Daffodils

Living here has always been a little like coming to another world, but that feeling goes extra for Open Up. Time seems to go fast and slow at once. The current population of the island is 20 people and 4 dogs. Those of us who aren’t senior staff mostly live in the two cottages that are equipped with heaters. The plumbing isn’t totally set yet, so we’re using bathrooms in only two buildings and we’re drinking out of big plastic containers.

The whole hotel needs to be set up! Offices were cleaned quickly and not too thoroughly, rooms are full of stacked furniture. My team’s projects have included flipping every mattress in every guest room on island, distributing heavy furniture into rooms, and inventorying the state of every bed, curtain, window shade, egress sign, and light bulb in every living space. Guys, I’m gonna be so strong by the end of Open-Up!

On top of all the furniture moving and going up and down about 40 flights of stairs every day, a group of us are doing something called the “Insanity Workout” every day after work. Today was day two for me and I’m in a lot of pain, but really good pain.

The weather has gotten progressively colder and wetter every day so far. Monday was lovely and sunny, today it rained just at the end of the workday. The island looks totally different at this time of year. There aren’t leaves on most of the trees and the undergrowth is minimal. It’s pretty brown except for the grass, which is happy from today’s rain. And on both sides of the path from the head of the pier to the front porch steps are tons and tons of daffodils! They won’t be around too long, and soon other flowers will be planted in those beds, but for now, they’re like a little gift to those of us who are out here early: bright cheerful flowers against the rainy grey skies.