Posts from — October 2009

Last weekend, I moved out of Catalina and gave her away. I stayed until after the first frost, until it was dark before seven, until it was so cold in the morning I would go to bed in my clothes, to make it easier to rise again. I could have held on longer, and in a way I wanted to, but more than that I was tired of living in a tin tent, without heat or electricity. I was ready for something more like a normal American life.

Despite the fact that Catalina is essentially a 70s era rust bucket, I wanted to see her go to people who’d take care of her, at least for a little while longer. I feel like she’s not done yet. Fortunately Ruby caught the fever too. I remember what it was like when I first bought the camper, feeling enchanted by the possibilities, spending hours perfecting the curve of last plywood panels, thinking about things to come.

I went to visit at Catalina’s new digs a few days ago, and Ruby’s got the place cleaner than I ever thought it could be, bowl of heirloom apples on the table, rugs on the floor. Squint just a little, and you might actually think you’re in a beloved home.

Fall comes a little later on the island, and we towed Catalina through Chilmark at peak time, the trees over the stone walls lit up in orange and yellow. It made me think of trips not taken, but I know I couldn’t really keep her.

Having moved indoors, I am so grateful for every little thing – hot showers on demand, my baking quest for the perfect carrot muffin. Just having a couch to sit on is seriously pretty phenomenal.

As my grandfather would say, goodbye dear girl. You’ll be missed.

We found the most gorgeous bug on Lucy Vincent Beach a few days ago, at the base of an eroding clay cliff.

She’s a female praying mantis. She rode in my hair all the way back to the parking lot.

Sometimes my life here doesn’t really make sense. But I’m grateful, so intensely grateful, that I didn’t leave.

Actually, it’s my truck bed. Sprouting seedlings. Which is ridiculous.

The best thing I saw wandering the fields at Garden of Eve last week.

I had forgotten how beautiful the North Fork is in the fall, how much of the sky you can see out there. I spent a lot of time in the truck, shuttling between the farm and the ASCFG conference, which was a blessing and a burden. It was worth it, yes. I like checking out clouds, yes. But farmers aren’t commuters, that’s for sure.