BRAD WOODGER

508-627-4216

I’m still here. Margaret is still away. Searching for the Lost City of Gold in the jungles of the Amazon, I believe she said. Or maybe she’s just driving an El Dorado. I rarely listen to what I’m being told unless I’m being complimented.

Big news on Chappy is that ferry captain Charlie shaved off his mustache. I’ve never had a moustache, so I’m not privy to the process involved in removing one. But I think it would be great if one could shave it off whole, in case one changed one’s mind. Just stick it back on, or perhaps give it to someone who wants one.

Rob and Melissa Kagan’s daughter, Sasha, celebrated her birthday this week — princess style! All guests were dressed in various royal garb (I saw a picture of the event — sadly I was not invited. Apparently 40-year-old men dressed as princesses are not welcome at the Kagan parties).

The shad has indeed begun to flower, as has some select beach-plum. The white flowers remind me of our dearly departed cat. He was fond of sitting beneath the blooming branches — somehow aware that their beauty enhanced his, and vice versa.

Saw Steve Ewing as he cruised by on his barge built for two. Always nice to talk to Steve — one of those rare folk that possess humor and depth. He’s been working on a ballad for good friend recently gone, Tom Osmers. If anyone wants to put words to music, let Steve know. I’d be honored if Steve would consider doing the same for me, but I’m conflicted. Steve is older than I, so it may be likely I will outlive him. In which case he’d be hard pressed to write me a poem upon my death. I’ll have to think about this one.

Both Kim and I have been hard at work on the golf course (for those of you who wonder “What do they DO?”) The grass continues to grow despite our state of closure. Seems grass really doesn’t care whether one is open or not. Our pitch pines shed much of their unwanted limbs over the winter (must be nice to have extras), so cleanup was a chore. If anyone wants piles of pieces of pitchy pine — you better get here before the aforementioned Mr. Kagan arrives with his chipper on Friday. Too late.

Getting to be the time of year on Chappy when the painters, cleaners, landscapers and plumbers outnumber the current residents ten to one on any given day. Everything needs to ready for a possible (if unlikely) Memorial Day visit by the summah folk. Time was, we’d do it all ourselves if I recall. Or at least I’d watch TV as my grandfather and grandmother did it.

Don’t know if the blueberries, raspberries and beach plums that we planted at the Marshall Farm (aka the North Farm, given its central location in Chappy) survived another winter. Last I looked this fall they seemed to be fairly content keeping company with the knotweed and various vines and grasses that had moved in. I could still see the tips of their woody tops though.

In other news: Jill still isn’t talking to Bethany. But Alex took it upon herself to let Jill know that Bethany wasn’t going to talk to Jill now either. Of course Ramona was nonplussed, but the countess was appalled. Ohhhhh, wait a minute — that’s the Real Housewives of New York. This time of year I tend to confuse my TV friends with my real friends. Safe to assume, though, that somebody on Chappy isn’t talking to someone else.

Had broccoli rabe (not to be confused with Boston Rob from Survivor) with a meal at a local restaurant this past weekend. I now have a new leader in my least favorite foods. But I’m sure someone somewhere has a taste for bitter bites of life.

Still no bike path. Maybe it’s not the type of thing that gets done in a day. In the meantime, summer bikers will help to keep vehicle speed down. I wonder why other towns haven’t thought of this remedy to speeders? Saves a lot of money on traffic police and costly speed bumps. And what’s a biker or two compared to money saved!

Fixed our leaky kitchen drain. It still leaks, but there’s a lot more caulking on the pipes and my clothes than there used to be!

Margaret will be back next week (or so she promised). It’s been a pleasure serving my constituents, and please do not hesitate to call Margaret with any news you’ve stored up!