The Joy of Light | Eastern North Carolina Now

    Publisher's note: Please join me in welcoming Author Michele Rhem, who presents us with her poignant mémoires of the Rabbit Patch, where her diaries weave tales of a simpler, expressive life lost to many, but gathered together in her most familiar environs - the Rabbit Patch.

    I sure was happy when the lamp on the morning table came on yesterday. Within moments, I had a load of laundry going and I started washing dishes, soon after. Kyle cooked on the grill as we had planned, but I made the vegetables on the stove. I cleared the kitchen table of batteries candles and oil lamps. It felt good to turn the water on and there it was! When the sun set, there was the joy of light.

    Everyone was so happy in the community and the phone was ringing steadily. It was a happy time and we were all in good spirits. It felt like a holiday. At night when the darkness fell, I looked out just to see the lights shining from the neighbors windows and it was beautiful.

    Christopher Robin brought his little friend for dinner again. I fed him and sat quietly while he ate. I did not stir, but spoke gently. It is a talkative kitten. He was almost persuaded by Christopher Robin to come in, but changed his mind after a peek.

    Wednesday Morning

    Since school was out, I left early this morning for Elizabeth City. Jenny had been asking me to come for several days, but I just couldn't leave the boys stranded without electricity. I am very limited in my abilities, but I am resourceful and it takes that when things change up. The drive north was beautiful though if I say, I have spent the last month "in a fog", I wouldn't be far off from the truth. When the fog lifted, the sky was as blue as it has ever been. Flat, thin clouds , way above the horizon made for a pretty sky to drive beneath.

    The morning was so especially nice, that I took Lyla for a stroll within an hour of my arrival. Elizabeth City is full of rabbits as I have mentioned before. There are also a lot of magnolia trees. The woods and yards are full of them, I noticed, as we walked. There are also songbirds and friendly people. A lot of the streets have standing water from the beautiful Pasquotank river.

    Wednesday Evening

    Jenny said there was limited food in the grocery store. I had not thought of that, being I stock pile at the rabbit patch. We managed a good meal anyway and afterwards, I called my parents and then the boys. I reminded Christian to put food out for the kitten.

    The moon was almost full, when I went out later. It was the color of butter and the sky was black. What a peculiar week, I thought. On Friday, we all just knew we would have a rainy weekend.