The Island survived a thorough powerwash over the weekend, blasting away whatever debris was left after the big party we call summer.
I didn’t go out throughout the storm but felt the chill of the wet air. Between the dampness and the 60ish high temperatures, I also knew it was warmer outside than inside the house. Out came my flannel pajamas, stews and soups from the freezer, fires in the wood stove, dining and supping by the fire.
Late Saturday night I could see that the full moon way up there allowed a little light to seep through the heavy gray rainclouds. It was enough light to watch the panicked black treetops dancing wildly in the wind. But the tree trunks stayed put and the leaves hung on. Except for flooding in the usual places, up-Island seemed pretty much unscathed.
No tragedies took place that we know of, but some of us felt a certain level of annoyance because of changed plans and cancellations, abandoned trips and all that fretting in anticipation.
Anna Alley’s weekend houseguests postponed their visit, and will reschedule. Maria McFarland cancelled a trip to Vermont where she had planned to attend a memorial service.
Some Islanders heading away for the weekend changed their ferry tickets to assure a boat ride there and back. Stephanie Brothers and our daughter Chloe changed their trip off-Island from Friday back to Thursday, to visit Stephanie’s daughter Annabelle in New Haven.
Sarah Mayhew and Bob Brigham, who drive here (more than 3,000 miles from California) every year at this time, had reservations to arrive on Saturday but slowed down part-way to avoid a crush for a room in Falmouth. They happily made it here mid-afternoon Sunday. Sarah was relieved to get to her childhood home after the uncertainties of their arrival time.
There were few power outages, but one that was accepted gracefully was at the Island Folk Pottery gallery of Bill O’Callaghan and Heather Goff, who enjoyed the adventure by candlelight.
The Island absorbed (or spit out) about six inches of rain, good for our wells and gardens, not so good for some basements, I imagine. Nor for those along the flooded streets in parts of down-Island.
Some puddles may still be available for small children to splash in. As far as I know, we are all safe and dry in our nests. The New York Times said this was the first of several northeasters expected this season. We are ready.
Jon Previant and Sundy Smith arrived home from the West coast in time to greet the storm. Their trip included visits with the three Previant sons and their families in California.
Then Jon and Sundy headed due north to Haida Gwaii, formerly known as the Queen Charlotte Islands, in British Columbia, cheek by jowl with the Alaska border. Haida Gwaii is an archipelago, the ancestral home of the Haida tribe, people whose history there has been recorded to date back 13,000 years. The Haida are the most celebrated tribe of artists in the northwest, who invented and created totem poles, for example. Their skillful art includes carvings with ravens, eagles and frogs, which they also include in masks, dugout canoes and jewelry.
Happy Birthday on Sunday, Oct. 4, to Fain Hackney. It is celebration day Monday, Oct. 5, for Dana Nunes and Timothy Maley. Cake and candles light up the day for Soo Whiting and Elisha Weisner on Wednesday, Oct. 7.
Congratulations and happy anniversary on Sunday, Oct. 4, to Tom Hodgson and Christine Gault.