Simply Spectacular and Spooktacular

October 31, 2006 goes down in history as the most beautiful day since moving here. The day was simply spectacular. Clear and cold, without a cloud in the sky or a ripple on the water.

The fall colours are in full force and the temperature dipped below freezing for the first time this year.... as I found out while trying to clear the frozen evestroughs of an endless supply of tree nettles. Although there are noticeably less people on the island, the social events have increased with several things happening each weekend. Hikes, concerts, plays etc. are frequent and reasonably priced, (if not free).
The produce shack where we buy fresh veggies is still open daily, with broccoli, winter squash and root vegetables for sale, however, it now operates on the honour system. The products are all priced in round numbers... you leave the payment in the jar and make your own change from the float. The shack is on West Isle Farm, one of the oldest on the island, owned by the Peircy family, and a two minute walk from the house.

On Monday, Kari & I walked up to the library, which is open every day from 1-4 P.M. We should have known better than to arrive at 1 o'clock; as on Denman island, time is on a sliding scale. Herbal tea at Rawganique filled the 20 minutes until the library opened. I checked out a book on the history of Denman Island written by the daughter of one the first families on the island. Here is a great quote from the book....
"Years have brought many changes to this little community - the powerful ferry replaces the rowboat, the old hall has been succeeded by another. Trucks with hearty engines pack produce; the half-day trip, "across the island" has gone. Tourists seek summer quiet in their noisy way. Unchanged, though, are the people who have made Denman their home. Here, there is time for a cup of coffee and a chat with a friend - people visit without invitation, assured of a friendly word and a shared interest. People know one another, each adds something to the personality of the island. There is no urban sophistication, no hot headed hurry to get somewhere; time is used to live in, not race with. The woods are cool and deep, full of small boy treasures, the beaches are long and quiet, their edges frosted with gravel and barnacles. The water is clear for swimming and ripe for fishing. Yes, Denman has changed in material ways but in the more basic things, it is the same." (written in 1949)

Tuesday was my introduction to the neighborhood water system. This is my first, (but not likely last) volunteering effort. The system has to be checked each (and every) day to make sure that it is operating properly with chlorination etc. Each day the chlorine content is measured and the total water usage recorded. It is touted as the best water on the island. Having said that, I have installed a house water filter to reduce chlorine and remove any grit etc. Further, I've installed an additional filter with all the bells and whistles, for cooking and drinking. As several taste tests have proven, it's hard to tell the difference between the filtered tap water and the bottled water from the cooler. My "volunteer duty" is the monitoring / checking of the system on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Halloween on Denman Island is a little different.... If you wish to have the little ghosties come to your door, you must place a pumpkin at the end of your driveway, otherwise they will pass you by. We placed the pumpkin as instructed and had about 20 kids before 7:30 when the trick or treating ends. Most the kids are driven around as the houses are far apart and many at this time of year are unoccupied. It's very dark here at night as there are no street lights, if there were no moonlight, it would be very easy to get lost. At 7:30 the Denman Island Volunteer Fire Department members started the fireworks display at the Community Hall field. This is the only thing that I've been to on Denman that has started on time. The fireworks were quite good although some flew horizontally, which kept the crowd on their toes. The group of spectators gathered around a large bonfire to keep warm and watch the fireworks, afterward there was hot cider, coffee and pumpkin pie with whipped cream for all.

Clay has broken out of the hospital and will likely be overdoing it very soon. Recovery will be an estimated 4-6 months. He hopes to return to work in 3-4 weeks depending on how he feels and his energy level. We're looking forward to having him stay for awhile starting next week and will celebrate his birthday in Ukee @ Ocean's Edge on the long weekend.

The latest from Curtis & Denise: "IM ok... Working loads at the cafe...went to check out the community touch games last wed. and The Pub wants me to play on their team...so next wed i am a touch rugby player..
Everything is well in Cromwell..
Later
Curtis and Denise"

Did I mention that 54-40 is playing here next Saturday??? Yes, I think I did!! Rumour has it that they are recording a CD here and that is why they are playing the Hall. I wonder if Tamara will be here for the concert.... I think I'll start that rumor.....