Watch the Walk

Island living tip: if you're taking a taxi and you want to get where you're going without extreme delays, get in a car that's already full of people who are going farther than you, but in the same direction. Since taxis are shared, they often require flexibility in planning. Sometimes it takes 10 minutes, sometimes 45. Let's take a look at some reasons why it might take longer: The Errand Runner: She's got a list of places to go, but she can't be bothered to walk there. It's all on the way, so why not make the driver stop at the shop for phone credit, the vegetables sellers for salad fixings, and at her husband's work so she can deliver his snack? The One Who Lives Far From the Main Road: Everyone in the taxi is going the same direction... sort of. But this one lives at the far end of a dead-end road, and wants to be delivered to his door. Maybe he's old, maybe he's got lots of bags, and maybe he is just lazy, but everyone else goes along...

[This is the story of a dear friend of mine, about one time she went to visit her son and grandchildren.] You know my son, who lives over on the French island? I've gone to visit him many times, you know. The first three times I went through the consulate and got a visa to visit him. But then the fourth time they didn't give me a visa. So I had to go by illegal fishing boat. We left my town in the morning. And you know it only takes a little time to cross the ocean to the French island. But we stayed on the ocean all day... many hours... until after sunset, because the boat captain was worried about the police.  Finally we were put ashore. I was old then (I'm even older now, and my legs don't work properly). But back then I was old, I couldn't run fast. But I thought maybe someone would take care of the grandmother. They all ran away, except for maybe two people. I asked them the name of the town we were next to and they told me. I told them that I didn...

Here on Clove Island we seek to be friendly and to make connections wherever we go. Sometimes you meet someone and immediately recognize a kindred spirit, one with whom we share that "invisible thread" of connection. But more often a potential friend turns into one of the following: The phone caller-- They have your phone number and they use it. Every day. Multiple times a day. Whether or not they actually want to talk, they want to be sure that they're not forgotten. And forgotten they're not. When you see their name on the caller ID you sigh with remembrance. The hanger outer-- They know where you live and have discovered that your house is a nice place to hang. So they come over to hang out. Not necessarily to even visit with you. This type of friend will often hang out in your living room, playing games on their phone, calling other people, or just kind of staring at you until you say something. Sometimes they want to chat, but almost always they show up too o...