It is dark on this late Sunday afternoon. The sky is deep and heavy with rain. From where I sit I can see down Howard Street to the sand-filled street lined with Live Oak, Cedar and Juniper trees. The cemetery is just across the street and all is lined with old fences.

I have a lovely lit candle, music from John Golden who is serenading me with sea songs as I write, reflect and share with you.

Sunday Passages have been few this summer. Maybe in years to come someone will notice a gap in the writing. I hope they will know that pure happiness got in the way. I started out each Sunday with hopes of writing....but there was
always clamming of kayaking or music at the Jolly Roger. Philip and I were
faithful to our daily blog site, hopefully you checked it often!!

I consider myself a writer of descriptions and feelings....but I don't know how to help you see the place I call home..the place I have learned to love..and the people who live here.

It is different on an island. Neighbors are closer and everything is so casual. (Where are my shoes anyway???) Clam rakes and trucks are free for the borrowing. Pot lucks are held often and usually without reason except for birthdays and going away parties and coming home parties. The bikes are parked at the back door, ready for a quick trip to the Community Store or the post office. (I haven't driven since I left home June 1st!) Pizers (or porches) are full of sea shells and sand and kicked off flip flops.

We have watched the sunrise on the Atlantic (Philip and I went for my birthday!)....the full moon rise at Midnight (for another birthday party for a friend of ours...all she wanted was for all of us to gather to watch the full moon on the beach and have champagne and Oreo cookies!) We have kayaked and clammed and danced in the sandy lane.

I have also worked lots of days in the shop...welcoming tourists. I have read book after book on Ocracoke history...listened to folks talk...spent countless hours listing to Philip share his love of story and history. About a month ago I began to give the Historical Ghost and Walking tours with Philip and
his daughter, Amy. I have also been telling stories with my Cottage Ghost
Stories. We both work at the Opry on Wednesday evenings as well.

Miss Aliph's house (Philip's Grandparents home) has certainly become home to me. It is an honor to live in it and give tours daily to folks wanting to see the historic preservation project. (It isn't on a regular tour, but so many come knocking!) It has just been painted the traditional white with red trim...and we spend hours walking across the sandy lane to just look at it. Home.
Home with Philip.

I don't know how time can go by so quickly. I will be returning to Indiana on Saturday to the House at White Picket Gardens. Maybe I am in denial of leaving, but I can't imagine saying good bye...so at this moment with rain and candles...I won't.

My last week is eventful with a big pot luck at our Miss Aliph's tomorrow night for all the July and August birthday celebrations. We have invited over fifty folks so I think we have a busy day ahead of us! And, of course, the ghost tours and opry and working in the shop...just the normal week. A week to stay busy..to not think about packing and leaving. I know that I will miss him each moment.

Hope all is well wherever you are...that peace and love are yours on this night.

Love to all, Lou Ann