7305-R2_CIC_October2020_Calendar_Web

Marty’s Memories - Climate by Marty Trower

The cold came to us this weekend to remind us that it is time to stop fussing about face masks and sunscreen. I see the need to get mentally and physically braced for the time ahead because, you know, living year-round on a real island is different. Weather plays a big part in planning for it. Yet weather is as mysterious and unpredictable as the certainty that it will impact our daily lives here. Weather is something we share with others and react to with immediacy. Apparently. it is defined as referring to short-term changes in the atmosphere, whereas climate describes what the weather is like over a long period of time in a specific area. Different regions can have different climates. ... Weather tells you what to wear each day. I’d say we need to be thinking about climate on our island in the months ahead. Here’s an example. The pandemic has kept people out of each other’s homes. This actually worked well for me. I spent a lot of early pandemic time pulling out and organizing clutter. Most of it did not belong in the house but could not be thrown out or even given away. I took a huge lot of it to the garage and to the space above the garage. Finally, after months of doing this the inside

of the house is looking and behaving better, although still not ready for visitors. However, there isn’t room to store a toothpick let alone a car in the garage. I need to plan something here. What will the climate be like here this winter and spring? Will there be ice storms that knock out our power and make it impossible to get up hills, either by car or by foot? Will there be snow that accumulates and builds walls around the accesses and exits to our homes? Will there be long periods of bland grayness with no contrast in light and dark, no movements of air and light? We still won’t be able to travel safely, to visit friends and relatives or explore new places and meet new people. We will still be entering stores and public buildings with extreme caution when we venture to the mainland. We won’t be able to gather the way we have in safe distances on our lawns bringing our own refreshments. What will it be like this year? I see it as a challenge that this island community is so ready and able to meet. We are a creative lot, and I look forward to seeing how we do it so we can defy the weather and love the time given to us here.

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OCTOBER 2020 CHEBEAGUE ISLAND COUNCIL CALENDAR