Lunch at Linda Jean's

The second day of my writing workshop went well, and with the exception of my butt falling asleep from sitting on a thin cushion on the floor for 5 hours, I loved every minute of it. Some of the aspiring writers are so talented...incredibly talented. There's Serge, the son of an Italian mother and French father, whose every story is a poem so tightly compressed and highly polished it can only be called a diamond. And there's Ben who, at 18, can hold the entire room's attention with his beautiful and lyrical writing and reading performance. Our homework assignment tonight was to write about a time when we felt one way but acted another. Most of my writing takes the form of a narrative, but I've chosen to do something a little different this time:

I felt powerful, but feared to lead, so acted weak.
I felt beautiful, but feared attention, so acted plain.
I felt bright, but feared blame, so acted dull.
I felt foolish, but feared scorn, so acted wise.
I felt lonely, but feared pity, so acted brave.
I felt certain, but feared the truth, so acted blind.


After the workshop, my new friend Ardys and I drove from Chilmark to Edgartown to have lunch. Many of the restaurants were closed for the season or only served dinner, so we ended up (on the recommendation of a local) at Linda Jean's. It was a down-to-earth place with friendly service and fresh and delicious food (I had a fish fillet sandwich that melted in my mouth). Linda Jean's was very much like the Islanders -- unassuming, down-to-earth, friendly, and welcoming. Such a pleasant surprise.

On my walk home from the Stop and Shop today, I took a few photos of the cottage. The first is from about a block away, and the second from right in front of the cottage. I'm very comfortable for now and have hopes that the winter nights won't be too severe.