5 Years Ago
5 years ago today I woke up on an island, unsure of when I’d be able to leave.
It was a good day, my father was being let out of the hospital after open-heart surgery. He was going to stay with friends who I knew loved him dearly and would take amazing care of him. I knew that the entire community was rallying around and signing up for daddy-sitting slots because after major surgery like this people need round the clock care.
I knew all I had to do was keep the fires burning, feed the dogs, chickens and rabbits and wait for the river to freeze.
It was a life changing experience.
In honour of this time on the island I am going to share with you/inflict upon you a bit of the experience.
My “blogging” on the island took the form of writing in the Day Book, that I will share with you a line or two, or more, at a time.
(And if you though blogging is self-indulgent pap, you should see what the Day Book looks like after spending a month alone with a pen and an imagination and no need to edit for a readership.)
So let’s start with:
Dec 7, 2004
[This post is part of the 5 Years Ago Today Series]
SNAP! The river is frozen on the Glen-side.
Pork Pie loose last night – possibly got a rabbit – since after catching him and chaining him close to the house I had blood on my hand. No evidence this morning.
French toast for breakfast on this cold cold cold day. Time to do some calling, then some hauling – wood, water, boats.
Hooked up Meatloaf to help haul some of the wood left in the woods. We hauled 2 loads of the small stuff, which in this case are 8-10” in diameter. I was planning on Pork Pie doing the 2nd load but he has cut his paw (thus the blood last night). So between loads I cleaned, peroxided and put on some polysporin.
Dec 8, 2004
[This post is part of the 5 Years Ago Today Series]
Snow/frozen rain on the ground. River opening up on the Glen—side with big wet patches – but my pebble-test pebbles are still on the river. Icy & slippy & wet & yucky.
Gerry called and wanted to know how soon I could be home. I explained that the ice was in and it’s likely I’ll be here until January. That for right now I can’t get off the island let alone arrange for a replacement to island-sit.
Dinner: Tuna fritters with salsa and sour cream.
