Martha's Vineyard, June 29 - July 2

Spent two beautiful days in Martha's Vineyard visiting Tormod, and the family where he is living. They have a garden center where Tormod works for room and board. It is a colorful, place, ordered chaos. Not chaos really but not military presision either. They have anuals, perrenials, herbs, vegetables and even houseplants. I think, if I were not a nurse I would just love working at a garden center, surrounded by beautiful colors and scents, caring for the plants...

The fish market gave Tormod the day off to spend with his Mom, and we went to the beach. Tormod's first time as he has been working 6 days a week and so far has no driving licence. The beach by the Gay's Head Lighthouse and cliffs reminded me of summer beach trips to long island in my childhood: huge waves that pick you up and whirl you around until you surface with your ears full of salt and sand.

The second day we spent at Oak Bluff's, the island's most colorful town. In the middle of Oak Bluffs a whole bunch of brightly colored cottages from the second half of the 19th century surround a Methodist Church and outdoor "tabernacle" where concerts and outdoor services can be held. There are many touristy shops, an ice cream shop that is said to sell lobster flavored ice cream. Extremely large and fancy villas surround the oceanside park. My favorite was the Norton house (as in Norton antivirus). It has a huge porch surrounding at least 3 sides of the first floor, second story balconies, a tower, and a captains deck on the roof. There is also a beach, which faces the mainland, so that the water is clear, cool and calm. Very different atmosphere from yesterday's beach which faced the open ocean.

We fell in love with the vineyard. The slower pace. There is no road where you can drive faster than 45mph. The way the society and landscape are contained (being an island). The absence of franchises. The forests and dunes.

Tormod seems happy here, and healthier. He's excersising, cutting back on his smoking, eating well, working hard. The fish market people, 4th generation Norwegians are very nice, generous people. And Mike and Carrie at Heather Gardens with their children, Jonah, 1 1/2 and Eli 4 1/2 are a wonderfull family.