What to Take to an Island

I mentioned in my Charleston Farmhouse post that this fall my life would be taking some creative turns.  The first one happens tomorrow when we leave for a very special place.  My husband and I will be living on the island for four months while we work on some writing projects. Will I miss teaching this semester?  Actually, yes, I will miss it a teeny bit because I love it, but I have never had such a long stretch of time to focus on my writing.  I'm also looking forward to hiking or biking every morning, falling asleep to the sound of the ocean, and sitting (bundled up as we head into the later months) on the deck with a cup of (decaf) Earl Grey, the salt marsh on one side of me, and the sea on the other.  Today we are just packing, packing, packing, and finishing up last-minute chores.  Oh man, I have that slightly panicked but also happy feeling inside.  You know the one that makes you feel like you need to run to the bathroom every five minutes?  Thank God I quit caffeine!  

What to take?  It's not a desert island.  Lots of people live there year round, and it has a grocery store, a post office, a coffee shop, even a small library.  Still, it's an island, and we won't be taking the car back and forth to Portland on the ferry oodles of times.  Plus, we don't plan to come back to our house here in Massachusetts very often--maybe a couple of times.  My priorities: the cats (of course), a few special food staples, lotions & potions & first aid supplies, clothing, bicycles, and last but not least--books and writing supplies (including laptops, so I've got loads of music, too!).  The binoculars and bird books are in the car.  Cameras go with me everywhere anyway.  If you were going, what would you bring?   

Thanks so much for all your wonderful comments in response to my London posts.  I have only been blogging for six months, so I am still constantly amazed by what an incredibly creative, funny, smart, and supportive community of people I have met in the blog world.  I had no idea when I started just how much writing posts and reading other people's blogs would enrich my life.  Thank you from the bottom of my little blogging heart.

photo found here and then processed slightly by me