Island Update Ending August 29, 2004


Here we are at the end of another month, it doesn't seem possible. On Monday everyone slept later than usual after that busy day at the balloon festival yesterday. After lunch Dad played docent at the 5th from 1300 to 1500 after which we did one of Dad's golf cart tours of the island just to get everyone updated. We were home by 1700. Stephen and the boys also went over and built piles of stones on the back shore. Always fun. Tuesday started out rather interestingly. Stephen & Sarah were out on the back porch and Dad was standing in the door in his big white robe on his way to take a shower when one our big fire trucks stopped in back and one of our policemen came up on the porch asking if this was where the person who takes care of the 5th Maine lived. We had requested an inspection by the fire department and this turned out to be the day and they were on their way via fire boat as we talked. (History: We always have 2 Portland police on the island, we being part of Portland, who also operate the fire trucks. We have 2, 1 hook and ladder and the other is a large capacity water carrying pumper which is brand new this year, a real treat since we usually get the cast off equipment. We also have an ambulance which is operated by these same police assigned to the island. They are trained paramedics or EMTs.) The rest of the day was normal and a beautiful day it was. Lobster for supper for Mom, Dad and Hunter in the kitchen while the rest ate spaghetti on the porch.

Wednesday was Farmer's Market day and we all caught the 0945 and came back on the 1215. Then we caught the 1700 boat to go to the ball game and yes the Sea Dogs lost and yes it was cold. Dad ended up with his yellow "all year round" jacket on and Mom had on her huge Christmas fleece which easily fit over the 2 sweat shirts she was wearing. We caught the 2230 boat back, missing the last inning of the game. Pretty normal when one lives on an island.

Thursday Mom & Dad kind of slept in and we all just sort of hung around the island. More sea glass arrived from the beach. Dad figures the boys will probably get awards from some environmental outfit for cleaning sea glass from the beach. Steam claims there is plenty of room in the van for it all, but we have our doubts.

Friday we were all off to breakfast at the B&B, Stephen and Sarah's treat, arriving shortly after they opened at 0800 (for Diane that is zero eight hundred). They went in town and the boys stayed on the island. We took pictures of the boys hanging out their laundry, perhaps a little reluctantly, but they did it. Later I had them move a table for me at the 5th. After, we went off and found a secluded section of roads where I let them drive the golf cart for a while. They did rather well.

Saturday was something else. At some point recently Dad made the rash statement about no fan days this year. A true statement at the time, but summer arrived today!!! High in Portland 89 degrees and yes the fan ran last night. Stephen, Dad and Patrick went over to Battery Steele this morning at Patrick's request, but once we got in there he wasn't convinced that was what he really wanted to do. Dad & Stephen continued on while Patrick waited with the golf cart. It is a very dark damp spooky place where even flashlights have trouble penetrating the darkness. They all caught the 1445 (fourteen forty-five) boat on their way home. Mom and Dad took a trip around the island with the windshield down just to cool off. When we got back Mom took down the rest of the laundry so in her usual efficient fashion all the sheet and towels are washed already. It was too hot to make the beds though.

And here we are back to another Sunday. We were up early as usual, temperature 70 degrees with a breeze, very comfortable. Then off to 0815 (oh eight fifteen or more properly zero eight fifteen) Mass. We took the golf cart so after Mass we could zoom off to the 5th Maine for breakfast. After breakfast Dad got caught up with the week's mail and Mom got caught up with watering the plants. Later we made the beds so after vacuuming tomorrow we will be almost ready for the next group. We have had a breeze all day and the temperature has cooled as the day progressed. Now the fog horns are sounding and we have sweat shirts on. SUMMER ARRIVED YESTERDAY AND IT IS NOW OVER.

And that's the way it was on Peaks Island this past week.

Love, Mom and Dad