by Sue Dawson

ALISON just finished hanging her new show in the gallery, to get ready for our Arts District Stroll tomorrow. The furniture’s still a bit askew in here, but the show is hung! It’s a big feat, since all three of us (Alison, Claire, and I) had errands … out… in the fray. It’s August, after all, and it’s a little nutso out there.

Have you ever noticed vacation head? That’s what I call the disconnect that happens to most of us when we finally let ourselves relax. You see it when families are hanging out at the beach – the adults are telling animated stories, each assuming someone else is watching the kids. I mean, at least ONE adult is making sure they’re safe, right? Not necessarily. Vacation head. 

Or there’s an ambulance trying to navigate through summer traffic jams, siren squealing, and only a few cars pull over. Some cars take the opportunity to bolt across intersections, as if they’re just as important. Today I even saw pedestrians amble through the crosswalk, halting traffic that was trying to get out of an ambulance’s way. Vacation head.

Earlier today, Alison heard Claire was going to Edgartown (Morning Glory Farm), and asked her to also pick something up at the Old Sculpin Gallery, while she was in town. Claire said “are you kidding?,” and looked at me like “really?” We laughed at how crazy it sounded to do two errands, on opposite sides of town. What is Alison thinking? (Of course Claire did both errands – she’s professional like that).

Islanders know what I’m talking about. We grit our teeth and look for parking spots, wait in long lines at the grocery store, and cross our fingers that the drawbridge isn’t up. We all talk about how CRAZY it is this year, and tell our stories, counting the days until September.

But I don’t want to wish it away. Friends are visiting, all the stores are open, there are events every day, flowers are blooming, and the beaches are amazing. We’re meeting lots of new people, and having some wonderful conversations. I’ll take all of it. Every year. The cycle from quiet to loud, and back again, is the reason we stay.

So while we’re all here, in the fray, I know a place where you can kick back and enjoy the air conditioning, look at great art, and eat some awesome food. Tomorrow, from 4 to 7. Bring your vacation head with you… 😉