Advent Thoughts for Monday, Dec. 1
“We live in a world created by an architect greater than ourselves.”- The Rev. Dr. Jessica Chicka
The sun came out today for a little bit. Tenakee Avenue was busy with walkers and cyclists and dogs. (There are no cars in this city of about 100 people.) There was school again this morning and most of the Thanksgiving deer hunters are gone. I heard whales while walking the dogs. The groan and exhale stopped us. We stood still and listened and looked for the tell-tale puffs on the water. Jeff heard them and the seals heard Jeff and popped up their heads. It’s such a wonder, this underwater parallel world– full of warm-blooded beings not unlike us, living right next to me all the time and mostly out of site. It makes my heart float.
Kevin is in charge of turning off the taps on the creek-fed waterlines for the winter but today’s mild temperatures (following the skiff of snow and puddle-freezing frost) means he can keep the easy water on for a little longer and I can wash the muddy dog towels. He smiled when he said we may have one more week of it. I told him I heard whales down by Wilson’s, on the opposite shore, and he smiled even wider. I thought they all left for the winter? He said they behave the same as most Tenakee folks- a lot of them head south but a few stay year ‘round.
Kevin is one of the keepers of the New Moon Café and Greenhouse, which is a community building, run by volunteers, open all the time and an honor system affair. If you take a snack, homemade or store-bought, or drink some coffee then you put a donation in the jar.
Yesterday, Teresa asked me to bring a salad and cornbread for supper (she was making chili) for after the Seahawks game. We watched it at their house because Larry has a TV. I didn’t have any lettuce, but she said to get some at the greenhouse. There is a lot that’s ready to be picked. I hoped it was okay to fill a bowl-sized bag. As a part-time resident, I donate to the New Moon, and I know that helps, but dollars don’t clean up after themselves do they?
The next items on the to-do list were sweep and mop. Of course they go together, and in that order. The greenhouse is bigger than it looks. I was late for the game, but I was happier for having been useful — even just a little — the salad and bread were both welcomed, and the Seahawks won.
