From the mailbag….

Looking into the situation....

If e-mail actually came in a bag, here’s what it would look like:

Q. We’re thinking about moving to the island. What’s it like living on an island with nothing to do? – Naomi & Greg, Issaquah

A. Thanks for asking. Actually, we’re full. Call Lopez.

Q. Where do you get all the pictures you post in the Update? I sure like them. – Alex, near Cattle Point

A. Wow, thanks. A lot of them I take around the island, and a chunk of them are sent in by friends who have interesting angles on things. It’s cool to have so many cameras in action….

Q. Is it true that there are no 20-30 year olds on the island? Martha

A. That is correct.

Q. I heard you said you weren’t going to endorse anyone in the last election, but that you changed your mind. What gives? – Carol & Bob, Cape San Juan

A. Thanks for giving me the chance to clear that up. Although I follow politics & have pretty strong feelings about things, I put all that into my music & essays & other stuff I do. I like to think the Update is a place to share cool stuff that comes from living on an island, and a chance to celebrate how we like sharing this island.

So, I declined to endorse candidates in this last go round…after one of the forums, however, someone asked me if I was gonna endorse one of the sheriff candidates, and I said, “Emphatically, energetically, thoughtfully, and with enthusiasm – no.”

A week later, when someone told me they heard I was endorsing Rob, I realized they thought I said “Nou.” Ooops. In spite of that, Rob won anyway.

Q. Is your house still for sale? Dan & Krista

A. Yep…just lowered it to $259K…here’s the scoop. We’ve shown it six times in the last two weeks, so I guess we’re getting closer to the price point.

Q. Where are you going for Christmas? Mary

A. Family visits up & down the strait, as we drop in on family on Lopez & Nanaimo. The best part is walking around Pear Point Loop on Christmas Day, remembering & being thankful for the earth & having the spirit to try to heal her.

Christmas is a holiday at my business (we take days off for people we like, including Dr. King, Ben Linder, the Christ, Gandhi, Nikki Giovanni, and St. Francis & St. Clare.) They give me much to aspire to (by the way, I love the Sermon on the Mount).

Q. Are you doing that hundred dollar Christmas thing this year, that you wrote about the last few years? Allen & Cindy, out near Roche Harbor

A. Definitely. I deeply believe that our consumer society impoverishes us while we keep thinking it enriches us, and leaves us spiritually poor as well. If you’re interested, check out this well-thought essay/interview by Derrick Jensen. Radical? Maybe…a place for miracles to grow, I hope.

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