Grateful for the spring hazardous waste disposal day. Thank you to all who directed traffic and sorted. It is not an easy task. The expanded road that swings around the back seemed to be enough to keep the West Tisbury–Edgartown Road from backing up. Cleaning out the old included things marked “War Supplies,” which sparked a few moments of concern. Note to self: Pause and read the labels so you have some idea of what it is in those dusty and rusty containers.
For me, the first weekend of summer and Memorial Day brings a mixture of hopeful anticipation and gratitude and somber reflection.
This Sunday at 9 am is the service of the Blessing of the Fleet in Menemsha, offered by the Chilmark Community Church. Chairs will be set up next to the Texaco. I bring a basket of flowers and bubbles for folks to offer with their prayers. Life is not easy. Grief is inescapable, many struggles are hidden, and kind spaces take tending.
Thank you, Katie Carroll, for being my mother’s favorite — “an encourager.”
Last week, the artist and author John Churchman announced the loss of his dog with these poignant words, “Our brave and beautiful boy Laddie has passed over the Rainbow Bridge. He went quietly and peacefully, knowing he was always loved. I am happy that so many young and old friends … enjoyed patting his soft fur and experiencing his gentle and kind soul. I look forward to seeing him again on the further shore.”
I’m putting “know you are always loved” to use. We make magnets in Sunday school. I need to make a few more, to help me keep track of my laundry when I’m using the machines at the airport laundromat.
Beetlebung Farm’s plant sale has started, and runs now through early June. The stand is open Wednesday through Saturday, 8 to 5.
Rebecca Gilbert of Native Earth Teaching Farm says the farm’s self-serve plant sale has started. Heirloom tomato plants in compost, $5. Figs $20, and rosemary $15. The farm is open on Sunday afternoons, 1 to 4 pm.
Hollis Greene of Plimouth Violins beautifully restored a dulcimer made for Rebecca Gilbert by her father, John, in the ’70s. Rebecca is teaching herself to play, and looking to meet dulcimer fans.
The Menemsha Fish Market is open 11 am to 5:30 pm, Friday and Saturday until 6, and Sunday from noon to 5:30 pm. Keep your eyes out for local yellowtail flounder, black sea bass, and sardines.
Larsen’s Fish Market is open for the season, 10 to 6 pm daily, and recently offered soft-shell crabs.
Irene Wong is cooking up mouthwatering food at North Tabor Farm, and posting wonderful reels on the Instagram account. I need some of her chicken-foot broth.
I was surprised and annoyed to find every spot at the Chilmark library taken one afternoon, and parked over at the church and walked back to pick up an interlibrary loan book. I realize that it was school pickup time, and wonder if some parents are parking in the library lot not appreciating that afternoon is a nice time for other people to go to the library. We were taught that taking up a space when the library is open while we run over to do something else blocks someone — so don’t do it. Sigh: I’m becoming my elders.
It turns out “Revenge Wears Prada: The Devil Returns,” by Lauren Weisberger is a great read and not the same as the movie. I recommend both.