" (for navigation, since we have GPS) can still feel so necessary.

Details

Apologies for the lateness of this, but here are the details about Charlotte's memorial service.

11 AM, Friday March 5th, Ocracoke United Methodist Church
If you have a photograph of Charlotte which you would like to have included in the collage or memory book, please bring it with you.

In lieu of flowers, Marcy and Lou request donations be made in Charlotte's name to Ocracoke Child Care (PO Box 284, Ocracoke NC 27960) or another local non-profit organization of your choice.

On Sunday March 7th, Dajio will serve brunch from 11 - 2 as usual. They will donate 100% of the profits to Marcy and Lou.

You can read Charlotte's obituary here.

Dark day

I have several blogs in draft from the last few days, including one which will have pictures of the Mandolin Orange concert, and I promise I will get caught up eventually (as I usually do, right?)

But it won't be today, as the entire village (me included) is grieving the loss of a beautiful child this morning. And many of us are also now grieving with another friend whose mother passed away today as well. It has been a very difficult day on Ocracoke, and all prayers and well wishes will be appreciated.

Turtles recovering

I have blogged plenty here about the unusually cold winter this year, but here's a new angle on that topic: the affect on turtles. Several have been rescued after being "cold stunned". Here's a link to a story about two of them, who are recovering in South Carolina.