It is early....only 8:00. We walk into town to look for breakfast and find this cafe, Mocha Motts. I sit at the little table outside to wait for Ken to bring our food. There are just 5 tables and they are all filled. I see several cars go by and a few people stroll down the street....
I have come to Martha's Vineyard because of Susan Branch's Blog. I had hoped to run into her while here so I could give her the gift I brought to say thank you for her Blog and all the ways it has enriched my life--like allowing us to see Martha's Vineyard's charms through her eyes--which is why we came. So we walk over to her house and leave my gift on her front porch. There is a policeman out front directing traffic around some construction further down her street. Here I am leaving her porch, hoping she has not seen me lingering while Ken takes my picture....
When I return to our house I e-mail her that I've left the gift along with the flowers I've been enjoying all week. The policeman must have knocked on her door to tell her some lady left something on her porch because when she e-mails back to thank me it is clear she had already found them. We finish packing the car and head for the ferry. We drive past Susan's house and the policeman sees me and calls out that she got the flowers! I think he must have worried I was a stalker!
We plan to park the car in the boarding line and walk around for half an hour but when we arrive we are told there is a ferry leaving in a few minutes. It is the freight ferry. I'm disappointed, but realize because we arrived an hour early, our allotted time is up. We stand at the rear of the ferry amongst the trucks and watch as Martha's Vineyard grows more distant....
Goodbye lovely schooner....
I wave to the people on the ferry headed for the Island, cup my hands around my mouth and shout, "You're going to love it!"....
I am home now....writing my travel blog and reliving the special moments. To go on vacation is to vacate one's live for awhile. It comes from the Latin word "vacare" which means "left empty". We need these times away from our routine so we can open ourselves to new experiences and in order to receive something in return we must be emptied of our old routine.
I look at my collection of shells and think of what I have read in "Gift From the Sea"....
"The sea does not regard those who are too anxious, too greedy, or too impatient. To dig for treasures shows not only impatience and greed, but lack of faith. Patience, patience, patience is what the sea teaches. Patience and faith. One should lie empty, open, choiceless as a beach--waiting for a gift from the sea." Anne Morrow Lindbergh
All I can say is: Thank You. It's been a real pleasure to follow along with you in Martha's Vineyard, and to share in the connection to Susan Branch. I met her at a book-signing in Pennsylvania in 2000 as I was passing through on vacation; had to wait hours, but it was so worth it. For those brief moments of one-on-one contact, she focused entirely on me, as she did with each person before and after me. I cherish the photo of the two of us, taken by my ever-so-patient husband, as well as the books she signed that day. I'm happy that you had the opportunity to leave your footprints on her doorstep, along with your gifts of love.
ReplyDeleteI'll be checking in with you periodically, as you are now on my 'favorites' list. Good job!
Sharon in Alabama
Thank you Sharon. Patience seems to have been one of the lessons I was being taught on my little jaunt to the sea. :-)
ReplyDeleteCathy What a wonderful place, what a wonderful trip! I am going to travel along and read all the below posts. Also, appreciate your link to Susan's Chicken post, that I gotta see. Gravestones for hens! Oh dear, we have a regular pet cemetary around here, I best not put gravestones up....it could get real depressing!
ReplyDeletePS the little birds in the branches were purchased at an art festival,I am sure the artist still makes them.
It is and was (a wonderful place and wonderful trip). I'm glad you're going to travel along with me! :-)
ReplyDeleteSo, do you remember the artist's name of that delightful tree?
Cathy, There is a signature on the bottom but it is absoulutly unreadable.... looks like L. Busalini???!!! But I can't be sure.
ReplyDeleteWhat a dream vacation! Every single one of us would have done the very same thing...those of us who follow Susan's blog and love her adorable self!
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Christie
Hi Christie. Thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment!
ReplyDeleteYour vacation looked absolutely amazing!I have been looking up Marthas Vineyard Rentals for my anniversary. I can't want for some time away from my kids, just my husband and I.
ReplyDeleteOh, Cathy! I thoroughly enjoyed your trip to Vineyard Haven--I too very much follow Susan Branch on her blog. Love her books/art/photos/recipes/kitties/home! You've brought it all to us here--Thank You! I hope for our next trip to the Cape we can possibly visit some of the places you shared with us here!
ReplyDeleteLovely trip! xoxo
I hope you WILL spend more time on the Island next time. Knowing that you and others who find my posts enjoyed them just adds even more specialness to my time there.
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