As promised, here are the details on all the festivities planned for Independence Day on Ocracoke. Happy Birthday America!
Tuesday July 3rd
Ben Cherry appearing as Blackbeard the Pirate - 3 PM - OPS Museum porch
Wednesday July 4th
Flag raising ceremony - 9 AM - School circle on School Road (Boy Scouts)
31st Annual Sand Sculpture Contest - 9:30 AM until noon - NPS Lifeguard Beach
Ocracoke Ponies - 10 AM until noon - behind OPS Museum
Classic Cars - 10 AM until 2 PM - lawn at Pony Island Motel pool area
Ocracoke Lighthouse (open for public viewing - you can go inside and look up the stairs, but not climb) - 10 AM - 2 PM
"The Herd" Skydiving Demonstration - 10:30 AM - Pony Island Motel lawn (time may vary due to weather conditions)
Ben "Blackbeard" Cherry - 1 PM - under the trees, Pony Island Motel lawn
Old Time Ocracoke Parade - 3 PM - from Capt. Ben's Restaurant down Hwy 12; left onto Lighthouse Road; right onto Creek Road; right onto Silver Lake Dr; follow road around Silver Lake Harbor to OPS Museum
Want to be in the parade? You must pre-register by July 3rd at 6 PM (forms are available at the PO or the OPS Museum.
At Parade's End - National Anthem, entertainment, awards - OPS Museum porch
FIREWORKS! - 9 PM - you'll be able to see them from anywhere near Silver Lake
Rain date is July 5. See you there!
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Monday, June 25, 2007
Adding insult to injury
When you cut yourself deeply, or when you burn yourself, medical professionals want to give you a tetanus shot. I know this from personal experience, my last 3 tetanus shots having been received in association with, and as a direct result of, other injuries. The only good thing about this fact is that it helps me remember when my last shot was. I had one when I was 16 after burning my arms at my Burger King job. The next one was when I was 26, after I stabbed myself in the foot with a rusty clam rake. That one was during my honeymoon! And then I got one yesterday after assaulting my finger with my kitchen knife. (It hadn't been quite 10 years, but it was close enough.)
So now, in addition to my finger alternately hurting and tingling, while still being numb and generally useless, my left arm aches from the tetanus shot.
Yes, I'm done whining now. It could definitely have been worse. A friend told me today about the time he severed a tendon, and it made me VERY grateful to have missed mine.
Believe it or not, I managed to cut myself in the kitchen again this morning! This time it was just a small paper cut type incision, which I gave myself on the edge of some aluminum foil. Apparently I need to be kept away from all sharp objects!
So now, in addition to my finger alternately hurting and tingling, while still being numb and generally useless, my left arm aches from the tetanus shot.
Yes, I'm done whining now. It could definitely have been worse. A friend told me today about the time he severed a tendon, and it made me VERY grateful to have missed mine.
Believe it or not, I managed to cut myself in the kitchen again this morning! This time it was just a small paper cut type incision, which I gave myself on the edge of some aluminum foil. Apparently I need to be kept away from all sharp objects!
Sunday, June 24, 2007
OUCH!
Or "ow ow ow ow". That's what I said this morning after giving myself a deep gash in my finger. Shortly after that, in answer to the question "what's wrong?" I said "I cut myself. Deeply. I'm going to need stitches." And need stitches I did. I got 9.
Dr. Moore was gentle, kind, and very thorough. He took a good look at my ugly wound to make sure there wasn't anything in it, and to see if I had severed a tendon (I came very close, but thank goodness narrowly missed). (I did do a number on many nerves, and most of my finger is still numb.) Then he stitched me up, as neatly as possible considering the large hole I had created!
This incident reminded me of several things:
- always be careful with sharp knives :)
- how important one's index finger truly is - doing just about anything without moving it much is difficult, and typing is quite interesting (I usually type over 70 words a minute, but I'm well off that pace this evening, and the next several blogs will probably be short...)
- how grateful I am that, even on our small island, we have all the services we need, provided by our neighbors and our friends
Stay safe!
Dr. Moore was gentle, kind, and very thorough. He took a good look at my ugly wound to make sure there wasn't anything in it, and to see if I had severed a tendon (I came very close, but thank goodness narrowly missed). (I did do a number on many nerves, and most of my finger is still numb.) Then he stitched me up, as neatly as possible considering the large hole I had created!
This incident reminded me of several things:
- always be careful with sharp knives :)
- how important one's index finger truly is - doing just about anything without moving it much is difficult, and typing is quite interesting (I usually type over 70 words a minute, but I'm well off that pace this evening, and the next several blogs will probably be short...)
- how grateful I am that, even on our small island, we have all the services we need, provided by our neighbors and our friends
Stay safe!
Friday, June 22, 2007
Ocracoke magic...
...really works! One of my photos was selected for publication in a national magazine! Woo hoo! I'll put an update here once I know which month the article will appear, so you can look for my picture (if you want to).
Words fail me when I try to describe the absolute blessing my life here has been. I have been able to bloom here, as if all my life I was a fresh new seed, packed with potential, just waiting to be planted in the right soil. I have learned to trust my instincts, my spirit and my heart, all of which told me I belonged here within an hour of the first time I set foot on the island. My mind had no idea how enriched, nurtured and healed I would be here, but my intuition did.
Happenings on the island this weekend include
- free car wash at the Assembly of God Church tomorrow (Saturday)
- storytelling at Deepwater Theater on Saturday night (8 PM)
- a band called Sugar Daddy is playing at Howard's Pub tonight and tomorrow night (10 PM both nights)
I bet there's more, but that's all I know about! Have a good weekend, wherever you are. And bloom where you're planted!
Words fail me when I try to describe the absolute blessing my life here has been. I have been able to bloom here, as if all my life I was a fresh new seed, packed with potential, just waiting to be planted in the right soil. I have learned to trust my instincts, my spirit and my heart, all of which told me I belonged here within an hour of the first time I set foot on the island. My mind had no idea how enriched, nurtured and healed I would be here, but my intuition did.
Happenings on the island this weekend include
- free car wash at the Assembly of God Church tomorrow (Saturday)
- storytelling at Deepwater Theater on Saturday night (8 PM)
- a band called Sugar Daddy is playing at Howard's Pub tonight and tomorrow night (10 PM both nights)
I bet there's more, but that's all I know about! Have a good weekend, wherever you are. And bloom where you're planted!
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Happy Solstice!
Today is the summer solstice, the longest day of the year (in terms of the number of hours of daylight). Out here near the eastern-most edge of North Carolina, sunset was at 8:21. To celebrate the solstice, a group of friends gathered on the beach for a bonfire. LouAnn had a ring of flowers in her hair, as did several of the other ladies. Sundae brought a whole bag of fairy attire, which she happily shared. A handful of us donned wings, sheer skirts, and other shimmery gossamer things. We took silly photos, dug a fire pit, and waited for dark.
As a lovely pink, orange, and yellow sunset disappeared behind the dunes, darkness fell and the stars began to come out. Unfortunately, so did the mosquitoes! Thank goodness someone had thought to bring bug spray and didn't mind sharing, or I would have had to run screaming from the gathering. Mosquitoes really love me. Suffice it to say, if I'm around, no one else needs repellent! After I had sprayed myself down, I settled on the sand to watch and enjoy. I also made s'mores setups for anyone who wanted to roast marshmallows in the fire. Caroline was sweet enough to roast some for me, so I got to have a s'more myself as well, which was a treat.
Donald brought out his high powered laser pointer with the green beam which reaches all the way to the sky, and gave tours of the constellations to anyone who wanted to listen.
We ate and drank, talked and listened, and generally enjoyed ourselves for several hours before heading home by moonlight. I had forgotten how indescribably lovely the beach is at night, and realized I definitely need to make a more frequent habit of going there after dark.
Earlier this afternoon, I had the opportunity to send some photographs of Ocracoke to a magazine for possible publication. I have no idea whether they will use them or not, but it was a blessing to have the chance to send them in just in case. I reflected on the fact that I have had many such opportunities as a result of living on Ocracoke, and was touched once again by the island's magic.
Tonight, as I watched sparks fly and flames dance in the fire, saw a shooting star over the ocean, and was enriched by the company of friends, I counted my blessings and thanked the Creator for this place which has been (and continues to be) such a healing balm for my soul and a nurturing cocoon for my emerging self, as I continue to be given opportunities to explore my abilities and learn who I can be. For me, today truly was a happy solstice.
As a lovely pink, orange, and yellow sunset disappeared behind the dunes, darkness fell and the stars began to come out. Unfortunately, so did the mosquitoes! Thank goodness someone had thought to bring bug spray and didn't mind sharing, or I would have had to run screaming from the gathering. Mosquitoes really love me. Suffice it to say, if I'm around, no one else needs repellent! After I had sprayed myself down, I settled on the sand to watch and enjoy. I also made s'mores setups for anyone who wanted to roast marshmallows in the fire. Caroline was sweet enough to roast some for me, so I got to have a s'more myself as well, which was a treat.
Donald brought out his high powered laser pointer with the green beam which reaches all the way to the sky, and gave tours of the constellations to anyone who wanted to listen.
We ate and drank, talked and listened, and generally enjoyed ourselves for several hours before heading home by moonlight. I had forgotten how indescribably lovely the beach is at night, and realized I definitely need to make a more frequent habit of going there after dark.
Earlier this afternoon, I had the opportunity to send some photographs of Ocracoke to a magazine for possible publication. I have no idea whether they will use them or not, but it was a blessing to have the chance to send them in just in case. I reflected on the fact that I have had many such opportunities as a result of living on Ocracoke, and was touched once again by the island's magic.
Tonight, as I watched sparks fly and flames dance in the fire, saw a shooting star over the ocean, and was enriched by the company of friends, I counted my blessings and thanked the Creator for this place which has been (and continues to be) such a healing balm for my soul and a nurturing cocoon for my emerging self, as I continue to be given opportunities to explore my abilities and learn who I can be. For me, today truly was a happy solstice.
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Stories on the pizer
"Pizer" is Ocracoke for porch, and the Community Store pizer is where a group gathered this morning, bright and early, to listen to stories. "Bright and early" was 7:30, so Donald and Merle brought an old fashioned coffee perker and plenty of cups to ensure everyone would be awake enough to enjoy the tales! They also provided a supply of chairs,so all the listeners could sit comfortably. I actually wanted a seat on the bench of the Community Store porch, but that filled up pretty quickly, so I sat on a folding beach chair instead.
Everyone gathered seemed to thoroughly enjoy the stories shared by Leslie Buie (not sure if I spelled that right, apologies to Leslie if I didn't!), LouAnn Homan, and Al Scarborough. The common theme for all the tales was remembrances of stores. Lesllie told the group about the "rolling store", a mercantile on wheels which visited his house when he was a young boy. Ater describing his memories of the marvelous traveling shop, and how its proprietor managed to meet all the needs of his family, including everything from lace to hinges, he told of a more recent (and somewhat frustrating) experience trying to buy the same things in a modern emporium. He concluded his tale with an account of the day he found himself on a back road, where he discovered the old rolling store, rusting and rotting away on blocks. But somehow it wasn't a sad ending to the story. It was just how it ended.
LouAnn told a story of visiting a large department store in downtown Ft. Wayne, Indiana for tea with her mother and grandmother. It was a totally different story, in that it was about a city store rather than a rural "shop on wheels" service. But it still brought the listeners back to a memory of their own, as all good stories do.
Finally, Al Scarborough shared his memories of stores on Ocracoke, which were actually memories of the characters who sat on the pizers of those stores, whittling and telling tales of their own. Al transported me back to Ocracoke in the 50s, and I very much enjoyed the trip!
As LouAnn said, listening to stories on the pizer was a lovely way to start Wednesday. Hope you enjoyed your Wednesday, and made some stories (aka memories) of your own!
Everyone gathered seemed to thoroughly enjoy the stories shared by Leslie Buie (not sure if I spelled that right, apologies to Leslie if I didn't!), LouAnn Homan, and Al Scarborough. The common theme for all the tales was remembrances of stores. Lesllie told the group about the "rolling store", a mercantile on wheels which visited his house when he was a young boy. Ater describing his memories of the marvelous traveling shop, and how its proprietor managed to meet all the needs of his family, including everything from lace to hinges, he told of a more recent (and somewhat frustrating) experience trying to buy the same things in a modern emporium. He concluded his tale with an account of the day he found himself on a back road, where he discovered the old rolling store, rusting and rotting away on blocks. But somehow it wasn't a sad ending to the story. It was just how it ended.
LouAnn told a story of visiting a large department store in downtown Ft. Wayne, Indiana for tea with her mother and grandmother. It was a totally different story, in that it was about a city store rather than a rural "shop on wheels" service. But it still brought the listeners back to a memory of their own, as all good stories do.
Finally, Al Scarborough shared his memories of stores on Ocracoke, which were actually memories of the characters who sat on the pizers of those stores, whittling and telling tales of their own. Al transported me back to Ocracoke in the 50s, and I very much enjoyed the trip!
As LouAnn said, listening to stories on the pizer was a lovely way to start Wednesday. Hope you enjoyed your Wednesday, and made some stories (aka memories) of your own!
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Plans for the big day
That would be the 4th of July, of course. It's the busiest day on the island. This year, as in years past, Independence Day will be full of festivities, including:
- flag raising at the school
- skydiving demonstration by "The Herd"
- Blackbeard presentation by Ben Cherry
- sand sculpture contest
- old-time parade
- fireworks
I'll get better details (times, etc.) and post them here soon. For now, this is as good a time as any to remind everyone that, because of the risk of fire (which could easily spread in our small village), individual fireworks are ILLEGAL anywhere on Ocracoke (both the village and the beach). So if you are planning to be here celebrating America's birthday, please plan to enjoy the professional fireworks, but leave your own fireworks at home.
- flag raising at the school
- skydiving demonstration by "The Herd"
- Blackbeard presentation by Ben Cherry
- sand sculpture contest
- old-time parade
- fireworks
I'll get better details (times, etc.) and post them here soon. For now, this is as good a time as any to remind everyone that, because of the risk of fire (which could easily spread in our small village), individual fireworks are ILLEGAL anywhere on Ocracoke (both the village and the beach). So if you are planning to be here celebrating America's birthday, please plan to enjoy the professional fireworks, but leave your own fireworks at home.
Monday, June 18, 2007
Fewer ferries
If you are planning a trip to Ocracoke, and expecting to ride one of the ferries from Swan Quarter, it's a good idea to check on whether the one you would like to be on is running. The Motor Vessel Pamlico is currently out of service, and the ferry division has had to reduce the number of runs to and from the Hyde County mainland terminal as a result.
Here's the latest press release (from today, Monday June 18):
TWO OF FOUR SWAN QUARTER-OCRACOKE RUNS REMAIN CANCELLED DUE TO MECHANICAL DIFFICULTIES Monday, June 18, 2007
RALEIGH — The N.C. Department of Transportation’s Ferry Division has cancelled half its runs of the Swan Quarter-Ocracoke route through Tuesday, June 18, due to mechanical problems with the Motor Vessel Pamlico. The following ferry trips have been cancelled until the vessel is reinstated:
Swan Quarter to Ocracoke:
9:30 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Ocracoke to Swan Quarter:
6:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
The ferry will be running at the following times each day as regularly scheduled:
Swan Quarter to Ocracoke:
7 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Ocracoke to Swan Quarter:
10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
For updates, call 1-800 BY FERRY.
Check the ferry division website for more updates. Wishing you safe travels, and hope you can still make it here somehow!
Here's the latest press release (from today, Monday June 18):
TWO OF FOUR SWAN QUARTER-OCRACOKE RUNS REMAIN CANCELLED DUE TO MECHANICAL DIFFICULTIES Monday, June 18, 2007
RALEIGH — The N.C. Department of Transportation’s Ferry Division has cancelled half its runs of the Swan Quarter-Ocracoke route through Tuesday, June 18, due to mechanical problems with the Motor Vessel Pamlico. The following ferry trips have been cancelled until the vessel is reinstated:
Swan Quarter to Ocracoke:
9:30 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Ocracoke to Swan Quarter:
6:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
The ferry will be running at the following times each day as regularly scheduled:
Swan Quarter to Ocracoke:
7 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Ocracoke to Swan Quarter:
10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
For updates, call 1-800 BY FERRY.
Check the ferry division website for more updates. Wishing you safe travels, and hope you can still make it here somehow!
Sunday, June 17, 2007
Music and the moon
I am full of cheeseburger and french fries, which I enjoyed while listening to Martin and Friends play at the Jolly Roger. The members of Martin and Friends sometimes vary. Tonight it was Martin Garrish (of course), Marcy Brenner and Lou Castro. They played a variety of music, mostly folk and country, and were excellent as always. It was very enjoyable to sit next to the harbor, listen to the music, and watch the sun go down, the Windfall sail into port, the lighthouse come on, and the moon come out for the evening.
The moon is a thin sliver - the new crescent. For several minutes, the sky was a deep blue with orange and pink accents, and only the moon and a single star were visible. It made a lovely picture, at which I sat and unabashedly stared for a long while.
After arriving home and taking care of a few things, I headed back outside (it was shortly after 10 PM at this point) to look at the moon again. It seemed strangely low in the sky and was a definite shade of orange-red. Although I don't know for sure, I assume that several atmospheric conditions contribute to the moon appearing different colors. The single bright star across from the moon was still there and it too had a reddish hue. It was a unique and beautiful sight.
Hope you are noticing the beauty around you, wherever you are!
The moon is a thin sliver - the new crescent. For several minutes, the sky was a deep blue with orange and pink accents, and only the moon and a single star were visible. It made a lovely picture, at which I sat and unabashedly stared for a long while.
After arriving home and taking care of a few things, I headed back outside (it was shortly after 10 PM at this point) to look at the moon again. It seemed strangely low in the sky and was a definite shade of orange-red. Although I don't know for sure, I assume that several atmospheric conditions contribute to the moon appearing different colors. The single bright star across from the moon was still there and it too had a reddish hue. It was a unique and beautiful sight.
Hope you are noticing the beauty around you, wherever you are!
Saturday, June 16, 2007
Porch talks
The Ocracoke Preservation Society museum holds several "Porch Talks" throughout the season, on a variety of topics related to Ocracoke. They are sometimes held literally on the porch at the museum, sometimes behind the museum under some shade trees, and sometimes inside the museum. Regardless of where the talk is, they are always interesting and informative. Here's the planned schedule of porch talks for the coming months.
Wednesday June 20 and Thursday June 21, 10:30 AM - Storytelling by partipants in Donald Davis' annual storytelling workshop
Tuesday June 26, 1 PM - Guided Museum Tour led by Al Scarborough
Tuesday July 3, 3 PM - Blackbeard presented by Ben Cherry
Tuesday July 10, 11 AM - Rumgagger - pirate songs and tales by Capt. Rob Temple and Fiddler Dave
Tuesday July 17, 1 PM - Guided Museum Tour led by Al Scarborough
Friday July 27 - Sea Songs and Stories by John Golden (time not yet announced)
Tuesday August 7, 11 AM - Rumgagger
Wednesday August 8, 1 PM - Portsmouth Island History by NPS ranger Dave Frum and park volunteers Ed and Rene Burgess
Tuesday August 14, 1 PM - Guided Museum Tour led by Al Scarborough
Thursday August 23, 2 PM - Ocracoke Shells with Julie Howard and Ursula Shears
Tuesday September 11, 11 AM - Rumgagger
Check the OPS website for additional porch talks.
Wednesday June 20 and Thursday June 21, 10:30 AM - Storytelling by partipants in Donald Davis' annual storytelling workshop
Tuesday June 26, 1 PM - Guided Museum Tour led by Al Scarborough
Tuesday July 3, 3 PM - Blackbeard presented by Ben Cherry
Tuesday July 10, 11 AM - Rumgagger - pirate songs and tales by Capt. Rob Temple and Fiddler Dave
Tuesday July 17, 1 PM - Guided Museum Tour led by Al Scarborough
Friday July 27 - Sea Songs and Stories by John Golden (time not yet announced)
Tuesday August 7, 11 AM - Rumgagger
Wednesday August 8, 1 PM - Portsmouth Island History by NPS ranger Dave Frum and park volunteers Ed and Rene Burgess
Tuesday August 14, 1 PM - Guided Museum Tour led by Al Scarborough
Thursday August 23, 2 PM - Ocracoke Shells with Julie Howard and Ursula Shears
Tuesday September 11, 11 AM - Rumgagger
Check the OPS website for additional porch talks.
Friday, June 15, 2007
Unusually high tides
The tide has been unusually high for the last couple of days. I noticed it yesterday on my favorite sound side beach, but it was even more obvious today. I went to the lifeguarded beach, and it was clearly noticeable there. The water was pooled behind the lifeguard stand. Waves were crashing just a few feet in front of the stand, and then continuing up the beach, rolling under it.
To put this in perspective, the lifeguard stand is usually in what I would call "the middle" of the beach. On most days, there is plenty of room (i.e. dry sand!) to set up in front of it, which is what many people do.
I am not sure if there's a particular weather pattern affecting the tides. It has been cooler here the past few days as well. But the forecasters tell us that warmer weather is on the way for the weekend. Hope they are right!
To put this in perspective, the lifeguard stand is usually in what I would call "the middle" of the beach. On most days, there is plenty of room (i.e. dry sand!) to set up in front of it, which is what many people do.
I am not sure if there's a particular weather pattern affecting the tides. It has been cooler here the past few days as well. But the forecasters tell us that warmer weather is on the way for the weekend. Hope they are right!
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Dark and quiet
I wonder why dark is associated with quiet? Perhaps because when towns get dark for the evening (both because the sun is gone and because lights are turned out), everyone is heading to sleep which makes things quiet. Perhaps because we are expected to be quiet in dark places, such as movie theaters.
Whatever the reason, turning out lights (even if it's not all of them) evokes in me a feeling of hushed peace. I move more slowly, and breathe more deeply. And I am quiet. I turned off most of the lights a few minutes ago, even though I am still awake and not planning to go to bed for a while longer. It immediately created a sense of stillness. I am sitting in the screened porch right now, the only light coming from my laptop screen. Good thing I'm a touch typist!
I think I'll have a glass of wine here in the dark. I hope you have a peaceful dark and quiet evening.
Whatever the reason, turning out lights (even if it's not all of them) evokes in me a feeling of hushed peace. I move more slowly, and breathe more deeply. And I am quiet. I turned off most of the lights a few minutes ago, even though I am still awake and not planning to go to bed for a while longer. It immediately created a sense of stillness. I am sitting in the screened porch right now, the only light coming from my laptop screen. Good thing I'm a touch typist!
I think I'll have a glass of wine here in the dark. I hope you have a peaceful dark and quiet evening.
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Pleasantly mellow
I just had dinner and a drink with friends, so I am feeling pleasantly mellow. This was after a meeting of the Civic and Business Association which went long, did not follow the agenda, and had a couple of tense moments. So I needed a little mellowing. I also probably really needed to go home and to sleep, rather than out to dinner at 9:30 PM, but I'm glad I went. Now I will sleep very well. Then tomorrow I can work on my article for the paper!
One of the topics discussed tonight was Emergency Medical Services on the island, which reminds me that I need to correct a statement from a previous blog. I wrote that Bingo (to raise money for the Fire Department) is on Wednesday nights. It is actually on Tuesday nights.
Okay, I'm off to bed where I can be totally mellow (i.e. asleep). Good night!
One of the topics discussed tonight was Emergency Medical Services on the island, which reminds me that I need to correct a statement from a previous blog. I wrote that Bingo (to raise money for the Fire Department) is on Wednesday nights. It is actually on Tuesday nights.
Okay, I'm off to bed where I can be totally mellow (i.e. asleep). Good night!
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Rumgagger
I thoroughly enjoyed the show "Rumgagger" tonight at Deepwater Theater. It's an evening of pirate and nautical tales, most of them in verse or song form, performed by Captain Rob Temple (of the Schooner Windfall) and Fiddler Dave (of Molasses Creek). It's not only highly entertaining (everyone in the audience - kids and adults alike - smiled and laughed through it), it's also quite informative. I learned new facts about pirates, several nautical terms, the multiple reasons for singing on a ship, how sails are raised, and even how big a whale's esophagus is.
If you're planning to be on the island this summer, save a Tuesday evening to attend this show. I bet you'll enjoy it, and I know you'll learn something new! If you will not be able to attend a show live, a CD including several of the tales, shanties and poems from the show is available at local stores.
For more info:
Schooner Windfall (info. about the Rumgagger CD is available here too)
Fiddler Dave
If you're planning to be on the island this summer, save a Tuesday evening to attend this show. I bet you'll enjoy it, and I know you'll learn something new! If you will not be able to attend a show live, a CD including several of the tales, shanties and poems from the show is available at local stores.
For more info:
Schooner Windfall (info. about the Rumgagger CD is available here too)
Fiddler Dave
Monday, June 11, 2007
Okay, I admit it...
...I'm a total procrastinator. It's after 10 PM and I'm blogging for the day. Hey, the day is not over yet! I'm also a multitasker. I'm watching a movie at the same time as writing this blog. No wonder I have a hard time staying focused sometimes.
Unfortunately I am currently using blogging (and movie watching) to procrastinate. So this will be a short one, since I really need to go work on several of the other items on my to do list.
Unfortunately I am currently using blogging (and movie watching) to procrastinate. So this will be a short one, since I really need to go work on several of the other items on my to do list.
Sunday, June 10, 2007
Ocracoke quilt
Rev. Joyce Reynolds, the pastor of the Ocracoke United Methodist Church has created a fabulous, colorful, completely unique quilt which celebrates Ocracoke. How? She used t-shirts from a variety of island business and events, both past and present. Thirty seven of them, to be exact. The quilt is bordered and backed with a lovely blue fabric, and it can be yours! Joyce is auctioning it off, and the money raised will go to the church. The current bid is $700. If you would like to place a bid, you should send it to:
Joyce Reynolds
PO Box 391
Ocracoke NC 27960
Good luck!
Joyce Reynolds
PO Box 391
Ocracoke NC 27960
Good luck!
Saturday, June 9, 2007
Finally, some relief...
It has been quite hot here for the past several days. That is par for the course, but it has also been much more humid than is usual for this time of year. This afternoon, a breeze kicked up and blew some of that moist air out of here. It is still quite warm, don't get me wrong. It's just not as sticky anymore. Whew!
It is lovely outside tonight, clear and starry. I saw a shooting star a few minutes ago. I also saw a young (ten to twelve-ish) boy out for a bike ride (in the dark, all alone), and several fireflies blinking their patterns in the sky. All of these things remind me of some of the many attributes of Ocracoke which I love.
First, I adore the low amount of ambient light, which makes it possible to see more stars from here than most other places (Even within the village, it is easier to see stars than in your average American town...but out on the beach at night is when you can truly be reminded of how many heavenly bodies there are surrounding us. On most nights, the Milky Way is clearly, easily visible.
When stars disappeared behind streetlights,
he said I've gotta get out of this place,
Gotta watch the Milky Way crossing the sky
like freckles on my litte girl's face.
~ from The Richest Man in the World, my current favorite Coyote song
I also appreciate the safety of a small community, which makes it possible for young boys to ride their bikes alone after dark. And for a mid-thirties woman to have a nurturing "adult childhood". (That's what the fireflies were about - seeing them always makes me feel childlike. My own childhood was not particularly safe or filled with firefly magic...so I'm having an adult childhood now, which is both. But that's a whole essay in itself, one which is still forming in my heart and mind, but which I will definitely write some day.)
In the meantime, I'm enjoying the cooler weather, the stars, the fireflies, and the safety. I hope that you, too, are in a place of nurturing, healing, and magic.
It is lovely outside tonight, clear and starry. I saw a shooting star a few minutes ago. I also saw a young (ten to twelve-ish) boy out for a bike ride (in the dark, all alone), and several fireflies blinking their patterns in the sky. All of these things remind me of some of the many attributes of Ocracoke which I love.
First, I adore the low amount of ambient light, which makes it possible to see more stars from here than most other places (Even within the village, it is easier to see stars than in your average American town...but out on the beach at night is when you can truly be reminded of how many heavenly bodies there are surrounding us. On most nights, the Milky Way is clearly, easily visible.
When stars disappeared behind streetlights,
he said I've gotta get out of this place,
Gotta watch the Milky Way crossing the sky
like freckles on my litte girl's face.
~ from The Richest Man in the World, my current favorite Coyote song
I also appreciate the safety of a small community, which makes it possible for young boys to ride their bikes alone after dark. And for a mid-thirties woman to have a nurturing "adult childhood". (That's what the fireflies were about - seeing them always makes me feel childlike. My own childhood was not particularly safe or filled with firefly magic...so I'm having an adult childhood now, which is both. But that's a whole essay in itself, one which is still forming in my heart and mind, but which I will definitely write some day.)
In the meantime, I'm enjoying the cooler weather, the stars, the fireflies, and the safety. I hope that you, too, are in a place of nurturing, healing, and magic.
Friday, June 8, 2007
It's official
Stephen Leatherman (aka "Dr. Beach") was on the beach this morning, doing interviews and talking about his list of the top 10 beaches for 2007. The list was officially released at 12:15 PM. As expected, Ocracoke is now number 1.
You can check out the official list, and learn more about clean beaches here.
I have been up since shortly after 5 AM this morning, since I wanted to go out and see the activity on the beach. The Ocracoke rumor machine had been in a frenzy, and the word was that the Today Show would be filming on the beach, and that Matt Lauer was here on the island. Needless to say, that was all unfounded and untrue. Yes, Dr. Beach was out on the beach and filming interviews, but Matt was nowhere to be seen. Well, you could see him on NBC. In New York.
As Philip so eloquently put it "What's everyone so excited about? This is all there is to see!" ("This" was a tent, a truck with a satellite dish on it, a cameraman, an interviewer, and "Dr. B" in a red shirt.)
I am glad I got out of bed anyway, because how often do you see a truck with a satellite dish on it on Ocracoke's beach? One can hope never again. I did get a picture, which I'll post tomorrow. Right now I'm going to bed!
You can check out the official list, and learn more about clean beaches here.
I have been up since shortly after 5 AM this morning, since I wanted to go out and see the activity on the beach. The Ocracoke rumor machine had been in a frenzy, and the word was that the Today Show would be filming on the beach, and that Matt Lauer was here on the island. Needless to say, that was all unfounded and untrue. Yes, Dr. Beach was out on the beach and filming interviews, but Matt was nowhere to be seen. Well, you could see him on NBC. In New York.
As Philip so eloquently put it "What's everyone so excited about? This is all there is to see!" ("This" was a tent, a truck with a satellite dish on it, a cameraman, an interviewer, and "Dr. B" in a red shirt.)
I am glad I got out of bed anyway, because how often do you see a truck with a satellite dish on it on Ocracoke's beach? One can hope never again. I did get a picture, which I'll post tomorrow. Right now I'm going to bed!
Thursday, June 7, 2007
Summertime...
...and the livin' is easy...
Summer has officially arrived, and is making her presence known in several ways.
I am sitting in the screened porch typing this blog on my laptop. It is nearly 10 PM and pitch dark. But it's still quite warm and humid out here. We have officially pulled out of the springtime pattern of cool nights and open windows. When we reach the point that it is already too hot by 8 AM to eat breakfast in the screened porch, then I will know summer has reached her peak.
Tomorrow is the last day of school for island students. I attended the "end of school picnic" with the first graders today, and read them the last story of the year. I read The Great Kapok Tree, one of my favorites, about the rain forest. They mostly listened, although they were quite excited about getting to eat outside on the dock near Mary Ellen's boat and the prospect of beating the stuffing (literally) out of the pinata which hung waiting nearby.
The village is bustling with visitors, and now there are more families with children, as the school year in other areas has already ended. Today, as the first graders were lining up to walk back to school from the dock, a dad and his two boys were preparing to take a ride in the harbor and waters around the island on jet skis. (I suspect some of the kids wished they could have gone with them, instead of back to the classroom!)
The water is warm enough now that my daily routine involves putting my feet in it, instead of just touching, which is sometimes done timidly and quite quickly, with just a finger, during the winter!
And beach season must be officially beginning, because tomorrow Dr. Beach will announce his list of Top 10 US Beaches for 2007. Be sure to watch the Today show for live feed from Ocracoke tomorrow morning. If you miss that, you can get the update on Dr. Beach's picks on his website.
Have a great summer!
Summer has officially arrived, and is making her presence known in several ways.
I am sitting in the screened porch typing this blog on my laptop. It is nearly 10 PM and pitch dark. But it's still quite warm and humid out here. We have officially pulled out of the springtime pattern of cool nights and open windows. When we reach the point that it is already too hot by 8 AM to eat breakfast in the screened porch, then I will know summer has reached her peak.
Tomorrow is the last day of school for island students. I attended the "end of school picnic" with the first graders today, and read them the last story of the year. I read The Great Kapok Tree, one of my favorites, about the rain forest. They mostly listened, although they were quite excited about getting to eat outside on the dock near Mary Ellen's boat and the prospect of beating the stuffing (literally) out of the pinata which hung waiting nearby.
The village is bustling with visitors, and now there are more families with children, as the school year in other areas has already ended. Today, as the first graders were lining up to walk back to school from the dock, a dad and his two boys were preparing to take a ride in the harbor and waters around the island on jet skis. (I suspect some of the kids wished they could have gone with them, instead of back to the classroom!)
The water is warm enough now that my daily routine involves putting my feet in it, instead of just touching, which is sometimes done timidly and quite quickly, with just a finger, during the winter!
And beach season must be officially beginning, because tomorrow Dr. Beach will announce his list of Top 10 US Beaches for 2007. Be sure to watch the Today show for live feed from Ocracoke tomorrow morning. If you miss that, you can get the update on Dr. Beach's picks on his website.
Have a great summer!
Wednesday, June 6, 2007
Finding time for things that matter
I am different from most people who live on Ocracoke in that I work a full time (well, theoretically - lately it has been much MORE than 40 hours a week!) "corporate America" job (I telecommute). This means my day is less flexible than I would like for it to be. If I weren't so focused on touching salt water every day, there would probably be days that I didn't make it outside at all! (Last year, before I become daily-salt-water-touch obsessed, there were days I didn't leave the house.)
But I have learned from this that it is important to squeeze in, every day, something that matters more than work, even if for only a few minutes. Touching salt water is that thing for me, on many days. Today I was blessed to have several additional "more important" things I enjoyed:
1. A nap! I wish I could say this was because I just felt like a snooze in my hammock...it was actually because I had an awful headache (that's what staring at a computer for 11 - 12 hours a day will do to you) and just had to lie down for a while.
2. A visit from the first graders. They were walking around the village, delivering invitations to their end of the school year picnic which will be held tomorrow on the boat where Mary Ellen (their teacher) currently lives. (Attending the picnic will be my "more important" thing for tomorrow.) The kids were all amazed to see how much Jamie (the kitten) has grown since his visit to their classroom several months ago.
3. Sending a short note to a friend (an actual hand written note, not an email!)
4. Receiving a gift from a friend. Marcy stopped by to bring me a copy of the new Coyote CD Another Year Blooms as a thank you for writing the review of it for the paper. It has been selling like hotcakes!
5. Smelling the roses - literally! Marcy also brought me some lovely ones from her garden.
I hope I'll be able to squeeze in several more-important-than-work activities tomorrow, too. And I hope you will as well!
But I have learned from this that it is important to squeeze in, every day, something that matters more than work, even if for only a few minutes. Touching salt water is that thing for me, on many days. Today I was blessed to have several additional "more important" things I enjoyed:
1. A nap! I wish I could say this was because I just felt like a snooze in my hammock...it was actually because I had an awful headache (that's what staring at a computer for 11 - 12 hours a day will do to you) and just had to lie down for a while.
2. A visit from the first graders. They were walking around the village, delivering invitations to their end of the school year picnic which will be held tomorrow on the boat where Mary Ellen (their teacher) currently lives. (Attending the picnic will be my "more important" thing for tomorrow.) The kids were all amazed to see how much Jamie (the kitten) has grown since his visit to their classroom several months ago.
3. Sending a short note to a friend (an actual hand written note, not an email!)
4. Receiving a gift from a friend. Marcy stopped by to bring me a copy of the new Coyote CD Another Year Blooms as a thank you for writing the review of it for the paper. It has been selling like hotcakes!
5. Smelling the roses - literally! Marcy also brought me some lovely ones from her garden.
I hope I'll be able to squeeze in several more-important-than-work activities tomorrow, too. And I hope you will as well!
Tuesday, June 5, 2007
National Rip Current Awareness Week June 3 - 9
This week is National Rip Current Awareness Week, per the NOAA website. If you are planning a summer (or any season) trip to the Outer Banks (or any beach), please take the time to educate yourself and your family about the dangers of rip currents, and how to respond if you get caught in one.
Here are some resources for more information:
Eena project
NPS Swimming Safety page
Yes, I know I already blogged about this and I sound like a stuck record. But it's truly important, because tragedy is not a good way to end a vacation. Every year, there are drowning deaths on the Outer Banks as a result of rip currents. There has already been one this year here on Ocracoke. What I find saddest about those facts is that, with just a little bit of education, these losses are preventable.
Learn all you can. Then wade out for a swim! (Come to think of it, that's a good philosophy about life in general too...)
Stay safe out there...
Here are some resources for more information:
Eena project
NPS Swimming Safety page
Yes, I know I already blogged about this and I sound like a stuck record. But it's truly important, because tragedy is not a good way to end a vacation. Every year, there are drowning deaths on the Outer Banks as a result of rip currents. There has already been one this year here on Ocracoke. What I find saddest about those facts is that, with just a little bit of education, these losses are preventable.
Learn all you can. Then wade out for a swim! (Come to think of it, that's a good philosophy about life in general too...)
Stay safe out there...
Monday, June 4, 2007
Two down...
...but hopefully no more to come! I'm talking about tropical storms. Did you know that the two named storms so far this hurricane season (which officially started June 1) BOTH visited Ocracoke?
First we had Andrea, who came by in early May (she apparently didn't get the memo about hurricane season not starting until June 1). Now admittedly, this storm wasn't named until after it left us, but it was the same storm nonetheless!
Then, this past weekend, we had Barry drop in uninvited. He was quite polite about it, all things considered, by not arriving until after the Ocrafolk Festival activities on Saturday had ended (the Festival, in case you don't know, is held outdoors). Barry initially confined his storming to the overnight hours of June 2nd (as I have often joked, Ocracoke is Camelot: it only rains at night). He did overstay his welcome (or lack thereof) a bit, though, when he continued to send smatterings of rain on and off all day on Sunday. (Luckily, the Festival organizers had decided to move the final day's events to the alternate indoor venue.)
I'm not complaining too loudly, because neither Andrea nor Barry caused any long term issues on the island (we had the usual minor flooding and power outages, but things were back to normal within a day of both storms). I would, however, sincerely appreciate it if Chantal (and Dean, and Erin, and Felix, and...) would stay out at sea. I fully understand that everyone wants to visit Ocracoke, but we really don't need the entire alphabet of storms showing up at our front door.
Hope things aren't too stormy in your part of the world!
First we had Andrea, who came by in early May (she apparently didn't get the memo about hurricane season not starting until June 1). Now admittedly, this storm wasn't named until after it left us, but it was the same storm nonetheless!
Then, this past weekend, we had Barry drop in uninvited. He was quite polite about it, all things considered, by not arriving until after the Ocrafolk Festival activities on Saturday had ended (the Festival, in case you don't know, is held outdoors). Barry initially confined his storming to the overnight hours of June 2nd (as I have often joked, Ocracoke is Camelot: it only rains at night). He did overstay his welcome (or lack thereof) a bit, though, when he continued to send smatterings of rain on and off all day on Sunday. (Luckily, the Festival organizers had decided to move the final day's events to the alternate indoor venue.)
I'm not complaining too loudly, because neither Andrea nor Barry caused any long term issues on the island (we had the usual minor flooding and power outages, but things were back to normal within a day of both storms). I would, however, sincerely appreciate it if Chantal (and Dean, and Erin, and Felix, and...) would stay out at sea. I fully understand that everyone wants to visit Ocracoke, but we really don't need the entire alphabet of storms showing up at our front door.
Hope things aren't too stormy in your part of the world!
Sunday, June 3, 2007
Zonked
It is not yet 9 PM, and I am nodding off sitting here in my chair. I am pleasantly exhausted, after a weekend of music, stories, shopping, and fun. The Ocrafolk Festival is a blast. A tiring blast, but a blast nonetheless.
Hope you had so much fun this weekend that it wore you out, too!
If you missed the Festival, there are still plenty of opportunities to enjoy music and stories by many of the talented performers on the island, during the Deepwater Theater summer performing season. Details are available here.
Hope you had so much fun this weekend that it wore you out, too!
If you missed the Festival, there are still plenty of opportunities to enjoy music and stories by many of the talented performers on the island, during the Deepwater Theater summer performing season. Details are available here.
Saturday, June 2, 2007
New clothes
There is something about putting on a gorgeous new outfit which makes women (well, me at least, and many other women I have talked to about this topic) feel wonderful. I got to do that today, by purchasing a lovely ensemble (actually, two!) from Suzanne Armstrong, one of the many talented artisans at the Ocrafolk Festival. I also got a beautiful silver mermaid pendant from Suzanne's cousin, Carolyn Schena. And I made two new friends ~ it was a lot of fun buying clothes and jewelry from these ladies! They made me feel pretty, and worthy of the splurge. The next time you're in Avon, I highly recommend visiting either one or both of their shops: Mad Mad Hatteras (Suzanne) and Studio 12 (Carolyn).
It was a marvelous day for the Festival, with near perfect weather. It was a bit hot in the morning, but then some clouds rolled in and cooled things down a bit. The rain held off until after the festivities, which was excellent. So, in addition to my great new outfit, I also got to enjoy performances by many of my favorite musicians and storytellers. If you missed it, mark your calendar (and make your reservations; people book rooms a year in advance for this event) now for the 2008 Festival, which will be held June 6 - 8. See you then!
It was a marvelous day for the Festival, with near perfect weather. It was a bit hot in the morning, but then some clouds rolled in and cooled things down a bit. The rain held off until after the festivities, which was excellent. So, in addition to my great new outfit, I also got to enjoy performances by many of my favorite musicians and storytellers. If you missed it, mark your calendar (and make your reservations; people book rooms a year in advance for this event) now for the 2008 Festival, which will be held June 6 - 8. See you then!
Friday, June 1, 2007
Sharing a meal
Ocracoke is a place of many potlucks. More of them happen in the off season, when things are a bit slower around here and folks have time to get together over food. Tonight was the annual "meet the performers" pot luck dinner which officially kicks off the Ocrafolk Festival. It was a large potluck by any measure, with several hundred people in attendance.
After the meal, the Festival fundraising auction was held to raise money to support the event, which does not charge admission. One of the auctioned items was quite creative - it was called "potluck a month". Each month for the next twelve, the lucky winner will receive a traditional Ocracoke potluck recipe, including notes and stories about its origin, and the "one special ingredient that makes it turn out perfectly". At the auction tonight, the winner also got several kitchen/cooking-related items, including small skillets, spatulas, etc. When Merle (the lady who thought of this unique gift) described it to the crowd, she reminded everyone of the fact that Gary Mitchell (of Molasses Creek) submitted an essay to NPR on the topic "I believe", and that it was selected, recorded and played. His theme? "I believe in potlucks." It's a lovely piece, and Gary really captures the essence of potlucks as a part of community. You can read it here.
After the meal, the Festival fundraising auction was held to raise money to support the event, which does not charge admission. One of the auctioned items was quite creative - it was called "potluck a month". Each month for the next twelve, the lucky winner will receive a traditional Ocracoke potluck recipe, including notes and stories about its origin, and the "one special ingredient that makes it turn out perfectly". At the auction tonight, the winner also got several kitchen/cooking-related items, including small skillets, spatulas, etc. When Merle (the lady who thought of this unique gift) described it to the crowd, she reminded everyone of the fact that Gary Mitchell (of Molasses Creek) submitted an essay to NPR on the topic "I believe", and that it was selected, recorded and played. His theme? "I believe in potlucks." It's a lovely piece, and Gary really captures the essence of potlucks as a part of community. You can read it here.
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