Oak Bluffs Cottages

Today was another pretty day.  Breezy and a little cool, but certainly beautiful by almost any standards.  I've finished sorting through those items I'll take back with me to New York, and those I'll either donate or sell here.

I'm trying to take photos of Martha's Vineyard now that it's so much prettier and stores are open. I took the #13 bus to Oak Bluffs to photograph the Methodist Camp cottages.

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.

Martha's Vineyard

My first full day on Martha’s Vineyard. I flew in on a flight from Baltimore Washington International Airport to Boston on a 28-seat plane, and then transferred to an 8-seat Cessna on Cape Air from Boston to the Vineyard. I enjoyed the flight, but I have to admit it’s a little disconcerting to be able to read the instruments in the cockpit from the back seat! The luggage carousel at the Martha’s Vineyard airport was also notable…it consisted of a stationary metal angled bin that was filled by baggage handlers after they opened windows from the outside and placed the suitcases on the “carousel.”

The cottage is adorable but definitely set up for the summertime. I’m hoping I won’t freeze to death as it gets colder. The landlord, an Aussie by the name of Leigh Cormie, said he and his wife would put me up in the attic (the 3rd floor of their house next to the cottage) if it got too desolate back here.

A few initial observations:

-The people are very friendly – more like a small town than I expected.
-Most of the shops in Vineyard Haven where I live are “mom and pop” which I like. I wish more of America was like that.
-I’m eating Nutrisystem meals to help me lose weight and it’s a good thing – I can see by all the local restaurants that it would be hard not to put on weight.
-The houses here are amazing!

Tomorrow I’ll try to head for one of the public beaches.