Woods Island Lighthouse
I have had the loveliest two weeks.
Port Anna launched on July 1st at the Blue Hill Library. The sight of that wonderful room filled with so many people I love brought tears to my eyes. The conversation with Peter Behrens, bestselling author of “The Law of Dreams,” “The O’Brien’s,” and “Carry Me,” was delightful. Thank you to all who came.
On the 8th, I drove south to Scarborough, Maine. I had the good fortune to reconnect with an old college friend. She had arranged for a presentation to her club. Despite the unsettled weather, people arrived for a lecture-style presentation. It was a joy to share stories of my inspiration and working process.
The following day, I found myself in Portland. I had an interview with Samantha York for her popular news segment entitled “207.” Her warm smile and easy manner made me feel instantly at ease, despite the cameras and screens aimed in my direction.
I spent the next few hours wandering the city. The Portland Art Museum has a beautiful collection. The Winslow Homers were a particular favorite. I also thought the paintings by Anne Craven and Daniel Minter were gorgeous. And the curatorial labels were very well done. If you haven’t been, I highly recommend a visit.
That evening, we ate at Central Provisions before the event at Print. Wow! The flavors were inspired and everything was excellent. The cauliflower with Raj al Hanout and chevre was inspired.
Print:a bookstore went out of their way to make me feel welcomed. They introduced me to Ellen Baker, the author of “The Hidden Life of Cecily Larsen,” who served as my conversation partner. We had a great time discussing Periwinkle Cottage and stories of grief and courage. Ellen is also writing a book about Maine, due out next year. Many thanks to Ellen and all the staff at Print.
On Thursday, I drove south to Biddeford Pool, a place I had never been. It’s a lovely community gathered on a spit of land that overlooks an archipelago of tiny islands. Woods Island is one of these. Accessible only by ferry, a lighthouse perches on the edge. I was lucky enough to reserve a spot on one of the daily tours. Climbing to the lantern room, one can see all the way to Portland. The rocks below are stained black, the granite squashed together as layers of a French pastry. The sea breaks over the ledge, shades of white and blue. It made me think about the novel “Rockbound,” by Frank Parker Day, a book I read as I was researching lighthouse-keeping for Port Anna. (I highly recommend it, by the way.)
The lighthouse and attached home are, I gather, haunted. Visitors report episodes of bumping and pushing, as if an invisible someone was in a hurry, impatient with the slow-moving tourists. Rocking chairs sometimes move without a visible cause. I can report that I felt dizzy inside the house. Thankfully, nothing shoved me aside when I was climbing the steps into the tower.
The event that evening was held at the Union Church, a warm and welcoming sanctuary with a generous and supportive audience. The Q&A, which included some unusually kind and thoughtful words, lasted more than twenty minutes.
Thank you to all who invited me to speak. I am deeply grateful.
A few pictures of the lighthouse are below.
