Phone Call

Yesterday afternoon I received a phone call from my grandson, Lachlan. He wanted me to come over to his house and yard...and try to find him and his dad.

I thought they were in the tree house, waiting to ambush me with water balloons, but as it turned out they were quietly sitting on the roof of their house, enjoying a snack! No water balloons. I thought briefly about joining them, but decided instead to walk across the lane to visit Blanche.

There are always exciting adventures when you are 8 years old.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is the story of windmills on Ocracoke. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news012113.htm.

So Close

I hadn't been noticing many dolphins lately, and I'd wondered why.

On Monday afternoon Bill and I went for a walk on the beach.The dolphins were back...in great numbers. There was hardly a moment when we didn't see one or more dorsal fins breaking the surface. At times there were dozens. Some were quite a distance off shore. Others were close in. Several small pods were swimming no more than 20 - 25 feet from the tide line. If it had been summer we might have jumped in for a close encounter.

Of course, it's always a treat when a playful dolphin leaps completely out of the water. We were not disappointed. It was as if they were putting on a show just for us.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is the story of windmills on Ocracoke. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news012113.htm.

Smiling Faces

This past weekend's "Winter Assembly," sponsored by Salt Water Connections, brought together leaders from various coastal North Carolina communities. The gathering included presentations about the Outer Banks Scenic Byway, storytelling, catching and growing local foods, planning successful projects, school partnerships, and much more.

Friday, after a full day of presentations and meetings, the 80+ participants met at the Ocracoke Community Center for a home-cooked seafood dinner of shrimp, fish stew, potato salad, and corn bread. Several dozen islanders joined the gathering, in eager anticipation of the traditional Ocracoke square dance which was scheduled for 7:30.

After listening to a brief history of the dance, and an explanation of the primary figures, 20 or more couples joined hands in a circle as the band struck up a lively tune.

"Couples on the floor...and honor your partner," signaled the beginning of the dance.

"All join hands and circle left...halfway 'round, and halfway back."

In no time at all dancers were promenading, "wringing their dishrags," dancing the star, diving for the oyster & digging for the clam, winding the clock, and falling in line for the march and London Bridge.

The enthusiasm was contagious, as workshop participants, islanders, teenagers, and seniors swung their partners, joined hands, danced with abandon, smiled broadly and made eye contact as they danced the night away.

A grand time was had by all.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is the story of windmills on Ocracoke. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news012113.htm.

Oysters

It has been a busy several days for me here on the island. This weekend the regional non-profit organization, Salt Water Connections, sponsored their first  ever "Winter Assembly" on the island (more on that in a day or two), and I was in charge of child care for Lachlan while Amy & David were off the island. So I am a bit behind in reporting about Ocracoke community life.

On Thursday evening several neighbors joined together to purchase a bushel of oysters. As we sat down at the table I realized I had forgotten to bring my camera. I hope the following description helps our readers envision a coastal Carolina steamed oyster dinner.

The kitchen table was covered with newspapers. No plates, forks, spoons, or table knives were set out; just oyster knives. An open box of saltine crackers graced one end of the table. A roll of paper towels served as napkins. One small bowl held cocktail sauce; another, melted butter.

Our host brought a steaming pot from the stove and dumped a quarter of a bushel of oysters into an aluminum baking pan. Seven hands reached out to retrieve oysters. Knives were thrust between the partially opened shells, and plump oysters plucked out. After dipping them into the cocktail sauce or the butter they were simply dropped into open mouths or eaten on saltines.

Bottles of beer were emptied. Lively conversation erupted between mouthfuls. Stories were told. Laughter filled the room. Another pot of steaming oysters was dumped into the soon empty baking pan. This was repeated until the last pan was emptied and everyone had "run ashore." There were no side dishes, and no desserts...just scrumptious Pamlico Sound oysters, a wintertime coastal North Carolina treat of unparalleled flavor; a celebration of a superb regional cuisine. 

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is the story of windmills on Ocracoke. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news012113.htm.

Telson

Not long ago I was perusing Pat Garber's 1995 book, Ocracoke Wild, a Naturalist's Year on an Outer Banks Island. Pat has lived on Ocracoke on and off for quite a few years. In fact, I just saw her a couple of days ago.

I was reading the chapter entitled "Medical Miracle of the Pamlico: Horseshoe Crabs" when I came upon a word new to me, "telson." Although telson is technically the last division (as opposed to a true "segment") of the body of a crustacean, the term also applies to the "tail" of the the chelicerata (a subdivision of the arthropods) which include scorpions, spiders, and horseshoe crabs (which, of course, are not true crabs).

If you have ever seen a horseshoe crab crawling along the bottom in Pamlico Sound you might be tempted to retreat as quickly as possible. Its spiny carapace appears formidable, and the spiked telson looks like a dangerous weapon, but these "living fossils" are entirely harmless. Go ahead, carefully pick the creature up by its telson and examine its intricate conglomeration of legs, gills, and eyes. Keep it under water to minimize any harm to the animal. 

 As Pat explains, the horseshoe crab's blue blood is used in cancer research and to diagnose spinal meningitis, as well as for identifying bacterial diseases. It came as a surprise to me that their eyes are "among the most efficient light-gathering tools known" and "have been studied by solar engineers and are used in neurophysiological research."

Wow! Just one more aquatic wonder from Ocracoke Island.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is the story of windmills on Ocracoke. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news012113.htm.

One Fly Wing

My Aunt Leevella was an obsessive housekeeper. So was her sister Irene. Ask any old timer on the island. Both women were island legends for cleanliness. My father swore that Leevella backed the screws out of her kitchen cabinets so she could clean behind them.

Irene and Leevella also had a reputation for making sure their husbands helped with the chores.

My Uncle Marvin (Leevella's husband) once told me what he wanted for a tombstone -- a washing machine with a mop and a broom crossed in front of it.

Irene's husband, "Old Kelly," as he was called, was once describing his housecleaning to the men gathered at the docks on Silver Lake. Irene had gone off the island, and had instructed Kelly to tackle the spring housecleaning.

"Well, how did it go?" one of the fishermen asked.

Kelly's reply: "I found one fly wing."

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is the story of windmills on Ocracoke. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news012113.htm.

Arrowhead

Visitors to Ocracoke often ask if there were ever any American Indian settlements on the island. To date no one has ever located evidence of a village here. But a few artifacts have been found over the years. Many years ago I picked up a Native American pipe bowl along the shore of Pamlico Sound, and I know of at least two arrowheads that were found on the ocean beach (for a photo of one see http://villagecraftsmen.blogspot.com/2007/07/clovis-point.html).

On Sunday I was walking along the beach at the NPS campground and spied a bright object right at the water's edge. As soon as I picked it up I realized it was a quartz arrowhead. The tip was broken off, and much of the detail was worn away, but it is clearly an arrowhead. It was originally about 2" long.

Quartz Arrowhead Found January, 2013

Keep your eyes open. There's no telling what treasures you might find on Ocracoke's beach!

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is the story of windmills on Ocracoke. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news012113.htm.

Ferry Schedules Press Release

Departure Times Temporarily Adjusted at Swan Quarter Ferry Route to Accommodate Vendors to Ocracoke

MANNS HARBOR - The N.C. Department of Transportation's Ferry Division is temporarily adjusting departure times at its Swan Quarter-Ocracoke route, beginning Thursday, Jan. 24, to assist vendors supplying essential commodities to Ocracoke with adequate turn-around time. The adjusted departures will be: Changing the 7 a.m. departure to 6:30 a.m. and the 12:30 p.m. departure to 1 p.m. from Ocracoke; and Changing the 10 a.m. departure from Swan Quarter to 9:30 a.m. The adjusted schedule will be: Departing from Swan Quarter at 9:30 a.m., 1 p.m., 4 and 10; and Departing from Ocracoke at 6:30 a.m., 10, 1 p.m. and 7. Residents of Ocracoke and vendors will be given toll exempt status until the Hatteras ferry channel resumes operations. The division is monitoring traffic and will make additional changes if needed. Operations at the Hatteras-Ocracoke ferry route were suspended Jan. 18 until further notice, due to the ferry channel at markers #9 and #10 becoming completely shoaled over and impassable. The channel falls under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which has hired a contractor to dredge the channel. Work is under way, but it could take several weeks of dredging before the channel is safe for ferry operations to resume. For more information travelers can sign-up to receive messages on Twitter by going to www.twitter.com/ncdot_ferry or visit theN.C. 12 Facebook page. ***NCDOT*** Lucy M. Wallace Communications Officer NCDOT - Ferry Division 8550 Shipyard Rd. Manns Harbor, NC 27953 252.473.3461 (work) 252.473.1490 (fax)

Free Supper & Square Dance

This Friday, January 25, Saltwater Connections and Ocracoke Alive will be co-sponsoring a community supper and traditional Ocracoke Square Dance at the Community Center, across from the gas station. The event begins at 6:45 with supper provided by islanders and the Ocracoke Fish House. 

At 7:30 the square dance begins. Actually this is a "big circle dance," very similar to Appalachian big circle dances that were brought to this country during the colonial period by immigrants from the British Isles. The dance is easy to learn. There are no fancy steps or complicated movements as in western square dances. And it is lots of fun!

Fiddler Dave and friends will be providing the music.

This event is free, although donations for the musicians will be accepted.

Everyone is invited...islanders, visitors, teenagers, adults, newcomers & old timers.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is the story of windmills on Ocracoke. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news012113.htm.

Sewing Rooms

Recently a neighbor asked me if I knew anything about depression era WPA "Sewing Rooms" on Ocracoke. I did not, but did a little research.

The Works Progress Administration, established in 1935 during the Great Depression, and the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps, established in 1933) were efforts by the US Congress to employ as many people as possible on projects that would provide long-term benefits to local communities. These programs established projects on Ocracoke, including digging mosquito control ditches, building bridges, planting trees, and constructing man-made dunes. I had not heard anything about sewing rooms.

According to FDR, the WPA, and the New Deal Arts Programs, (http://www.fdrlibrary.marist.edu/pdfs/ppDIRwpa.pdf). The WPA also "employed women in sewing rooms in almost every city and small town...[and] distributed the products of WPA sewing rooms to clients on relief."

I also learned that "there was...a sewing room in Ocracoke [ca. 1938] located in a building owned by B.G.O’Neal."

(http://www.hyde1854courthouse.org/images/friendsHighTidesFall2008excerpt.pdf  page 34)

Blanche, of course, remembers the sewing room in the home of Mr. Ben O'Neal, a house which at the time was otherwise vacant. Mr. Ben's house is now the Ocracoke Pizza Company building. In 1938 it sat where Spencer's Market is today. The house was eventually rented to Mr. Dan Tolson and his wife Sabra Howard Tolson, and the sewing room was moved across the lane to a room in the home of Lorena and Bert Williams (that house [now dubbed "Horatio Too"] was moved to Oyster Creek a number of years ago during construction of the Boyette House Motel [now condos]).  

Blanche remembers that about 5 or 6 women worked in the sewing room. For a short while, she says, free lunches were also served in the schoolhouse. 

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is the story of windmills on Ocracoke. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news012113.htm.

Windmills

Did you know that more than 150 windmills once dotted the land in coastal North Carolina? It's true, and four of them were located on Ocracoke. Our latest Ocracoke Island Newsletter is an account of those windmills. Click here or on the photo below to go directly to our Newsletter.

Ocracoke Windmill

Ixodida

On Friday afternoon Amy, David, Lachlan and I made an excursion to Old Hammock, a wooded area just north of the NPS campground. A narrow footpath meanders among the live oaks and other vegetation, all the way to the edge of the marsh. Looking across the marsh and into Pamlico Sound we could see a fairly large hunting blind. Shortly afterwards we heard the sound of duck hunters' shotguns firing.

Back among the trees we approached one of the largest live oaks on the island, Old Hammock Oak (http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news122908.htm). Its huge low hanging branches were just "made" for a young boy to climb!

After some time enjoying this majestic tree we walked across the highway to explore a series of old dunes now covered with yaupons, bay trees, oaks, and pines. We pushed through brambles, vines, twigs, rotting trunks, and low branches, up to the edge of a shallow wetland. We were exploring a part of Ocracoke seldom experienced by most visitors (and many islanders).

It was time to make our way back after an afternoon immersed in nature.

Driving down Highway 12 Amy noticed several tiny black critters crawling on her pants. They were arachnids of the order Ixodida, animals commonly known as ticks. We weren't surprised, but as soon as we arrived back home we examined ourselves closely, headed to the showers, and tossed our clothes in the washer. 

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is the story of the day Charles Lindbergh landed on Ocracoke. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news112112.htm.  

Hatteras Inlet Press Release

Hatteras ferry channel impassable following yesterday's storm; Another departure being added at Swan Quarter-Ocracoke route; residents toll exempt

MANNS HARBOR - Operations at the N.C. Department of Transportation's Hatteras-Ocracoke ferry route are suspended until further notice. Extremely high winds last night caused the ferry channel at markers #9 and #10 to shoal over and become impassable. The Ferry Division has been in contact with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers who will survey the channel as soon as possible. In the meantime, an extra run is being added to the Swan Quarter-Ocracoke route starting tomorrow and Ocracoke residents and vendors carrying necessary goods and commodities will be toll exempt using either the Swan Quarter or Cedar Island routes. Beginning Saturday, Jan. 19, there will be a 10 a.m. departure from Ocracoke and a 1 p.m. departure from Swan Quarter, in addition to the three departures from each side currently being offered. The schedule will be as follows: Departing Swan Quarter at 10 a.m., 1 p.m., 4 and 10 p.m.; and Departing Ocracoke at 7 a.m., 10 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. The current winter schedule at Cedar Island is: Departing Cedar Island at 7 a.m., 10 and 4 p.m.; and Departing Ocracoke at 7:30 a.m., 1 p.m. and 4. The extra departures and toll exempt status will continue until the Hatteras ferry channel resumes operations, just like in previous emergency situations. The division will monitor traffic and if additional departures are needed, schedules will be further adjusted. For the past several weeks, ferry operations have been suspended daily during low water at the Hatteras-Ocracoke route. Shoaling in the channel has been an ongoing issue, but Hurricane Sandy, two back-to-back Nor'easters and several winter wind storms have contributed to the problem. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is working to resolve the situation, as the channel falls under federal jurisdiction. The USACE has issued a dredging contract to address the channel shoaling, and work is under way, but several weeks could pass before dredging alleviates the problem. For more information travelers can sign-up to receive messages on Twitter by going towww.twitter.com/ncdot_ferry or visit the N.C. 12 Facebook page. ***NCDOT*** Lucy M. Wallace Communications Officer NCDOT - Ferry Division 8550 Shipyard Rd. Manns Harbor, NC 27953 252.473.3461 (work) 252.473.1490 (fax)

Ocracoke Trivia

When an islander says she is going "up the beach" do you know where she is going? Leave a comment if you do...or think you do.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is the story of the day Charles Lindbergh landed on Ocracoke. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news112112.htm. 

-------------------------------------------------

I also recently published (retroactively) a 27 item photo gallery of pictures from our recent trip to the Czech Republic, Hungary, & England. You can see them here: http://villagecraftsmen.blogspot.com/2013/01/photo-gallery.html

18 Hours

Many of our readers know that the ferry channel across Hatteras Inlet has been subject to significant shoaling this winter. The state has a dredge working there as I write, but ferries recently have only been able to run during periods of high tide.

I recently had an appointment for my annual eye examination at 2:45 pm in Elizabeth City. High tide at Hatteras Inlet was in the middle of the day. In order to ensure that I would be on time for my exam I decided to leave on the 7am Swan Quarter ferry. That put me in Elizabeth City just before noon.

I wasn't able to catch the 4 pm Swan Quarter ferry back home, but I did make the 10 pm ferry. The state recently added this departure so islanders in my position wouldn't have to spend the night for a routine doctor's visit. As it was, I didn't get home until almost 1 am, an 18 hour trip for a one hour doctor's visit!

But I am not complaining. Island living has so many benefits that I count this only as a minor inconvenience. 

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is the story of the day Charles Lindbergh landed on Ocracoke. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news112112.htm. 

-------------------------------------------------

I also recently published (retroactively) a 27 item photo gallery of pictures from our recent trip to the Czech Republic, Hungary, & England. You can see them here: http://villagecraftsmen.blogspot.com/2013/01/photo-gallery.html

Vs & Ws

When I was a teenager spending summers on Ocracoke some of the local boys would often substitute "W" for "V" as the initial sound in many words. So, "Welcome to the village" became "Welcome to the willage." 

Although the boys seemed to be doing this quite self-consciously, this usage has a long tradition on the island. A Scotsman, John Small McWilliams (1823 - 1889), moved to the island at the outbreak of the Civil War. He was an early Ocracoke schoolmaster, and, according to oral tradition, spoke his Vs as Ws.

Blanche remembers many islanders speaking this way when she was growing up on Ocracoke. 

Not long ago I decided to read "Great Expectations" (published in 1861) by Charles Dickens (1812-1870).

Early in the book I noticed that the blacksmith, Joe, speaks like this:

"And you get me wittles,"or "It is in wain for a boy to attempt to hide himself..." or "I find it wery hard to hold that young man off of your inside."

Just one more example of the strong influence from the British Isles that was carried forth in the Ocracoke generations even into the mid-twentieth century. 

You might want to keep this story in mind on your next wisit to the island. 

 Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is the story of the day Charles Lindbergh landed on Ocracoke. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news112112.htm. 

-------------------------------------------------

I also recently published (retroactively) a 27 item photo gallery of pictures from our recent trip to the Czech Republic, Hungary, & England. You can see them here: http://villagecraftsmen.blogspot.com/2013/01/photo-gallery.html

Twelfth Night?

This past Sunday, from 4 pm to 7 pm, Beverly & Leonard Meeker hosted their annual (though this year it was a tad belated) Twelfth Night Party. Every year Beverly chooses a theme and creates a "production." This year's performance was a spoof of The Nutcracker. Many of us had roles (I was the petulant child Fritz). Gael Hawkins provided most of the creative costumes. In addition to the traditional characters (Clara, Fritz, their parents, the nephew, the mice, and others) Blackbeard and his merry crew made appearances. It was a boisterous affair with much ad-libbing, improvisation, and no dearth of confusion.

A final dance/march around the room created a paper tent woven from streamers hung from the walls and ceiling. Once the crowd was silenced Beverly cut a tasty almond dessert and passed pieces around the room. Jude Brown found the almond baked inside and was duly crowned Twelfth Night Queen.

Enjoy the photo (courtesy Connie Leinbach):

Beverly, Fritz, Queen Jude, & Frank

 Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is the story of the day Charles Lindbergh landed on Ocracoke. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news112112.htm.

------------------------------------------------------

I have also published (retroactively) a 27 item photo gallery of pictures from our recent trip to the Czech Republic, Hungary, & England. You can see them here: http://villagecraftsmen.blogspot.com/2013/01/photo-gallery.html

Sand Dollar

More treasures from the sea have been washing up on shore this winter. Last month I posted a photo of two lettered olives I discovered one sunny afternoon; and later I wrote about an unusual coral I found. Since then I've found more olives...and neighbors have been finding scotch bonnets and other shells. See Tuesday's post for two peculiar discoveries. Several days ago I almost stepped on this perfect sand dollar.

Ocracoke Sand Dollar

There is an interesting legend that says the sand dollar was created as a symbol to help evangelists teach the Christian faith. The five holes, it is said, represent the five wounds Christ received while on the cross: four nail holes and the hole made by the Roman soldier's spear.

In the center of one side of the sand dollar, believers see the five-petaled Easter lily, and in the middle of the lily, they claim, is the five-pointed star of Bethlehem. On the other side is a design that mimics the Christmas poinsettia, a symbol of Christ's birth.

When the sand dollar is broken open, five white pieces of shell emerge. They have the appearance of doves, and are said to bring good will and peace.

Of course, five is a number found frequently in biology. Many starfish and other echinoderms (the sand dollar is an echinoderm) exhibit five part radial symmetry. And almost all amphibians, reptiles, and mammals that have fingers or toes have five of them on each extremity.

The brittle, dead "shell" of the sand dollar (called the "test") is what beachcombers find washed up on the beach. The "doves" are actually mouth parts ("teeth" if you will). Sand dollars are fascinating creatures, and it is always a delight to stumble across an unbroken test.

Echinoderms have been around for about 500 million years. The legend of the sand dollar is a tribute to man's fertile imagination.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is the story of the day Charles Lindbergh landed on Ocracoke. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news112112.htm.

------------------------------------------------------

I have also published (retroactively) a 27 item photo gallery of pictures from our recent trip to the Czech Republic, Hungary, & England. You can see them here: http://villagecraftsmen.blogspot.com/2013/01/photo-gallery.html

Community Park

 In late December our local on-line "newspaper," the Ocracoke Current, published an article about an exciting new opportunity for Ocracoke -- the creation of a community park.

The Current reported that "After signing papers over the weekend, the Ocracoke Youth Center announced that as of December 27, they are the legal title holders to a tract of land that will become the Ocracoke Community Park. Recreational ball fields, walking trails, environmental education, youth and adult sporting tournaments, and concerts are envisioned."

This is great news for Ocracoke. In spite of all of the public land owned by the National Park Service, Ocracoke has never had a dedicated field for baseball, soccer, or other sports. Now, instead of another housing development in the village, we will finally have a community park.

You can read more about the future community park here: http://www.ocracokecurrent.com/52510.

----------------------------------------------------

This morning I also published (retroactively) a 27 item photo gallery of pictures from our recent trip to the Czech Republic, Hungary, & England. You can see them here: http://villagecraftsmen.blogspot.com/2013/01/photo-gallery.html

Aunt Thelma Story

Many of our readers will remember that my Aunt Thelma died in November of last year, less than one month short of her 100th birthday (see http://villagecraftsmen.blogspot.com/2012/12/aunt-thelma.html for more information).

I promised I would share a photo and a story. My cousin Becky sent me the following picture, taken in April of 2012. It shows five generations of Aunt Thelma's family. From left to right they are Susan (granddaughter), April (great-granddaughter), Jackson (great-great-grandson), Thelma, Brooks (great-grandson), James (Becky's husband), & Becky (daughter).

Becky also shared the following photo, taken on Ocracoke in 1914. Aunt Thelma is on the left, my Aunt Delia is in the middle, and my father, Lawton, is on the right. 

Now for the story: About 20 years ago, when Aunt Thelma and my father were both in their 80s, Aunt Thelma came back to the island for a visit. She stayed with my father. One evening, after dinner, we were all sitting in the living room reading the newspaper. My dad had the sports section, I was looking at the front page, and Aunt Thelma was engaged with the "Lifestyle" section.

After a few minutes I heard Aunt Thelma chuckling. Her chuckle soon became a full-bodied laugh. "Aunt Thelma," I asked, "what is so funny?"

"I am reading 'Dear Abby'" she said, and then proceeded to read aloud the letters. They were all from married couples in their 30s and 40s who had given up sex...and didn't miss it.

When she was finished she folded up the newspaper, laid it in her lap, and fixed me with her impish gaze.

"I can tell you one thing, honey," she said. "There weren't no Howards in that bunch!"

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is the story of the day Charles Lindbergh landed on Ocracoke. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news112112.htm.

Dolphins

One (of many) joys of living on Ocracoke is coming back home after being off the island for a while. Our recent holiday trip to Europe was a wonderful experience, full of many new experiences and adventures, to be sure.

And coming home was equally delightful. On my first stroll along the surf I was struck with how beautiful and peaceful the winter beach is. The hard-packed sand made it easy to walk near the water, or along the high tide line strewn with shells and seaweed. Hardly a soul was to be seen, but I was not alone. Just offshore, within swimming distance had I been so inclined (brrr!), was a pod of dolphins. They were swimming back and forth (searching for food, I suppose), and then I noticed some of them surfing the waves farther off shore. As I was watching, a youngster (he or she was a much lighter gray) jumped completely out of the water and dove straight down again. Once more, and the show was over.

At risk of extreme self-centeredness, I would like to think the dolphins were welcoming me home!

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is the story of the day Charles Lindbergh landed on Ocracoke. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news112112.htm.

Photo Gallery

A gallery of Lou Ann's & my photos from our trip to the Czech Republic, Hungary, & England, winter 2012-2013:

Village Street in Nepomuk, Czech Republic

Our Cottage in Nepomuk

Lou Ann on Charles Bridge, Prague

Charles Bridge at Night

Astronomical Clock at Old Town Hall, Prague

Live Fish for Sale on the Street in Prague

One of Many Food Vendors, Prague

Bone Church Chandelier, Kutna Hora

Bone Church Decoration

Bone Coat of Arms

The Danube, Budapest

Gellert Hill, Budapest

Monument on Gellert Hill

Dinner at the Black Raven, Budapest

Street Scene in Mor, Hungary

Woman in Budapest

Budapest Market

Matyas Church, Budapest

Cousin Ildiko, Pal, & Philip, Pusztavam, Hungary

Lou Ann on the Fisherman's Bastion

Matyas Church

English Countryside

Happy Wedding Couple, Dick & Phyllis (Lou Ann's "Mum")

Bolsover Castle

Philip at Castle Howard

Temple of the Four Winds at Castle Howard

Philip & Lou Ann at Castle Howard

Europe

As I mentioned yesterday, Lou Ann and I spent three weeks in Europe over the holidays. I did not take any photos, but I am happy to report that Lou Ann did. And she has posted some of them, along with a few short videos, on her blog. Her first holiday post was on Tuesday, December 18. You can go to it here: http://louannhoman.blogspot.com/2012/12/our-prague-reunion-and-first-travel-days.html, or just click on the photo below.

Street Scene in the Village of Nepomuk, Czech Republic

On December 28 Lou Ann posted a few more photos, some of Prague and others of Budapest. Click here to see that post: http://louannhoman.blogspot.com/2012/12/photos-from-prague-and-budapest.html, or click on the photos below.

Lou Ann on Charles Bridge, Prague

St. Matyas Church in Budapest

On January 3 we were in England, and Lou Ann posted a video of one of our drives through the countryside. Click here (http://louannhoman.blogspot.com/2013/01/a-birds-eye-view-of-england.html) to read that blog, or click on the photo below.



Lou Ann has posted more articles and photos than I have shared today, and she plans to post more in the coming days. To read them all, and see her photos, you can go directly to her blog here: http://louannhoman.blogspot.com/

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is the story of the day Charles Lindbergh landed on Ocracoke. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news112112.htm.

The Old Homeplace

As most of our readers understand, this blog is a daily journal of Ocracoke Island life and history. In most years I suspend publication during the Christmas holidays. This gives me an opportunity to relax a bit more, and to enjoy my own family and community without the pressure of writing a daily column.

This past holiday season I had another incentive to suspend publication. I wasn't on the island. Lou Ann and I enjoyed three weeks in Europe. We left December 15 and flew to Prague. From there we drove to the small village of Nepomuk where we had a cottage for a week. We returned to Prague for a few days to attend symphonies, explore the old town, amble through the Krist Kindl Markt, gape at the Astronomical Clock, stroll across Charles Bridge, listen to gypsy music while enjoying a traditional Czech dinner, and even travel to the town of Kutna Hora to visit the remarkable "Bone Church."

When the week was over we boarded the train to Budapest where we had rented a small flat for a second week. It was Christmastime, and  we still had a chance to visit the Christmas Markets, climb Gellert Hill, walk across the Chain Bridge, gawk at the plethora of produce, sausage, fresh meats, and paprika in the open air markets, and tour the Hungarian National Museum. We rented a car once more and drove to the small village of Pusztavam where my mother's father was born. My cousins greeted us, fed us, showed us around the village, and made us feel welcome. 

From Budapest we flew to London where Lou Ann's mother Phyllis, and soon-to-be-husband Dick, picked us up and whisked us away to Dick's village of Tupton by Chesterfield, in Derbyshire. We attended their wedding on New Year's Eve, and celebrated in an historic English inn and restaurant. Dick and Phyllis were gracious hosts, and the next few days they spirited us away, down narrow, winding lanes lined with rock walls, past hundreds of grazing sheep, and into old villages with historic churches (one dating from 1160) and picturesque cottages. We even had a chance to peer into the window of Thimble Hall (at 11' 10" X 10' 3" and 12' 2" high it is considered the smallest detached house in the world...and once housed a family with 8 children!).

On January 3 we drove to York for a visit to the home of the Honorable Simon & Rebecca Howard. Although we didn't meet Mr. and Mrs. Howard we did tour their grounds and gardens. It is a property I have long wanted to visit...a place I refer to as "the old homeplace." Lou Ann took several photos, and even made a video. I hope you enjoy them. (By the way, I may look a tad dour in the video. I wasn't. I think I was just in awe of the building and the surroundings.)

Pointing the Way

The Estate's Pond

Philip at the Old Homeplace

Philip & Lou Ann

Castle Howard's Temple of the Four Winds

Click on Photo to View Lou Ann's Castle Howard Video

We had a wonderful time! Look for a few more photos and links to Lou Ann's posts about our trip in the next few days.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is the story of the day Charles Lindbergh landed on Ocracoke. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news112112.htm.

Odd Finds

Walking along the shoreline in December I noticed, as I have a number of times in past years, numerous oblong clumps of seaweed. For some reason, I had never made an effort to investigate. This winter I did. I picked up one of these objects and carried it home. It was as light as a feather.

Expecting an egg case or some living creature within, I carefully snipped it in half with scissors. To my surprise I found that it was not hollow, and consisted of nothing but hundreds of short pieces of dried seaweed thoroughly intertwined. So I suppose these objects are simply that -- tumbled aggregates of seaweed, and nothing more. If I am mistaken, please let me know.

On another walk I stumbled across something I had never seen before, what appeared to be some sort of a sea cucumber. I scooped it up and carried it home, only to discover that it was still alive. It stretched and contracted as if by peristaltic motion. After taking the following photos I returned it to the sea.

Any insight as to this creature's identity would be appreciated. 

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is the story of the day Charles Lindbergh landed on Ocracoke. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news112112.htm.

Good Deed

I recently discovered the following tidbit of island news from The Dare County Times, Friday, October 1, 1943, page 1:

"Thomas W. Howard, the beloved and genial retired Ocracoke postmaster, after 35 years of service to his people, decided upon a Labor Day holiday and went to Baltimore to visit his nephew, Stanley Wahab, the Ocracoke boy who has gone up in the world in the furniture business.  Before he saw Stanley, he stopped at a lunch counter and when he reached for his pocketbook to pay his bill, he discovered it gone through a razor slit in his hip pocket.  There was missing $65.  He reported his troubles to a nearby policeman who loaned him $3.  Mr. Howard was amazed to find a manifestation of such trust on the part of a stranger.  The next day Stanley sent the policeman a check and a note of thanks for the courtesy to his uncle."

Thomas Wallace Howard (Mr. Tommy, to most) was the grandfather of Betty Helen Howard Chamberlin, owner of Ocracoke's Captain's Landing Motel.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is the story of the day Charles Lindbergh landed on Ocracoke. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news112112.htm.

Happy New Year!

Well, we're back for 2013. I've been off the island for a while, and am just getting settled down on Ocracoke again. I'll post some news shortly. In the meanwhile, I hope all of our readers had a Very Merry Christmas, and we at Village Craftsmen wish you all peace and goodwill for the New Year!

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is the story of the day Charles Lindbergh landed on Ocracoke. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news112112.htm.