June/July 2023 Island Trip – Day 1

The ferry ran like clock work this afternoon. That is seldom a given these days. Next to me in line was a sweet old ford tractor, and once on board, I had an opportunity to chat with the tractor owner. Not only does he field mow (!), but he knew who I was after I told him who my dad was! He even recalled where dad’s shop was in town. Mike was two years ahead of me in school. I texted him this afternoon to open a dialog about field mowing the property.

There were two initial glitches getting Stella going: One was the fridge. I need to RTFM, again. Read The F*cking Manual. I turned it on and set it to its coldest setting. Hours later I had nothing. I addressed the control panel again, and hit the ‘auto’ button. This make the ‘check’ light go on, which has happened before. I walked out for an hour knowing I had the lil’ bar fridge in the barn if things didn’t straighten out. The fridge got cold! And I will still refresh my knowledge of what all these lights mean… I am very thankful the fridge consented to work on electricity because,

We have a propane leak in the system. The fridge will run on propane too. After diagnosing I figured out the leak is likely at the valve where you choose which propane tank to use, or between that valve and heaven knows what’s next. Long story short, I was smelling propane in the living room, with the front window open. That’s when I started diagnosing. Soapy water in a squirt bottle is the next diagnostic tool! Gas leaks make bubbles when covered in soap.

I met with my insurance broker and tenants regarding a possible business use they have in mind for one of the barns. If the insurance works out, it’s a win-win for both of us. I’ll receive far more income off the building than I’d get otherwise, and they’ll save and incredible amount of rent verse renting something in town. My insurance broker has incredible resources. We’ll see if it can be done.

We make a spiced plum cordial most years from our Italian prune plum trees. There’s a tree on the island and at our mainland property. Neither produced last year. There’s a lovely dinner spot on the Island that specializes in cocktails. They don’t advertise, and are off the main drag. They’re small, intimate, and wonderful. When I was there last, I mentioned to the owner that I made this cordial and would bring him a bottle. Today I did that. Before going into the hospitality biz, years ago he delivered propane to my parents, among others! So, we have, like so many on the Island do, a connection in the past even tho we didn’t know each other then. After opening, inhaling, and complimenting how the cordial smelled, he asked what I did with it. I said, not being a liquor drinker, when I did enjoy it, I did so neat, but I could imagine it with club soda and lime. This guy is an alchemist and will craft something amazing with it! If and when he wants, I’ll sell him the recipe, perhaps for a dinner gift certificate 💕.

I took pictures of a batch of things in the upper barn, edited the pics with text descriptions and pricing, and posted on 4 Island centric sales boards. It’s kind of a litmus test. I’d like to move some things before the estate sale (late August), and it’ll help me gage interest. Possibly the 4th of July weekend isn’t the best time to run up this flag!

I spent some time weeding Stella’s slope early this evening. All the weeds and grass are going to seed. This makes the plants’ root systems less vigorous and easier to yank out. I am delighted to rediscover four lavenders, one white, a vigorous 3’ wide lambs ear, lovely catmint, a far reaching ceanothus ground cover, and prostrate rosemary, so far. All, obviously, drought and deer resistant! I have a pile of fir chips to mulch this slope with, after applying some weed barrier.