On the whale

There are many things I love about Nantucket. One of them is the long history of powerful women. Surely we are attracted to this place by our tie to the industry that supplies fuel. Back in the day, Nantucket was a booming center of energy trade -- whale oil providing heating fuel, long-burning candles, and lamp oil. While the gents were out "on the whale" the entire island was still ginning with activity, not the least of which was child-education and running of household through the brutal winter months. Echoes of these strong women's tales permeate modern-day Nantucket. The women strike me as just the right mix of firm but loving. Patti, a volunteer in the Whaling Museum, handily guided Evie into a seashell activity, whirled around and encouraged Graham to pick up a stray papertowel from the bathroom floor so it would be tidy for the next visitor. She entertained all our questions and had all of us eager to learn more about history.
Today was full. (addendum: Patti had her own table at the Farmers' Market Saturday. She makes fantastic things -- oil paintings on found objects, hand-woven baskets and more. What a lady!