Cleaning-up / Packing-up

August 2, 2014 – We wake early, 5 a.m.—today we say goodbye to Monhegan and to Grandma’s house, the Ink Spot. Sad to leave, but excited for our next adventure I face the insurmountable job of all the packing that needs to be done. Michael tackles the remaining clean-up of the old house. Instructions are to vacate the premises by 10 a.m. so we both get busy.  The packing–always overwhelming–is left to me.  We acquired virtually nothing on this island–the painting and canvases DO NOT count. But the things we brought with us seem to have multiplied. And because there is no washer and dryer at the house everything I pack is dirty. And damp.  The days, even sunny ones, tally humidity levels above 90⁰.

At 9:30 the rental agent calls and tells me that since it is raining we can stay in the house till 11:00.  A small but welcome gift.  The bags, finally, are ready to make their way to the edge of the road. I place $15 in a baggie and Mike attaches it the handle of the largest suitcase.  This is the efficient, time-honed way of paying Monhegan Trucking for transporting our bags to the dock. I am told it works, but without visible money in a plastic baggie, the bags will stay in place.  Michael hauls the five overstuffed, heavy bags down the hill to the street, in the mist, where they await their fate.

Saying Good-bye

At eleven we walk down the grassy glade for the last time, saying goodbye to the flowers, the gulls and the crashing waves.  I look at Michael and say, “Well this is the end of number three.  Are you ready for adventure number four?”

He smiles.

I’m glad the weather is not the best today.  To leave Monhegan in sunlight would break my heart,and I am not sure I am ready for this island to be just another memory.