Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Digby

A reader recently asked about island cats. We still have quite a few cats roaming about, but many of the feral felines have been captured and neutered, thanks to OcraCats, concerned citizens, and helpful vets. In recent decades we've also added a number of dogs to our village population. In days gone by dogs were not very popular because most people's chickens were not fenced in, and dogs would chase them down and kill them. I remember well my great-aunt Tressie's concern whenever we'd bring our dog Ginger to the island in the 1950s. Ginger never chased her chickens, and Aunt Tressie always relaxed noticeably when she was finally convinced her chickens were safe.

In 1959 Ruth Carroll wrote a children's book set on Ocracoke Island -- Digby the Only Dog. It is an island classic, with wonderful illustrations of life on Ocracoke a half century ago. Digby is out of print, but it might be available in your local library.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is the second half of my father's short journal. I call it Remembering Growing up on Ocracoke. You can read it here.

5 comments:

  1. Anonymous9:05 AM

    Lou Ann and Phillip, a quick question please, with all your walks along the beach, what is the most unusual thing you have found? I hope you are healing quickly and enjoying the summer Lou Ann. Best wishes. Pam Null

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  2. claragilbert12:29 PM

    This is off topic but this morning's NYTimes has an article about Home funerals and storing the coffin at home repurposed until needed. I thought once again Ocracokers did it first! I rcall your Ghost Walk story,while every else was making uncomfortable sounds at the thought of storing a coffin in the home,and not just the boards under the house, I thoght what a smart idea!I was on your may tour the night the lady fainted. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/21/us/21funeral.html?ref=us

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  3. Anonymous3:06 PM

    "On your...tour the night a lady fainted..."?!?

    Wow, what an endorsement for a ghost tour!

    Philip, please promise you'll only use your powers for good.

    ;-)

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  4. Karen3:37 PM

    Just moved to Ocracoke full time after owning a rental house for the past 8 years. I need a new insurance agent for the house, car, etc. Can you recommend anyone good? I'm underwhelmed by the agent I've been using. Many thanks.

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  5. Anonymous3:42 PM

    Try Sharon Gibbs Farm Bureau Swan Quater

    ReplyDelete