Lights On!

We were so hunkered down (or, more probably, so self-absorbed) that we didn’t look out our windows as it grew dark last night.  Had we looked to the west, we might have seen the glow of electric lights coming from the ‘new’ Wachsmuth cabin.  (I wonder if I will always think of it as a cabin, even though with its recent addition it qualifies as a full-sized house!)

As it was, Tucker sent an email with the first photographs of the building all aglow.  Wunderbar!  Definitely a red letter day for Tucker and Carol and for all of Oysterville.  Not the least of my pleasure comes from knowing that those lights will eventually be gleaming on any given evening of the year.  Full-time residents just a spit and a holler away!  We couldn’t be more pleased.

Too, Tucker’s “Lights On!” photo was taken from the southeast which would be close to the view we’d have were it not for the little Driscoll house between Wachsmuths’ and us.  Even so, I think we will be able to see lights on if we look in that direction.  On these cold, dark wintery days, seeing the lights of the neighbors is mighty reassuring.

Wachsmuth Christmas Goose

I don’t know what is so isolating about darkness in the winter.  Last night there was a lovely crescent moon over the church and the stars were out in all their glory.  There was even a bit of moonglow reflected on the snow that still clung to the road and churchyard.  Even so, as I walked our Friday nighters out to the gate, it felt as though we might be the only folks in town.  It was only the lights on at a few places south of us that hinted at life beyond our Tsako-Te-Hahsh-Eetl sign.

It’s an odd thing that I never think about who might or might not be in town during the long, light days of the year.  It’s only during this interminably dark time that I look for that comforting glow beyond our own fireside.  So, hooray for the new lights on School Street!  Long may they gleam!