Clint & Barnacle

Winter Arrives On The Island

Greetings from the island everyone. Hope all of you are doing well and enjoyed Halloween and Veterans Day. For the 9th consecutive year there were no little trick-or-treaters knocking at my island cabin door; I guess their dad’s boats were all in the shop.

I want to give a big Thank You to all of the past and present veterans out there, without your service and sacrifice, this great country and state of Texas would not have the freedom that exists today. Thanks to all of you!

Well, it is exactly one month until the official start of winter, but Mother Nature apparently wants to start it early. Barnacle and I had to toss on my late Grandma Frieda’s feather comforter a little early this year, as last week saw consecutive mornings around 40 degrees, and with 20-30 mph winds it felt much colder than that. I cannot recall such a cold and long lasting blowing norther hitting the island this early in November. Probably better stock up on propane and provisions this winter, it might be a long one.

The heavens opened up two weeks ago and blessed the island with three inches of rain, yay! We had gone several months without any measurable wetness falling, but now my tanks are full with 1,000 gallons of nice rain water. Plus the occasional rains also replenish the underground well system, water used for all my outside purposes, so the rain is always welcomed.

I was able to stock the propane freezer with a few limits of flounder the last week in October, a food source that I always count on to help me get through the cold winter months on the island. I also use fresh hen eggs to barter with other islanders for deer meat/sausage, to have during the long winter months.

Solitude takes a front seat beginning this time of year on the island. There are days that outside activities are not possible due to the nasty weather, and once the morning chore of feeding the chickens is done, the remainder of those days are relinquished to inside the cabin. I’ll usually watch a little tv, listen to the radio, and read off-grid and survivalist type books and gardening magazines. I recently read a book that was recommended by someone, “An Island To Oneself”, an autobiography by Tom Neale. The book tells of him living several years on an uninhabited tiny island in the South Pacific in the early 1950’s. It was a very enjoyable easy to read book that I could certainly relate to very well.

A few weeks ago I felt a heavy heart when Barnacle woke up one morning having completely lost his sight due to a tumor. He and I are slowly adjusting, and I am happy to care for my best friend and be his eyes for as long as I have him in my life. Please keep Barnacle in your thoughts and prayers during these trying times, and I know that God is watching over both of us.

Well, that’s it from the island for now, everyone take care and have a great day.